#OnThisDay in 1800, Sir James Clark Ross, British naval officer and Polar explorer, was born. Ross began his naval career at the age of 11 when he joined the Royal Navy as a first-class volunteer.
Ross commanded the 'Erebus' and 'Terror', during his own Antarctic expeditions (1839–1843). Ross and his crew discovered the Ross Sea in 1841 and, while sailing toward the position assigned to the South Magnetic Pole, they also discovered Victoria Land. Here, Ross calculated that the South Magnetic Pole was only 800 km away, with no direct sea route. However, the discovery of new land and a new Furthest South record several days later was worthy of celebration.
For his saving a man from drowning, Fitzjames was awarded a silver cup, which you can now see at the @RMGreenwich! Read all about Fitzjames' brave act on my site.
https://t.co/KdqdLJeiiH