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Shortened north canoes were used on the Anderson-Stewart Expedition
Circa 1865



Credits:
artist: Frances Hopkins
Reference Code: S 18096 Archives of Ontario, I0014668
http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/ENGLISH/exhibits/james_bay_treaty/pics/14668_canoe_1020.jpg

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The relative speed with which the Anderson-Stewart expedition navigated the difficult terrain made it especially impressive. The full length of Back River was not canoed or kayaked again until 1962; it is considered challenging even today. As great-grandson A. J. U. Anderson observed, "It was a very considerable achievement that everyone managed to return."

Anderson's report of the expedition was brief and restrained. He said that they had found no papers or bodies, but he confirmed Rae's statement that the Franklin Expedition was lost north-west of the Back River. Simpson thanked him, fellow officers gave him a silver cup, and the British government awarded him the Polar Medal and 400 pounds.

The efforts of the Anderson-Stewart search party pinpointed the final location of the Franklin Expedition on King William Island, and allowed the subsequent McClintock Expedition to proceed directly to the site in 1859.