# data[].attributes.body
After his death on the frozen edge of Antarctica, Captain Robert Scott was celebrated as a British hero – only to be later condemned for leading his South Pole expedition to disaster.
Found on

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
During the 800 mile trek back, Scott and his party perished in bitterly cold temperatures of -44 degrees C towards the end of March 1912, just 11 miles from a food depot.

Karen May, a researcher writing for the Polar Record, the official journal of the Scott Polar Research Institute, said written instructions left by Scott before his departure had ordered the men left at base camp to send dog sleds out past the food depot to meet him and his party as they returned from the pole.

Mrs May said those orders were not obeyed and instead a series of mistakes by the men he had left in charge - including choosing not to jeopardise the scientific goals of the mission - led to his death.

Scott has been heavily criticised for not making use of dog teams during his journey to the South Pole, but Mrs May has shown that Scott left detailed written instructions for the party to be relieved by dog teams as they trekked back to base camp, at Cape Evans.

Instead the dog teams were only sent as far as the food depot, 11 miles from the spot where the frozen corpses of Scott and his men team were eventually found.

She said: "What is so compelling about the Scott Expedition is how close these men were to surviving, and just how many unfortunate incidents ultimately led to the tragedy.

"Examining the Scott Expedition, one sees a pattern of minor mistakes by a number of people, which were not necessarily fatal in themselves, but when taken in conjunction with everything else, led to catastrophe.

"I believe that the new findings emphasise more firmly than ever the interpretation of 'a tragic accumulation of circumstances'."

Mrs May's findings dispute claims that Scott was an indecisive leader who had issued verbal orders that contradicted some of the detailed written orders he had left before the expedition.

These claims have led to Scott being painted as a "bungling hero" and even led one biographer in 1979 to conclude that he was "one of the worst polar explorers".

Mrs May has found there is little basis for the claims of contradictory orders and blames a mix-up by historians over the date when Scott issued his written orders.

She also debunks a claim that Scott had issued an order to "not risk the dogs". She believes Edward Atkinson, the expedition surgeon who was in command at base camp in Scott's absence, invented the order.

She said Atkinson made a series of poor decisions that ultimately meant teams did not meet Scott as instructed. These include using men from the base camp to unload supplies from the Terra Nova ship just days before the date when Scott had ordered dog teams to leave the camp. It meant they were too tired to leave in the first week of February as instructed.

Atkinson also sent an inexperienced scientific assistant with poor navigation skills - Apsley Cherry-Garrard - rather than the more adept senior physicist Charles Wright to refill the food depot.

With superior navigation skills Wright would have been able to venture further south and would probably have met Scott's team, Mrs May claims, while Cherry-Garrard was unable to do so and returned to camp after dropping off the food.

She said: "In the crucial moment, there was a struggle for ascendancy in the expedition between the 'pole-seekers' and the 'scientists'. The claim for science ultimately won through.

"Though the scientists of the expedition undoubtedly did undertake ground breaking research during their time in Antarctica, I would argue that their victory here came at the risk, and eventual loss, of four lives."

She added, however, that Atkinson also could not be blamed entirely and later committed acts of great heroism, including saving the lives of several men during the First World War despite being horribly burned and blinded by an explosion himself.

She said: "Atkinson was a medical officer, not a trained naval officer. He did not have the training to cope with this extraordinary situation, and was fatally tempted to use his own initiative."

Dr Peter Forster, a fellow in archaeology at the University of Cambridge who has also been studying the circumstances surround Scott's death, said he had found evidence that also blamed Atkinson's leadership skills in a postscript written by Cherry-Garrard in 1948 to his book The Worst Journey in the World.

He said: "I sense a lack of leadership in Atkinson. Why did Atkinson not delegate tasks like unloading the Terra Nova to the sailors that had just arrived and were fresh, rather than using men who should have set out to meet Scott?

"Atkinson then sent the wrong person out - someone who can't navigate, is short sighted and was also exhausted from unloading the ship. Atkinson should have sent out someone like Wright who was rested and was a navigator.

"It is apparent Cherry-Garrard felt guilt even at the end of his life - he felt he had been given a task and failed at it. In fact it was his commanding officer Atkinson who selected the wrong person."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Scott of the Antarctic could have been saved if his orders had been followed, say scientists

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
During the 800 mile trek back, Scott and his party perished in bitterly cold temperatures of -44 degrees C towards the end of March 1912, just 11 miles from a food depot.

# data[].attributes.headline
Raising money for the expedition was not an easy task. Men from all over the world were aplying to join the expedition from all around the world. One man who didn't go, though Scott wanted him, was a young lecturer from the University of Adelaide, Douglas Mawson. Mawson was making his own plans, like many others, he intended to explore an unmapped stretch of coast and country west of Victoria Land.

# data[].attributes.subject
Raising money for the expedition was not an easy task. Men from all over the world were aplying to join the expedition from all around the world. One man who didn't go, though Scott wanted him, was a young lecturer from the University of Adelaide, Douglas Mawson. Mawson was making his own plans, like many others, he intended to explore an unmapped stretch of coast and country west of Victoria Land.

# data[].attributes.body
We have managed to get 405 tons of coal in bunkers and main hold, 25 tons in a space left in the fore hold, and a little over 30 tons on the upper deck.
The sacks containing this last, added to the goods already mentioned, make a really heavy deck cargo, and one is naturally anxious concerning it; but everything that can be done by lashing and securing has been done.
The appearance of confusion on deck is completed by our thirty-three dogs chained to stanchions and bolts on the ice-house and on the main hatch, between the motor sledges.
Found on:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
November 25th, 1910

The first three weeks of November have gone with such a rush that I have neglected my diary and can only patch it up from memory.

The dates seem unimportant, but throughout the period the officers and men of the ship have been unremittingly busy.

On arrival the ship was cleared of all the shore party stores, including huts, sledges, &c. Within five days she was in dock. Bowers attacked the ship's stores, surveyed, relisted, and restowed them, saving very much space by unstowing numerous cases and stowing the contents in the lazarette. Meanwhile our good friend Miller attacked the leak and traced it to the stern. We found the false stem split, and in one case a hole bored for a long-stem through-bolt which was much too large for the bolt. Miller made the excellent job in overcoming this difficulty which I expected, and since the ship has been afloat and loaded the leak is found to be enormously reduced. The ship still leaks, but the amount of water entering is little more than one would expect in an old wooden vessel.

The stream which was visible and audible inside the stern has been entirely stopped. Without steam the leak can now be kept under with the hand pump by two daily efforts of a quarter of an hour to twenty minutes. As the ship was, and in her present heavily laden condition, it would certainly have taken three to four hours each day.

Before the ship left dock, Bowers and Wyatt were at work again in the shed with a party of stevedores, sorting and relisting the shore party stores. Everything seems to have gone without a hitch. The various gifts and purchases made in New Zealand were collected-butter, cheese, bacon, hams, some preserved meats, tongues.

Meanwhile the huts were erected on the waste ground beyond the harbour works. Everything was overhauled, sorted, and marked afresh to prevent difficulty in the South. Davies, our excellent carpenter, Forde, Abbott, and Keohane were employed in this work. The large green tent was put up and proper supports made for it.

When the ship came out of dock she presented a scene of great industry. Officers and men of the ship, with a party of stevedores, were busy storing the holds. Miller's men were building horse stalls, caulking the decks, resecuring the deckhouses, putting in bolts and various small fittings. The engine-room staff and Anderson's people on the engines; scientists were stowing their laboratories; the cook refitting his galley, and so forth-not a single spot but had its band of workers.

We prepared to start our stowage much as follows: The main hold contains all the shore party provisions and part of the huts; above this on the main deck is packed in wonderfully close fashion the remainder of the wood of the huts, the sledges, and travelling equipment, and the larger instruments and machines to be employed by the scientific people; this encroaches far on the men's space, but the extent has been determined by their own wish; they have requested, through Evans, that they should not be considered: they were prepared to pig it anyhow, and a few cubic feet of space didn't matter-such is their spirit.

The men's space, such as it is, therefore, extends from the fore hatch to the stem on the main deck.

Under the forecastle are stalls for fifteen ponies, the maximum the space would hold; the narrow irregular space in front is packed tight with fodder.
Immediately behind the forecastle bulkhead is the small booby hatch, the only entrance to the men's mess deck in bad weather. Next comes the foremast, and between that and the fore hatch the galley and winch; on the port side of the fore hatch are stalls for four ponies-a very stout wooden structure.

Abaft the fore hatch is the ice-house. We managed to get 3 tons of ice, 162 carcases of mutton, and three carcases of beef, besides some boxes of sweetbreads and kidneys, into this space. The carcases are stowed in tiers with wooden battens between the tiers-it looks a triumph of orderly stowage, and I have great hope that it will ensure fresh mutton throughout our winter.
On either side of the main hatch and close up to the ice-house are two out of our three motor sledges; the third rests across the break of the poop in a space formerly occupied by a winch.

In front of the break of the poop is a stack of petrol cases; a further stack surmounted with bales of fodder stands between the main hatch and the mainmast, and cases of petrol, paraffin, and alcohol, arranged along either gangway.

We have managed to get 405 tons of coal in bunkers and main hold, 25 tons in a space left in the fore hold, and a little over 30 tons on the upper deck.
The sacks containing this last, added to the goods already mentioned, make a really heavy deck cargo, and one is naturally anxious concerning it; but everything that can be done by lashing and securing has been done.
The appearance of confusion on deck is completed by our thirty-three dogs chained to stanchions and bolts on the ice-house and on the main hatch, between the motor sledges.

With all these stores on board the ship still stood two inches above her load mark. The tanks are filled with compressed forage, except one, which contains 12 tons of fresh water, enough, we hope, to take us to the ice.

Forage. - I originally ordered 30 tons of compressed oaten hay from Melbourne. Oates has gradually persuaded us that this is insufficient, and our pony food weight has gone up to 45 tons, besides 3 or 4 tons for immediate use. The extra consists of 5 tons of hay, 5 or 6 tons of oil-cake, 4 or 5 tons of bran, and some crushed oats. We are not taking any corn.

We have managed to wedge in all the dog biscuits, the total weight being about 5 tons; Meares is reluctant to feed the dogs on seal, but I think we ought to do so during the winter.

We stayed with the Kinseys at their house 'Te Han' at Clifton. The house stands at the edge of the cliff, 400 feet above the sea, and looks far over the Christchurch plains and the long northern beach which limits it; close beneath one is the harbour bar and winding estuary of the two small rivers, the Avon and Waimakariri. Far away beyond the plains are the mountains, ever changing their aspect, and yet farther in over this northern sweep of sea can be seen in clear weather the beautiful snow-capped peaks of the Kaikouras. The scene is wholly enchanting, and such a view from some sheltered sunny corner in a garden which blazes with masses of red and golden flowers tends to feelings of inexpressible satisfaction with all things. At night we slept in this garden under peaceful clear skies; by day I was off to my office in Christchurch, then perhaps to the ship or the Island, and so home by the mountain road over the Port Hills. It is a pleasant time to remember in spite of interruptions-and it gave time for many necessary consultations with Kinsey. His interest in the expedition is wonderful, and such interest on the part of a thoroughly shrewd business man is an asset of which I have taken full advantage. Kinsey will act as my agent in Christchurch during my absence; I have given him an ordinary power of attorney, and I think have left him in possession of all facts. His kindness to us was beyond words.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
November 25th, 1910 The first three weeks of November have gone with such a rush that I have neglected my diary and can only patch it up from memory. The dates seem unimportant, but throughout the period the officers and men of the ship have been unremittingly busy.

# data[].attributes.body
"I don't know what to think of Amundsen's chances. If he gets to the Pole it must be before we do, as he is bound to travel fast with dogs, and pretty certain to start early. On this account I decided at a very early date to act exactly as I should have done had he not existed. Any attempt to race must have wrecked my plan, besides which it doesn't appear the sort of thing one is out for...You can rely on my not saying or doing anything foolish, only I'm afraid you must be prepared for finding our venture much belittled. After all, it is the work that counts, not the applause that follows"
Letter from Scott to his wife Kathleen.
Found on https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/Robert-Falcon-Scott2.php

# data[].attributes.headline
Scott wanted to use the Discovery (a ship) again for this second expedition, but it had been sold to the Hudson's Bay Company several years before. After inspecting several others, Scott bought the Terra Nova, which was a whaling and sealing ship.

# data[].attributes.subject
Scott wanted to use the Discovery (a ship) again for this second expedition, but it had been sold to the Hudson's Bay Company several years before. After inspecting several others, Scott bought the Terra Nova, which was a whaling and sealing ship.

# data[].attributes.headline
Raising money for the expedition was a slow and difficult task, the crew was all volunteers who were applying from all over the world. More than 8,000 men volunteered to join the expedition.

# data[].attributes.subject
Raising money for the expedition was a slow and difficult task, the crew was all volunteers who were applying from all over the world. More than 8,000 men volunteered to join the expedition.

# data[].attributes.body
found on
https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/Robert-Falcon-Scott2.php

# data[].attributes.headline
''I originally ordered 30 tons of compressed oaten hay from Melbourne. Oates has gradually persuaded us that this is insufficient, and our pony food weight has gone up to 45 tons, besides 3 or 4 tons for immediate use. The extra consists of 5 tons of hay, 5 or 6 tons of oil-cake, 4 or 5 tons of bran, and some crushed oats. We are not taking any corn.We have managed to wedge in all the dog biscuits, the total weight being about 5 tons; Meares is reluctant to feed the dogs on seal, but I think we ought to do so during the winter.'' - Scott

# data[].attributes.subject
''I originally ordered 30 tons of compressed oaten hay from Melbourne. Oates has gradually persuaded us that this is insufficient, and our pony food weight has gone up to 45 tons, besides 3 or 4 tons for immediate use. The extra consists of 5 tons of hay, 5 or 6 tons of oil-cake, 4 or 5 tons of bran, and some crushed oats. We are not taking any corn.We have managed to wedge in all the dog biscuits, the total weight being about 5 tons; Meares is reluctant to feed the dogs on seal, but I think we ought to do so during the winter.'' - Scott

# data[].attributes.body
found on https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/diaries/scottslastexpedition/page/45/

# data[].attributes.headline
Robert Falcon Scott was born on 6 June 1868 in Devonport. He became a naval cadet at the age of 13 and served on a number of Royal Navy ships in the 1880s and 1890s. He attracted the notice of the Royal Geographical Society, which appointed him to command the National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-1904. The expedition - which included Ernest Shackleton - reached further south than anyone before them. Scott returned to Britain a national hero. He had caught the exploring bug and began to plan an expedition to be the first to reach the South Pole. He spent years raising funds for the trip.

# data[].attributes.subject
Robert Falcon Scott was born on 6 June 1868 in Devonport. He became a naval cadet at the age of 13 and served on a number of Royal Navy ships in the 1880s and 1890s. He attracted the notice of the Royal Geographical Society, which appointed him to command the National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-1904. The expedition - which included Ernest Shackleton - reached further south than anyone before them. Scott returned to Britain a national hero. He had caught the exploring bug and began to plan an expedition to be the first to reach the South Pole. He spent years raising funds for the trip.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
'Scott of the Antarctic' was a naval officer and explorer, who died attempting to be the first to reach the South Pole.

Robert Falcon Scott was born on 6 June 1868 in Devonport. He became a naval cadet at the age of 13 and served on a number of Royal Navy ships in the 1880s and 1890s. He attracted the notice of the Royal Geographical Society, which appointed him to command the National Antarctic Expedition of 1901-1904. The expedition - which included Ernest Shackleton - reached further south than anyone before them and Scott returned to Britain a national hero. He had caught the exploring bug and began to plan an expedition to be the first to reach the South Pole. He spent years raising funds for the trip.

The whaling ship Terra Nova left Cardiff, Wales in June 1910 and the expedition set off from base the following October, with mechanical sledges, ponies and dogs. However, the sledges and ponies could not cope with the conditions and the expedition carried on without them, through appalling weather and increasingly tough terrain. In mid December, the dog teams turned back, leaving the rest to face the ascent of the Beardmore Glacier and the polar plateau. By January 1912, only five remained: Scott, Wilson, Oates, Bowers and Evans.

On 17 January, they reached the pole, only to find that a Norwegian party led by Roald Amundsen, had beaten them there. They started the 1,500 km journey back. Evans died in mid-February. By March, Oates was suffering from severe frostbite and, knowing he was holding back his companions, walked out into the freezing conditions never to be seen again. The remaining three men died of starvation and exposure in their tent on 29 March 1912. They were in fact only 20 km from a pre-arranged supply depot.

Eight months later, a search party found the tent, the bodies and Scott's diary. The bodies were buried under the tent, with a cairn of ice and snow to mark the spot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
'Scott of the Antarctic' was a naval officer and explorer, who died attempting to be the first to reach the South Pole. Robert Falcon Scott was born on 6 June 1868 in Devonport. He became a naval cadet at the age of 13 and served on a number of Royal Navy ships in the 1880s and 1890s.

# data[].attributes.body
Robert Falcon Scott/Cause of death

Starvation

They started the 1,500 km journey back. Evans died in mid-February. By March, Oates was suffering from severe frostbite and, knowing he was holding back his companions, walked out into the freezing conditions never to be seen again. The remaining three men died of starvation and exposure in their tent on 29 March.1912.

BBC - History - Scott of the Antarctic

www.bbc.com/history/historic_figures/scott_of_antarctic.shtml

Found on BBC

# data[].attributes.body
We have managed to get 405 tons of coal in bunkers and main hold, 25 tons in a space left in the fore hold, and a little over 30 tons on the upper deck.
The sacks containing this last, added to the goods already mentioned, make a really heavy deck cargo, and one is naturally anxious concerning it; but everything that can be done by lashing and securing has been done.
The appearance of confusion on deck is completed by our thirty-three dogs chained to stanchions and bolts on the ice-house and on the main hatch, between the motor sledges.

Found on:
https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/diaries/scottslastexpedition/page/45/