Images(3)

RYS FOX - Arctic Steam Yacht

AssociatedAssociated with Fox (arctic steam yacht, built 1855)

BuilderBuilt by Alexander Hall and Company (Ship builders; 1811 - 1958)

Date1855

Object NameShip Model

Mediumwood and cord

ClassificationsMaritime History

DimensionsLength: 53.2 cm, Width: 7.2 cm, Height: 27.6 cm
Case: 36 x 26 x 64cm

LocationOn Display - Aberdeen Maritime Museum

Object numberABDMS003127

Keywords

About MeThe Steam Yacht FOX which was built for the landowner Sir Richard Sutton of Nottinghamshire (1798 – 1855), one of the wealthiest people in Britain during his lifetime. Sutton was a ‘gentleman of leisure’ and was addicted to hunting and fishing. He frequently spent six days a week engaged upon such pursuits. He owned large tracts of land in England where he hunted, and, in addition leased large deer and grouse moors in Aberdeenshire which he utilised extensively during the hunting season.

FOX was commissioned by Sutton (who took a 64% share) and 4 others (who owned 36%) from Alexander Hall (yard number 198) in Aberdeen, and was launched in 1855. The yacht had 2 steam engines producing a combined 15 horsepower and was luxuriously appointed as it was a rich man’s pleasure craft and cost some £5000 to construct a colossal sum. However, the ship only made one pleasure voyage in September 1855 with Sutton to Norway and a party of friends before he died in November that year.

After Sutton's death the vessel was bought in 1857 by subscription at Aberdeen by Lady Jane Franklin in order to mount an expedition to discover the fate of her husband, Sir John Franklin and his expedition team who had gone missing in the north of Canada.

The vessel underwent extensive modifications to make it suitable for an Arctic expedition. The luxury fittings and extensive glass windows were stripped out, the hull strengthened, a new propeller fitted as well as other modifications.

The expedition was successful in that they discovered a note left by Franklin's team telling that Franklin had died, their ships crushed by pack ice and the remaining team were going to attempt to find safety by walking almost 500 km south.

Later FOX was involved in charting the route of the first trans Atlantic telegraph cable, as well as much work carrying supplies to the scattered communities in Greenland. It was eventually beached as unseaworthy in the early 20th century. However, it's funnel still acts as a navigation marker in Disko Bay.