Adze Head

Relic of Sir John Franklin's last expedition 1845-48. Adze head purchased from the Inuit at Cambridge Bay, Victoria Island in October 1852 by the Collinson Search Expedition 1850-55. An iron fitting with two 'keyholes' adapted by the Inuit. Collinson bought this item fitted with a deerhorn handle and musk horn socket. He thought that the Inuit had added the sharp edge to the head. Collinson thought the item was part of a connecting rod from a steam engine and might have come from Sir John Ross's ship 'Victory', abandoned at the south end of Prince Regent Inlet in 1832.

Object Details

ID: AAA2085
Collection: Polar Equipment and Relics
Type: Adze Head
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Events: Arctic Exploration: Franklin Search Expedition, Collinson, 1850-1855
Vessels: Enterprise 1848 (HMS)
Date made: 1832-1852; 1832-52
People: Royal United Service Institution
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Royal United Service Institution Collection
Measurements: Overall: 171 x 48 x 25 mm