Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
24
venture. The Royal Society agreed, but with the caveat that the expedition be guided by
clear scientific objectives, stressing in particular the importance of magnetic research. The
public appeal was greatly aided by a gift of £25,000 from a wealthy donor in 1899. Then
the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York became oYcial patrons. Another approach
was made to the prime minister, and this time the government promised £45,000 if that
amount could be matched by the private sector. Sir Clements renewed his appeals with
vigor and raised the money.
In March 1900 the keel was laid for a new ship to be built expressly for the expedi-
tion. It was constructed along the lines of English vessels that had evolved from earlier
whalers. Reinforced for ice penetration yet worthy of the high seas, it had three masts and
two strong auxiliary steam engines. The British favored this design over that of the Fram,
the recently built Norwegian ship, which had a saucer-shaped bottom that allowed it to
ride up out of the water if caught in tight pack ice, avoiding the tremendous pressures
that potentially could crush even a reinforced hull. The drawback of the Fram, however,
was that it rolled drastically in rough water, and the need to cross the stormiest seas on
the planet to reach Antarctica boded for a miserable passage.
The Admiralty named the ship Discovery, the sixth British ship to be so-called, with
her predecessors all involved in various aspects of Arctic exploration during the nine-
teenth century. The expedition was readied, the personnel selected, supplies and equip-
ment were assembled, and the ship left England bound for New Zealand on August 6,
1901.
Commander Robert Falcon Scott, an oYcer in the Royal Navy with a keen interest
in science, was Clements Markham's choice for expedition leader. Scott's leadership abili-
ties, his vigor on polar marches, his eloquent writing style, and ultimately his tragic death
were to place him at the center of the heroic pantheon of Antarctic explorers. The oYcers
on the voyage were Albert Armitage, Charles Royds, Michael Barne, Reginald Skelton,
and Ernest Shackleton. The scientific party included Louis Bernacchi, the physicist who
had accompanied the Southern Cross Expedition; Edward Wilson, a physician, zoologist,
and artist; Reginald Koettlitz, a physician and botanist; Thomas Hodgsen, a marine bi-
ologist; and Hartley Ferrar, a geologist.
Discovery put in at Lyttleton Harbour, New Zealand, where she was reprovisioned,
her rigging refitted, and defects in the hull repaired, though an annoying leak persisted
into polar waters. Scott recounted departure day:
On Saturday, December 21, the “Discovery” lay alongside the wharf ready for the sea
and very deeply laden. Below every hold and stowage-space was packed to the brim—
even the cabins were invaded with odd cases for which no corner could be found.
But the scene on deck was still more extraordinary. Here—again—were numerous
packing cases for which no more convenient resting place could be found; the after
part of the deck was occupied by a terrified flock of 45 sheep, a last and most welcome
present from the farmers of New Zealand. Amidst the constantly stampeding body
stood the helmsman at the wheel; further forward were sacks of food, and what
space remained was occupied by our twenty-three howling dogs in a wild state of
excitement.
