Williamson, British Antarctic Expedition

• MS 774/2;BJ Log, 1912 to 1913 [Including sledging notes relating to the search party which found the bodies of Scott, Bowers and Wilson in November 1912 and notes on the hut at Cape Evans, with 2 maps] 1 volume, holograph

The British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913 (leader Robert Falcon Scott) spent two winters at Cape Evans on Ross Island. Extensive scientific investigations and exploration was conducted along the coast of Victoria Land and on the Ross Ice Shelf. A party led by Griffith Taylor spent three months exploring the western mountains and this work was continued after the departure of the polar party in 1911.

A northern party led by Victor Campbell established a base at Cape Adare from where they conducted scientific programmes. After moving camp the party were forced to spend the winter of 1912 in ice caves before walking back to the Cape Evans camp.

The first cin documentary film of an Antarctic expedition, 90° South was made during the expedition. After successfully reaching the South Pole on 17 January 1912 Scott and his companions (Henry Bowers, Edgar Evans, Lawrence Oates and Edward Wilson) perished during the return journey.

Williamson joined the shore party for the final year having previously served on board the expedition ship Terra Nova and been involved in the attempt to relieve Campbell's Northern party.

Chronological.

The Institute holds over a hundred archival collections containing material relating to this expedition see SPRI collection GB 015 British Antarctic Expedition, 1910-1913 for more information.