2-888-108 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Arctic Expedition in Search of Sir John Franklin - First Iceberg Seen, June 3, 1850. Sketch by '...a Lieutenant of the Assistance...The iceberg was about 70 feet in height...During the still night, whilst lying at anchor, the crew often heard the report of icebergs splitting, with the sound of an earthquake....extract from a private letter, written by an officer of the US brig Advance, off St. John's, Newfoundland: "Yesterday we made the southern cape of Newfoundland, and at the same time fell in with several icebergs; we have continued to meet them since, and now have at least twenty in sight around us. The officers and men are all in good health and spirits, and, with myself, are sanguine as to the success of the enterprise".' It was later discovered that the Franklin's entire crew had died after their ships became icebound. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.