E2010.32 consists of typescript copies of the Diary of Dr. MacIntosh. Antarctica 1956-1957 and Dr. MacIntosh's Diary 1961-1962. South on 'Venturer'. Ashore at Leith Harbour. Home by 'Harvester''. There are also photocopies of the diaries.
The diaries were discovered in 2007 through a bookshop by George R. Cummings - Chairman of the Salvesen's Ex-Whalers Club, and a whaler on the 'Southern Venturer', 1961-62, and mess-boy on 'Southern Harvester', 1947-48.
Dr. Ian M. MacIntosh was a doctor for the whaling operation of Christian Salvesen Ltd. at Leith Harbour, South Georgia. He served as a 2nd Doctor between 1952 and 1953, and then 1960-1961, and then as sole doctor in 1961-1962 when the whaling station did not operate. His total whaling service was ten seasons. He normally looked after the health of the British whalers while the senior doctor cared for the Norwegians serving with the station.
During 1956-1957 period, MacIntosh worked at the Grytviken station on South Georgia at the invitation of the then manager, Ken Pierce Butler who had previously been the Magistrate at King Edward Point, Grytviken. He had been requested to take over responsibility at Grytviken pending the arrival of a new doctor.
Open to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance of visit.
Accession no. E2010.32 - was acquired in December 2008.
Compiled by Graeme D. Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections.
