Overview
- University of Waterloo researchers said Wednesday they identified four additional crew members by comparing DNA from bones to living relatives.
- The newly named dead are William Orren, David Young, and John Bridgens of HMS Erebus at Erebus Bay, and Harry Peglar of HMS Terror found about 130 kilometres away.
- Peglar’s identification settles a 166‑year question raised in 1859 when a body carrying his papers was found in clothing that did not match his rank.
- None of the four sets of remains show cut marks linked to cannibalism, in contrast to some earlier finds such as Captain James Fitzjames.
- Volunteer DNA and genealogical sleuthing produced zero‑distance mitochondrial and Y‑chromosome matches, with results reported in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports and Polar Record as the team seeks more descendant donors.