Arctic obsession is still relevant
By Steven Davies
Adventure, failure and disaster in one of the most hostile environments on Earth will be the subjects tackled in a new exhibition set to open at the National Maritime Museum later this month. North-West Passage: An Arctic Obsession features more than 120 objects including maps, letters and native Inuit artefacts, aimed at bringing British exploration of the Arctic to life.
The exhibition concentrates on the many failed and disastrous expeditions undertaken by explorers keen to discover and map the passage, which they believed would act as a lucrative trade route between Europe and the East.
However the exhibition is not just a nostalgic stroll through history, but is intended to raise environmental and political issues in the minds of visitors as well.
Spokesman for the museum Nigel Rubenstein, said: "The exhibition is certainly motivated by environmental issues.
"The Catlin Arctic Survey is currently measuring the thickness of the ice in the region, as well as the current impact we are having on the regions wildlife.
"This and current issues of sovereignty, due to the oil deposits in the area, mean this exhibition is about both the modern and the historical.
"The whole world is once again focussing on the arctic region."
Some of the key artefacts on display include relics recovered from Sir John Franklin's doomed voyage in 1845, which offer a stark illustration of Arctic survival techniques.
Also on show will be drawings from John Ross' 1829 voyage, which document the first encounter with the native Inuits as well as the original flag staff used to mark the discovery of the magnetic north pole in 1831.
May 23-Jan 3, 10am-5pm FREE, 020 8858 4422, nmm.ac.uk, DLR: Cutty Sark
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