A detailed account of the controversial Scottish whaling master – authorized by Lady Franklin, yet dismissed by the Admiralty – who led the first of the Franklin searches.

A detailed account of the controversial Scottish whaling master – authorized by Lady Franklin, yet dismissed by the Admiralty – who led the first of the Franklin searches.

Ross W. Gillies :

W. Gillies Ross (1931-2019) was professor emeritus of geography at Bishop's University.W. Gillies Ross is professor emeritus of geography at Bishop's University.

"A significant new study that gives us the first clear overview of a complex, contentious, and vitally important period in the search for Franklin, Hunters on the Track is extraordinarily detailed and well researched, and will be of great value to anyone with an interest in the Franklin era." Russell Potter, Rhode Island College and author of Finding Franklin: The Untold Story of a 165-Year Search

"With Hunters on the Track, Ross has crafted the first detailed, comprehensive account of one of the most far-reaching searches for the missing Franklin expedition, with particular emphasis on the crucial role played in it by whaling captain William Penny. The list of at least 15 archival repositories in the Notes and Bibliography, gives some idea of the author's thoroughness and dedication to his research. Ross's style is very readable and entertaining and the text is sometimes leavened with a touch of humour." William Barr, Arctic Institute of North America, University of Calgary

"While this is an undeniably authoritative work, it should not be the last word on the wider 1850-51 expedition. Many more stures are waiting to be told, and future hunters on the track will be able to uncover bring new insights if they follow the detailed map drawn so carefully by W. Gillies Ross." Arctic

"The documentary record of the search for Franklin feels as vast and varied as the Arctic Archipelago itself, and Ross skillfully weaves together the many logbooks, letters, official reports, private journals, and published narratives of the events of 1850–51. Writers on the search for Franklin have tended to exalt naval men and to overlook whalers. [...] Ross's volume is an act of rehabilitation for these working people." Canada's History