Mystery of Three Captains: Franklin Expedition and the Complexities of Royal Navy Rankings

The exploration of the Arctic remains one of the most intriguing and perplexing endeavors in 19th-century history, with The Franklin Expedition being a prime example. The complexity of the Royal Navy's ranking system during this period added layers of intrigue, particularly concerning the presence of three captains on the expedition—Sir John Franklin, Francis Crozier, and James Fitzjames. This article aims to unravel the complexities behind this enigmatic trio and their roles during the expedition.

The Ranking System of 19th Century Royal Navy

To understand the peculiarities of the Franklin Expedition, one must first delve into the management structure and promotion rankings of the Royal Navy during the 19th century. The hierarchy was intricate, with Admirals ruling at the top and the capability to promote officers based on various factors, both formal and informal.

tAdmiral of the Fleet: A high-ranking position, often hereditary. tAdmiral tVice Admiral tRear Admiral tCommodore: A command position below captain. tCaptain: A key position, often referred to as the "commanding officer" of a ship. tCommander: A lower ranking than captain but often referred to as captain on ships. tLieutenant-Commander: A rank between commander and lieutenant. tLieutenant: The lowest rank among commissioned officers, divided into senior and junior lieutenant.

During the Napoleonic Wars, special ranks like Vice-Admiral of the White, Red, Blue, etc., were introduced, but for the focus of this article, these are irrelevant to our discussion.

Royal Navy Ranks and Positions in the Franklin Expedition

Distinguished Royal figures and captains, like Sir John Franklin, Lieutenant (later rated) James Fitzjames, and Francis Crozier, occupied specialized roles, showcasing the unique and often confusing nature of the 19th-century naval hierarchy.

Sir John Franklin, as a Rear Admiral, was the overall commander of the expedition, and his flagship was the HMS Erebus. However, he was not officially referred to as Rear Admiral by his men. Instead, they called him Captain Franklin. His colleagues, including other officers, addressed him more informally as “Sir John”, reflecting the unofficial but widely accepted understanding of his status.

James Fitzjames, initially a Commander, was the captain of the HMS Erebus. This arrangement was typical, as at the time, even if an officer was officially a commander, they could often be referred to as captains, especially when commanding their own ships. His letters indicate that he was expecting a promotion but filled the captain's role on the HMS Erebus until his eventual promotion to captain by the Admiralty.

Francis Crozier, a rated captain, was the second-in-command of the expedition and the captain of the HMS Terror. His role was clear, and his position was highly respected, but he lacked the dashing and charismatic appeal that the Admiralty often sought in commanding officers.

Field Promotions and Official Recognitions

Due to the nature of the expedition, promotions and recognitions for service were not always official and recorded in time. In December 1845, about nine months after the expedition left for the Arctic, the Admiralty promoted James Fitzjames to captain, officially recognizing his efforts. This promotion was mentioned in O'Byrne's Naval Biography Dictionary, which noted that Fitzjames had been in command of the HMS Erebus since March 1845.

Field Promotions and Subsequent Events

During the expedition, other officers also received unforeseen promotions. The Lieutenants of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, Richard King Gore and William Edward Drummond Little, were promoted to Commander or Lieutenant-Commander in their absence. At least Lieutenant Gore received the promotion to Commander before his death. The Victory Point Note from James Fitzjames and Francis Crozier referred to him as the "late Commander Gore," suggesting he had indeed been promoted while on the expedition.

Upon the death of Sir John Franklin, James Fitzjames took on the role of second-in-command under Francis Crozier and was officially recognized as a captain by the Admiralty. This latter promotion would have been discovered upon his return, had it not been for the expedition's tragic fate.

Conclusion

The presence of three captains within a single expedition highlights the complex and often confusing nature of naval rank promotions during the 19th century. These promotions and recognitions were not always official or recorded in a timely manner, leading to an intricate web of command and responsibility.

For those interested in the history of the Royal Navy and the Franklin Expedition, understanding these complexities is crucial to deciphering the true nature of command and control during this period of Arctic exploration.