Commanding the HMS Hecla in 1819, William Edward Parry navigated the Parry Channel to reach 110° W, securing a £5,000 parliamentary reward. This journey across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago established a record for western travel that remained unsurpassed until 1850, marking a pivotal moment in the historical quest for the Northwest Passage during the nineteenth century.
Naval Beginnings and Early Service
Born in 1790 at Bath, Parry attended King Edward's School before entering the Royal Navy at thirteen as a first-class volunteer. By 1810, he held the rank of lieutenant, serving on the frigate Alexander. During this assignment, he documented astronomical observations in northern latitudes, which he later published. Between 1813 and 1817, he served on the North American Station, participating in the 1814 destruction of twenty-seven privateering vessels in the Connecticut River.
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Parry led multiple Arctic expeditions, beginning in 1818 under Captain John Ross. In 1819, he commanded HMS Hecla, utilizing innovative food preservation in tin cans. Trapped by ice at Winter Harbour, his crew endured ten months of darkness and extreme cold, during which Parry experimented with planting mustard and cress to combat scurvy. In 1821, he commanded HMS Fury, implementing improved heating and clothing for his crew while mapping the Melville Peninsula.
Polar Exploration and Later Career
In 1827, Parry attempted an expedition toward the North Pole, reaching 82° 45' N, a record for human exploration that stood until 1875. Over his career, he held various ranks, including lieutenant, captain, and rear admiral (Konteradmiral). Beyond his maritime duties, he was a botanical collector and scientist, maintaining memberships in the Royal Society, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Saint Petersburg Academy of Sciences.
Fast facts
- Born: 1790, Bath
- Died: 1855, Bad Ems
- Military Rank: Rear Admiral
- Notable Membership: Royal Society
- Major Achievement: Farthest North (82° 45' N) in 1827
- Education: King Edward's School
- Burial Place: Greenwich
Questions readers ask
What record did Parry set in 1827?
He reached 82° 45' N, setting a record for human exploration Farthest North that stood for nearly five decades.
What honors did Parry receive?
He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and a Person of National Historic Significance.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society
- Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Person of National Historic Significance
- Recorded as explorer, naval officer and botanist
