HMS Resolute (1850)

An etching of HMS Resolute from December 1856.
An etching of HMS Resolute from December 1856.
History
United Kingdom
NameResolute
BuilderT&W Smith of Newcastle, UK
Laid down1849
Launched1850
Acquired1850
Fate1854, left locked in Arctic ice[1]
United States
Acquired1855, found adrift in ice[1]
Fate1856, restored and returned to UK as a gift[1]
United Kingdom
Acquired1856[1]
Stricken1879[1]
FateBroken up[1]
General characteristics
Tons burthen424 bm
Length115 ft (35 m)
Beam28.5 ft (8.7 m)
Sail plan3-masted barque[1]

HMS Resolute was a mid-19th-century barque-rigged ship of the British Royal Navy, specially outfitted for Arctic exploration. Resolute became trapped in the ice searching for Franklin's lost expedition and was abandoned in 1854. Recovered by an American whaler, she was returned to Queen Victoria in 1856. Timbers from the ship were later used to construct the Resolute desk which was presented to the President of the United States and is located in the White House Oval Office.

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Wallis, Geoffrey "A 'Resolute' Reminder" United States Naval Institute Proceedings (January 1978) pp.74-75