Wild, Australasian Antarctic Expedition

• MS 928/1-2;BJ Field notebooks (2), 13 March 1912 to 6 January 1913 [Volume I 13 March to 8 October 1912, volume II 30 October 1912 to 6 January 1913] 2 volumes, holograph

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 (leader Douglas Mawson) established three bases, one on Macquarie Island, the others at Cape Denison and the Shackleton Ice Shelf. Sledging parties from the Cape Denison base explored the eastern coast, the southern area towards the Magnetic Pole and the western coastal mountains. A sledging party consisting of Mawson, Ninnes and Mertz explored the icecap to the south. (Only Mawson returned). The party on the Shackleton Ice Shelf carried out explorations including the assent of Gaussberg on the Davis Strait. The party on Macquarie Island led by George F Ainsworth established a wireless station and explored the island during their 23 month stay. Aurora searched for the non existent 'Royal Company Island' and visited Auckland Islands.

Chronological

MS 928/1-2;BJ Written up in The Home of the blizzard by Douglas Mawson (London 1915)

For additional collections relating to the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914 (leader Douglas Mawson), see the following SPRI collections, GB 015 Walter Atack, GB 015 John King Davis, GB 015 Charles T Harrisson, GB 015 James Francis Hurley, GB 015 Douglas Mawson, GB 015 Thomas Griffith Taylor, GB 015 Eric Norman Webb and GB 015 Douglas Mawson.

Material is also held at the Mitchell Library, Sydney, Australia

MS 928/1-2;BJ Written up in The Home of the blizzard by Douglas Mawson (London 1915)