How Antarctica Was First Explored
By Advisor. Filed in Florida |
In 1912, Captain Robert Falcon Scott was making the long trek back from the South Pole, when he and his companions met their doom.Famished, he and his colleagues succumbed to the cold.Although stung sharply by his inability to win the race to the South Pole, his valor as he stared death in the face sealed his fate as a legend in his country.
It is only now, following many years of analysis and research, that the unforgiving nature of the climate of Antarctica is understood, and it’s affects on explorers is realized.Winter air temperatures could reach minus 90 degrees Celsius. Winds traveled about 67 kilometers per hour.In 1912, with little understanding of the devastating hazards the continent had in store for him, Scott was ill prepared for the task he was undertaking.antarctic cruise
As a scientist in the Polar Regions, Scott expressed his overwhelming feeling of isolation to his wife in letters he wrote to her.Even scientists this day using modern communication devices feel this overwhelming isolation.When Scott died, he left behind his wife and young son.
His body was discovered months after he expired. The letters written to his wife were among his things.His supply camp was located a mere 11 miles from where his body was found.Scott’s wife was informed of her demise as she awaited his return back in New Zealand.
There’s a lot historians can get out of the letters found on Scott’s body. The joys of eating proper nourishment, and recognition of his exquisite physical health, were his writing topics during the early days of his adventure.His letters mentioned the cold, and his complaints about it, but he claimed the hot meals the team enjoyed kept the freezing temperatures away.antarctica vacation
But as the expedition wore on and food began to run out Scott’s tone in the letters becomes darker.He talks about the cold weather worsening, and temperatures not slacking off.To travel 11 miles more in their trip he and his fellow explorers were down to only one hot meal and two days worth of cold food, hunger was beginning to take its toll.
Scott was a legend in his field, but this trip was twice cursed.He was unable to reach the south pole first, Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen beating him to the glory. Amundsmen arrived on December 21, 1911, beating out Scott, who arrived on January 18, 1912, by nearly one month.
Prior to undertaking his final expedition, Scott was considered a national hero for his invasion of Antarctica between 1902 and 1904.The two other men with him, Lieutenant Henry Bowers and Dr. Edward Wilson held onto their beliefs of survival.Unfortunately, two other men, Petty Officer Edgar Evans and Captain Lawrence Oats perished before they could make it.
While just twenty miles from the depot, the explorers needed to stow all provisions.At this time, they’d sparse food or fuel.Scott described in his letters, the bitter cold of the seventy degrees below zero temperatures, and how the only inadequate defense they had was their tent. He also gave his blessing for her to remarry in the event of his death.
Scott was careful to express that he held no regrets in his undertaking of this journey.He would prefer have been there than doing nothing in the comfort of home.Many British youngsters have learned a lot and have been inspired by the story of Scott’s journey.
Captain Scott’s expedition completed second to Roald Amundsmen in the race to the South Pole, arriving several weeks after Amundsmen.Captain Scott passed on 29 March 1912. In 1913, Scott’s journal was published under the title “Scott’s Last Expedition.”
