Frederick Pryce Evans collection

The collection comprises of material relating to the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-1909 (leader Ernest Henry Shackleton) and correspondence by Evans to Shackleton's wife Emily.

Frederick Pryce Evans was born in Newtown, Wales on 15 April 1874. He was apprenticed into the Merchant Navy when he was eighteen. He was serving on the New Zealand coastal run with the Union Steam Ship Company, Dunedin, when he was approached to command the Koonya on the British Antarctic Expedition, 1907-1909 (leader Ernest Henry Shackleton). In January 1908, Koonya towed Nimrod 2700 kilometres from Lyttelton to the ice edge in order to conserve the expedition's supply of coal. On the return voyage during 1908-1909, Evans was captain of the Nimrod. He was awarded the Polar Medal for his part in the expedition.

During the First World War he commanded numerous troop ship voyages to Europe. He subsequently qualified as a lawyer and retired from the sea to Sydney where he specialized in marine law until aged 76. He died in 1959.

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 Shackleton's Lieutenant; the Nimrod Diary of A.L.A. Mackintosh, British Antarctic Expedition 1907-1909 edited by Stanley Newman, Polar Publications Ltd (1990) SPRI Library Shelf (7)91(08)[1907-1909 Shackleton] and Robert Keith Headland Antarctic Chronology, unpublished corrected revision of Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions and related historical events, (1 December 2001) Cambridge University Press (1989) ISBN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

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

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Further accessions possible.