Engraving showing Queen Victoria of Great Britain boarding the Arctic exploration ship HMS 'Resolute' in Cowes Harbour, 15th December 1856. In 1852 HMS 'Resolute' had set out with three other Royal Navy ships to search for the missing explorer, Sir John Franklin, who had disappeared in the Northwest Passage in 1845. In her exploration of the Canadian coast 'Resolute' became ice-bound and was abandoned by her crew. When the ice melted the ship travelled south without crew, until salvaged by American whalers. The US navy acquired the 'Resolute' and restored her, then sailed her back to England to be presented to the British Government as a token of friendship between the USA and Great Britain.