DNA Identifies Four Sailors From Doomed Arctic Expedition

Why this is here: Researchers used DNA to confirm the remains found with expedition documents belonged to Harry Peglar, captain of the foretop on the HMS Terror, ending a 165-year debate about his identity.

Researchers at the University of Waterloo and Lakehead University in Canada identified four sailors from the Franklin Expedition, a British polar mission that perished in 1845. The HMS Erebus and HMS Terror set out to chart a Northwest Passage, but both ships became trapped in Arctic ice. Nearly two years later, all 129 men on board died, creating a lasting mystery in British polar history.

The team extracted DNA from archaeological samples and matched it with living descendants. They confirmed the identities of William Orren, David Young, John Bridgens, and Harry Peglar, all of whom served on either the Erebus or Terror. Peglar’s identification resolves a long-standing debate stemming from inconsistencies in his remains—he was found wearing a steward’s clothing despite holding a higher rank.

While these discoveries offer insight into the expedition’s final days, questions remain about why Peglar was improperly dressed and why his remains were found so far from the others. Six of the 129 sailors have been identified to date, and the University of Waterloo seeks additional DNA from descendants to continue the work.