Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-28T10:01:31.322Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

‘For the sake of science and country’: the Ross Sea party 1914–1917

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2014

David L. Harrowfield
David L. Harrowfield*
Affiliation:
The Polar Room, 23 Leven Street, Oamaru 9400, North Otago, New Zealand ([email protected])
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

In December 1913 Sir Ernest Shackleton released a prospectus and announced The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. His goal was to undertake the first crossing of Antarctica from the Weddell Sea via the polar plateau to McMurdo Sound on the Ross Sea. The journey had already been attempted by Wilhelm Filchner whose ship Deutschland, had become beset in the Weddell Sea ice for nine months in 1912. Shackleton aimed ‘to make all possible scientific observations on [the Trans-Antarctic] journey; to carry on similar work by parties operating from the two bases on the Weddell and Ross Seas [and] to carry on scientific work, and travel unknown portions of the coastline, by the two ships of the expedition’(Shackleton 1913: 3). With Endurance a continental crossing party of six led by Shackleton would begin from the Weddell Sea and a supporting depot laying party led by Nimrod veteran Lieutenant Aeneas L.A. Mackintosh RNR, with the auxiliary barquentine Aurora based in McMurdo Sound. Unbeknown to each party, both experienced problems beyond their control. Endurance was holed and sank in the Weddell Sea and Aurora locked in ice, although damaged, reached New Zealand. Here the ship was repaired and then undertook a relief expedition with Shackleton as a passenger, to McMurdo Sound. In spite of these major setbacks each party conducted valuable scientific observations.

When Shackleton published his book South (Shackleton 1919) on the expedition, compiled with New Zealand journalist and friend Edward Saunders, with exception of accounts on the Ross Sea party sledging and drift of the ship Aurora, no recognition was given to work undertaken by the four Ross Sea party scientists and an assistant. Later publications have focused on the depot-laying, while books on Antarctic science have largely overlooked the science undertaken.

The purpose of this paper is to make this better known, and to give credit to the four scientists involved. The science conducted although primarily concerned with meteorological observations, also covers limited glaciological observations including the ablation of lake ice, solution of glacier ice in salt water, tidal recordings, collection of zoological and other specimens, along with the use of improvised equipment to undertake observations. The science achieved was secondary to the field work. The Ross Sea party science was done however, under conditions not normally conducive for such field work with health issues a major contributing factor. A lack of funding, equipment, personality problems, concern for Aurora and crew, uncertainty of Shackleton's Antarctic crossing and their own relief, led to depression, sleeplessness and insomnia.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 51 , Issue 4 , July 2015 , pp. 343 - 365
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

The letters ATL refer to Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington NZ; CM to Canterbury Museum, Christchurch NZ; RGS to Royal Geographical Society, London, UK; RS to Royal Society, London UK; SPRI to Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge, UKGoogle Scholar
Agreement. 1914. Agreement and account of crew, SY Aurora 1914. Wellington: ATL MS qMS P/AGR 74741.Google Scholar
Bull, C. and Wright, P.F. (editors). 1993. Silas: the Antarctic diaries and memoir of Charles S. Wright. Columbus, Ohio: The Ohio University Press.Google Scholar
Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau Melbourne. 1914. Receipts for scientific equipment. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/24; D.Google Scholar
Cope, J.L. 1917. Medical report. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/3; D.Google Scholar
David, T.W.E. and Priestley, R.E.. 1914. Glaciology, physiography, stratigraphy, and tectonic geology of South Victoria Land. British Antarctic Expedition 1907–09. Reports on the scientific investigations: Geology (1): 1–139. London: William Heinemann.Google Scholar
Davis, J.K. 1917. Diary, 10 January 1917. Melbourne: La Trobe State Library of Victoria, J.K. Davis collection MS 3235.Google Scholar
Davis, W.M. 1894. Elementary Meteorology. Boston: Ginn.Google Scholar
Dayton, P.K., Robilliard, G.A. and DeVries, A.L.. 1969. Anchor ice formation in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, and its biological effects. Science 163: 273–274.Google Scholar
Debenham, F. 1948. The problem of the Great Ice Barrier. The Geographical Journal 112: 4–6.Google Scholar
Fisher, M. and Fisher, J. 1957. Shackleton. London: James Barrie Books Ltd.Google Scholar
Fogg, G.E. 1992. Antarctic science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Gaze, I.O. 1915a. Diary, 6 March 1915. Christchurch: CM MS 105.Google Scholar
Gaze, I.O. 1915b. Diary, c.5 November 1915. Christchurch: CM MS 105.Google Scholar
Gaze, I.O. 1916. Diary. Undated entry 1916. Christchurch: CM MS 105.Google Scholar
Harrowfield, D.L. 1981a. Interview with R.W. Richards, 13 May. Personal communication. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Harrowfield, D. L. 1981b. Interview with R. W. Richards, 14 May. Personal communication. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Harrowfield, D.L. 2013a. The British Imperial Antarctic Expedition 1920–1922: Paradise Harbour, Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Record 49: 118–139.Google Scholar
Harrowfield, D.L. 2013b. Intentions - hopeful. Records of the Canterbury Museum 27: 97–111.Google Scholar
Headland, R.K. 2009. A chronology of Antarctic exploration. A synopsis of events and activities from the earliest times until the International Polar Years, 2007–09. London: Bernard Quaritch Ltd.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1914a. Letter to Captain Mackintosh, 26 November 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/2/22–28; D.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1914b. Telegram to Captn. Mackintosh, 7 December 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/2/22–28; D.Google Scholar
Jack, A. K. 1915a. Diary, 2 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915b. Diary, 4 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915c. Diary, 8 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915d. Diary, 13 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915e. Diary, 15 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915f. Diary, 18 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915g. Diary, 19 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915h. Diary, 25 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915i. Diary, 8–9 August 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916a. Diary, 11 March 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916b. Diary, 14 March 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916c. Diary, 20 March 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916d. Diary, 16 April 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916e. Diary, 19 April 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916f. Diary, 25 April 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916g. Diary, 28 April 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916h. Diary, 5 May 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916i. Diary, 6 May 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916j. Diary, 29 June 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916k. Diary, 4 July 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916l. Diary, 15 July 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448;BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916m. Diary, 31 July 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916n. Diary, 2 August 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916o. Diary, 20 August 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916p. Diary, 20 October 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916q. Diary, 10 November 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916r. Diary, 7 December 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916s. Diary, 14 December 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916t. Diary, 22 December 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1916u. Diary, 25 December 1916. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1917. Diary, 10 January 1917. Cambridge: SPRI MS 448; BJ.Google Scholar
Jack, A.K. 1915–1917. Scientific data. Cambridge: SPRI MS 586/3; 587/1/1; 587/2; 587/3; 587/6; 587/7/1; 587/7/2; 587/3, 9 MJ.Google Scholar
Jones, A.G.E. 1981. Letter to R.W. Richards, 8 October 1981. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Jones, A.G.E. 1982. Biographical notes, 21 February 1982. From R.W. Richards. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Joyce, E.E.M. 1915–1916. Diary 1915–1916. Auckland. By permission J. Curlett.Google Scholar
Joyce, E.E.M. 1929. The South Polar trail. London: Duckworth Google Scholar
Kaye, G.W.C. and Laby, T.H.. 1911. Physical and chemical constants. London: Longmans, Green and Co. Google Scholar
Larsen, E.J. 2011. An empire of ice – Scott, Shackleton, and the heroic age of Antarctic science. Connecticut: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Lathlean, P. 1966. Taped interview with R.W. Richards, 16 October 1966. Unley Australia: Patricia Lathlean collection.Google Scholar
Loewe, F. 1961. On melting of fresh-water ice in sea water. Journal of Glaciology 3 : 30.Google Scholar
Loewe, F. 1963. The scientific observations of the Ross Sea party of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917. Columbus: The Ohio State University, Byrd Polar Research Centre (formerly Institute of Polar Studies Report 5): 1051–1052.Google Scholar
McElrea, R.G. and Harrowfield, D.L.. 2004. Polar castaways. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1914a. Order book. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/3/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1914b. Telegram to R.W. Richards, 1 December 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/2/108–236; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A. L.A. 1914c. Letter to A. Stevens, 8 December 1914. SPRI MS 1590/2/29–62; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915a. Diary, 6 and 8, January 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/9/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915b. Diary, 13 January 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/9/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915c. Diary, 16 January 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/9/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915d. Diary, 5 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/11; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915e. Diary, 12 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/4/4/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915f. Diary, 18 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915g. Diary, 26 June 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915h. Diary, 2 July 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915i. Diary 10 July 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/1: D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915j Report, 26 July 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/17; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915k. Diary, 29 July. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/1; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915l. Diary, 2 August 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/11; D.Google Scholar
Mackintosh, A.L.A. 1915m. Diary, 4 August 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/11; D.Google Scholar
McOrist, W. 2015. Shackleton's heroes (in press).Google Scholar
Markham, C.R. 1914. Memorandum, for the Council, RGS February 1914. London: RGS MS12.Google Scholar
Mawson, D. 1910. Reports of scientific investigations. British Antarctic Expedition 1907–09. Geology Vol. 11. London: William Heinemann.Google Scholar
Mawson, D. 1915. Letter to A.L.A. Mackintosh, 8 March 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/2/29–62; D.Google Scholar
Middleton, F.G. 1917. Medical report on the S.Y. Aurora Relief Expedition December1916 – February. 1917. Brighton Victoria: Australian Archives Victoria MS MP471 (Department of the Navy file 1/21/9926).Google Scholar
Morawetz, D. 2003. Depression and insomnia. Sleep Research Online 5 (2): 77–81.Google Scholar
Munro Ltd, R.W. 1964. Centenary 1864–1964. London: Munro Ltd.Google Scholar
Murray, J. 1910. Reports of scientific investigations. British Antarctic Expedition, 1907–1909. London: William Heinemann.Google Scholar
Ninnis, A.H. 1914–1917. Diary, 1914–1917. London: RGS MS RGS/CB7/.Google Scholar
Ninnis, A.H. 1915–1916. Unpublished report, I.T.A.E. S.Y. Aurora's drift. Bird and Animal Life. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Paton, J. 1914–1917. Diary. Dunedin: Hocken Library MS 1424; 1428.Google Scholar
Priestley, R.E. 1922. The psychology of exploration. Psyche 1921–1922 2 (1–4). (First published 1914. London: Keegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. Ltd.)Google Scholar
Quartermain, L.B. 1963. Two huts in the Antarctic. Wellington: Government Printer.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1914a. Letter to the Commander S.Y. Aurora, 21 November 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/2/22–28; D.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1914b. Letter to Capt. Mackintosh, 1 December 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/2/22–28; D.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1914c. Agreement for employment. Undated. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/2/86; D.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1960a: Letter to L.B. Quartermain, 15 October 1960. Christchurch: Archives New Zealand MS File 2/12 Antarctic Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1960b. Letter to L. B. Quartermain, 9 November 1960. Christchurch: Archives New Zealand MS File 2/12 Antarctic Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. c.1961. The Ross Sea shore party draft. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1981a. Letter to author, 10 June 1981. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1981b. Letter to author, 30 September 1981 with biographical notes. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1982a. Letter to author, 10 June 1982. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1982b. Letter to author, 2 August 1982. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1982c. Letter to author, 27 August 1982. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Richards, R.W. 1984. Letter to author, 2 April 1984. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
Riffenburgh, B. 2004. Nimrod. Ernest Shackleton and the extraordinary story of the 1907–09 British Antarctic Expedition. London: Bloomsbury Publishing.Google Scholar
Riffenbugh, B. 2010. The Scott Expedition. Research Project of the Natural History Museum and Scott Polar Research Institute. Report to the Natural History Museum and the Scott Polar research Institute submitted to Dr Honor Gay, Mrs Julie Harvey, Mrs Heather Lane. Cambridge: SPRI Library.Google Scholar
Rolfe, L. Letter to author, 10 June 1981. Oamaru: Author's collection.Google Scholar
RGS (Royal Geographical Society). 1914. Report of committee on conference with Sir Ernest Shackleton, 4 March 1914. London: RGS MS 4.Google Scholar
Scott, R.F. 1913. Scott's last expedition. London: Smith, Elder & Co.Google Scholar
Seward, A.C. 1914. Antarctic fossil plants. British Antarctic (Terra Nova expedition 1910). British Museum (Natural History) Reports: Geology 1 (1) : 1–49.Google Scholar
Shackleton, E.H. 1913. Prospectus - The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Cambridge: SPRI H.R. Mill bequest MS not recorded.Google Scholar
Shackleton, E.H. 1914. Letter to Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill, the Admiralty 27 February 1914. London: Public Record Office MS HDM 1/8368.Google Scholar
Shackleton, E.H. 1919. South: the story of Shackleton's 1914–1917 expedition. London: William Heinemann.Google Scholar
Shaughnessy, P.D. 1990. Bird and mammal life recorded during the Antarctic Drift of SY Aurora, 1915–16. Cambridge: Polar Record 26 : 277–288.Google Scholar
Spencer-Smith, A.P. 1914. Invoice for equipment sold by Elliott Brothers, 8 December 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/27; D.Google Scholar
Spencer-Smith, A.P. 1915. Diary, 26 August 1915. Christchurch: CM MS 434.Google Scholar
Stenhouse, J.R. 1914. Diary, 7 October1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/1/1; D.Google Scholar
Stenhouse, J.R. 1915a. Diary, 8 January 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/1/2; D.Google Scholar
Stenhouse, J.R. 1915b. Log SY Aurora 1914–1917, 8 January 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1605/8/1; D.Google Scholar
Stenhouse, J.R. 1915c. Diary, 9 January 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/1/2; D.Google Scholar
Stenhouse, J.R. 1915d. Diary, 12 January 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/1/2; D.Google Scholar
Stenhouse, J.R. 1915–1916. Log SY Aurora. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1605/8/1Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1914a. Geology of Stornoway district of Lewis. Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow 15: 51–63 Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1914b. Invoice for scientific equipment, 14 September 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/28; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1914c. Letter to Captain Mackintosh, 8 December 1914. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/27/2; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1914d. Notes on geology. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4/4/23/3; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1914e. SY Aurora at sea; meteorological observations. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/7/2; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1914f. Meteorological Instructions on board SY Aurora. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/7/1; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1914–1915. Meteorological record 24 December 1914– 4 January 1915 compiled on board SY Aurora. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1590/7/4; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1915. Report to A.L.A. Mackintosh, 30 July 1915. Cambridge: SPRI. MS 1537/4/4/18/4; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1917. Account of the Ross Sea party, 30 October 1914 – 3 January 1917. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1537/4//4//4; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1920. Letter to H.R. Mill, 24 November 1920. Cambridge: SPRI H.R. Mill bequest 1950 MS 100/123/4/1; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1928. Letter to H.R. Mill, 20 November 1928. Cambridge: SPRI H.R. Mill bequest 1950 MS 100/80; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1931. Letter to H.R. Mill 1 December 1931. Cambridge: SPRI H.R. Mill bequest 1950 MS 100/123/4; D.Google Scholar
Stevens, A. 1961. Letter to L.B. Quartermain, 22 June 1961. Christchurch: CM Quartermain collection MS 303.Google Scholar
Stonehouse, B. 2014. Shackleton's emperor penguins. Cambridge: Polar Record 50 (253): 192–198.Google Scholar
Taylor, A.J.W. 1987. Antarctic psychology. Wellington: DSIR Science Information Publishing Centre (bulletin 244).Google Scholar
Taylor, T.G. 1914. Physiography and glacial geography of east Antarcica. The Geographical Journal 44: 365–382, 44: 553–565.Google Scholar
Thomson, L.J.F. 1915a. Diary, 2 March 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1456/33; D.Google Scholar
Thomson, L.J.F. 1915b. Diary, 9 April 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1456/33; D.Google Scholar
Thompson, L.J.F. 1915c. Diary,14 April 1915. Cambridge: SPRI MS 1456/33; D.Google Scholar
Thomson, L.J.F. 1915d. Diary, 17 November 1915. Sydney Australia: Malcolm Thomson collection.Google Scholar
Thomson, L.J.F. 1915e. Diary, 18 November 1915. Sydney Australia: Malcolm Thomson collection.Google Scholar
Tyler-Lewis, K. 2006. The lost men. The harrowing saga of Shackleton's Ross Sea party. New York: Viking.Google Scholar
Wilson, C.T.R. 1899. On the condensation on nuclei produced in gases by the action of Rontgen rays, ultra-violet light, and other agents. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. A: 403–453.Google Scholar
Wilson, E.A. 1912. Report from Cape Evans, 31 October 1911.The Geographical Journal 39 : 6.Google Scholar
Wilson, K.G., Eriksson, M.Y., Joyce, L., Mikhail, S.F. and Emery, P.C.. 2002. Major depression and insomnia in chronic pain. Clinical Journal of Pain 18 (2) : 77–83.Google Scholar
Wordie, J.M. 1921. The Ross Sea drift of the Aurora in 1915–16. The Geographical Journal 58 (3): 219 – 224.Google Scholar