Williamson, British National Antarctic Expedition

• MS 774/1/1-2;BJ Logs (2), 1901-1904 [volume I 31 July 1901 to 23 June 1902, volume II 29 June 1902 to 21 September 1904, illustrated with photographs, press cuttings and watercolours (one in first volume signed by Charles Ford)] 2 volumes, holograph

The British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904 (leader Robert Falcon Scott) undertook the first extensive exploration on land in Antarctica. Funding came from the Government, the Royal Society, the Royal Geographical Society and private donations. The expedition set up base at McMurdo Sound from where sledging parties carried out recognisance and scientific programmes. Scott made the fist balloon ascent on the continent in 1902. A three-man sledge party consisting of Scott, Ernest Shackleton and Edward Wilson achieved a furthest south of 82°17'S. The expedition ship, Discovery, commissioned and built especially for the expedition was beset in McMurdo Sound from 1902-1904.

Williamson served as able seaman on board the Discovery.

Chronological.

The Institute holds over seventy archival collections containing material relating to this expedition see SPRI collection GB 015 British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904 for more information.