Polar Exploration

Memorial: M1302

Memorial on Beechey Island, Canada commemorating Lieutenant Joseph Bellot d. 1853

Location

Beechey Island, Nunavut, Canada, Rest of the World

Transcript

'Sacred / TO THE MEMORY OF / MONSIEUR BELLOT, / LIEUTENANT IN THE FRENCH NAVY, / AND / CHEVALIER OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR, / WHO ACCOMPANIED MR. KENNEDY / AND CAPTAIN INGLEFIELD / ON THEIR RESPECTIVE VISITS TO THE / ARCTIC REGIONS. Whilst attached to H.M.S. Phoenix, / under Captain Inglefield he gallantly / volunteered to convey Despatches to / Captain Sir E. Belcher, with a sledge / crew from H.M.S. North Star. In a heavy gale of wind on the 18th / August,1853, he was drowned by the / disruption of the ice near Cape Grinnell, / much lamented by the Arctic Squadron / and all who had the pleasure of know- / ing his value and noble spirit'

Details

Type: Headboard
Materials: Wood

People

Bellot, Joseph Rene
Age: 27
Date of Death: 18/8/1853
Cause of Death: Unknown
Rank / Occupation: Lieutenant
Organisation: French Navy

Extra

Notes: M'Dougall, who says this inscription was placed on a headboard, gives a slightly different and shorter wording. This transcript accords with the version in the 'Illustrated London News' 28 Oct 1854 p. 421. Bellot apparently fell between two ice floes and drowned, although the incident was not witnessed.

Bibliography: George F. M'Dougall 'The eventful voyage of H.M. Discovery ship 'Resolute' to the Arctic Regions.
JSON