Career
McMurdo joined the Royal Navy on 6 October 1824, at the age of 12. His career included two discovery expeditions aboard HMS Terror, the first to north of Hudson Bay, the second to Antarctica. During the latter, McMurdo Sound was discovered and named.
He retired as a vice-admiral.
McMurdo died at Cargenholm, Troqueer Parish, Kirkcudbrightshire on 11 December 1875. His estate was probated at in Drumfries 3 February 1876.
(reformed: England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1861–1941.).