Robert John Le Mesurier McClure Biography and Timeline

Birth of Robert McClure

Robert McClure is born in Wexford and later leads the expedition credited with completing the first known transit of the Northwest Passage.

Royal Navy Entry

McClure enters the Royal Navy as a midshipman after rejecting a military career and begins training as a naval officer.

Role range: 1824-1873

HMS Terror Arctic Expedition

McClure gains his first polar experience aboard HMS Terror during George Back's difficult Arctic expedition.

Role range: 1836-1837

Promotion to Lieutenant

McClure is promoted to lieutenant after returning from the Arctic expedition in HMS Terror.

Role range: 1837-1850

Enterprise Franklin Search

McClure joins HMS Enterprise on an early Royal Navy search for the missing Franklin expedition.

Role range: 1848-1849

Investigator Trapped in Ice

Investigator becomes locked in Arctic ice near Banks Island, forcing McClure to continue reconnaissance by sledge and on foot.

Role range: 1850-1854

Northwest Passage Connection Identified

McClure establishes that the waters ahead connect with Melville Sound and realizes that his expedition has identified a Northwest Passage route.

Role range: 1850-1854

Investigator Expedition Begins

McClure commands HMS Investigator into the Arctic from the Pacific side while searching for Franklin and a navigable Northwest Passage.

Role range: 1850-1854

Investigator Trapped at Mercy Bay

Investigator becomes permanently trapped at Mercy Bay, where McClure and his crew endure two additional Arctic winters.

Role range: 1850-1854

Relief Party Reaches Investigator

Lieutenant Bedford Pim reaches McClure's isolated expedition by sledge from HMS Resolute, ending years without direct contact with other search parties.

Role range: 1850-1854

Investigator Abandoned

McClure abandons the icebound Investigator and leads his crew eastward to join ships approaching from the Atlantic side of the Arctic.

Role range: 1850-1854

Northwest Passage Expedition Returns

McClure and his surviving crew return to Britain after completing the Northwest Passage through a combination of ship voyages and overland travel.

Role range: 1850-1854