'Alert' (1856) with the crew working to free the ship from the barrier of 'floe-bergs'.

A view from the starboard bow of 'Alert' (1856) looking towards the Polar Sea with the crew working to free the ship from the barrier of 'floe-bergs'. On 23 July 1876 a strong southwesterly wind had driven the pack ice away from the shore. On the return of shooting parties on 24 July, preperations were made to depart with the re-embarkation of stores, instruments and equipment. After considerable labour by means of powder to blow a passage through the grounded 'floe-bergs', the ship was freed on 31 July 1876 and proceeded to round Cape Rawson and entered Robeson Channel. The motionless polar pack ice can be seen in the distance.

Object Details

ID: ALB1093.103
Type: Photographic print
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Mitchell, Thomas; White, George
Date made: 25 to 31 July 1876
Credit: Lent by Her Majesty The Queen
Measurements: Overall: 330 x 392 x 130 mm
Parts: Nares Arctic Expedition, 1875-1876. (Photograph Album)