Colbeck, British Relief Expeditions

• MS 761/8/6-7;D Report on relief expedition and orders to Captain Henry Duncan MacKay, 1903, 9 leaves, (Xerox of typed copy)
• MS 761/8/2;D Sailing instructions for Captain Henry Duncan MacKay of the Antarctic relief ship Terra Nova [24 August 1903] 3 leaves, (Xerox of typed copy)

Two relief expeditions were mounted to the British National Antarctic Expedition, 1901-1904 (leader Robert Falcon Scott). The first 1902-1903 was organised by the Royal Geographical Society, the second, 1903-1904, by the Royal Navy. The steam yacht Morning captained by William Colbeck took part in both expeditions, on the second voyage she was joined by the steam yacht Terra Nova captained by Henry Duncan MacKay. After Discovery which had been beset since 1902 was freed from the ice the three ships sailed north in February 1904.

Chronological.

MS 761/8/2;D is a copy

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

The Institute holds several archival collections containing material relating to these expeditions, see SPRI collection GB 015 British Relief Expeditions, 1902-1903 and 1903-1904 for more information.

MS 761/8/2;D Originals in Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand (Kinsey papers) (1982)