Mysteries Department
Sign inRequest access
0

What did the survivors do after leaving the ships in April 1848?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·4 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: some men returned to the ships, and one or both were sailed or drifted south with men aboardAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Four answers have been proposed. Some men returned to the ships, and one or both were sailed or drifted south with men aboard. leads, with evidence 2 for: partly supported by its tests. Three are still possible. Of the three narrower questions under it, none is answered yet.

Why it matters

The Victory Point record gives a plan, not an outcome⁠[1]. Erebus was found far south of where the ships were deserted, and Inuit testimony describes people on a ship later⁠[2]⁠[3]. The answer decides where the remaining dead and papers lie.

Answers 4

Evidence: 2 for
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for
Still possible
Evidence: 1 for, 1 against
Disputed

History

  1. Woodman puts forward: some men returned to the ships, and one or both were sailed or drifted south with men aboard.
  2. Woodman: inuit testimony describes a ship with people and later a dead man aboard.For: Some men returned to the ships, and one or both were sailed or drifted south with men aboard.
  3. Parks Canada: erebus lies far south of where the ships were abandoned.For: Some men returned to the ships, and one or both were sailed or drifted south with men aboard.
  4. Stenton puts forward: the whole party set out together for the Back River and died along the way; the ships drifted south unmanned.
  5. Stenton puts forward: the two crews travelled separately, by design or by accident.
  6. Stenton: the five identified men near Erebus Bay are all from Erebus.Against: The whole party set out together for the Back River and died along the way; the ships drifted south unmanned.
  7. Stenton: the 1848 record states the intention to start for Back's Fish River on 26 April.For: The whole party set out together for the Back River and died along the way; the ships drifted south unmanned.
  8. Stenton: all five identified men who died near Erebus Bay served on Erebus; Peglar of Terror died near Gladman Point.For: The two crews travelled separately, by design or by accident.
  9. Asked on this site
Add evidence
1What it bears on2What you found3Where it comes from
Which answer?
Does it count for or against it?
In a sentence, what did you find?
What you found optional
Where it comes from optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Propose an answer
Your answer, in a sentence
What would rule it out? optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Ask a sub-question
Your question
Why it would help optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.
Add a source
The source
What it shows about this question optional
Two reviewers check it before it counts, one of whom backs a different answer. You'll hear back by email: accepted, needs changes, or a duplicate.

Discussion 0

Add to the discussion