Biography

In 1796, at the age of 9, James Weddell joined the Navy. Several years later, in his mid-thirties, he took command of the "Jane" on a sealing expedition to the South Shetlands. Even with the little financial support he had, he discovered the South Orkney Islands. After he arrived back home, he got the "Jane's" owners to send him on another expedition - he sailed from England on 17 September 1822 along with another ship, the "Beaufoy". By 13 January 1823, they reached the eastern end of the South Orkneys. Weddell went ashore at Saddle Island and collected six skins of a new species of seal - today this seal is known as the Weddell seal. By 20 February 1823, they reached 74°15'S - 344 km farther south than Cook sailed. Even though he saw open water further south, Weddell decided to return to England. They arrived in July 1823.