HMS "Resolute": From the Canadian Arctic to the Presidents Desk and How She Prevented a War

How did a ship involved in a failed search for a lost explorer alter the course of history and become the symbol of Anglo-American friendship? Sent into the Arctic to find Franklin in 1852, HMS RESOLUTE was abandoned; then salvaged by an American whaler, who brought her home on Christmas Eve 1855. When Britain and America were on the brink of their 3rd war, she became the focus of the hostilities.and then history was changed forever! Follow the divergent lives of a sadistic commander, a Quaker abolitionist, an intrepid Arctic explorer, a pro-slavery senator, an Irish sea captain's wife and headstrong daughter, and a Yankee whaler as they intertwine in the incredible story of HMS RESOLUTE!

Review :
"In 1852, HMS Resolute, under Captain Henry Kellett, ventured into the Arctic as part of a search operation led by the sadistic Sir Edward Belcher. It was the squadron's duty to locate John Franklin, the explorer. During the mission, Resolute became lodged in the arctic ice. After two years, she was abandoned by the expedition and left for dead. HMS Resolute, by Elizabeth Matthews, takes place during the British involvement in the Crimean War, but its focus is on the escalating tensions between the United States and Britain regarding the US's neutral status. This drama plays out against the backdrop of the increasingly volatile slavery issue in the United States. Matthews focuses the American portion of this story on a Quaker family in the New London, Connecticut, whaling industry. Fairfax Abraham and his son are torn by their different approaches to the issue of slavery, and the son, Fair Abe, volunteers to go on an arctic whaling expedition to clear his head. While on his journey, he spends some time aboard Resolute. By the end of the story, both the Abraham family and the Resolute play central roles in the resolution of the diplomatic difficulties between the US and Britain. HMS Resolute is a well-written, though short, novel. I say short because there are a number of incidents that are addressed in the book that I would like to read more about. The writing was well done, and I wouldn't mind spending more time immersed in the world that Matthews has created. This book would make a good addition to most historical fiction collections. It is a fast-paced, enjoyable novel, which covers a period that has not really been addressed by other writers of historical fiction."-- Rob Amend, Historical Novel Society "HMS Resolute covers an fascinating period before the American Civil War when Britain and America nearly went to war with each other. It is well grounded in the complex politics of the time. This is a forgotten tale, which few know about, that starts with the search for the Northwest Passage. Although this is a fictional work the author has obviously done very thorough research on the ship and the people involved, and it is clear that she has a deep knowledge of her subject. The book is very readable and and the characters are believable. It should appeal to lovers of historical fiction in Canada, USA and Britain. My only critcism is that one event, and there are many dramatic episodes in this tale, when the crew of Resolute rescues the starving sailors from HMS Investigator, is only given a brief mention.Perhaps the author should consider a non-fiction book where she could go into the events in even greater depths."