Polar Exploration

Memorial: M552

Celtic Cross in Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh commemorating Lieutenant John Irving RN, d. 1848

Location

Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh, Scotland

Transcript

'IN MEMORY OF / LIEVT JOHN IRVING R.N. / H.M. SHIP TERROR / BORN 1815 / DIED IN KING WILLIAM'S LAND / 1848-9 / HER MAJESTY'S SHIPS / EREBUS AND TERROR / LEFT ENGLAND IN MAY / 1845 UNDER COMMAND / OF SIR JOHN FRANKLIN K.C.B. TO EXPLORE A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE / TO THE PACIFIC / AFTER WINTERING / 1845 AT BEECHEY ISL / AND THEY SAILED SOUT / H DOWN FRANKLIN ST / RAIT AND ENTERED THE / N.W. PASSAGE / HAVING BEEN THERE BESET WITH ICE FOR TWO YEARS SIR J. FRANKLIN / 8 OTHER OFFICERS AND / 15 SEAMEN HAVING DIED / THE SURVIVORS 105 IN / NUMBER LIEUT IRVING / BEING ONE LANDED ON / KING WILLIAM LAND A / ND ATTEMPTED TO MARC / H TO CANADA BUT ALL D / IED FROM COLD AND WAN / T OF FOOD. / IN 1879 LIEVT SCHWAT / KA OF THE AMERICAN SE / ARCHING EXPEDITION DI / SCOVERED LIEVT IRVING / S GRAVE. THROUGH HIS / KINDNESS THE REMAINS / OF THIS BRAVE AND GOO / D OFFICER WERE BROUGH / T AWAY AND WERE DEPOS / ITED HERE ON 7TH JANUA / RY 1881 / "WHO SHALL SEPARATE US / FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST/ SHALL TRIBULATION OR / DISTRESS - OR - FAMINE"' {Base} 'DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI'

Details

Description: Celtic cross carved with interlaced decoration. The inscription is placed on the shaft. Two carved rope bands run round the top of the base. The base is carved with a relief showing crew members preparing to bury Irving as his body is dragged across the ice to the shore. The two expedition ships are shown beset in the background. The two sides of Irving's silver mathematics medal are shown above. This was found near his original grave and was the principal means by which the remains were identified.


Type: Celtic cross
Position: Block G
Materials: Sandstone
Artists: Stewart McGlashen
Vessel: HMS Terror

People

Irving, John
Age:
Date of Death: 1848
Cause of Death: Unknown/None
Rank / Occupation: Lieutenant RN
Organisation: Royal Navy

Extra

Notes: Died on Franklin Arctic expedition.
Bibliography: Ann Savours 'Franklin Memorial at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich', 'Mariners Mirror' vol. 72, p. 481, (Greenwich, 1986); R.J. Cyriax 'Sir John Franklin's Last Arctic Expedition' (London, 1939) p. 204.
Recorder: B. Tomlinson
Photographer: B. Tomlinson
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