DNA Solves 180-Year-Old Arctic Expedition Mystery

Approximately 180 years after Sir John Franklin's ill-fated Arctic expedition ended in disaster, scientists have identified four additional crew members through advanced DNA analysis. This significant breakthrough, led by researchers at the University of Waterloo, utilized DNA extracted from teeth found at expedition sites. The analysis successfully matched genetic material from the remains with DNA donated by living descendants, confirming the identities of William Orren, David Young, John Bridgens, and Harry Peglar. These identifications bring the total number of identified sailors from the 1845 expedition to six, following previous discoveries.

The Franklin expedition, which aimed to chart the Northwest Passage, saw its two ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, trapped in ice near King William Island in September 1846. The surviving crew attempted an escape on foot and by dragging boats across the Arctic terrain in 1848, but tragically, no one survived. The challenging process of extracting usable DNA from remains exposed to harsh Arctic conditions for so long was overcome by focusing on teeth enamel, which better preserves genetic material.

This new research not only identifies more members of the lost expedition but also provides insights into their final days. One identified sailor's remains showed evidence of cannibalism, a grim discovery among the hardships faced by the crew. The study also aims to identify more crew members and deepen the understanding of this catastrophic loss of life, offering a measure of closure for the descendants of those who never returned.