A Taste of the North West Passage

In 2019 the Tecla made her way through the North West Passage successfully. An enormous voyage, with so many highlights! But one of the most thrilling parts and beautiful experiences was a visit to Beechey Island.

Touching part of history with a visit to one of the last places the Franklin Expedition left its mark on the world. Walk around in the far North of this world, surrounded by little else then ice, water and a rugged surrounding. Touch the day mark once setup by the Franklin Expedition and visit the remains of Northumberland house and the graves of three of the Franklin Expedition and one of a later expedition in search of the first. 

his unique voyage will take you from Ilulissat, Greenland to Canada and back to Greenland in little over 3 weeks. 

There will be time for one or two stops around the Disco Bay area before setting sail across Baffin Bay to Canada. It is likely this expedition will stop at Pond Inlet to clear customs into Canada before setting off deeper into the North West Passage. 

After the big icebergs around Greenland and in Disco Bay, the ice of Lancastersound will be something very different. Wide patches of sea ice drift around. A close eye needs to be kept on the ice reports as well as outside and around the ship.

The anchorage at Beechey Island can be on the side of Erebus and Terror bay or on the side of Union Bay, both offering shelter from different directions. Depending on ice state and wind the anchorage will be chosen. 

Landing on Beechey Island is done by dinghy, on shore the hike will take up half a day to visit all the sights on shore. One or two members of the crew will go ashore with you to show you all the best spots.

On board you will find many books that are worth a good read, but for this voyage the book Erebus, written by Micheal Palin, is a must read. One or two prints are on board for you to borrow as you make your way North. 

Just like the North West Passage, this voyage much depends on the amount of ice that is met underway. This could mean you have to wait a day or two in a sheltered place before heading out into the open. 

At the end of the voyage there will also be some time for sailing as we make our way South out of Lancastersound, to the capital of Greenland, Nuuk.