John Hartnell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Hartnell
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| Born | 1820 or 1821 Gillingham, Kent, UK |
| Died | (aged 25) Beechey Island, Canada |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch |  Royal Navy |
| Service years | 1841–1846 |
| Rank | Able seaman |
| Served on | HMS Erebus |
| Expeditions | Franklin expedition |
John Hartnell (born around 1820 – died January 4, 1846) was an English sailor. He was part of Sir John Franklin's journey to find the Northwest Passage. Sadly, he was one of the first people to die on this trip. Experts believe he died from a lack of important nutrients.
He was buried on Beechey Island in the Arctic. Two other sailors, John Torrington and William Braine, were buried near him. Because the Arctic ground is always frozen (called permafrost), John Hartnell's body was found in a very good condition when scientists dug it up in 1984. This helped them learn more about why he died.
About John Hartnell
Early Life
John Hartnell was born in Gillingham, Kent, England. His family were shipbuilders. His parents were Thomas and Sarah Hartnell. John was baptized in Gillingham on July 16, 1820. He grew up learning the trade of a shoemaker.
Joining the Franklin Expedition
John Hartnell joined Sir John Franklin's expedition to find the Northwest Passage. His brother, Thomas, also joined the journey. Both brothers were assigned to the ship HMS Erebus as able seamen.
The expedition set off from Greenhithe, England, on May 19, 1845. There were two ships: HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. The trip was planned to last about three years. The ships carried a lot of supplies, including over 136,000 pounds of flour and 33,000 pounds of canned food. However, no one in Europe heard from the expedition again after July 1845.
See also
In Spanish: John Hartnell para niños
