Robert McClure

Robert McClure. Sir Robert John Le Mesurier McClure was an Irish-born officer in the Royal Navy renowned for his role in Arctic exploration during the mid-19th century. He is credited with the monumental geographical discovery of a sea route comprising the final link of the Northwest Passage, a feat achieved during the extensive search for the lost Franklin expedition. His perilous journey, which involved the abandonment of his ship and an overland trek to rescue, earned him widespread acclaim and significant honors from the British Admiralty and the Royal Geographical Society.

Early life and naval career

Born in Wexford, Ireland, McClure was orphaned as a child and subsequently raised by relatives in England. He entered the Royal Navy in 1824, serving initially on the HMS ''Terror'' under Captain George Back during an expedition to the Arctic Archipelago. His early career included service in the Pacific Ocean and along the coasts of South America, where he participated in anti-slavery patrols. McClure later saw action during the First Opium War in China, serving aboard HMS ''Cruizer'' and distinguishing himself in operations along the Yangtze River. These varied postings honed his navigational skills and resilience, preparing him for the extreme challenges of polar exploration.

Search for the Franklin expedition

In 1848, McClure served as first lieutenant on HMS ''Enterprise'', part of the James Clark Ross expedition sent to locate Sir John Franklin's missing ships, HMS ''Erebus'' and HMS ''Terror''. This initial foray into the Canadian Arctic proved unsuccessful. Determined to continue the search, the British Admiralty launched a massive new effort in 1850. McClure was given command of HMS ''Investigator'', with orders to approach the Arctic from the west via the Bering Strait, while other squadrons, including those led by Horatio Thomas Austin and William Penny, entered from the east. After traversing the strait, McClure sailed north and east along the coast of Alaska and the Northwest Territories.

Discovery of the Northwest Passage

In the autumn of 1850, McClure guided the Investigator into the treacherous waters of Prince of Wales Strait, separating Banks Island and Victoria Island. From a high point on Banks Island, he observed a continuous channel leading to Melville Sound and Viscount Melville Sound, waters already charted from the east by explorers like William Edward Parry. This visual confirmation connected the Atlantic and Pacific approaches, constituting the discovery of a navigable, albeit ice-choked, Northwest Passage. The Investigator then became hopelessly trapped in the pack ice of Mercy Bay, where the crew endured three brutal winters. Facing starvation, they were ultimately rescued in 1853 by a sledge party from HMS ''Resolute'', part of the squadron commanded by Sir Edward Belcher. McClure and his men completed their journey to safety by traveling over the ice to Belcher's ships and eventually returned to England aboard HMS ''North Star''.

Later life and legacy

Upon his return in 1854, McClure was court-martialed for the loss of the Investigator, a standard procedure, and was honorably acquitted. He received numerous accolades, including a knighthood, the Arctic Medal, and a £10,000 reward from the British Parliament. He later achieved the rank of Vice-Admiral and served as an Equerry to Queen Victoria. McClure died in London and was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery. His primary legacy remains the geographical triumph of proving the existence of a complete sea passage through the Arctic Archipelago, a quest that had captivated European nations since the voyages of John Cabot and Martin Frobisher. While the route he identified was not practically navigable for commercial shipping, his name is permanently etched in the history of Arctic exploration, with features like the McClure Strait commemorating his arduous journey.