Highlight of my Cambridge trip was undoubtedly a visit to the Scott Polar Museum. Where had this been all my life? Now having some familiarity with both Polar regions it was long past time for an extended reconnoitre (aided mightily by an engaging and very knowledgeable receptionist who ensured I missed nothing! Thank you very much. You did the museum proud Mam!)
(NB: Click on an image to view full screen)
ANTARCTIC FOSSIL SHOWING HISTORICAL EVIDENCE OF MUCH WARMER CLIMES IN THE FAR SOUTH
MAKESHIFT SNOW SHOE FOR BRITISH PONIES
Robert Falcon Scott’s use of ponies as draught animals probably doomed his mission (and his life!) to be the first to reach the South Pole. The exertion sweat of the ponies exposed them to hypothermia which demanded extra care and slowed progress. Amundsen’s use of dogs whose lack of sweat glands was the better choice as they could cool down through panting. In addition, dogs could be better prepared for the extreme rigours of the travail with the abundant Antarctic resources of seal and penguin meat.
A REMARKABLE ARCTIC COMMUNICATION ATTEMPT
I was absolutely thunder struck by this exhibit of an extraordinary attempt at communication in the Far North in the age of the Franklin rescue parties.
EASILY TAMED ARCTIC FOX
For those who might wonder how the Franklin rescue parties could possibly collar a wild fox, the above image shows one of my pilots feeding an Arctic Fox an Oreo cookie (their favourite) on Ellesmere Island. Given the remoteness of Ellesmere, remember that these animals had never seen a human being before and hence had no fear of our presence and did not perceive us as a threat.
THE STORY OF MATTHEW HENSON
Matthew’s legacy lives on in the family trees of several Inuit clans as both he and Peary took “country wives” during their long periods in the North.
FORT CONGOR, ELLESMERE ISLAND
This is the Fort Congor hut on Ellesmere Island wherein Peary had frozen toes amputated by the faithful Henson prior to his dash to the pole. If he did make it to the North Pole, he did it on mutilated feet.
A WELL TRAVELLED TELESCOPE
This telescope in its leather case is probably the world’s most well travelled! It was used on board HMS Discovery during the British Arctic Expedition, 1875-76 and again during Scott’s National Antarctic (Discovery) expedition, 1901-04. It was lent to NASA in 1984 and taken around the earth in the Space Shuttle orbiter, appropriately named ……. Discovery.
NB: In the 60s, HMS Discovery was moored along the Embankment in central London as a floating museum. Although I passed it many times in my youth, I never visited. At the time I had no idea how much the Arctic would become part of my professional and personal life. It has now been removed to Aberdeen Harbour. A bucket list item for my next visit to Scotland!
THE SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON
The Shackleton is the Polar Museum’s replica of the James Caird, the small lifeboat used by Shackleton to navigate 800 nautical (1200 statute) miles to South Georgia in an attempt to seek rescue for his stranded crew of 22 on Elephant Island. His success is one of the greatest feats of open water navigation in human history.
The “Shackleton” was used in a successful 1994 re-enactment of Shackleton’s famous voyage. It is the museum’s pride and joy.
SHACKLETON’S DESPARATE DEPARTURE FOR SOUTH GEORGIA ON BOARD THE IMPROVISED JAMES CAIRD LIFEBOAT
“BON VOYAGE! Send us an email when you get there!“
NB: You have to wonder about the mindset of the stranded crew as they watched this small dot disappear over the horizon of the black water Southern Ocean. What were the odds that they would ever see the “Boss” again? And if they didn’t, a very bleak future of eventual starvation and inevitable canabalism awaited them. The odds of success must have seemed about the same for a note in a bottle.
Upon his return in the rescue vessel, Shackleton stood in the forecastle, counting time and time again upon the final approach, the number of men on shore jumping and waving hysterically at their unbelievable salvation. Each time he counted he got the magic number 22. After a three month absence, he hadn’t lost a manjack of them!!
THE “BOSS,” ERNEST SHACKLETON, ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY, EXHIBITION ROAD, LONDON
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ONE OF AMUNDSEN’S SUPPLY DEPOT MARKERS
Note the use of abandoned original equipment which struck a personal chord with me. See below for an example in the Canadian Far North.
PEARY’S MONUMENT, MARKING HIS DEPARTURE FROM LAND, CAPE ALDRICH, ELLESMERE ISLAND, ON HIS DASH TO THE NORTH POLE IN 1909
Here’s me putting the finishing touches on repairs to Peary’s monument at the extreme northern tip of Canada. Notice the abandoned ski at the back and the corn cob pipe!!
For those interested in viewing photos of my recent trip to the Antarctic click here:
https://www.blurb.ca/b/12320479-antarctica-adventure
For those interested in viewing photos of the Canadian arctic click below:
Ellesmere Island:
https://www.blurb.ca/books/8060559-ellesmere-island
Baffin Island Adventure