An examination of Edward Inglefield's 1852 voyage into Jones Sound

ABSTRACT Edward Augustus Inglefield is usually credited with penetrating Jones Sound to 84°W longitude during his Franklin search voyage of 1852. His chart of the region including Coburg Island replaced Horatio Austin's chart made in 1851 and became the accepted standard until the 20th century....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar Record
Main Author: Graville, Brian
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247411000507
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247411000507
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT Edward Augustus Inglefield is usually credited with penetrating Jones Sound to 84°W longitude during his Franklin search voyage of 1852. His chart of the region including Coburg Island replaced Horatio Austin's chart made in 1851 and became the accepted standard until the 20th century. By analysing Inglefield's map of Coburg Island it is shown that he made several errors in navigation and surveying which resulted in him believing he was further west than he really was and overestimating his speed. The results suggest he mistook Stewart Islands for Cone and Smith Islands and that his Sir Robert Inglis Peak reportedly seen near 84°W was actually Cone Island. Thus his penetration of Jones Sound was no further than Austin's the year before and the ready acceptance of his charts set back the mapping of that region of the Arctic for three quarters of a century.