Queen Victoria visiting HMS Resolute, Cowes 1856

Queen Victoria of Great Britain boarding the Arctic exploration ship HMS Resolute in Cowes Harbour, 15th December 1856. In 1852 HMS Resolute had set out with three other Royal Navy ships to search for the missing explorer, Sir John Franklin, who had disappeared in the Northwest Passage in 1845. In her exploration of the Canadian coast Resolute became ice-bound and was abandoned by her crew. When the ice melted the ship travelled south without crew, until salvaged by American whalers. The US navy acquired the Resolute and restored her, then sailed her back to England to be presented to the British Government as a token of friendship between the USA and Great Britain

1852 1856 Acquired Boarding Cowes Disappeared Melted Northwest Resolute Sailed Salvaged Token Travelled Whalers

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