A new DNA analysis has confirmed the remains of Captain James Fitzjames, a Royal Navy officer who perished on the tragic 1845 Franklin expedition to the Northwest Passage. The identification, made possible by matching DNA from a tooth to a living relative, sheds light on the gruesome realities of the expedition’s final days. The analysis also confirms that Fitzjames was a victim of cannibalism, a grim practice resorted to by the starving survivors.
The 10th anniversary of the discovery of the HMS Erebus wreck is marked with celebrations highlighting the collaboration between Inuit communities, Parks Canada, and other organizations in preserving and understanding the site. This partnership has led to significant achievements, including the establishment of the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site, co-ownership of recovered artifacts, and a ten-year Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement.
