#British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1938 – Death of Tom Crean, Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer, from Co Kerry.

The reasons why history has been unkind to Crean are twofold: first, the politics of post-independence Ireland; and second, what George Bernard Shaw described as the greatest of evils and worst of crimes — poverty. Tom Crean was an Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer from Annascaul, Co Kerry. He was a member of three major expeditions to Antarctica during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.…

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"CANADA'S MEMORIAL SERVICE TO THE CAPT. SCOTT HEROES." Weekly British Whig. February 20, 1913. Page 5. ---- Scenes at Massey Hall, Toronto, on the afternoon of Sunday, Feb. 16th. The service was under the patronage of the Duke of Connaught, and His. Hon. R. L.. Borden, prime minister, but they were both unable to be present. One thousand people attended.

[ltwilliammowett]

'The "Terra Nova" icebound. Photograph by Herbert G Ponting -shows the ship of the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910-1913 stranded in Antarctic ice

[historicalbookimages]

🐧 Natural History Reports / British Antarctic ("Terra Nova") Expedition, 1910-13. London: BM(NH)

[areyougonnabe]

I know nothing about polar exploration! Or Shackleton! But you seem excited about it!

Have a favourite fact you'd like to share?!?

well my two favorite facts have already been shared which are the cautionary tale of the toxic polar polycule and the story of the antarctic lovebirds !!!

but here is a contender for #3... the tale of jessamine.

let's start with our homies Deb (left) and Griff (right), aka Frank Debenham and T. Griffith Taylor, the geologists of terra nova's cape evans shore party:

they would both later go onto impressive careers in academia, start families, basically be well-liked hard-working guys (also participants in 20th century imperialism but let's take that as given based on our starting point of this expedition lol)

BUT we are meeting them here, in antarctica, aged 27 and 30, "Early Career Researchers" as we might call them now. trying to keep busy with SCIENCE during the long antarctic winter night of 1911!!!!!

these guys go way back btw. Deb was born and raised in Australia and and Griff moved to Australia when he was a kid, and they both attended the fancy-schmancy King's School near Sydney, the Australian equivalent of british public school (e.g. Eton). according to griff they were family friends at that time although they would have been a few years apart at school.

later around 1908 they both studied at the University of Sydney under leading geologist Sir Edgeworth David, who had been on Shackleton's Nimrod expedition and reached the South Magnetic Pole with Mawson. They both ended up being hired onto Scott's expedition through university connections, Deb via Professor David and Griff through a scholarship to Cambridge where he met Wilson.

okay. backstory established. now one thing you need to know about Griff is that he was a total freak. like Racovitza, he was a Poster before there were online platforms to Post on. if you had that kind of brain back then, and no access to adderall, you had to just sit around inventing new kinds of science instead of deep-frying spongebob screencaps. he was a consummate edwardian memelord who would read a novel per day and still have time to write 20 pages of diary in which he would floridly record the silliest things that happened since the morning, the various quirks and quotes of expedition members, and then complain about captain scott in shorthand.

to say nothing of his passion for CREATIVE WRITING! vitally, Griff was one of the main contributors to the Cape Evans hut magazine, the South Polar Times edited by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. there were 3 issues of this during the winter of 1911 and 1 issue during the winter of 1912, the latter of which included much material written/submitted during 1911 before the polar party met with tragedy.

Griff was a versatile writer, and his pieces (which would sometimes cumulatively make up nearly half an issue of the SPT by page count) ran the gamut from expository nonfiction to speculative poetry to comedic epistolary to magazine pastiche. he had certain motifs that he frequently returned to—none as compelling, in my opinion, as that of Jessamine. or Jasmine, or Jessie, or Jessica, as the case may be...

it all began, according to Griff's diary, early in the austral winter of 1911, when Deb was "christened Jasmine by Titus [Oates]."

where this nickname came from is unclear—many of the men had picked up female nicknames on the voyage down (see "Jane" Atkinson, "Marie" Nelson, "Penelope" Pennell) but Deb had not been on the voyage down because he had gotten picked up in Australia, so this may have been a belated attempt to correct that omission. Griff wrote in his book about the expedition, "We were short of female society—which lack also accounts for Jessie Debenham as an alternative to Deb."

in any case, the name clearly caught on: on midwinter day, a little under two months after the nickname's debut, Griff recorded that during the gift exchange after dinner "Every second present or so was a necklace or earrings for Miss Jessie Debenham."

(deb and titus at midwinter dinner)

THIS GOT REALLY LONG SO CLICK READ MORE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED!!

in the second SPT issue of 1911, Griff's 17-page narrative "The Bipes" describes the inhabitants of the Cape Evans hut from the perspective of a rabbit who lives in the stables. you can read the whole thing here and please do!!! (you'll need a VPN outside the US) BUT here is the relevant bit dealing with Deb:

U. PULCHERRIMA. This Bipe inhabits a strongly defended Bungkh in the Ubdug burrow. It is supported by mighty baulks of timber and can only be reached by means of a dangerous ladder. The Bungkh is supplied with heavy hammers, piles of stones and other offensive weapons. These precautions are, I believe, necessary in the Bipe courtship, for she is often called upon to repel members of other burrows who approach her balcony with blandishments. Her time is chiefly occupied with a primitive quern or handmill, and at this she grinds for long hours every day. I judge that this merely satisfies some primitive habit, for no flour seems to be produced. But it is pleasant to see how strong is the feminine instinct.

the species name "Pulcherrima" is also the species name of the pointsetta flower, and can be translated to "beautiful woman" (i think??)

here's the illustration produced by Bill Wilson (based on Griff's sketch) to accompany the above - yes that's a portrait of Griff in her bunk and Birdie below attempting to woo her:

it must be noted that Meares, nicknamed "Mother," also gets cast in a female role in the Bipes piece, but does not receive the privilege of being drawn in a skirt, rip.

anyway, the next issue of the SPT, vol 3 issue III, is the last one to be produced before the end of winter. Griff decided to one-up himself and write a piece in which Jessamine takes center stage. The Ladies Letter is a pitch-perfect parody of the "Ladies Column" sections that appeared in many periodicals of the era—full of french fashion terms and simpering style suggestions. Griff brilliantly adapts the format for a pastiche on the subject of Antarctic fashion; not free, naturally, from general whiffs of period-typical misogyny, but as those being mocked in specific are fellow expedition members and not any actual women i forgive him.

written in the form of a letter from Jessamine to her absent friend Cynthia (whose identity i'm unsure of BUT i'm tempted to say is supposed to be Priestley, away at Cape Adare), the piece again features multiple expedition members in female roles, including Silas as "American" Sally Wright, Cherry as "Madame Chérie - that dear delightful person - who builds her beautiful creations on strictly scientific principles of hygiene and aesthetics" and Birdie as Madame Berdé, who "finds that for well developed figures it is most distinctive to use a cross-gartering well above the ankle. She herself is naturally a consistent exponent of this latter fashion."

and then of course there is Jessamine's star turn. she is wearing the newest fashion, "a modification of last year's 'tube skirt' [which] even more closely swathes the lower limbs, and it is necessary that the wearer should be rolled along by her maid."

Jessamine reveals that she is planning to induce Titus Oates to bring her a proposal of marriage through the clever use of themed charms on her chatelaine.

All the smartest girls have wreathed chains of mascots around the skirt, and a pretty idea, which I commend to you, is to have silver model made of those articles which interest THE ONLY MAN WHO COUNTS. Breathe this to no one! But Mappin & Webb are making me such a choice set. The cutest little pony; a horse snowshoe (this is very lucky); a dead rabbit; a popgun; and a silver blazon PER MARE PER TERRAM PRO TITO; this will be attached to my 'tube', and then I really do expect to bring him to a proposal.

this scenario was illustrated hilariously by Bill, complete with Jessamine being rolled along, and Titus ignoring her as could be expected, in favor of a pony (Christopher?):

now, Deb is on record saying that Titus was his best friend on the expedition, but it may well be a classic case of "you are not your best friend's best friend," because per other accounts Oates was much closer to Meares and Atch than he was to Deb. that's just an observation to add a little flavor to Jessamine's desperate pursuit as portrayed here...

and not to look a gift horse (ha) in the mouth, but i do feel that Bill's illustrations don't quiiiiiite do the genderfuckery of Griff's text justice—Jessamine describes herself as wearing a frock inspired by the aurora, but Bill instead draws Deb in normal sledging gear plus some non-dress-shaped colorful streamers. a missed opportunity...

also, lest you think that Griff was the only one partaking in the Jessamine joke in the SPT, there is also a sneaky reference in the anonymous feature "My Favorite Book":

(J-SS-- [JESSIE]: "Not like other girls")

BUT WAIT. THERE'S EVEN MORE.

viewing the handwritten drafts of the SPT held at the SPRI (because all of this is going to be an actual academic paper someday hopefully lol), i learned that there were a fair handful of references omitted from the final version, presumably thanks to Cherry's editorial oversight.

one "answer to correspondents" written by "Marie" Nelson went as follows:

Jessica: A single lady cannot be too careful about the respectability of her lodgings or the character of her companions.

(referencing Deb bunking with Griff and Gran, two of the more annoying/messy people in the hut)

and an unused entry in "Songs And Their Singers" by Teddy Evans was:

Oh What’s Womans Duty - Jasmin

lastly, and most importantly, the drafts contained the one instance i could find of deb firing back about this whole thing.

vol IV of the SPT consisted of one issue released during winter 1912, when a lot of people had gone home (including Griff), and everyone left behind knew the polar party was dead and they'd have to go look for their bodies in the spring. it was not a fun time. vol IV contained a lot of material written the previous year but not included, since for obvious reasons folks weren't really up to being silly. one of those pieces was "A Day's Doings, Told By Our Diarist," written during winter 1911 by Deb as a parody of Griff. it's pretty funny in published form (p. 72 of this pdf)—Deb is on-point mocking Griff's dislike of eating ("Breakfast is an unintellectual meal, so gave it a miss. Better a bit more bunk than a bite more breakfast.") and his never-ending theorizing ("Thought out a new theory as to the origin of debris cones: yesterday’s wasn’t good enough").

however, the draft is exponentially more hilarious. Cherry, damn him, cut the absolute BEST BIT:

Made a genre sketch of Jasmine brushing her (his) hair – it’s a fool nickname anyways, mixes up the genders. 

knowing Deb—quiet, patient, chronically non-confrontational—that's about as explicit as he was willing to get, as far as revealing how he felt about the nickname. writing Griff realizing that it's a bit silly, he reveals to some degree his own discomfort. now, was it a "protest too much" situation or had he genuinely gotten fed up with being the Designated Girl Of The Hut? we shall never know!!!!!!!!

however the draft of the piece ends thusly: "[I] got paralysed at chess by the wily Jasmine, it’s a mud game, if ever there was one. Hinc illae lacrimae!"

so despite all the aspersions cast on her honor, and the failure of Titus Oates to accept her proposal, Jessie still triumphs in the end :)))

[celestialmazer]

An Adélie penguin (1911) photographed by Herbert Ponting at the Ross dependency while on the Terra Nova Expedition to the South Pole.

https://www.freezeframe.ac.uk/collection/photos-british-antarctic-expedition-1910-13-ponting-collection/p2005-5-1046?gallery=penguins

Side note - Lyle's had done it's first rebrand since 1883

[worstjourney]

It's a very special person's birthday today! Why not spend a few minutes getting to know him at the link above.

[fashionbooksmilano]

South Pole 1910-1913

The British Antarctic Expedition

Christine Dell’Amore

Assouline, New York 2012, 136 pages, Hardcover with Jacket, 100 illustrations,  19.38 x  27.69 cm, ISBN  9781614280101

euro 50,00

email if you want to buy :booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

Although it’s a piece of history learned by every British student, the Terra Nova Expedition of 1910-1913 remains an epic story unknown to many. In this ultimate display of life and boundless bravery, Robert F. Scott and his five-man team battled the elements— traveling through subzero temperatures with motor sledges and ponies—in the hope of being the first to reach this uninhabited territory. Assouline is pleased to announce South Pole, providing a rare opportunity to feel an intimate connection to a heroic age of exploration.Arriving at the South Pole on January 17, 1912, the adventurers were greeted by their worst nightmare: a Norwegian flag. Disheartened and badly frostbitten, they trudged back toward their boat only to die just eleven miles from the next depot. Featuring a collection of stunning black and white photography alongside entries from Scott’s harrowing diary, this tome starkly presents this well documented tragically untold journey. The book's proceeds are graciously donated to the Antarctic Heritage Trust who preserve expeditions and the thousands of associated artifacts survive for the benefit of future generations; and inspire people through the values associated with adventure, discovery and leadership.Beyond the incredible feats of endurance, hardship, and the extraordinary scientific achievements from Scott’s last attempt, the world was captivated by Captain Scott’s prowess as a diarist and the outstanding photographic skill of team member Herbert Ponting. The written and photographic legacy enabled people to connect with this journey frozen in time as they have never before.

22/12/22

orders to:     booksinprogressmilano@yahoo.it

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[godbeautyorder]

George Percy R. E. Jacomb-Hood | A Very Gallant Gentleman (Lawrence 'Titus' Oates walking out into the night)

Captain Lawrence Edward Grace "Titus" Oates (17 March 1880 – 17 March 1912) was a British army officer, and later an Antarctic explorer, who died during the Terra Nova Expedition when he walked from his tent into a blizzard. His death, which occurred on his 32nd birthday, is seen as an act of self-sacrifice when, aware that the gangrene and frostbite from which he was suffering was compromising his three companions' chances of survival, he chose certain death for himself in order to relieve them of the burden of caring for him.

A large snow cairn built over the final camp and the bodies of Scott, Bowers and Wilson on the Great Ice Barrier (now called the Ross Ice Shelf), 12th November 1912. The cross pictured is inscribed:

"Hereabouts died a very gallant gentleman, Captain L. E. G. Oates, of the Inniskilling Dragoons. In March 1912, returning from the Pole, he walked willingly to his death in a blizzard, to try and save his comrades, beset by hardships."

[damoreads]

The Epic Story of Tom Crean: A Tale of Defeat and Survival in the Antarctic

This book talks about defeat and survival. I met Tom Crean while living in Ireland. Some time ago, while traveling through County Kerry, I passed through Annascaul, the village where Tom Crean was born and retired after his career in the British navy and as an explorer.

Even today, you can have a pint at the pub he bought and called - surprise, surprise - The South Pole Inn. It's full of images and documents about Crean's career as an explorer. It's worth a visit if you ever pass through Kerry.

Michael Smith's book flows quickly and passionately. Through Crean's life - a hero rediscovered in the 1990s in Ireland thanks to Smith's biography - we are transported to what is called the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration.

This period spans from the late 19th century to 1917 and defines what is considered one of the last epochs of raw exploration. Without technology support and with very high risks to the crew's lives.

The book's chapters follow more or less the stages of Crean's life, with his three expeditions to the South Pole. These three expeditions all have something in common: they are epic, they fail miserably, Crean and his companions risk their lives, and Crean proves to be a humble hero, endowed with extraordinary willpower and physical strength.

Try to imagine having to walk hundreds of kilometers, with temperatures down to -50, dragging a sled and rationing food. For months. And now imagine having to do something like this three times in your life. That was Tom Crean.

It's a beautiful book, one of the best I've read recently.

One curiosity related to the book about Tom Crean is Scott's Hut. It's a hut located at the South Pole and was built in 1911 during the expedition called Terra Nova (1910-1913) led by Robert Falcon Scott.

It's also Tom Crean's first expedition. This 120 square meter hut was home to 25 men during the winter of 1911. Imagine winter at the South Pole.

The peculiarity is that this structure is not only still there but also visitable virtually thanks to Google Earth.

[clove-pinks]

The Terra Nova in a gale, March 1912. Photograph of four men hoisting the mainsail by Herbert George Ponting. The supply ship lent her name to Captain Robert Falcon Scott's doomed Antarctic expedition of 1910.

At the time Ponting took this photograph, as Terra Nova returned to New Zealand, Scott was near death on the Ross Ice Shelf.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1938 – Death of Tom Crean, Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer, from Co Kerry.

#OTD in 1938 – Death of Tom Crean, Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer, from Co Kerry.

The reasons why history has been unkind to Crean are twofold: first, the politics of post-independence Ireland; and second, what George Bernard Shaw described as the greatest of evils and worst of crimes — poverty. Tom Crean was an Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer from Annascaul, Co Kerry. He was a member of three major expeditions to Antarctica during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.…

[thisdayinwwi]

Jan 5 1911 #OTD

Ref: PA1-f-067-12-04 

Grotto in an ice berg, photographed 5th January 1911 by Herbert George Ponting during the British Antarctic ("Terra Nova") Expedition (1910-1913). Shows scientists T Griffith Taylor and Charles S Wright at the entrance, and the Terra Nova in the distance.

This is not a Frank Hurley picture. Hurley was on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition ( 1914–1917 )

[ltwilliammowett]

The Terra Nova Held up in the Pack, 13 December 1910, by Herbert Ponting (1870-1935) was renowned for his meticulous and adventurous approach to photography. His most famous work was taken during The British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, when he became the first professional photographer to capture the Antarctic.

[historicalbookimages]

🐬 Natural History Reports / British Antarctic ("Terra Nova") Expedition, 1910-13. London: BM(NH)

[innervoiceartblog]

Terra Nova at the Ice Cave 

- Photograph by Herbert Ponting  :  British Antarctic Expedition 1910-13. 

AFP Getty Images