A relic of Sir John Franklin's last expedition 1845-8. A silver, square-ended table spoon, owned by Lieutenant. Edward Couch 'HMS Erebus'. It was bought from the Inuit by the McClintock Search Expedition on 3 March 1859, near Cape Victoria, on the Boothia Peninsula. The spoon has Exeter hallmarks with the date code for 1831 and the maker's mark of Isaac Parkin - the initials 'I.P'. The handle is engraved with a 'C' below a lion's head crest.
See F.L. McClintock 'The voyage of the Fox in the Arctic Seas' p. 369 'six silver spoons and forks, the property of Sir John Franklin, Lieutenants H.D. Vescomte and Fairholme, A. McDonald, Assistant-Surgeon, and Lieutenant E. Couch (supposed from the initial letter T and crest a lion's head'.
See F.L. McClintock 'The voyage of the Fox in the Arctic Seas' p. 369 'six silver spoons and forks, the property of Sir John Franklin, Lieutenants H.D. Vescomte and Fairholme, A. McDonald, Assistant-Surgeon, and Lieutenant E. Couch', p.370 'The spoons and forks were readily sold for a few needles each'.

Edward Couch’s father James Couch was a lieutenant in HMS ‘Conqueror ‘at Trafalgar and for nine years from 1821, commanded the receiving ship ‘Perseus’, stationed off the Tower. It seems likely therefore, that Edward was born in London although Couch is a Cornish or West Country surname. Edward was appointed as Mate of HMS ‘Erebus’ in 1845 and was promoted to Lieutenant after the ship sailed. Commander Fitzjames described him as a ‘little, black-haired, smooth-faced fellow-good humoured in his own way; writes, reads, works, draws, all quietly. Is never in the way of anybody, and always ready when wanted’. Edward Couch perished with the other members of Sir John Franklin’s North West Passage expedition. His father died in 1850 before his son's death was confirmed.