Fury & Hecla: Stories of Exploration
August 27 to September 11, 2009
Start: Ottawa
Finish: Ottawa
Day 1
Ottawa, Canada
In 1821,His Majesty’s Ships Fury and Hecla sailed from England to the northern most limit of Foxe Basin in the Canadian Arctic. Nearly 200 years later, our version of that historic voyage begins with a night in Canada’s capital city.
Day 2
Embarkation Day
The original expedition was under the command of William Edward Parry. Our Expedition Leader will greet you on embarkation in Resolute, after a charter flight form Ottawa.
Day 3
Beechey Island
A shipboard presentation and a shore landing on Beechey Island recall the tragic disappearance of and the subsequent massive search for John Franklin and his missing men and ships. Parry’s expedition in comparison was trouble-free, although also unsuccessful in its search for the Northwest Passage.
Day 4
Lancaster Sound
As Parry’s officers would, we watch for wildlife, noting the location of seabird colonies and areas of open water where marine mammals surface to breathe.
Day 5
Somerset Island
The icebreaker carries two helicopters for ice reconnaissance, as well as aerial sightseeing – a luxury Parry had to do without. You go aloft to watch the massive vessel crush its way southward.
Day 6
Peel Sound
Only 108 travelers will participate in this singular expedition that includes a transit of Peel Sound. This is the passage that most historians believe was taken by Sir John Franklin’s expedition before being beset in the ice off King William Island.
Day 7
Bellot Strait and Fort Ross
This narrow strait separates Somerset Island from the North American. The icebreaker will pass Zenith Point, the northernmost point of mainland North America. We plan to land at Fort Ross, a former Hudson’s Bay Company trading post to visit the buildings that still remain.
Day 8
Gulf of Boothia
More stories of exploration revolve around John Ross and his nephew James Clark Ross. Both played significant roles in Arctic exploration.
Day 9
Fury and Hecla Strait
During this voyage you sail through waters and visit islands named for those who led or financed expeditions – Baffin, Foxe, Booth, Davis as well as their ships – Resolute, and, of course, Fury and Hecla.
Day 10-11
Foxe Basin
Due to the ice that often impeded navigation through the Basin, the biological richness and diversity of the area remained unknowed until recently. Bearded seals, and a large population of walrus live in the northern part of the Basin. Ringed seals inhabit the region near Southampton Island. Bowhead and beluga whales summer here. Birder’s should be alert for Sabine’s Gulls.
Day 12
Cape Dorset, Baffin Island
Another aspect of contemporary Arctic history is the development of internationally renowned artists’ cooperatives. The Cape Dorset was the first. Printmaking and soapstone carving from Cape Dorset are displayed in galleries around the world.
Day 13
Kimmirut
Arctic explorers Henry Hudson and Martin Frobisher left their names on the maps and charts of the Canadian Arctic. Hudson’s Bay and Hudson Strait honor Henry and Frobisher Bay honors Martin. In the 21st century Canadian Arctic, maps and charts are reverting to the names the indigenous people gave to the waterways and communities centuries before the Europeans passed through on the way to Asia. You will learn of the impact of the Inuit on the Europeans as well as the impact of Europeans on the Inuit.
Day 14
Lady Franklin Island
The waters surrounding this island have not been completely charted, making a visit a rare occurrence.
Day 15
Iqaluit to Ottawa
We fly from Iqaluit to Ottawa, where you spend the night.
A free information kit is available from request expedition dossier.