Orders, Decorations and Medals

Arctic Medal 1876 (R. James, Carpr. Pandora) dark toned, good very fine and rare

In 1876 Sir Allen Young in the yacht Pandora set out for the North West Passage via Franklin Channel, proposing if he were successful in reaching King William Land, to search for traces of the Franklin Expedition. On arrival he found Peel Sound free from ice, as was almost half the length of Franklin Channel. However, near Rouquette Island to the north of Bellot Strait the Pandora was held up by pack ice which extended across the Franklin Channel and was drifting northwards. The ship was unable to proceed further due to adverse weather and ice conditions and therefore returned to England.

Only 33 medals issued to the officers and crew of the Pandora. For their separate expedition of 1875-6 under Captain Nares, the Alert and Discovery received 70 and 58 medals respectively, making a total issuance of 161 medals of this type.