The Design, Fitting and Voyages of a Polar Discovery Ship, by Matthew Betts

This book documents the history, design, modification, and fitting of HMS Terror, one of the world’s most successful polar exploration vessels. Part historical narrative and part technical design manual, this book provides, for the first time, a complete account of 

Terror’s unique career, as well as an assessment of her sailing abilities in polar conditions, a record of her design specifications, and a full set of accurate plans of her final 1845 configuration. It is an ideal reference for those interested in the Franklin Mystery, in polar exploration, the Royal Navy, and in ship design and modelling.

“Terror is a fine book. With patient and impeccable research Matthew Betts has re-created, literally at times, a ship that saw more action and adventure than almost any other vessel of its time. He lays out with great clarity and authority, everything you want to know, and everything you ought to know about one of the great unsung heroic ships of Britain’s naval history.” —Michael Palin

About the Author: Matthew Betts

Matthew Betts is an internationally recognized expert on Sir John Franklin's ships, and is an active consultant with Parks Canada, which discovered the wrecks of the Erebus and Terror. He has contributed to major documentaries on the expedition and recently acted as an historical advisor for the first season of AMC's major historical drama, The Terror. His model and plans of HMS Terror have been showcased in exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, and Mystic Seaport Museum. Dr. Betts is currently a curator of archaeology at the Canadian Museum of History.

More About the Book

Note that It is the research by Matthew Betts that OcCre's HMS Terror kit is based, and this book makes a perfect companion for the kit. Its pages are filled with drawings, including the internal cabins, details of the engine, stove, boats, sledges, pumps, companion ways, capstan, steering wheel, binnacle, water closets, masts and spars, rigging, cross-section views of the ship, and more. 

The book also has a section showing some of the construction detail of Betts' own scratch build of HMS Terror, which has been on display at various museums, internationally.

Another section of the book shows the construction of HMS Terror used for the AMC television series, The Terror, with photos of the sets and a few production stills. The book wraps up with a section on the discovery of the wreckage of Franklin's ships Terror and Erebus.

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 224

Illustrations: 250 color & b/w photos, prints, and line plans

Published: January 15, 2023