The show The Terror delves into one of the most enduring mysteries of the ocean, and the actual events are just as terrifying as its fictionalized portrayal.
The Terror will be joining Netflix’s lineup of new TV shows this month, promising to send shivers down the spines of viewers. Drawing inspiration from a historical and catastrophic 19th-century expedition, the series portrays the ultimate nightmare for any explorer.
The Terror, along with its anthology-style seasons, continues the trend of drawing inspiration from true events. As a result, it begs the question: how closely does the show follow the real-life events of that infamous journey? What exactly transpired in the frozen depths of the Canadian Arctic?
The horror series draws inspiration from real events, and the following is a breakdown of those events along with details on how the show presents them with some differences.
HMS Erebus and HMS Terror Explained
In 1845, HMS Erebus and HMS Terror departed from England as a pair of Royal Navy warships on a mission to explore the uncharted regions of the Canadian Arctic and complete the Northwest Passage.
The objective of their journey was to navigate the Passage and gather magnetic information in order to determine if their newfound knowledge could assist with navigation.
Erebus was given its name in honor of the Greek mythological figure who personified darkness, while the origins of Terror’s name remain shrouded in mystery.
During the expedition, all 129 officers and men aboard the two ships mysteriously disappeared.
The two ships’ expedition was overseen by Captain Sir John Franklin.
What Was Franklin’s Lost Expedition?
The HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, along with their entire crews, disappeared after completing the Northwest Passage, leading to the belief that Franklin’s expedition was lost.
Despite being labeled a “failed”mission, this real life horror story stems from the events that took place. Though the fate of the ship and its crews remains uncertain, there are some clues that shed light on what may have occurred during this doomed sea journey.
The two Royal Navy ships departed from England in 1845 in search of the Northwest Passage. They were last seen in July 1845 by a whaling ship.
The HMS Erebus and HMS Terror were both caught in a disaster when they became stuck in Victoria Strait near King William Island. Essentially, they were trapped in ice, preventing them from moving.
After being stuck for more than a year, it was decided in April 1848 to abandon the ships in hopes of survival. By this time, the group had lost two dozen men, including Captain Franklin, most likely due to hypothermia or starvation.
Despite being led by Francis Crozier, the remaining men could not be found after setting out to search for the mainland, alongside James Fitzjames, the captain of the Erebus. Their fate remains a mystery as they vanished without a trace.
What happened to the people involved?
Sadly, the fate of the few survivors who ventured out to the mainland remains a mystery, though it is believed that they all met their demise in different circumstances.
Despite the lack of survivors or recorded information, it remains impossible to ascertain the circumstances that led to each individual’s demise.
In 1848, Jane Franklin, the wife of John Franklin, implored The Admiralty to initiate a search for the disappeared crews. Despite multiple subsequent searches, only relics from the voyage and the remains of two individuals were discovered.
It has been widely believed that the men passed away gradually, with hypothermia, starvation, lead poisoning, zinc deficiency, and scurvy being the most probable causes.
The men’s deaths were undoubtedly influenced by the hostile environment and unfriendly conditions, as they were unprepared to be stranded in such a place and did not have the resources to venture into the wilderness.
One of the most chilling discoveries from the expedition was made during a search, when bones were found with clear cut marks. These marks sparked accusations of cannibalism, which were first mentioned by John Rae in 1854.
The Ironic Success of the Franklin Expedition
Despite the tragic end of the men on the expedition, it was deemed a success as the two ships were able to navigate the Northwest Passage and make a significant discovery.
One of the expeditions, led by Robert McClure, resulted in the discovery of a route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It wasn’t until 1906, during an expedition on the ship Gjøa, that the Northwest Passage was fully navigated.
In 2014, the wreckage of Erebus was discovered by a Parks Canada search team in the Queen Maud Gulf. Two years later, the remains of Terror were located by the Arctic Research Foundation in Terror Bay, south of King William Island.
The remains of the wreckage have been designated a National Historic Site, ensuring their protection, while diving expeditions and research activities continue.
How much of the series is based on facts?
The Terror takes inspiration from the enigma surrounding Franklin’s missing voyage, portraying the challenging voyage of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror. However, it adds a fictional and otherworldly element to the outcome of those onboard.
When it comes to retelling real-life events, the million dollar question is always present. In the case of The Terror, the show is based on the events of Franklin’s lost expedition, but presents a fictionalized account of what may have happened to the crews of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror.
The show follows a similar path, starting with the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror embarking on their expedition, only to become trapped in ice and struggle to survive in the brutal environment. (Warning: spoilers ahead!)
Nevertheless, as the series progresses, it becomes evident that the survivors are being followed by something else. (Think polar bears, but even more terrifying.)
This twist is more similar to a horror film than a precise retelling of history.
Although the exact fate of the crew of the two ships will forever remain a mystery, it is highly unlikely that they were pursued and attacked by mutated marine mammals.
To discover additional real-life stories, be sure to browse through the selection of true crime and documentaries released this month.
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