Sheet block

A relic of Sir John Franklin's last expedition 1845-48. A sheet block and hook found in an abandoned boat at Erebus Bay, King William Island, in May 1859 by the McClintock Search Expedition 1857-59. An oak 4-inch sheet block with a hook. There is a brass sheave inside and a rope strap around the outside with an eye and copper sheet hook attached. A number (1) has been painted on in white by the Royal Naval Museum, Greenwich.

McClintock's party reached this site on 30 May and discovered that Hobson had been there a few days before on 18 May. The boat was 28 foot long and mounted on a heavy sledge. McClintock found it just above high tide mark pointing back in the direction of the ships and containing a large quantity of abandoned personal possessions and two skeletons. McClintock considered the block and sheet hook evidence that the boat had been provided with a sail.

Object Details

ID: AAA2198
Collection: Polar Equipment and Relics
Type: Sheet block
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Events: Arctic Exploration: Franklin's Last Expedition, 1845-1848; Arctic Exploration: Franklin Search Expedition, McClintock, 1857-1859
Vessels: Fox (1855)
Date made: Before 1845
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London.
Measurements: Overall: 72 x 200 x 95 mm