Log kept by midshipman A. N. Pepper on the first and second voyages of the National Antarctic Relief Ship S.Y. Morning to aid the British 'Discovery' Expedition, 9 July 1902 - 26 March 1903, 24 October 1903 - 17 October 1904

MLMSS 10054/Box 1X

fonds

9 July 1902 - 26 March 1903, 24 October 1903 - 17 October 1904

Textual Records, Drawings

9583864

0.16 metres of textual material and 18 drawings (1 outsize box) - bound volume with 151 pages of manuscript in ink on lined paper

SY Morning was the official relief vessel to the British National Antarctic (‘Discovery’) Expedition (1901–1904), making two voyages to the Antarctic to aid the expedition. The first voyage of the Morning sailed from New Zealand in 1902 and was intended to resupply the expedition and provide help if needed. The second sailed in 1903 with two ships, Morning accompanied by the Terra Nova, and was to facilitate the safe return of the expedition.

The British National Antarctic (‘Discovery’) Expedition 1901-1904, led by Robert F. Scott, was the first official British exploration of Antarctic regions since James Clark Ross' voyage 60 years earlier. The expedition travelled the furthest south to date, carrying out scientific research and geographical exploration, and launched the Antarctic careers of many who would become leading figures of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration, including Robert F. Scott, Ernest Shackleton, Edward Wilson and Frank Wild.

SY Morning’s first voyage in aid of the Discovery left from Lyttelton, New Zealand, for the Antarctic on 6 December 1902, captained by William Colbeck with a crew of eight petty officers and nine seaman including midshipman A. Neville Pepper. Two new islands were sighted on the voyage, Scott Island and Haggit's Pillar, and scientific specimens collected along the way. The Morning eventually sighted the Discovery trapped in ice on 23 January 1903. Supplies were sledged across the ice to the Discovery when it became apparent the ice would not break up. Several of the Discovery crew joined the Morning on its voyage back to New Zealand including Ernest Shackleton who was suffering from scurvy.

Given the perilous position of the Discovery, a second relief expedition was needed. Morning returned to the Antarctic a second time in the company of the Terra Nova later in 1903. Eventually, after seven weeks attempting to smash through the ice, the Discovery was finally freed in mid-February and the three vessels returned to New Zealand on 1 April 1904.

References:
Library correspondence file
Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge: http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/picturelibrary/catalogue/are1902-04/

Pepper commences each journey with a list of the crew: captain, officers, petty officers, midshipmen, able seamen and firemen.

Key dates from log of first voyage:
9 July 1902 departed India Dock and sailed via Madeira to Lyttelton
6 December 1902 left Lyttelton, New Zealand
25 December 1902 discovered and named Markham Island [later renamed Scott Island]
8 January 1903 arrived at Cape Adair in order to retrieve items left by the Discovery there and later on Possession Island
23 January 1903 saw the Discovery masts just before midnight
3 February 1903 Captain Scott arrived back with Dr Wilson and Lieut. Shackleton
7 February 1903 commenced relieving the Discovery, transferring 14 tons of supplies and 20 tons of coal over a six week period
2 March 1903 set sail for New Zealand with Shackleton on board
25 March 1903 arrived back in Lyttelton

Key dates from log of second voyage:
24 October 1903 departed New Zealand
5 December 1903 set sail from Hobart with the Terra Nova
5 January 1904 came within 20 miles of the Discovery. Captain Scott and Dr Wilson came aboard
9 January 1904 made a line of holes ready for blasting the ice
10 February 1904 blasting still continuing with very good results
14 February 1904 reached the Discovery. Silken Jack flying on the Point, presented to the Expedition for use on special occasions
1 April 1904 arrived back in Lyttelton, New Zealand
8 June 1904 homeward bound
17 October 1904 end of log

Ink drawings included in log:
1. The Morning
2. An iceberg
3. Brass Jar
4. Markham Island [later renamed Scott Island]
5. An ice anchor
6. Record Post
7-8. Franklin Island
9. Penguins
10. Coastal profile including Discovery's masts
11. Diagram showing the Discovery locked in the ice
12. Glacier with Discovery's flags
13. An iceberg
14. Franklin Island [4/1/04]
15. Beauford Island
16. Half Way Camp 25/1/04
17. Plan of the interior of the tent
18. Cable buoy

Copyright status:: In copyright
Research & study copies allowed: Author has been deceased for more than 50 years
Rights and Restrictions Information:: No publication without prior written approval of copyright holder
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder