Thomas Blanky

Thomas Blanky (also spelled Blenky or Blenkey,

Early life Blanky was probably born in Whitby, Yorkshire on 24 January 1804, the son of William and Margaret (or possibly Mary) Blenkey, and was baptised there the following day. His father was a labourer. He had at least seven siblings, several of whom died in childhood. He was described in expedition records as about , strongly built, with light hair and a fair complexion. After Victory was abandoned in 1832, Ross’s party retreated with sledges and boats towards Fury Beach. During the retreat Blanky acted as spokesman for the fatigued crew and proposed abandoning the boats and spare provisions. Ross reprimanded him for behaviour he described as approaching mutiny, but later gave him a strong recommendation. Only three men had died and the crew were welcomed home, with Ross receiving a hero’s welcome and being knighted.

Blanky was later recorded as a master mariner in Whitby before moving to Liverpool. The expedition became trapped in Arctic ice, and Blanky disappeared along with the rest of the crew. No personal relics associated with Blanky were recovered during later searches for the expedition. It is possible that Blanky was among the officers already dead by April 1848, although his exact death date is unknown.

Blanky was portrayed by Ian Hart in AMC’s 2018 television series dramatising the Franklin expedition, The Terror.