Teacher Resource A
LEFT TO RIGHT:
Captain Lawrence Oates,
Lieutenant Henry Bowers (seated),
Captain Robert Falcon Scott,
Dr Edward Wilson (seated),
Petty Officer Edgar Evans
Licensed with permission of the
Scott Polar Research Institute,
University of Cambridge
Exhibition overview
INTRODUCTION
Scott’s hut at Cape Evans today, with
Mount Erebus in the background
Scott’s last expedition traces Robert Falcon Scott’s attempt to be the first man
to reach the geographic South Pole. The expedition is known as the Terra Nova
expedition 1910–13, named after the ship on which he sailed to Antarctica. The
core of the exhibition is a representation of Scott’s hut at Cape Evans where the
daily life of the explorers is carefully documented. Complementing this is the
wider context of mounting an expedition and life and work in the Antarctic
during the course of the expedition.
© New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust
One hundred years on, the hut built by
Scott and his team still stands. Since 1911
it has survived many Antarctic winters
and endured countless blizzards that have
scoured its outer wooden walls. Today, it
is cared for on behalf of the international
community by the New Zealand Antarctic
Heritage Trust.
Antarctica – vast, frozen, glacial, icy and intensely white, is an immense, beautiful
continent but also one of the most hostile and unforgiving places on Earth. On
average it is the planet’s coldest, windiest and driest continent. Summers are
continually light and dazzlingly bright, winters intensely cold and endlessly dark.
Few life-forms can survive on land. For humans, this is an especially dangerous
environment where misjudgements and inexperience can prove fatal.
Against this backdrop, through Herbert Ponting’s photographs, documents,
artefacts and re-creations, the exhibition traces Scott’s endeavours through to
the final tragedy of his and four companions’ deaths. The tragedy touched
millions worldwide. Condolences poured in – the King, eminent explorers and
international scientific societies were among the many that expressed both grief
and admiration. Historical debate discussing Scott’s leadership has emerged over
the years.
2
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
There are eleven subthemes:
The death of Scott and the Polar party examines the world’s reaction and
the creation of heroes and legends in the wake of the death of Scott and four of
his companions on their return from the South Pole. Over time there has been a
change in perception of Scott from national hero to failed leader.
Introducing Antarctica reveals the landscape, wildlife and the enormous scale
Scott’s Antarctic medal
and harsh conditions of the continent.
Canterbury Museum NZ
Before the Terra Nova expedition sets the social, historical and scientific
backgrounds.
Planning the Terra Nova expedition highlights the scale of planning involved
in preparing an Antarctic expedition in the early 20th century. It also examines
the journey from London to base camp at Cape Evans.
The base-camp hut at Cape Evans provides a sense of life in the hut, from the
mundane day-to-day through to detail about specific scientists and their work.
Science and human endeavour pays tribute to the scientific investigation and
exploration, and the ability of humans to endure in extremely severe
circumstances. It examines in particular the collection of Emperor penguin eggs
from Cape Crozier and the geological work carried out by the Northern Party.
The journey to the South Pole traces Scott’s journey and compares it with
Rowntree’s cocoa
Amundsen’s which lays the basis for later historical debate.
Canterbury Museum NZ
The last camp records the discovery of Scott’s Polar party and world reaction.
The expedition’s scientific legacy considers the achievements of the
expedition and their relevance to on-going research in Antarctica today.
The expedition’s historic legacy: Captain Scott’s expedition base in
Antarctica examines heritage and conservation questions.
Reflections cites the views of a range of different people and encourages
visitors to form their own opinions.
Brittle star specimen collected by the
expedition
The Natural History Museum, London
3
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
Robert Falcon Scott
Scott writing in his area of the expedition
hut, Scott’s cubicle
Robert Falcon Scott, born into a highly respected, conservative and well-to-do
Plymouth family on 6 June 1868, was one of five children. His family called him
‘Con’. He first went to sea at the age of thirteen. Life aboard was tough –
disciplined, rigorous and with no room for immaturity. In 1888 Scott was
commissioned as Sub-Lieutenant after completing studies and training at the
Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London where he came first in his year.
Throughout the years 1883–1899 Scott served in ten different naval vessels.
H Ponting photograph,
Pennell collection,
Canterbury Museum New Zealand
The Discovery Expedition of 1901–1904
In 1894 Sir Clements Markham applied to the Royal Society to join with the Royal
Geographic Society to finance an Antarctic expedition. Money was not easy to
acquire, but by 1899 he had funding from these bodies as well as British
Government funding. The aim of the expedition was geographical discovery, but
also offered opportunities for young naval officers to win distinction in times of
peace. He chose as the leader of the expedition Robert Falcon Scott, though this
was not made official until 1901 after much debate between Markham and his
backers as to a suitable leader.
4
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
The Terra Nova Expedition 1910–1913
The former whaling ship Terra Nova
H Ponting photograph,
Canterbury Museum NZ,
19XX.2.432
Scott was now an experienced polar commander. The objective was to be the
first to reach the South Pole “to secure for the British Empire the honour of this
achievement”, though the expedition was also strongly scientific and geographic.
“We want the scientific work to make the bagging of the Pole merely an item in
the results” (Edward Wilson, chief scientist). There was the desire to continue
investigations into the penguin communities, particularly at Cape Crozier, as well
as fulfil a program of geological, magnetic and meteorological studies. Scott
learned en route that the Norwegian explorer, Roald Amunsden, was also aiming
for the South Pole.
The main expedition journeys took place in 1911 and 1912. The first involved the
Northern party in the Cape Adare region where they collected geological and
other specimens. Heavy pack ice prevented the ship from picking them up and
so they were forced to spend the winter in a snow cave which they excavated on
Inexpressable Island. They suffered great deprivation, but finally returned to base
camp, Camp Evans, on 7 November 1912. The second expedition was the Western
geological parties of January – March 1911, and November 1911 – February 1912.
In particular, Edward Wilson wished to study Emperor penguins and collect their
eggs, but this could only be done in winter, their breeding season. This exceptionally
difficult journey was recorded by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in his book The Worst
Journey in the World.
5
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
The final push to the South Pole 1911–1912
In September 1911 Scott revealed his plans for the final trek to the South Pole.
While an initial group of 16 set out for the Pole, only one smaller group would
continue to the Pole; Scott decided upon that composition during the journey.
This group was Robert Scott, Edward Wilson, Lawrence Oates, Henry Bowers and
Edgar Evans. It was these men who reached the Pole on 17 January 1912 but
nearly four weeks behind Amundsen. Scott started back to base on 23 January
but the trip did not go well. They were short of food and ill and all five perished
between 17 and 29 March 1912. It is this expedition that has caused so much
historical debate and scrutiny about Scott’s leadership, planning, preparation and
execution of the fatal journey. The degree of Scott’s culpability remains a matter
of controversy.
6
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
Members of the Terra Nova expedition
Members of the Terra Nova expedition
with Scott in the centre.
H Ponting photograph,
Pennell collection Canterbury Museum
NZ, 1975.289.28
Robert Falcon Scott: Captain
DG Lillie: Biologist
Thomas Williamson: Petty Officer
Harry Pennell: Navigator and magnetic
observer
Edgar Evans: Petty Officer
Thomas Crean: Petty Officer
Stoker William Lashly: Petty Officer
William Heald: Petty Officer
Edward Wilson: Lead Scientist
Frank Debenham: Geologist
T. Griffith Taylor: Geologist,
meteorologist and anthropologist
Raymond Priestly: Geologist
Henry Rennick: Hydrographical
surveyor and deep sea soundings
G. Murray Levick: Lt. Surgeon
Edward Atkinson: Lt. Surgeon
Herbert Ponting: Photographer
Apsley Cherry-Garrard: Assistant
Biologist
Captain LEG Oates: In charge of ponies
Edgeworth David: Geologist
Henry “Birdie” Bowers: organiser/
manager
Victor Campbell: Geologist
Wilfrid Bruce: Scott’s brother-in-law
Charles Wright: Physicist
Cecil Meares: chief dog handler
George Simpson: Meteorologist
26 other Petty Officers and seamen
Edward Nelson: Biologist
NB: Petty Officer is a non-commissioned naval officer.
7
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
HOW TO USE THE EDUCATION RESOURCES
Antarctica, Robert Falcon Scott and the historical debate about his Terra Nova
expedition, as well as scientific endeavour, all intersect in this exhibition, Scott’s
last expedition.
A wide variety of activities for students Stages 3–5 are offered in the resources.
Resource Kit A is designed to provide a general introduction to Scott and the
expedition. It includes focus questions and is aimed at Stages 3–5.
Resource Kit B is for Stage 3 HSIE.
Resource Kit C is for Stages 4 & 5 Science and Geography.
Resource Kit D is directed at Stage 5 History.
They can be used for pre-visit, post-visit, revision or stand-alone activities in the
classroom. Teachers may choose to use materials outside the Stage guidelines
and adapt them to suit their own classes and circumstances. Some of the Primary
activities may be useful for Life Skills students. Many of the activities have
associated web links to other resource material. All websites are correct at the
time of publication.
The following key will assist teachers to identify the Stage for which the specific
resource was written.
Stage 3
8
Stage 4
Stage 5
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
VIEW INDIVIDUAL RESOURCES IN PDF FORMAT:
•
Curriculum links
•
A guide to the icons used in all activities to indicate the skills being addressed
•
Glossary of terms
Exhibition sub-themes
RESOURCE KIT A
•
Exhibition Overview
S3
S4
RESOURCE KIT B
Introducing Antarctica
•
Timeline activity
S3
•
Geography and climate
S3
S4
S3
S4
•
•
Mapping
•
Landscape and Fauna
•
Glaciology
•
Climate change
Animals in Antarctica
•
Identifying animals
•
Food web
S5
•
Clothing
•
Food
S3
•
Medical issues
S3
S3
Planning the Terra Nova expedition
Base camp at Cape Evans
9
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
Exhibition sub-themes
RESOURCE KIT C
•
Science and human endeavour
Science & Geography
S4
•
Antarctic ecosystem
•
Adaptations
•
Penguins and sponges – a comparison
•
Scientific data collection
•
Fossils
•
Geological wall chart
•
Documentation
•
Dry valleys
•
Dry valleys and life on Mars
S5
RESOURCE KIT D
•
The death of Scott and the Polar party
Historical inquiry
S5
The journey to the South Pole
The last camp
Reflections
10
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
Scott’s birthday dinner, 6 June 1911.
H Ponting photograph Canterbury
Museum NZ, 19XX.2.5073
Focus Questions:
Scott’s birthday was celebrated at
Cape Evans during winter, and just
short of the Midwinter Day.
What aspects of this photo create a homely, day-to-day
S3
S4
S5
scene which could make it appear that these men were
almost anywhere in the world?
What aspects of the photos suggest that this could be
Antarctica, or at least a very cold climate?
Bias exists in all historical documents. What techniques has
Herbert Ponting, the photographer, used to create this homely,
day-to-day scene? How does this belie the reality?
11
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
Members of the Terra Nova expedition
with Scott in the centre.
Focus Questions:
H Ponting photograph,
Pennell collection Canterbury Museum
NZ, 1975.289.28
S3
S4
S5
Looking at the photograph, do you think this would be an
extremely cold day, or one of the warmer days for Scott’s
Polar explorers needed to wear
clothes that would protect them
from ferocious winds and extreme
cold temperatures that could drop
to 50 degrees centigrade below
freezing.
party? Give your reasons.
What do you think would be some of the major health issues
brought about by weather and diet that explorers then and
now would face in Antarctica?
Research the type of clothing and fabrics worn by Scott and
his party and make up a comparative table with what people
in the Antarctic use today.
12
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource
Natural History Museum
Focus Questions:
Adélie penguin specimen collected
by the expedition. Scott’s
expedition collected thousands of
marine and terrestrial zoological
specimens, including this Adélie
penguin, Pygoscelis adelia,
specimen, collected from Cape
Adare by expedition member
Murray Levick in 1911.
S3
S4
S5
What types of information do you think scientists hoped to
gain from collecting specimens such as the penguin pictured?
How have penguins adapted to the harsh Antarctic
environment?
The Adélie penguin is one of four
penguin species that breed on the
Antarctic continent.
What other forms of scientific experimentation do you think
Scott’s team would have carried out? What scientific concerns
[Note: one specimen shown in three
would there be about Antarctica today?
different angles]
13
Scott’s last expedition © Australian National Maritime Museum Education Resource