The Victory Point note is a famous Franklin expedition artifact.
History[]
In late May 1847, Lt. Graham Gore and mate Charles Des Voeux as well as six men reached James Ross's cairn at Victory Point and left a note inside before they continued on their journey south.
Almost one year late in April 1848, after some difficulty, the note was rediscovered by Lt. John Irving. Irving brought the note back to Captain Crozier and Captain Fitzjames and they updated it before placing it in a cairn at Crozier's Landing, which is a few kilometres south of Victory Point.
Discovery[]
In 1859, Francis McClintock and his search expedition rediscovered and opened the cairn and found the note inside.
Transcript[]
1st Message[]
28 of May 1847 H.M.S.hips Erebus and Terror Wintered in the Ice in Lat. 70°5'N Long. 98°.23'W Having wintered in 1846-7 at Beechey Island in Lat 74°43'28"N Long 91°39'15"W After having ascended Wellington Channel to Lat 77° and returned by the West side of Cornwallis Island. Sir John Franklin commanding the Expedition. All well Party consisting of 2 Officers and 6 Men left the ships on Monday 24th May 1847.—Gm. Gore, Lieut., Chas. F. Des Voeux, Mate
2nd Message[]
25th April 1848 HMShips Terror and Erebus were deserted on the 22nd April 5 leagues NNW of this having been beset since 12th Sept 1846. The officers and crews consisting of 105 souls under the command of Captain F. R. M. Crozier landed here—in Lat. 69°37'42" Long. 98°41' This paper was found by Lt. Irving under the cairn supposed to have been built by Sir James Ross in 1831—4 miles to the Northward—where it had been deposited by the late Commander Gore in May 1847. Sir James Ross' pillar has not however been found and the paper has been transferred to this position which is that in which Sir J. Ross' pillar was erected—Sir John Franklin died on the 11th of June 1847 and the total loss by deaths in the Expedition has been to this date 9 officers and 15 men.—James Fitzjames Captain HMS Erebus F. R. M. Crozier Captain & Senior Offr And start on tomorrow 26th for Backs Fish River