James William Dell collection

The collection comprises mainly of material relating to the Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition, 1921-1922 (leader Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton) with additional correspondence and press cuttings.

James William Dell was born ca. 1880 at Worthing. In 1895, he joined the Royal Navy and served with the British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904 (leader Robert Falcon Scott), as able seaman in Discovery. He participated in two sledging journeys and his skills as a sail maker were employed in producing canvas ration bags and sleeping bags.

On his return from the expedition, he was invalided out of the Navy for two years and then rejoined, serving in the Dardanelles and the North Sea during the First World War before his retirement as chief petty officer in 1921. Shortly afterwards he joined the Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition, 1921-1922 (leader Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton), as boatswain and electrician in Quest. After the expedition, Dell was employed as an engineer and electrician on a country estate, and during the Second World War served in the Coastguard Service. He lived in Somerset in his retirement and became a founder member of the Antarctic Club. He died on 21 January 1968 in his 88th year.

Published work, 'Hydrographic work' by Frank Arthur Worsley, D.G. Jeffrey, J. Dell and George Vibert Douglas in Shackleton's last voyage. The story of the Quest ... from the official journal and private diary kept by Dr A.H. Macklin by John Robert Francis Wild, Cassell and Company, London (1923) SPRI Library Shelf (7)91(08)[1921-1922 Shackleton]

The collection is arranged chronologically.

By appointment.

Some materials deposited at the Institute are NOT owned by the Institute. In such cases the archivist will advise about any requirements imposed by the owner. These may include seeking permission to read, extended closure, or other specific conditions.

Anyone wishing to consult material should ensure they note the entire MS reference and the name of the originator.

The term holograph is used when the item is wholly in the handwriting of the author. The term autograph is used when the author has signed the item.

Descriptions compiled by N. Boneham, Assistant Archivist with assistance from R. Stancombe and reference to Robert Keith Headland Antarctic Chronology, unpublished corrected revision of Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions and related historical events, (1 December 2001) Cambridge University Press (1989) ISBN 0521309034 and The Polar Record (September 1968) volume 14, number 90, p361 and Encyclopaedia of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans ed. Bernard Stonehouse, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester (2002) ISBN 0471986658 SPRI Library (7)

Clive Holland Manuscripts in the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England - a catalogue, Garland Publishing New York and London (1982) ISBN 0824093941.

Additional finding aids are available at the Institute.

Copying material by photography, electrostat, or scanning device by readers is prohibited. The Institute may be able to provide copies of some documents on request for lodgement in publicly available repositories. This is subject to conservation requirements, copyright law, and payment of fees.

Copyright restrictions apply to most material. The copyright may lie outside the Institute and, if so, it is necessary for the reader to seek appropriate permission to consult, copy, or publish any such material. (The Institute does not seek this permission on behalf of readers). Written permission to publish material subject to the Institute's copyright must be obtained from the Director. Details of conditions and fees may be had from the Archivist.

Further accessions possible.

The Scott Polar Research Institute holds a number of photographs, film and other illustrative material in the Picture Library, some of which covers the expedition's Dell was a member of. The catalogue can be searched on line by going to the Picture Library Database and selecting the Enter Polar Pictures link.