A chance for adventure and fame! April 24, 1848, Sir John Franklin and his crew boarded their ships and sailed off to the arctic. They were cheered on with shouting and waving, utterly confident that they would be the first men to navigate the Northwest Passage. But how did they prepare? Each ship carried a 12-day supply of coal for a likely 2 to 3 year voyage. A minor overlook. Instead of extra coal, the ships made room for fine china, wine goblets, sterling silver, a 1,200-volume library and a baroque hand-organ.They sailed north sporting the finest uniforms of the British navy. Yet not one man brought the extra clothing needed for the bitter climates. No one came back. All 129 sailors sunk into the frozen sea.
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