Stray Leaves from an Arctic Journal

In 1850, Sherard Osborn commanded the Pioneer as part of a naval search for Sir John Franklin's missing expedition. His journal follows the ships from their departure in England into Arctic conditions, with particular attention to the work of the steam vessels. Rough weather scatters the squadron early on, while a stop at Stromness brings practical concerns about supplies and memories of the men they hope to find. Osborn mixes an officer's account of ship handling with jokes, personal feeling and praise for his crew.

On land, the search becomes a shared physical effort. An autumn excursion on Cornwallis Island has officers and seamen hauling a sledge, examining the coast and making camp on rough limestone. A ruined stone dwelling prompts close observations of its shape and construction. These details give readers a view of Arctic exploration through its ordinary tasks: towing ships, pulling supplies, pitching tents and cooking meals in the cold. The book is useful for its firsthand account of the search and its early experience of steam navigation in polar waters.