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95-437: Shackleton's Hut (77.552929°S 166.168286°E) is a historical site near Cape Royds, Ross Island, Antarctica, where the explorer Ernest Shackleton built a hut that housed his party during the winter of 1908. When Shackleton went into McMurdo Sound in 1908, having failed to land on King Edward VII Land , he decided to build a hut at Cape Royds, a small promontory twenty-three miles north of Hut Point where Scott had stayed during

190-489: A blizzard struck, forcing the men to camp until 9 December, and to break into rations intended for the Glacier journey. When the blizzard lifted, the remaining ponies were shot as planned, and their meat deposited as food for the return parties. On 11 December, Meares and Dimitri turned back with the dogs, carrying a message back to base that "things were not as rosy as they might be, but we keep our spirits up and say

285-434: A desperate struggle to get the news through first. I wonder if we can do it." On 18 January they discovered Amundsen's tent, some supplies, a letter to King Haakon VII of Norway (which Amundsen politely asked Scott to deliver), and a note stating that Amundsen had arrived there with four companions on 14 December 1911. After confirming their position and planting their flag, Scott's party turned homewards. During

380-409: A flag near the point. 77°34′S 166°12′E  /  77.567°S 166.200°E  / -77.567; 166.200 . A small bay lying at the east side of Cape Royds. The British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-09, under Shackleton, unloaded supplies at Backdoor Bay for use at their winter headquarters on Cape Royds. So named by them because it lies at the back (east) side of Cape Royds, opposite

475-494: A government grant. The balance was raised by public subscription and loans. The expedition was further assisted by the free supply of a range of provisions and equipment from sympathetic commercial firms. The fund-raising task was largely carried out by Scott, and was a considerable drain on his time and energy, continuing in South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand after Terra Nova had sailed from British waters. By far

570-628: A hand injury was failing to heal, he was badly frostbitten, and he is thought to have injured his head after several falls on the ice. "He is absolutely changed from his normal self-reliant self", wrote Scott. Near the bottom of the glacier Evans collapsed, and died on 17 February. On the Barrier stage of the homeward march, Scott reached the 82° 30' S meeting point for the dog teams, three days ahead of schedule, noting in his diary for 27 February 1912: "We are naturally always discussing possibility of meeting dogs, where and when, etc. It

665-632: A member of the expedition. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from "Cape Royds" . Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey .   [REDACTED] [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Geological Survey . Shackleton%27s Hut Shackleton's Hut ( 77°33′11″S 166°10′06″E  /  77.552929°S 166.168286°E  / -77.552929; 166.168286 )

760-494: A party consisting of Wilson, Bowers and Cherry-Garrard set out on 27 June 1911. Travelling during the Antarctic winter had not been previously tried; Scott wrote that it was "a bold venture, but the right men have gone to attempt it." Cherry-Garrard later described the horrors of the 19 days it took to travel the 60 miles (97 km) to Cape Crozier. Gear, clothes, and sleeping bags were constantly iced up; on 5 July,

855-673: A perilous journey which included a crossing of the difficult Drygalski Ice Tongue . Geological and other specimens collected by the Northern Party were retrieved from Cape Adare and Evans Cove by Terra Nova in January 1913. The objective of this journey was geological exploration of the coastal area west of McMurdo Sound, in a region between the McMurdo Dry Valleys and the Koettlitz Glacier . This work

950-411: A state of hurry bordering on panic", according to Cherry-Garrard. Progress was slower than expected, and the ponies' performance was adversely affected because Oates was opposed to using Norwegian snowshoes and had left them behind at Cape Evans. On 4 February, the party established Corner Camp, 40 miles (64 km) from Hut Point, when a blizzard held them up for three days. A few days later, after

1045-482: A venture described by Campbell, who was to lead it, as " the thing of the whole expedition", and Victoria Land . Terra Nova sailed from Cardiff on 15 June 1910. Scott, detained by expedition business, sailed later on a faster passenger liner and joined the ship in South Africa. In Melbourne he left Terra Nova to continue fund-raising while the ship proceeded to New Zealand. Waiting for Scott in Melbourne

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1140-406: Is a critical position. We may find ourselves in safety at the next depot, but there is a horrid element of doubt." The party then met with three, ultimately critical, difficulties: the non-appearance of the dog teams, an unexpected large drop in temperature and a shortage of fuel in the depots. The low temperatures caused poor surfaces which Scott likened to "pulling over desert sand"; he described

1235-545: Is a historical site near Cape Royds , Ross Island, Antarctica, where the explorer Ernest Shackleton built a hut that housed his party during the winter of 1908. When Shackleton went into McMurdo Sound in 1908, having failed to land on King Edward VII Land , he decided to build a hut at Cape Royds, a small promontory twenty-three miles north of Hut Point where Scott had stayed during the Discovery Expedition . The whole shore party lived in this hut through

1330-656: The Admiralty , which released experienced seamen to the expedition, and from the Royal Geographical Society . The expedition's team of scientists carried out a comprehensive scientific programme, while other parties explored Victoria Land and the Western Mountains . An attempted landing and exploration of King Edward VII Land was unsuccessful. A journey to Cape Crozier in June and July 1911

1425-715: The Australasian Antarctic Expedition under Douglas Mawson was to leave in 1911, but would be working in a different sector of the continent; and Roald Amundsen , a potential rival from Norway, had also announced plans for an Arctic voyage. 65 men (including replacements) formed the shore and ship's parties of the Terra Nova Expedition. They were chosen from 8,000 applicants, and included seven Discovery veterans together with five who had been with Shackleton on his 1907–1909 expedition. Lieutenant Edward Evans , who had been

1520-460: The Bay of Whales , an inlet in the Barrier. Amundsen was courteous and hospitable, willing for Campbell to camp nearby and offering him help with his dogs. Campbell politely declined, and returned with his party to Cape Evans to report this development. Scott received the news on 22 February, during the first depot-laying expedition. According to Cherry-Garrard, the first reaction of Scott and his party

1615-659: The British Antarctic Expedition , was an expedition to Antarctica which took place between 1910 and 1913. Led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott , the expedition had various scientific and geographical objectives. Scott wished to continue the scientific work that he had begun when leading the Discovery Expedition from 1901 to 1904, and wanted to be the first to reach the geographic South Pole . He and four companions attained

1710-590: The British Antarctic Expedition, 1907–09 on account of the intensely vivid blue color of its ice. 77°32′S 166°09′E  /  77.533°S 166.150°E  / -77.533; 166.150 . A small lake just west-northwest of Blue Lake at Cape Royds. A descriptive name given by the British Antarctic Expedition (1907-09). It is the deepest lake in this vicinity. 77°33′S 166°09′E  /  77.550°S 166.150°E  / -77.550; 166.150 . A small lake near

1805-494: The British National Antarctic Expedition (1901-04) under Robert Falcon Scott . The name suggests the shape of the cove. 77°33′S 166°08′E  /  77.550°S 166.133°E  / -77.550; 166.133 . A beach formed of black volcanic sand, about 0.5 nautical miles (0.93 km; 0.58 mi) northward of Flagstaff Point. The descriptive name was given by members of

1900-573: The Discovery Expedition . The whole shore party lived in this hut through the winter of 1908. The Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand) has custody over the site. Nominated by AHT, Shackleton's Hut was listed in the 2004 , 2006 , and 2008 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund to attract attention and financial support for the site. An area of 6200 ha at the cape is protected as Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA 121, incorporating HSM 15) because it supports

1995-911: The Great Ice Barrier . In 1909, Scott received news that Ernest Shackleton 's Nimrod expedition had narrowly failed to reach the Pole. Starting from a base close to Scott's Discovery anchorage in McMurdo Sound , Shackleton had crossed the Great Ice Barrier, discovered the Beardmore Glacier route to the Polar Plateau , and had struck out for the Pole. He had been forced to turn for home at 88° 23' S, less than 100  geographical miles (112 miles (180 km)) from his objective. Scott had claimed

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2090-504: The Royal Indian Marine , and Lawrence Oates ("Titus"), an Army captain from the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons . Oates, independently wealthy, volunteered £1,000 (equivalent to about £129,000 in 2023) and his services to the expedition. The Admiralty also provided a largely naval lower deck, including the Antarctic veterans Edgar Evans (no relation to Edward Evans), Tom Crean and William Lashly . Other seamen in

2185-448: The type locality for several species of algae , including the southernmost record of snow algae . Download coordinates as: There are a number of small lakes near the cape. 77°32′S 166°10′E  /  77.533°S 166.167°E  / -77.533; 166.167 . The largest of several small frozen lakes near Cape Royds, lying 0.5 nautical miles (0.93 km; 0.58 mi) north-northeast of Flagstaff Point. Named by

2280-523: The 1911 winter in their hut. Their exploration plans for the summer of 1911–1912 could not be fully carried out, partly because of the condition of the sea ice and also because they were unable to discover a route into the interior. Terra Nova returned from New Zealand on 4 January 1912, and transferred the party to the vicinity of Evans Cove , a location approximately 250 miles (400 km) south of Cape Adare and 200 miles (320 km) northwest of Cape Evans. They were to be picked up on 18 February after

2375-410: The Barrier, enabling the men to preserve their strength for the later Glacier and Plateau stages. In practice, the motor sledges proved only briefly useful, and the ponies' performance was affected by their age and poor condition. As to dogs, while Scott's experiences on Discovery had made him dubious of their reliability, his writings show that he recognised their effectiveness in the right hands. As

2470-442: The British Antarctic Expedition (BrAE) (1907-09). Features around Cape Royds include Horseshoe Bay, Shackleton's Hut, Blacksand Beach, Flagstaff Point, Backdoor Bay, Mickle Island and Cape Barne. Features to the north of Cape Royds include, from north to south, 77°31′12″S 166°12′42″E  /  77.52°S 166.2116667°E  / -77.52; 166.2116667 . A low headland, 34 metres (112 ft) high, that marks

2565-597: The British Antarctic Expedition (British Antarctic Expedition), 1907-09, at the suggestion of geologist Raymond Priestley, after one of the expeditionary dogs. 77°35′S 166°14′E  /  77.583°S 166.233°E  / -77.583; 166.233 . A steep, rocky bluff rising to 120 metres (390 ft) high between Cape Royds and Cape Evans. Discovered by the British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-04, under Scott, and named by him for Lieutenant Michael Barne, Royal Navy,

2660-501: The British Antarctic Expedition (British Antarctic Expedition), 1910-13. Features to the south of Cape Royds include, from north to south, 77°33′S 166°11′E  /  77.550°S 166.183°E  / -77.550; 166.183 . A point forming the south end of the Cape Royds headland. Charted and named by the British Antarctic Expedition under Shackleton, 1907-09, which established its winter headquarters and erected

2755-539: The British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-09, who found the beach within safe walking distance of their base hut near Flagstaff Point. 77°33′03″S 166°26′26″E  /  77.55096°S 166.440671°E  / -77.55096; 166.440671 . A small summit about 455 metres (1,493 ft) high, that is locally conspicuous, located 3.8 nautical miles (7.0 km; 4.4 mi) east of Cape Royds and 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) northeast of Cape Barne on Ross Island. Descriptively named by Griffith Taylor of

2850-592: The Koettlitz Glacier. After further work there, they started homewards on 2 March, taking a southerly route to Hut Point, where they arrived on 14 March. This was a continuation of the work carried out in the earlier journey, this time concentrating on Granite Harbour region approximately 50 miles (80 km) north of Butter Point. Taylor's companions this time were Debenham, Gran and Forde. The main journey began on 14 November and involved difficult travel over sea ice to Granite Harbour, which

2945-477: The McMurdo Sound area as his own "field of work", and Shackleton's use of the area as a base was in breach of an undertaking he gave Scott. This soured relations between the two explorers, and increased Scott's determination to surpass Shackleton's achievements. As he made his preparations for a further expedition, Scott was aware of other impending polar ventures. A Japanese expedition was being planned;

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3040-585: The Squadron, Terra Nova became exempt from Board of Trade regulations which might otherwise have deemed her unfit to sail. Scott defined the objects of the expedition in his initial public appeal: "The main objective of this expedition is to reach the South Pole, and to secure for the British Empire the honour of this achievement." There were other objectives, both scientific and geographical;

3135-1003: The coast, about midway between Pony Lake and Coast Lake at Cape Royds. Named by British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-09, because of its coloring. 77°32′S 166°08′E  /  77.533°S 166.133°E  / -77.533; 166.133 . A small lake at Cape Royds, lying close to the coast, about 0.75 nautical miles (1.39 km; 0.86 mi) north of Flagstaff Point. Named by the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-09, because of its position. 77°33′S 166°09′E  /  77.550°S 166.150°E  / -77.550; 166.150 . A small lake immediately north of Flagstaff Point at Cape Royds. Named by British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-09, who built their winter hut adjacent to this lake, because they had their ponies tethered nearby. 77°34′S 166°13′E  /  77.567°S 166.217°E  / -77.567; 166.217 . A small elongate lake 0.5 nautical miles (0.93 km; 0.58 mi) north of Cape Barne. The descriptive name

3230-419: The completion of further geological work, but due to heavy pack ice, the ship was unable to reach them. The group, with meagre rations which they had to supplement by fish and seal meat, were forced to spend the winter months of 1912 in a snow cave which they excavated on Inexpressible Island . Here they suffered severe privations— frostbite , dysentery and hunger, with extreme winds and low temperatures, and

3325-525: The composition of the polar party: five men (Scott, Wilson, Oates, Bowers and Edgar Evans) would go forward while Lieutenant Evans, Lashly and Crean would return to Cape Evans. The decision to take five men forward involved recalculations of weights and rations, since everything had been based on four-men teams. The polar group continued towards the Pole, passing Shackleton's Farthest South (88° 23' S) on 9 January. Seven days later, about 15 miles (25 km) from their goal, Amundsen's black flag

3420-579: The culpability of certain expedition members, remains controversial. After RRS Discovery 's return from the Antarctic in 1904, Captain Robert Falcon Scott eventually resumed his naval career but continued to nurse ambitions of returning south, with the conquest of the South Pole as his specific target. The Discovery Expedition had made a significant contribution to Antarctic scientific and geographical knowledge, but in terms of penetration southward had reached only 82° 17' and had not traversed

3515-410: The descent to the Barrier. On 7 February, they began their descent and had serious difficulty locating a depot. In a brief spell of good weather, Scott ordered a half-day's rest, allowing Wilson to "geologise"; 30 pounds (14 kg) of fossil-bearing samples were added to the sledges. These plant fossils were later used to support the theory of continental drift . Evans's health was deteriorating;

3610-449: The discomfort of a blubber stove in confined quarters. On 17 April 1912 a party under Atkinson, in command at Cape Evans during the absence of the polar party, went to relieve Campbell's party but were beaten back by the weather. The Northern Party survived the winter in their icy chamber, and set out for the base camp on 30 September 1912. Despite their physical weakness, the whole party managed to reach Cape Evans on 7 November , after

3705-401: The dog teams set off again from the base camp to replenish depots and meet the polar party between latitude 82 and 82.30 on 1 March to assist the party home. The motor party, consisting of Lieutenant Evans, Day, Lashly, and Hooper, started from Cape Evans on 24 October, with two motor sledges, their objective being to haul loads to latitude 80° 30' S and wait there for

3800-420: The dogs required regular attention. Scott spent much time calculating sledging rations and weights for the forthcoming polar march. The routine included regular lectures on a wide range of subjects: Ponting on Japan, Wilson on sketching, Oates on horse management and geologist Debenham on volcanoes. To ensure that physical fitness was maintained there were frequent games of football in the half-light outside

3895-457: The dogs, after risking his own life to rescue a dog-team that had fallen into a crevasse. When the slower pony party arrived, one of the animals was in very poor condition and died shortly afterwards. Later, as the surviving ponies were crossing the sea ice near Hut Point, the ice broke up. Despite a determined rescue attempt, three more ponies died. Of the eight ponies that had begun the depot-laying journey, only two returned home. On 23 April,

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3990-518: The eastern point of the island, before proceeding to McMurdo Sound to its west, where both Discovery and Nimrod had previously landed. After Scott had considered various possible wintering spots, he chose a cape remembered from the Discovery days as the "Skuary", about 15 miles (24 km) north of Scott's 1902 base at Hut Point . Scott hoped that this location, which he renamed Cape Evans after his second-in-command, would be free of ice in

4085-545: The expedition developed, he became increasingly impressed with their capabilities. Unlike the Discovery Expedition, where fundraising was handled jointly by the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), the Terra Nova Expedition was organised as a private venture without significant institutional support. Scott estimated the total cost at £40,000, half of which was eventually met by

4180-695: The first days of December the ship was struck by a heavy storm; at one point, with the ship taking heavy seas and the pumps having failed, the crew had to bail her out with buckets. The storm resulted in the loss of two ponies, a dog, 10 long tons (10,000 kg) of coal and 65 imperial gallons (300 L) of petrol. On 10 December, Terra Nova met the southern pack ice and was halted, remaining for twenty days before breaking clear and continuing southward. The delay, which Scott attributed to "sheer bad luck", had consumed 6.1 long tons (6,200 kg) of coal. Arriving off Ross Island on 4 January 1911, Terra Nova scouted for possible landing sites around Cape Crozier at

4275-583: The foot of the Beardmore Glacier. Scott believed that ponies had served Shackleton well, and he thought he could resolve the motor traction problem by developing a tracked snow "motor" (the forerunner of the Snowcat and of the tank ). Scott always intended to rely on man-hauling for the Polar Plateau , believing it impossible to ascend the Beardmore Glacier with motors or with animals. The motors and animals would be used to haul loads only across

4370-540: The hut in 2006. One crate is currently in Canterbury Museum in Christchurch , New Zealand undergoing restoration and, if possible, analysis of the whisky. The Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand) has custody over the site. Nominated by AHT, Shackleton's Hut was listed in the 2004 , 2006 , and 2008 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund to attract attention and financial support for

4465-410: The hut; Scott recorded that, "Atkinson is by far the best player, but Hooper, P.O. Evans and Crean are also quite good." The South Polar Times , which had been produced by Shackleton during the Discovery Expedition, was resurrected under Cherry-Garrard's editorship. On 6 June, a feast was arranged to mark Scott's 43rd birthday; a second celebration on 21 June marked Midwinter Day, the day that marks

4560-519: The ice comprising the lake is 18 ft below sea level. 77°34′39″S 166°16′54″E  /  77.577515°S 166.281582°E  / -77.577515; 166.281582 . A descriptive name for a small, elongate lake which lies in a valley with moraine from the Barne Glacier, about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) east of Cape Barne. The name appears on the maps of the British Antarctic Expedition (BrAE) (1910-13), but may have been applied earlier by

4655-537: The ice when they were finally spotted from the ship on 18 February. Geological specimens from both Western Mountains expeditions were retrieved by Terra Nova in January ;1913. This journey was conceived by Wilson. He had suggested the need for it in the Zoology section of the Discovery Expedition's Scientific Reports, and was anxious to follow up this earlier research. The journey's scientific purpose

4750-712: The journey went first to the Natural History Museum in South Kensington , and thereafter were the subject of a report from Cossar Stewart at the University of Edinburgh . The eggs failed to support Wilson's theories. Cherry-Garrard afterwards described this as the "worst journey in the world", and used this as the title of the book that he wrote about the expedition. Scott called the Winter Journey "a very wonderful performance", and

4845-609: The largest single cost was the purchase of the ship Terra Nova , for £12,500. Terra Nova had been in Antarctica before, as part of the second Discovery relief operation. Scott wanted to sail her as a naval vessel under the White Ensign ; to enable this, he obtained membership of the Royal Yacht Squadron for £100. He was thus able to impose naval discipline on the expedition, and as a registered yacht of

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4940-535: The luck must turn." The party began the ascent of the Beardmore, and on 20 December, reached the beginning of the polar plateau where they laid the Upper Glacier Depot. There was still no hint from Scott as to who would be in the final polar party. On 22 December, at latitude 85° 20' S, Scott sent back Atkinson, Cherry-Garrard, Wright and Keohane. Scott reminded Atkinson "to take

5035-498: The march had resumed, Scott sent the three weakest ponies home (two died en route). As the depot-laying party approached 80°, he became concerned that the remaining ponies would not make it back to base unless the party turned north immediately. Against the advice of Oates, who wanted to go forward, killing the ponies for meat as they collapsed, Scott decided to lay One Ton Depot at 79°29′S, more than 30 miles (48 km) short of its intended location. Scott returned to Safety Camp with

5130-474: The midpoint of the long polar night. After reporting Amundsen's arrival to Scott at Cape Evans, Campbell's Eastern party (Campbell, Priestley, Levick, George P. Abbott , Harry Dickason ) and Frank V. Browning became the "Northern Party". On 9 February 1911 they sailed northwards, arriving at Robertson Bay , near Cape Adare on 17 February , where they built a hut close to Norwegian explorer Carstens Borchgrevink 's old quarters. The Northern Party spent

5225-428: The motor sledges. Oates would be in charge of the ponies, but as he could not join the expedition until May 1910, Scott instructed Meares, who knew nothing of horses, to buy them—with unfortunate consequences for their quality and performance. A "polarised" motor car had been unsuccessfully tried in the Antarctic by Shackleton, on his 1907–1909 expedition, while his pioneering use of ponies had transported him as far as

5320-409: The navigating officer on Morning , the Discovery Expedition's relief ship in 1904, was appointed Scott's second-in-command. Evans had abandoned plans to mount his own expedition and transferred his financial backing to Scott. Among the other serving Royal Navy personnel released by the Admiralty were Lieutenant Harry Pennell , who would serve as navigator and take command of Terra Nova once

5415-431: The next three weeks they made good progress, Scott's diary recording several "excellent marches". Nevertheless, Scott began to worry about the physical condition of his party, particularly of Edgar Evans, who was suffering from severe frostbite and was, Scott records, "a good deal run down." The condition of Oates's feet became an increasing anxiety as the group approached the summit of the Beardmore Glacier and prepared for

5510-579: The north entrance point to Horseshoe Bay in west Ross Island. Named by New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) after Technical Services Officer Garth Edwin Varcoe, who worked in the NZ Antarctic Program over a period of 15 years until his accidental death in a helicopter crash near this headland in October 1992. His expertise was in the mechanical and electrical areas and he played a leading role in

5605-484: The option of exploring Victoria Land to the north-west if King Edward VII Land proved inaccessible. On 26 January, Campbell's party left in the ship and headed east. After several failed attempts to land his party on the King Edward VII Land shore, Campbell exercised his option to sail to Victoria Land. On its return westward along the Barrier edge, Terra Nova encountered Amundsen's expedition camped in

5700-427: The others. By 1 November, both motor sledges had failed after little more than 50 miles (80 km) of travel, so the party man-hauled 740 pounds (336 kg) of supplies for the remaining 150 miles (240 km) reaching their assigned latitude two weeks later. Scott's main party, which had left Cape Evans on 1 November with the dogs and ponies, caught up with them on 21 November. Scott's initial plan

5795-777: The party; on the Discovery Expedition he had accompanied Scott on the Farthest South march to 80°S. As well as being a qualified medical doctor and a distinguished research zoologist, he was also a talented illustrator. Wilson's scientific team—which Scott's biographer David Crane considered "as impressive a group of scientists as had ever been on a polar expedition" —included some who would enjoy later careers of distinction: meteorologist George Simpson ; Canadian physicist Charles Wright ; and geologists Frank Debenham and Raymond Priestley . Senior geologist T. Griffith Taylor , biologists Edward W. Nelson and Denis G. Lillie , and assistant zoologist Apsley Cherry-Garrard completed

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5890-515: The penguin colony and collect several emperor penguin eggs. Subsequently, their igloo shelter was almost destroyed in a blizzard with winds of force 11 on the Beaufort scale . The storm also carried away the tent upon which their survival would depend during their return journey, but fortunately this was recovered half a mile away. The group set out on the return journey to Cape Evans, arriving there on 1 August. The three eggs that survived

5985-436: The pole on 17 January 1912, where they found that a Norwegian team led by Roald Amundsen had preceded them by 34 days. Scott's party of five died on the return journey from the pole; some of their bodies, journals, and photographs were found by a search party eight months later. The expedition, named after its supply ship , was a private venture financed by public contributions and a government grant. It had further backing from

6080-407: The ponies would be shot for food. Thereafter, 12 men in three groups would ascend the glacier and begin the crossing of the polar plateau, using man-hauling. Only one of these groups would carry on to the pole; the supporting groups would be sent back at specified latitudes. The composition of the final polar group would be decided by Scott during the journey. For the return journey, Scott ordered that

6175-400: The ponies" as they transferred stores and materials from ship to shore. A prefabricated accommodation hut measuring 50 by 25 feet (15.2 m × 7.6 m) was erected and made habitable by 18 January. Scott's programme included a plan to explore and carry out scientific work in King Edward VII Land, to the east of the Barrier. A party under Campbell was organised for this purpose, with

6270-564: The reconstruction of Scott Base. 77°31′34″S 166°11′17″E  /  77.5261111°S 166.1880556°E  / -77.5261111; 166.1880556 . The south entrance point to Horseshoe Bay in west Ross Island. Named by New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) after Terry Newport, a carpenter in the NZ Antarctic Program, who perished in a helicopter crash near this point in October 1992. 77°32′S 166°12′E  /  77.533°S 166.200°E  / -77.533; 166.200 . A cove just north of Cape Royds. Discovered and named by

6365-529: The scientific work was considered by Wilson as the main work of the expedition: "No one can say that it will have only been a Pole-hunt ... We want the scientific work to make the bagging of the Pole merely an item in the results." He hoped to continue investigations, begun during the Discovery Expedition, of the emperor penguin colony at Cape Crozier and to fulfil a programme of geological, magnetic and meteorology studies on an "unprecedented" scale. There were further plans to explore King Edward VII Land,

6460-408: The shore parties had landed; and two Surgeon-Lieutenants, George Murray Levick and Edward L. Atkinson . Ex-Royal Navy officer Victor Campbell , known as "The Wicked Mate", was one of the few who had skills in skiing , and was chosen to lead the party that would explore King Edward VII Land . Two non-Royal Navy officers were appointed: Henry Robertson Bowers ("Birdie"), who was a lieutenant in

6555-400: The shore party included Patrick Keohane , Robert Forde , Thomas Clissold (cook) and Frederick Hooper (domestic steward). Dimitri Gerov  [ ru ] (dog driver), a Russian, and Anton Omelchenko  [ ru ] (groom), a Ukrainian, also landed. To head his scientific programme, Scott appointed Edward Wilson as chief scientist. Wilson was Scott's closest confidant among

6650-399: The short Antarctic summer, enabling the ship to come and go. As the seas to the south froze over, the expedition would have ready access over the ice to Hut Point and the Barrier. At Cape Evans the shore parties disembarked, with the ponies, dogs, the three motorised sledges (one of which was lost during unloading), and the bulk of the party's stores. Scott was "astonished at the strength of

6745-635: The site. In 2004, through WMF, funding for conservation was provided by American Express , and by 2008 the structure was fully restored to its condition when Shackleton's team left it. Shackleton's Hut has been designated a Historic Site or Monument (HSM 15), following a proposal by New Zealand and the United Kingdom to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting . British Antarctic Expedition, 1910%E2%80%9313 The Terra Nova Expedition , officially

6840-710: The small cove on the west side of the cape, known to them as "Front Door Bay." 77°34′S 166°13′E  /  77.567°S 166.217°E  / -77.567; 166.217 . A very small island 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) southeast of Flagstaff Point. Charted and so named by the British Antarctic Expedition led by Shackleton, 1907-09. The name appears to be capricious or whimsical, mickle meaning "great." 77°34′05″S 166°17′24″E  /  77.568014°S 166.289902°E  / -77.568014; 166.289902 . A hill, 184 metres (604 ft) high, located 1.1 nautical miles (2.0 km; 1.3 mi) northeast of Cape Barne in west Ross Island. Named by

6935-401: The southernmost established Adélie penguin colony known, with a long period of population data. The presence of polynyas in McMurdo Sound provides an ice-free area where penguins can feed, and is important for the survival of the penguin colony. The area plays host to penguin researchers such as Jean Pennycook . The area is also important for its terrestrial and freshwater ecology; it is

7030-550: The sun set for the duration of the winter months, and the party settled into the Cape Evans hut. Under Scott's naval regime the hut was divided by a wall made of packing cases, so that officers and men lived largely separate existences, scientists being deemed "officers" for this purpose. Everybody was kept busy; scientific work continued, observations and measurements were taken, equipment was overhauled and adapted for future journeys. The surviving ponies needed daily exercise, and

7125-531: The surface as "coated with a thin layer of woolly crystals, formed by radiation no doubt. These are too firmly fixed to be removed by the wind and cause impossible friction on the [sledge] runners." The low temperatures were accompanied by an absence of wind, something Scott had expected to assist them on their northern journey. The party were further slowed down by the frostbite in Oates' left foot. Daily marches were now down to less than five miles (8 km), which

7220-403: The team. Cherry-Garrard had no scientific training, but was a protégé of Wilson's. He had, like Oates, contributed £1,000 to funds. After first being turned down by Scott, he allowed his contribution to stand, which impressed Scott sufficiently for him to reverse his decision. Crane describes Cherry-Garrard as "the future interpreter, historian and conscience of the expedition." Herbert Ponting

7315-423: The temperature fell below −77 °F (−61 °C)—"109 degrees of frost—as cold as anyone would want to endure in darkness and iced up clothes", wrote Cherry-Garrard. Often the daily distance travelled was little more than a single mile. After reaching Cape Crozier on 15 July, the party built an igloo from snow blocks, stone, and a sheet of canvas they had brought for the roof. They were then able to visit

7410-455: The two dog-teams south in the event of Meares having to return home, as seemed likely" to assist the polar party on its return journey the following March. The remaining eight men continued south, in better conditions which enabled them to make up some of the time lost on the Barrier. By 30 December, they had "caught up" with Shackleton's 1908–1909 timetable. On 3 January 1912, at latitude 87° 32' S, Scott made his decision on

7505-399: The winter of 1908. When spring came stores were sledged to Hut Point, so that should the sea-ice break up early between these two places they might not be left in an awkward position. Shackleton did not return to the hut after his farthest south attempt, however he had left full instructions with Professor Edgeworth David as to the care of the hut, and before the whole Expedition left, the hut

7600-818: Was a telegram from Amundsen, informing Scott that the Norwegian was "proceeding south"; the telegram was the first indication to Scott that he was in a race. When asked by the press for a reaction, Scott replied that his plans would not change and that he would not sacrifice the expedition's scientific goals to win the race to the Pole. In his diary he wrote that Amundsen had a fair chance of success, and perhaps deserved his luck if he got through. Scott rejoined Terra Nova in New Zealand, where additional supplies were taken aboard, including 34 dogs, 19 Siberian ponies and three motorised sledges. The ship, heavily overloaded, finally left Port Chalmers on 29 November. During

7695-450: Was an urge to rush over to the Bay of Whales and "have it out" with Amundsen. Scott recorded the event calmly in his journal. "One thing only fixes itself in my mind. The proper, as well as the wiser, course is for us to proceed exactly as though this had not happened. To go forward and do our best for the honour of our country without fear or panic." The aim of the first season's depot-laying

7790-418: Was applied by the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-09. 77°34′S 166°13′E  /  77.567°S 166.217°E  / -77.567; 166.217 . A small lake lying between Deep Lake and the coast at Cape Royds. The descriptive name appears on the maps by the British Antarctic Expedition, 1910–13 , but it may have been given earlier by the British Antarctic Expedition (1907-09). The surface of

7885-527: Was by a former member of Shackleton's expedition. Shackleton's hut was found intact, with bread still on the tables just as it had been left. Raymond Priestley , who had walked out the door of the building two years previously, described coming back to the place as 'very eerie'. Priestley retrieved a tin of butter, tins of jam, a plum pudding and gingerbread biscuits from the site, all of which were described as being perfectly fresh. Amongst other things, five crates of McKinlay and Co. whisky were found buried under

7980-416: Was highly satisfied with the experiments in rations and equipment: "We are as near perfection as experience can direct." On 13 September 1911, Scott revealed his plans for the South Pole march. Sixteen men would set out, using the two remaining motor sledges, ponies and dogs for the Barrier stage of the journey, which would bring them to the Beardmore Glacier . At this point the dogs would return to base and

8075-426: Was insufficient given the lack of oil. By March 10, it became evident the dog teams were not coming: "The dogs which would have been our salvation have evidently failed. Meares [the dog-driver] had a bad trip home I suppose." In a farewell letter to Sir Edgar Speyer , dated March 16, Scott wondered whether he had overshot the meeting point and fought the growing suspicion that he had in fact been abandoned by

8170-402: Was put in order. A letter was pinned in a conspicuous place inside, stating that there were sufficient provisions and equipment to last fifteen men for one year, indicating also the details of these provisions and the position of the coal store. The stove was in good condition, and the letter ended with an invitation for any succeeding party to make what use they required of stores and hut. The hut

8265-561: Was reached on 26 November. Headquarters were established at a site christened Geology Point, and a stone hut was built. During the following weeks, exploration and surveying work took place on the Mackay Glacier, and a range of features to the north of the glacier were identified and named. The party was due to be picked up by Terra Nova on 15 January 1912, but the ship could not reach them. The party waited until 5 February before trekking southward, and were rescued from

8360-501: Was spotted and the party knew that they had been forestalled. They reached the Pole the next day, 17 January: "The Pole. Yes, but under very different circumstances from those expected ... Great God! This is an awful place and terrible enough for us to have laboured to it without the reward of priority. Well, it is something to have got here." Scott still hoped to race Amundsen to the telegraph cablehead in Australia: "Now for

8455-477: Was that the dogs would return to base at this stage. Because of slower than expected progress, he decided to take the dogs on further. Day and Hooper were dispatched to Cape Evans with a message to this effect for Simpson, who had been left in charge there. On 4 December, the expedition had reached the Gateway, the name given by Shackleton to the route from the Barrier on to the Beardmore Glacier. At this point

8550-440: Was the expedition's photographer, whose pictures would leave a vivid visual record. On the advice of explorer Fridtjof Nansen , Scott recruited a young Norwegian ski expert, Tryggve Gran . Scott had decided on a mixed transport strategy, relying on contributions from dogs, motor sledges and ponies. He appointed Cecil Meares to take charge of the dog teams and recruited Shackleton's former motor specialist, Bernard Day, to run

8645-478: Was the first extended sledging journey in the depths of the Antarctic winter. For many years after his death, Scott's status as tragic hero was unchallenged and few questions were asked about the causes of the disaster which overcame his polar party. In the final quarter of the 20th century the expedition came under closer scrutiny, and more critical views were expressed about its organization and management. The degree of Scott's personal culpability and, more recently,

8740-473: Was then locked and the key nailed on the door in a conspicuous place. Scott could have used this as a base during the Terra Nova Expedition , given that it was unlikely to suffer the sea ice problem that afflicted Hut Point, but he had reached an agreement with Shackleton that neither would use each other's facilities. The only visit to Shackleton's hut made during Scott's 1910–1913 expedition

8835-418: Was to place a series of depots on the Barrier from its edge—Safety Camp—down to 80°S, for use on the polar journey which would begin the following spring. The final depot would be the largest, and would be known as One Ton Depot. The work was to be carried out by 12 men, the eight fittest ponies, and two dog teams; ice conditions prevented the use of the motor sledges. The journey started on 27 January "in

8930-425: Was to secure emperor penguin eggs from the rookery near Cape Crozier at an early embryo stage, so that "particular points in the development of the bird could be worked out". This required a trip in the depths of winter to obtain eggs in an appropriately early stage of incubation. A secondary purpose was to experiment with food rations and equipment in advance of the coming summer's polar journey. Scott approved, and

9025-588: Was undertaken by a party consisting of Taylor, Debenham, Wright and Edgar Evans. They landed from Terra Nova on 26 January at Butter Point , opposite Cape Evans on the Victoria Land shore. On 30 January, the party established its main depot in the Ferrar Glacier region, and then conducted explorations and survey work in the Dry Valley and Taylor Glacier areas before moving southwards to

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