Ross

House patron - Sir James Clark ROSS

James Clark Ross was the Royal Navy's most experienced polar explorer. He joined the Navy in 1812 and achieved the rank of Rear Admiral. Starting in 1818 he spent much of the next 20 years in Arctic exploration and marine surveying. He made two expeditions to Arctic regions with his uncle, John Ross, and four with W. E. Parry. In 1831 J. C. Ross reached the north magnetic pole. During the course of these expeditions he became expert in terrestrial magnetism and natural history. In 1839 Ross was given command of the British Antarctic Expedition, the principal mission of which was to study terrestrial magnetism in the southern hemisphere and Antarctica.