McGill-Queen's Native and Northern Series - 5: Unravelling the Franklin Mystery

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David Woodman's classic reconstruction of the events surrounding the tragic Franklin expedition has gained renewed significance following the discovery of the HMS Erebus wreck, the ship Sir John Franklin sailed in 1845 during his ill-fated quest for the Northwest Passage. First published in 1991, this work boldly challenged prevailing interpretations and offered a compelling alternative perspective. Woodman was the first to recognize the critical importance of Inuit oral testimony, analyzing it in depth to uncover insights into the Franklin disaster. His investigations led him to conclude that Inuit likely visited Franklin's ships while the crew was still aboard, with some Inuit witnessing the sinking of one of the vessels. Much of the Inuit testimony included had never been published before, providing pivotal clues for Woodman's reconstruction of the mystery. This inquiry into a significant part of Canadian history, which had remained unanswered for over a century, is both compelling and impressive. The new edition features a preface by the author that discusses the recent discovery and reviews subsequent research on various aspects of the Franklin story, reinforcing the book's premise that Inuit testimony is key to unlocking the mystery.