Riley, British Graham Land Expedition

• MS 1123/3;MJ Diary, 10 September 1934 to 17 April 1937 [Six volumes in total, including outline of a book at the end of volume I] microfilm

The British Graham Land Expedition, 1934-1937 (leader John Rymill) spent three years exploring the area of the Antarctic peninsula which at that time was thought to be an island. A De Havilland Fox Moth aircraft was used for depot laying an aerial reconnaissance while dog teams carried out exploration. Bases were set up at Argentine Islands and Debenham Islands. A broad scientific programme was conducted and the expedition proved that channels sighted by Wilkins and Ellsworth did not exist and that Graham Land was part of the Antarctic mainland.

Chronological

The Institute holds several archival collections containing material relating tot his expedition. See SPRI collection GB 015 British Graham Land Expedition, 1934-1937 for more information.