Cultural Object

H.M.S. Discovery (1901 - )

Royal Navy

From
1901
Functions
Antarctic exploration, Maritime exploration and Ship
Alternative Names
  • Discovery, H.M.S. (Also known as)

Summary

H.M.S. Discovery was a steam barque built by the Dundee Shipbuilders Company for the British National Antarctic Expedition of 1901 - 1904. Funded jointly by the British Government and the Royal Geographical Society, and crewed largely by Royal Navy personnel, the Expedition was commanded by Robert Scott. Discovery sailed from Lyttleton, New Zealand, in December 1901, not returning until April 1904. The Expedition explored the Ice Barrier (now known as the Ross Ice Shelf) until, in February 1902, the ship became ice-bound. She remained so until February 1904. In the interim expedition members pursued their scientific agenda. On her return to the United Kingdom in 1905, Discovery was purchased by the Hudson Bay Company for use in the fur trade. During WWI she transported war materials between Britain and Europe. From 1925 to 1927 she was involved in expeditions in the south Atlantic Ocean, followed by her last Antarctic expedition, Douglas Mawson's British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition of 1929 to 1931. Discovery is now berthed in Dundee, Scotland, as part of a heritage precinct.

Details

Chronology

21 December 1901
Event - Departed Lyttleton, New Zealand
February 1902 - February 1904
Education - Frozen in the ice off the Ross Ice Shelf
1905
Event - Purchased by the Hudson Bay Company
1914 - 1916
Operational event - Engaged in the transportation of war materials in Europe
1923
Education - Purchased by Discovery Investigations and renamed R.S.S. Discovery
1925 - 1927
Operational event - Explored south Atlantic Ocean and Southern Ocean
1929 - 1931
Education - Expedition ship for British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition

Related People

Published resources

Books

  • Savours, A., The voyages of the Discovery: the illustrated history (London: Virgin, 1992), 384 pp. Details
  • Scott, Robert, The voyage of the "Discovery", 2 vols (London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1905). Details

See also

  • Bernacchi, L. C., Saga of the "Discovery" (London, Glasgow: Blackie and Son, 1938), 240 pp. Details
  • Rice, A. L., British oceanographic vessels 1800 - 1950 (London: Ray Society, 1986), 193 pp. Details
  • Wilson, Edward, Diary of the Discovery Expedition to the Antarctic regions 1901 - 1904 (London: Blandford, 1966), 416 pp. Details
  • Yelverton, David E., Antarctica unveiled: Scott's first expedition and the quest for the unknown continent (Boulder, Colorado: University Press of Colorado, 2000), 472 pp. Details

Helen Cohn

EOAS ID: biogs/P007484b.htm

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