From the Canadian Arctic to the President's Desk HMS Resolute and How She Prevented a War: From the Canadian Arctic to the Presidents Desk and How She Prevented a War - Softcover

Matthews, Elizabeth R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0755203968 ISBN 13: 9780755203963

Publisher: Elizabeth R Matthews, 2007

Synopsis

How did a ship involved in the failed searches for the lost explorer, Sir John Franklin, alter the course of history forever and become the lasting symbol of Anglo-American friendship? Sent into the Canadian Arctic in 1852 to find Franklin as part of the Belcher Expedition, the officers and men of HMS Resolute spent two years under their gallant and kind Captain Kellett unsuccessfully searching for the Franklin Expedition until they were forced by the expedition's commander, Edward Belcher, to abandon ship. Then an American whaler, James Munro Buddington, salvaged Resolute in Baffin Bay, and brought her into his New England homeport on Christmas Eve 1855.

Meanwhile, Britain, seeking soldiers for her Crimean War, and against all international laws about the sovereignty of nations, recruited soldiers in five US cities despite America's declared neutrality. President Franklin Pierce, desperately seeking a way to unify his country riven by the issue of slavery, seized upon this affront. Prime Minister Palmerston, hoping to divert the attention of the British people from his extremely unpopular Crimean War, did not respond with an apology but rather tripled the number of Royal Navy ships just outside American waters. President Pierce appealed for Congressional approval to match that response.

The jingoistic war of words was in danger of exploding into open hostilities as the opposing naval forces faced off: Britain and America were on the brink of their third war until Resolute became the focus of the rising tensions...and then she changed history forever!

In this work of maritime historical fiction follow our young American hero, Abraham Fairfax III, as he wrestles with his Quaker conscience over slavery and goes whaling in the Canadian Arctic. There he falls into the clutches of the sadistic British squadron leader, Edward Belcher, and is rescued by Resolute's intrepid captain, Henry Kellett. Arriving in Ireland Abraham falls in love with Kellett's beautiful but headstrong daughter.

Read about their adventures as they are inextricably entwined with the divergent lives of Arctic explorers, salt-encrusted Yankee whalers, and cross-Atlantic warmongering politicians in the incredible story of Her Majesty's Ship Resolute!

 

“Elizabeth Matthews, an American writer, knows more about the history of HMS Resolute, and the complicated political background which threatened war between Great Britain and the US, than anyone else.”

—the late Michael Phillips— leading British naval historian

 

 

About this title

Review:

"In 1852, HMS Resolute, under Captain Henry Kellett, ventured into the Arctic as part of a search operation led by the sadistic Sir Edward Belcher. It was the squadron's duty to locate John Franklin, the explorer. During the mission, Resolute became lodged in the arctic ice. After two years, she was abandoned by the expedition and left for dead.
HMS Resolute, by Elizabeth Matthews, takes place during the British involvement in the Crimean War, but its focus is on the escalating tensions between the United States and Britain regarding the US's neutral status. This drama plays out against the backdrop of the increasingly volatile slavery issue in the United States.
Matthews focuses the American portion of this story on a Quaker family in the New London, Connecticut, whaling industry. Fairfax Abraham and his son are torn by their different approaches to the issue of slavery, and the son, Fair Abe, volunteers to go on an arctic whaling expedition to clear his head. While on his journey, he spends some time aboard Resolute. By the end of the story, both the Abraham family and the Resolute play central roles in the resolution of the diplomatic difficulties between the US and Britain.
HMS Resolute is a well-written, though short, novel. I say short because there are a number of incidents that are addressed in the book that I would like to read more about. The writing was well done, and I wouldn't mind spending more time immersed in the world that Matthews has created. This book would make a good addition to most historical fiction collections. It is a fast-paced, enjoyable novel, which covers a period that has not really been addressed by other writers of historical fiction."-- Rob Amend, Historical Novel Society

 

"HMS Resolute covers an fascinating period before the American Civil War when Britain and America nearly went to war with each other. It is well grounded in the complex politics of the time. This is a forgotten tale, which few know about, that starts with the search for the Northwest Passage. Although this is a fictional work the author has obviously done very thorough research on the ship and the people involved, and it is clear that she has a deep knowledge of her subject. The book is very readable and and the characters are believable. It should appeal to lovers of historical fiction in Canada, USA and Britain. My only critcism is that one event, and there are many dramatic episodes in this tale, when the crew of Resolute rescues the starving sailors from HMS Investigator, is only given a brief mention.Perhaps the author should consider a non-fiction book where she could go into the events in even greater depths."

From the Author:

This book treats in depth the complex politics in both the USA and UK, which lead them to being on the brink of their 3rd war in the mid 1850s. This gives the reader the ability to understand more fully why both HMS RESOLUTE, and the desk made from her timbers that is in the oval office today, are such important symbols for the special relationship between America & Britain. Unlike another book that is meant to be non-fiction, the details about Arctic exploration are thoroughly researched, and the characters well rounded.

About this edition

• Publisher: Elizabeth R Matthews
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0755203968
• ISBN 13: 9780755203963
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198