Clavering, British Naval Scientific Expedition, 1823

• MS 1074;D Remark book, 1 March 1823 to 7 January 1824 [Descriptions of Norwegian, Svalbard and east Greenland coast] 9 leaves, holograph (Xerox)
• MS 1021/1;D Log book, 3 May to 10 December 1823, 141 leaves, holograph (Xerox)
• MS 1021/4;D Narrative, 1823 [Expedition for the purpose of ascertaining the length of the second pendulum in different Latitudes] 28 leaves, holograph

The British Naval Scientific Expedition, 1823 (leader Douglas Clavering) was sent by the Board of Longitude to Svalbard and the east coast of Greenland to enable Edward Sabine to extend his observations on the length of the seconds pendulum. Setting out from London in HMS Griperin May 1823, the expedition visited Norway, before sailing to northwest Svalbard where Sabine was left to conduct observations while Clavering attempted to sail Griper to high northern latitude. He reached 80° 21 minutes North on 6 July before pack ice forced him to return. Setting sail from Svalbard later in July 1823, the expedition reached the east coast of Greenland, exploring the coast northwards and attaining latitude 75° 12 minutes North before returning south where an observatory was established. Clavering set out on a boat journey south, encountering a small group of Eskimos on the south coast of Clavering , the most northerly inhabitants of east Greenland ever encountered by Europeans. In August 1823, the expedition sailed south discovering and naming Foster's Bay [Foster Bugt], before heading for Norway for further observations, then returning to England.

Chronological

See SPRI collections GB 015 Henry Foster for additional material relating to this expedition. The Institute also holds an archival collection for Sir Edward Sabine and Henry Foster who served as midshipman in HMS Griper

The expedition carried Edward Sabine to north Norway, Spitsbergen and east Greenland to carry out pendulum observations. The voyage was successful and William Scoresby Sr explorations of the east coast of Greenland were confirmed and extended