Read Online An Unsung Hero: Tom Crean - Antarctic Survivor by Michael Smith - Free Book Online
Authors: Michael Smith
Tags: General, History, Biography & Autobiography, Read, Adventurers & Explorers, Polar Regions, Antarctica
Ads: Link
Seal’s liver was a typical fare for those who fancied it and there was an endless supply of fresh-baked bread and sticky jam.
The men ate and slept together in close confinement with their hammocks strung across the mess deck. There was no privacy. In contrast, many officers and scientists enjoyed the privacy of their own small rooms and dined together around a delightful mahogany wardroom table adorned with silver cutlery and fine wines. In the corner was an Edwardian piano.
Prayers followed soon after breakfast and the men were then employed in groups to repair and maintain equipment. Lunch followed at 1 p.m. when the men were also allowed a daily ration of rum and tobacco. Routine for the scientists included regular readings of the extensive meteorological, magnetic and other instruments, while others were busy on geology, biology, botany and physics. Supper was at the early time of 5 p.m. and the rest of the evening was free for sedate parlour games, such as ‘shove ha’penny’, chess or cards.
There was a permanent fog of smoke from the coarse, rough-cut Navy shag which, contrary to traditional regulations, the men were allowed to smoke at any time of the day. Crean,a pipe-smoker all his life, was in his element, though some non-smokers complained about the stifling atmosphere.
Some wrote letters home or filled in diaries, while others preferred conversation or, in typical naval style, the spinning of a yarn. It was cheerfully estimated that the ‘thrilling experiences’ of the cook, Charles Clark, in many parts of the world before the
Discovery
expedition alone would extend over a period of 590 years!
The monotony was occasionally broken by a lecture from one of the scientists or officers, while some seaman earned a few extra pennies by doing the weekly washing of the odd idle officer. Sundays saw a regular religious service, but Crean as a Catholic was excused and allowed to make his own private arrangements.
People ventured outside at their peril, although the reading of scientific instruments was maintained throughout the winter. The cold was bad enough. But the biggest danger was the constant wind and swirling, engulfing blizzards. Bernacchi said the combination was ‘blinding and deafening’ and people could become lost and disoriented within yards of the safety of the hut or ship.
The great event of the winter was Midwinter’s Day, which was celebrated as a form of Christmas Day without the religion. Bernacchi mentioned feasting ‘like old time pagans’. Streamers decorated the separate messes and the party enjoyed a splendid menu of best turtle soup, New Zealand lamb, plum pudding and mince pies. Champagne flowed, followed by port. The men were served a slight variation of turtle soup, boiled ham, kidney beans and potatoes, followed by plum pudding and brandy sauce. Gifts were exchanged, including a present for every man on board from Mrs Royds, the mother of the first lieutenant, Royds.
Spirits picked up considerably on 22 August when the sun made its reappearance after four months’ total darkness. But the return of natural daylight also meant that the months of inactivity were now over and the real work of the expedition about to begin.
5
Into the wilderness
S cott planned a series of sorties into the unknown land, climaxing with his own bid to establish a new record for travelling further south than anyone else and possibly, even a tilt at the Pole itself. This was to be the centrepiece of the
Discovery
expedition, though no one on earth at this stage knew what lay beyond the immediate horizon of the Barrier.
Crean was involved in two notable firsts in the opening skirmishes with the Antarctic hinterland. He was a member of the party which by mid-November 1902 had duly achieved a record of travelling further south than anyone before. On a more trivial note, he also became one of the first humans to celebrate Christmas in a tent on the great ice sheet.
Initially Crean was in
The men ate and slept together in close confinement with their hammocks strung across the mess deck. There was no privacy. In contrast, many officers and scientists enjoyed the privacy of their own small rooms and dined together around a delightful mahogany wardroom table adorned with silver cutlery and fine wines. In the corner was an Edwardian piano.
Prayers followed soon after breakfast and the men were then employed in groups to repair and maintain equipment. Lunch followed at 1 p.m. when the men were also allowed a daily ration of rum and tobacco. Routine for the scientists included regular readings of the extensive meteorological, magnetic and other instruments, while others were busy on geology, biology, botany and physics. Supper was at the early time of 5 p.m. and the rest of the evening was free for sedate parlour games, such as ‘shove ha’penny’, chess or cards.
There was a permanent fog of smoke from the coarse, rough-cut Navy shag which, contrary to traditional regulations, the men were allowed to smoke at any time of the day. Crean,a pipe-smoker all his life, was in his element, though some non-smokers complained about the stifling atmosphere.
Some wrote letters home or filled in diaries, while others preferred conversation or, in typical naval style, the spinning of a yarn. It was cheerfully estimated that the ‘thrilling experiences’ of the cook, Charles Clark, in many parts of the world before the
Discovery
expedition alone would extend over a period of 590 years!
The monotony was occasionally broken by a lecture from one of the scientists or officers, while some seaman earned a few extra pennies by doing the weekly washing of the odd idle officer. Sundays saw a regular religious service, but Crean as a Catholic was excused and allowed to make his own private arrangements.
People ventured outside at their peril, although the reading of scientific instruments was maintained throughout the winter. The cold was bad enough. But the biggest danger was the constant wind and swirling, engulfing blizzards. Bernacchi said the combination was ‘blinding and deafening’ and people could become lost and disoriented within yards of the safety of the hut or ship.
The great event of the winter was Midwinter’s Day, which was celebrated as a form of Christmas Day without the religion. Bernacchi mentioned feasting ‘like old time pagans’. Streamers decorated the separate messes and the party enjoyed a splendid menu of best turtle soup, New Zealand lamb, plum pudding and mince pies. Champagne flowed, followed by port. The men were served a slight variation of turtle soup, boiled ham, kidney beans and potatoes, followed by plum pudding and brandy sauce. Gifts were exchanged, including a present for every man on board from Mrs Royds, the mother of the first lieutenant, Royds.
Spirits picked up considerably on 22 August when the sun made its reappearance after four months’ total darkness. But the return of natural daylight also meant that the months of inactivity were now over and the real work of the expedition about to begin.
5
Into the wilderness
S cott planned a series of sorties into the unknown land, climaxing with his own bid to establish a new record for travelling further south than anyone else and possibly, even a tilt at the Pole itself. This was to be the centrepiece of the
Discovery
expedition, though no one on earth at this stage knew what lay beyond the immediate horizon of the Barrier.
Crean was involved in two notable firsts in the opening skirmishes with the Antarctic hinterland. He was a member of the party which by mid-November 1902 had duly achieved a record of travelling further south than anyone before. On a more trivial note, he also became one of the first humans to celebrate Christmas in a tent on the great ice sheet.
Initially Crean was in
Similar Books
