CAPT. CROZIER'S HMS TERROR MONUMENT BANBRIDGE
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
- I've motorcycled down to my old stamping ground town of Banbridge on a rare visit. I spent my first 17 -18 years living here in Windsor Terrace on the Castlewellan Road, before moving down to gilnahirk, Belfast, 26 miles away, for good.
Crozier's Monument always dominated the skyline and view whenever you went to shop or walk up the town. I used to climb around it as a lad with my mates. I knocked about with George or Geordie Crozier a descendant of the good Captain. I wouldn't have spent a lot of time thinking about the heroics associated with this explorer or his death defying crew.
Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier (16 August 1796 - after 1848?) was born in Ireland at Banbridge, County Down and was a British naval officer who participated in six exploratory expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. He was named after Francis Rawdon, the 2nd Earl of Moira, who was a friend of his father.
Francis Crozier was born at Avonmore House which still stands today opposite his large memorial in Church Square Banbridge, County Down, Ireland. He was the eleventh of thirteen children, and the fifth son, of attorney-at-law George Crozier, Esq. Francis attended school locally in Banbridge, with his brothers William and Thomas and lived with his family in Avonmore House in the centre of Banbridge which his father had built in 1792.
In 1845, he joined Sir John Franklin on the Northwest Passage expedition as captain of HMS Terror. After Franklin's death in June 1847, he took command of the expedition, and his fate and that of the other expedition members remained a mystery until a note from him and James Fitzjames, captain of Erebus, the other ship on the expedition, was discovered on King William Island in 1859 during an expedition led by Captain F. L. McClintock. Dated 25 April 1848, the note said that the ships, stuck in ice, had been abandoned. Nine officers, including John Franklin, and 15 crewmen had died, and the survivors were setting out on 26 April for Back's Fish River on the Canadian mainland.[1] There were later, unverified Inuit reports that between 1852 and 1858 Crozier and one other expedition member were seen in the Baker Lake area, about 400 km (250 mi) to the south, where in 1948 Farley Mowat found "a very ancient cairn, not of normal Eskimo construction" inside which were shreds of a hardwood box with dovetail joints.[2] McClintock and later searchers found relics, graves, and human remains of the Franklin crew on Beechey Island, King William Island, and the northern coast of the Canadian mainland, but none found any of the men alive.
Crozier's Monument
Location: Church Square Banbridge
Date Built: 1862
Who Built it: Designed by famous Belfast Architect W.J. Barre. ( Albert Clock, Ulster Hall Statue and carvings by Joseph Robinson Kirk
History: Banbridge town's most famous son was arguably Captain Crozier of North West Passage fame who was born in 1796 at a large house in the town's Church Square. After the ill fated voyage to discover the North West Passage a monument was erected in church Square Banbridge to commemorate this hero. The pedestal was designed in 1862 by W.J. Barre of Newry, ( who designed the Ulster Hall and Albert Memorial in Belfast plus multiple churches ), whilst the statue was carved by Joseph Robinson Kirk, of Dublin costing a total of £700.
Further in todays Daily Mail
Sailor who went missing during a polar expedition is about to be identified 170 years after he disappeared with his crew
In 1993 two skulls found near to where crew of HMS Erebus died in 1845. Experts have reconstructed dead men's faces using pioneering techniques. One bears an uncanny resemblance to a photo of crewman James Reid
Read more: www.dailymail.c...
Ice Master Reid was part of an expedition of 130 men who disappeared while searching for the fabled Northwest Passage in the icy wastes off northern Canada in 1845.
Ice Master Reid, a famed whaler of his time, was part of an elite unit who set off from the UK on two naval ships, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.
But the expedition - led by the decorated war hero John Frankin - ended in disaster when the ships became stranded in thick pack ice a year in.The crew was never seen again with reports they turned to cannibalism to try to survive after abandoning the ships and attempting to walk to the mainland.
Read more: www.dailymail.c...
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Excellent video Tom, I enjoyed this very much..... thanks
Hey Mike I was born 300 yards out the road and would pass this monument every day on my way to school. I didn't realize the importance, heroism and sacrifice of Crozier and his men back then. I do now.
After watching the tv series The Terror, I would very much appreciate seeing the Francis Crozier monument. I would highly recommend the show also; one of the best things I've seen in ages. Thank you for sharing.
Hi kc. Thanks for that information. I did know about the Terror series. I somehow managed to miss it but my son will probably buy it on disc.
I well remember playing on Crozier moument as a child with my childhood friends. I suppose familarity bred complacency. We didn't think too much about the statue or the fact that Crozier was born and lived close by. I used to buy sausages etc as lad in Croziers meat shop at the end of our street. We played with the Croziers too who were descendants of the captain. Best wishes
Thank you for filming this ! How I wish to pay a visit to the monument myself after watching the series The Terror and learning about Captain Crozier
Hi Melkorin, Thanks so much for posting.
The men who tried to find the North West Passage were made of stern stuff. They didn't need to do it but they were driven men. They were willing to go through extreme hardship and were prepared to sacrifice all.
I used to play around the Bann river and Castlewellan road with 2 of Captain Crozier's descendants. They were Paul and Geordie Crozier. They lived in the house on either side of their father's butcher/meat shop in church Square. In thoses days I didn't really appreciate the importance of Capt. Crozier. We used to climb up on the polar bears of the statue!
I have another video you might be interested in. I filmed a travelling exhibition at Greencastle Museum in Donegal on Polar explorers.
'Irishmen who Voyaged to the Poles on Early Expeditions'
ua-cam.com/video/Yl_cXiAgk54/v-deo.html
@@TomMcClean Hi Tom,
Couldn't agree more -- they were the astronauts of their time and I am glad that history has a place for them for their heroism !
Wow so there are still a lot of descendants of the captain in Banbridge to this date ? and when did you started learning about the captain ? I have been trying to do some research on him and found him to be a really interesting figure - just ordered a copy of his biography. Can't wait to dive in !
Thanks for the pointer I'll go check it out
Yes they are probably a few Crozier descendants still about in Banbridge Melkorin. I'm not sure if they still run a butchers shop though. The best place to enquire would be at the Banbridge public library. They will also know of any specialist books they have on Captain Crozier. I've always known about Captain Crozier but wasn't really aware of the details of his adventures. I suppose i dipped in and out of his story in later life and investigated it a bit more-especially for UA-cam.
Thank you, Tom, Sir. Beautiful Monument. I like the fact that Captain Crozier is also credited for discovering the Northwest Passage. WELL deserved. RIP brave men of Terror.
Hey Keven Many thanks for taking the time to say that. Captain Crozier was a brave man, a real pioneer. I think about the horrible conditions these men endured with very poor food and gear. It was unbelievable what they were attempting. I'm glad he is remembered. Growing up I played around Banbridge with his descendants. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
Thank you!
I am two Generations removed from Ireland, and reside far, far from the Arctic on a hot, tropical Peninsula in Tampa, Florida! So your historical video essays are very important for all to see.
Hey Keven, That is very kind of you to say s. Thank you so much. My cousin lives at West Palm Beach Florida. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
Thank you for sharing. I love this.
Hi Johnewb Great to hear from you and thanks for the encouragement. You will be interested to know that Ciaran Hinds is starring as Franklin in a major new tv series called the Terror. It is based on the attempt by Franklin and Crozier to reach the North West Passsage in the Erebus and Terror ships. 'The crews aboard the Royal Navy's polar explorer ships HMS Erebus and HMS Terror venture into uncharted territory seeking the Northwest Passage. The ships are soon stuck, frozen and isolated; and those aboard must survive the harsh weather conditions and each other.'
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terror_(TV_series)
Nice tour, thanks! RIP brave explorers. Pleased to read that Capt Crozier's monument is to be cleaned in the New Year (Jan 2022).
Hi Alexa, They were indeed brave, driven men. I will be glad t see the finished result and maybe get down to film it. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills of Belfast.
Hi Tom tis me again, my brother in-law is Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier. I will introduce you over the the fish supper.. Reg
Hi Reg, this is interesting. I'm from Banbridge. I was born at Windsor Terrace just out the Castlerellan road. I used to pass the Crozier Monument in the town square every day going to school. Crozier's butcher shop was in there and the Crozier family lived there. I knew Geordie Crozier well and his brother, ( can't remember his name just now ). There were a few girl Crozier's too. There could have been a younger brother called Rawdon. I'm not sure.
Dec 10 2015 Crozier's house is now up for sale. Avonmore house in Banbridge town Church Square built 1796 offers around £250,000!
I love that monument and it has fascinated me since the first time I saw it when I was sitting in the back of my Dad's pick-up truck on the way to Tyrella beach or Castlewellan Park. Imagine if the Safety Police caught us sitting in the open bed of a pick-up now. Despite all the danger we were in nobody ever fell or jumped out. I'm trying to catch up on videos here, had a long day in the greenhouse.
Best Wishes, Brendan.
Good man Brendan.
Happy innocent memories. After my father died when I was just over 10, the Catholic family 3 doors down took us to Tyrella in the back of their canvas covered Morris hen van with their kids. We went every Summer for a few years. My sister and I who were taken were so grateful as we never got any holidays because there wasn't much money about, ( but a lot of love nevertheless ). good times. We all packed into the open back of the van too! Health and Safety would have meant we stayed at home.
Hi Brenda, Just came across this Youtubber. thought you might be interested. he is a woodturner from Vancouver Island Canada called 'The Tiny Trailer Workshop'
Will be in touch after Easter Tanya will be off the next week ot two so I'm going to be all organised by her! lol Hope all well.
Tom McClean Hi Tom, I've been subscribed to that guy for some time, he's going through a bad spell right now and dealing with cancer. It's public knowledge as he has talked about it in videos. He's on the chemo route so, hopefully, he's get through it alright. Thanks for thinking of sending me the link because I'm always interested in new turners so, if you come across any more don't hesitate to send it in case I already have them, I don't have them all. Enjoy your Honey Do list.
Best Wishes, Brendan.
baconsoda
Hey Brendan,
You are always way ahead of me!
I didn't know about his cancer battle. I knew from looking at his stuff that he was good and worth watching, even though I know nothing about wood turning.
Love the 'honey do do list' phrase! I get one every morn before she heads out to be school nurse at Newtownbreda HS. I always forget it so I write it down or do as much immediately! lol Take care.Tom
My name is keegan crozier I cant believe that my great great great grandfather has a statue I need t come and see this
Very good Keegan. You do indeed need to get down to Banbridge and check this out.
We must be cousins as he is my great great great grandfather also. My daughter and I are looking forward to seeing this monument during our trip to Ireland.
That's so cool come visit the rest of the country
Francis Crozier never had any children so he is nobody's grandfather no matter how great great great.
Lovely town Tom and a great piece of history.. Have you ever thought of moving back there??
Hi Ryan, Banbridge has indeed a remarkable history but few people know it to speak about it!
It has changed so so much in the time I've been away. My old street, Windsor Tce, (like a Coronation St house 2 up 2 down. ), has completely changed occupancy but for one person I went to school with.
I used to be able to walk up and down the main street and knew all the people behind counters and recognize all the people on the street! Not now,-none.
I would know absolutely nobody in Banbridge now, being away for over 40 years, whereas I have a lot of connections in and around Gilnahirk. My father and mother in law are still alive in their 70's nearby, so it would be wise to stay near at hand and I know it's only 30 odd miles down the road but if you were called on in the middle of the night to help........
I don't care all that much where I live. I would be happy to get my head down anywhere welcoming warm and dry. If I had a choice I would like to live in a house overlooking a bay or pond or sea so that you would have an always changing canvas in front of you and i could watch the wildlife out the window with a scope. Those bungalows down at Daft Eddies Sketterick would be good but then again we are handy here for going to the shops, town, petrol etc and we are getting no younger lol super day the place is heating up. The 'ole swallows will soon be back. The top of the mornin' to yeh Ryan!
Awww thats great Tom, i suppose its very practical to live close to your parents incase they need caring or helping as they get older. Fair play to you mate, your parents are lucky to such a caring son with a heart of gold!
Ive always dreamt myself of a place overlooking the sea and you couldnt have described it any better than to say A CHANGING CANVAS... i spend one month in asia every year and always make sure i am on the seafront as you see the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises,
I really enjoy your videos Tom as i feel like im not only being entertained but i also feel like im reading a book on the social history of our wee province :) keep up the excellent work my friend and thanks once again for sharing the history and a little bit of your life with your subscribers. Hope we can have a coffee and i chat in belfast city centre sometime.
Ryan.
Ryan Darcy
One month a year in Asia? No harm to the folk living there but I would be scared of catching some disease or being bitten by some wee bug/snake/spider, nasty. I am a real coward. My mate has been in a lot of places in S E Asia and really wants to go back and help out in Thailand. He thought the people were wonderful.
That kind of long distance travel into a completely different culture would scare the pants off me too! So different and then there would be the sticky heat problem. I could maybe cope if I was on some big cruise ship lol
Hey thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate the encouragement and feedback. I don't really care if my stuff is amateurish and spontaneous, if it sparks an interest for folk to go and see for themselves, well then, job done. I also get to have a picture book of my life and favourite places! all for free. I look back on my videos all the time because I forget what's on them! lol
Yes I'd definitely meet up for a cuppa. This week and next are not good. Wife preparing/doing a wee job interview so will need to be about to calm her down and dry up the tears. But after that? I plan to meet up with Brendan (Baconsoda ) down at Oxford Island too some time soon
GingerRootable
hey Maeve Binchy is one of Tanya's favourites. I think she's read them all and she then rereads them!
I just say what I see with a few blunders. I like a laugh too. I never take myself too seriously! I can be very silly at times as Tanya reminds me -often! lol
He had to have survived like the Inuits testified, a true explorer and leader he certainly was till the very end regardless
Hi Trista. Yes these guys were all tough, almost superhuman men, who were willing to sacrifice everything to succeed in their mission. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills of Northern Ireland.