Maguire, Rochfort

Rochfort Maguire joined the Navy in 1830, serving as mate in HMS Wasp on the coast of Syria and lieutenant in HMS Vernon . He was appointed lieutenant in HMS Herald on the British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1848-1850 (leader Henry Kellett), instructed to assist HMS Plover of the British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1848-1852 (leader Thomas Moore), in the search for Franklin's missing expedition in Bering Strait. In the summer of 1852, Maguire arrived at Port Clarence, Alaska, on the British Naval Franklin Search Expedition, 1852-1854, taking over command of Plover from Thomas Moore with instructions to remain in the Bering Strait region assisting in the Franklin search. Maguire spent two winters at Elson Lagoon near Point Barrow, returning to Port Clarence in September 1854.

After the expedition, Maguire assumed command of a succession of ships, later serving as commodore of the Australian Station. He was invalided and died at Haslar hospital in 1867.

Published work The journal of Rochfort Maguire 1852-1854; two years at Point Barrow, Alaska, aboard HMS Plover in the search for Sir John Franklin edited by John Bockstoce, Hakluyt Society London (1988) SPRI Library Shelf (49)91(08)[1848-1854]

From the guide to the Rochfort Maguire collection, 1852-1857, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)