GB 0402 AA - NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION (1901-1904)

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0402 AA

Title

NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION (1901-1904)

Date(s)

  • 1894-1905 (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

28 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The British National Antarctic or Discovery Expedition of 1901-1904
was the first official British exploration of the Antarctic regions since James Clark Ross's voyage, 1839-1843. It was organised by a joint committee of the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) and it aimed to carry out scientific research and geographical exploration. Its scientific results covered extensive ground in biology, zoology, geology, meteorology and magnetism and King Edward VII Land, and the Polar Plateau via the western mountains route were discovered. The expedition did not make a serious attempt on the South Pole, its principal southern journey reaching a Furthest South at 82°17'S.

Archival history

First accession received from Sir Clements Markham, 1919; second accession was given to the PRO by Cyril Longhurst (secretary to the Antarctic Committee), and forwarded to the RGS, 1966.

GB 0402 AA 1894-1905 Collection level 28 boxes National Antarctic Expedition , 1901-1904

The British National Antarctic or Discovery Expedition of 1901-1904
was the first official British exploration of the Antarctic regions since James Clark Ross's voyage, 1839-1843. It was organised by a joint committee of the Royal Society and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) and it aimed to carry out scientific research and geographical exploration. Its scientific results covered extensive ground in biology, zoology, geology, meteorology and magnetism and King Edward VII Land, and the Polar Plateau via the western mountains route were discovered. The expedition did not make a serious attempt on the South Pole, its principal southern journey reaching a Furthest South at 82°17'S.

First accession received from Sir Clements Markham, 1919; second accession was given to the PRO by Cyril Longhurst (secretary to the Antarctic Committee), and forwarded to the RGS, 1966.

Papers of the National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904, including drafts of letters written by Sir Clements Markham and Cyril Longhurst; incoming correspondence relating to all aspects of the expedition, Markham's own notes summarising events of the expedition and its administration, Captain Scott's summaries of proceedings, deck logs of the DISCOVERY, letter books and minute books of the Antarctic Committee; papers realting to the MORNING and the TERRA NOVA relief ships and correspondence relating to the winding up of the expedition's affairs. The Archive also holds Louis C Bernacchi's private diary on board the DISCOVERY, 14 Feb 1904-5 Nov 1904, and George Murray's journal on board the DISCOVERY from Cowes, 6 Aug 1901 to within sight of Cape Town, where he left the expedition. Papers generated by the Royal Geographical Society related to the expedition are also filed with this collection.

Sir Clements Markham arranged his part of the collection into 25 categories as follows: plan of opertion and instructions x2; raising the funds; accounts; appeals to Australia; officers and men x2; Greogory and Murray; ship x2; stores and provisions; bad provisions; sledge equipment; balloon; instruments; magnetism; meteorology; Capt Scott's reports; collections; Morning x2; subscriptions; Morning officers and men; conduct of the Treasury, demand for the Morning and items from 1905. Papers from the second accession have been numbered to mirror Markham's arrangement.

Accessible via The Foyle Reading Room. Free of charge for Fellows, Members and those with valid academic identification. All other users pay a charge and must bring identification in order to register on arrival.

Photocopying at the discretion of the Archivist and subject to completion of 'application for copies' form. No reproduction or publication without permission of the RGS-IBG Archivist.

English

Detailed catalogue available in the Foyle Reading room.

The library holds three volumes of news cuttings and magazine pictures of the expedition collected by Major General H R Lambert, and original typed copies of the South Polar Times. The Map Room (Museum) has a scale model of the DISCOVERY and various relics from the expedition.

Prepared by Archives volunteer using existing finding aids. Revised by Sarah Drewery.
Sources: The administrative history was compiled using a Google search and is not authoritative.

ISAD(G) ed.2, name authority NRA.

25 October 2001; Oct 2008. Cape Town Climatic zones Polar regions Antarctic regions Royal Society Royal Geographical Society Bernacchi , Louis Charles , 1876-1942 , scientist and explorer Scott , Robert Falcon , 1868-1912 , Antarctic explorer Markham , Sir , Clements Robert , 1830-1916 , Knight , geographer Meteorology Geography Geographical exploration Europe Western Europe UK England Hampshire Isle of Wight Cowes Southern Africa South Africa Antarctic exploration London

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Papers of the National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904, including drafts of letters written by Sir Clements Markham and Cyril Longhurst; incoming correspondence relating to all aspects of the expedition, Markham's own notes summarising events of the expedition and its administration, Captain Scott's summaries of proceedings, deck logs of the DISCOVERY, letter books and minute books of the Antarctic Committee; papers realting to the MORNING and the TERRA NOVA relief ships and correspondence relating to the winding up of the expedition's affairs. The Archive also holds Louis C Bernacchi's private diary on board the DISCOVERY, 14 Feb 1904-5 Nov 1904, and George Murray's journal on board the DISCOVERY from Cowes, 6 Aug 1901 to within sight of Cape Town, where he left the expedition. Papers generated by the Royal Geographical Society related to the expedition are also filed with this collection.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Sir Clements Markham arranged his part of the collection into 25 categories as follows: plan of opertion and instructions x2; raising the funds; accounts; appeals to Australia; officers and men x2; Greogory and Murray; ship x2; stores and provisions; bad provisions; sledge equipment; balloon; instruments; magnetism; meteorology; Capt Scott's reports; collections; Morning x2; subscriptions; Morning officers and men; conduct of the Treasury, demand for the Morning and items from 1905. Papers from the second accession have been numbered to mirror Markham's arrangement.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Accessible via The Foyle Reading Room. Free of charge for Fellows, Members and those with valid academic identification. All other users pay a charge and must bring identification in order to register on arrival.

Conditions governing reproduction

Photocopying at the discretion of the Archivist and subject to completion of 'application for copies' form. No reproduction or publication without permission of the RGS-IBG Archivist.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The library holds three volumes of news cuttings and magazine pictures of the expedition collected by Major General H R Lambert, and original typed copies of the South Polar Times. The Map Room (Museum) has a scale model of the DISCOVERY and various relics from the expedition.

Finding aids

Detailed catalogue available in the Foyle Reading room.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Royal Geographical Society

Rules and/or conventions used

ISAD(G) ed.2, name authority NRA.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area