The first traversal of the North-west Passage. Even though it was intended as a rescue voyage seeking Franklin survivors, and (by explicit orders) not a voyage of discovery, its men were the first to travel all the way through the passage. The Investigator was abandoned en route in June 1853 and the men rescued at Melville Island by H. M. S. Resolute. In 1855 the captain and crew of the Investigator were granted the £10,000 Parliamentary award for crossing the Northwest Passage.

M'Clure was appointed commander of the Investigator as commanded by Captain Collinson aboard H. M. S. Enterprise. The two ships separated early in the voyage and whilst pursuing parallel paths for almost half of the five years' duration of the search, never actually met again.

First edition; 8vo, xvii, 405 pp., 28 pages ads dated March 1856 at end, folding coloured chart, 4 lithograph plates after Cresswell, contemporary polished calf gilt, spine richly gilt, red morocco label, raised bands marbled edges, a fine copy.

Books on Ice, 3.15; Lada-Mocarski 145.