Friday, November 28, 2008

Scott's hut

Hello Everyone,

Unfortunately, I am having a hard time uploading photos. I've been trying to upload these photos for two days now, and I still did not get to post all of the ones I wanted to. So these will have to do.

The second part of our delta trip was to Scott's hut at Cape Evans. The hut was built in 1910 as headquarters for Robert Falcon Scott's second Antarctic expedition, the Terra Nova expedition. Scott's mission was to be the first human to reach the South Pole. Scott reached the south pole, however, he was preceded by a Norweigan, Roald Amundsen, nearly a month earlier. Scott and his four companions died on their return journey to the hut, trapped in a blizzard, just 11 miles from their next supply depot.

The hut was later reoccupied by members of Shackleton's Ross Sea Party of the Imperial Transantarctic Expedition (ITAE) in 1915. Although subsequently abandoned when a rescue ship arrived, the hut and its contents are remarkably well preserved due to the consistently sub-freezing conditions. An inscription by Dick Richards on the wall near his bunk, lists the names of those who perished during the ITAE, and can still be read today.

Scott's hut



Seal blubber used for food and fuel.


Looks like they were getting ready to cut up a penguin when the rescue ship arrived. The members of the ITAE were stranded at the hut waiting to be rescued, and didn't bother to tidy up before they left.




Dining room table


Bunks



Sleeping quarters


Penguin eggs.


A memorial cross for members of the ITAE who died in Antarctica.

3 comments:

Unknown said...

M,
This is fascinating. Thanks, I can live vicariously through your pics.
M

Mom said...

That is amazing that everything is still so intact. I'm currently reading the Shackleford book. Your photos bring the book to life. It is still so hard to survive on the ice. I can't imagine trying to reach the South Pole all those years ago.

Miss Howell's Class said...

Hi Mitchell,
The kids and I are still waiting for the district to put your site through the firewall. I can't wait to share it with them.
Thanks for all of the detailed information. We are currently studying simple machines. There are plenty of them in your photos. We have also studied animal adaptations. Rock formations and electricity will follow the holidays.
I know they will want to know: Are the ice formations in the caves called stalagmites and stalactites (sp) or something different?
Do people still eat penguins?
What happens to the data that you collect from your research?
Also, do you mind if I share your blog on the class website? I think the kids will want to share with their parents.
Stay warm and safe!
Amy