Voyages of Discovery in the Arctic and Antarctic Seas, and round the World

Published in 1884 and illustrated with over 100 of his own drawings and maps, this two-volume work by the doctor and naturalist Robert McCormick (1800-90) provides an account of his voyages in the Arctic with William Parry and in the Antarctic with James Clark Ross, noting also his part in the search for Sir John Franklin. Incorporating a very detailed autobiography, McCormick's work also provides many details relating to natural history and geology. Volume 2 describes his role in the 1852-4 mission to find Franklin in the Arctic, including an open boat voyage up the Wellington Channel. The appendices provide notes on maintaining health in polar climes. This is followed by McCormick's autobiography, tracing his struggles to gain promotion in his naval career. Copies of correspondence relating to the Franklin search reveal his battle to have his ideas accepted by the Admiralty.