Report of the Scientific Results of the Voyage of S.Y. ‘Scotia’ during the years 1902, 1903, and 1904. Vol. IV

1908

Expedition Reports Q115 S53 1902

Edinburgh: The Scottish Oceanographical Laboratory

Experienced polar scientist Scot William Speirs Bruce applied to lead the Discovery Expedition of 1901, but was unsuccessful so he organised his own – the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. Bruce, his Samoyed dog Russ, scientists and crew left Scotland aboard Scotia in November 1902. The research team made scientific observations on the voyage down to Antarctica and while icebound for eight months in 1903, near the South Orkney Islands, they built a weather station. Now known as Base Orcadas, the station is administered by Argentina and has been in continuous operation since its inception. The expedition, a resounding scientific success, was ultimately overshadowed by Scott and Shackleton’s Discovery expedition. Above are some photographs of ‘Isopods’ by Bruce – just some of over one thousand he took while on the trip.