| Administrative history | The Antarctic Discovery Expedition was led by Robert Falcon Scott (1868-1912) between 1901-1904 and was a journey into the unknown. With the objective of "scientific discovery and exploration", the expedition's main achievement was a new 'farthest south' record - some 480 miles from the Pole. During the long bleak winters, when the ship was held fast in the Antarctic ice, a newsletter was produced by Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922), called the 'South Polar Times'. In the preface to the first volume, Scott wrote 'Our Journal, we decided, should give instructions as well as amusement; we looked to our scientific experts to write luminously on their special subjects, and to record the scientific events of general interest, while for lighter matter we agreed that the cloak of anonymity should encourage the indulgence of any shy vein of sentiment or humour that might exist among us. Above all, the 'South Polar Times' as we had determined to call it, was to be open to all; the men, as well as the officers were to be invited to contribute to its pages'. |