Biography

Robert Falcon Scott joined the Royal Navy at the young age of 13. He led his first British Antarctic Expedition on the ship "Discovery". On 6 August 1901, Scott and his crew departed from England. On 3 January 1902, the explorers crossed the Antarctic Circle. On 9 January 1902, Scott entered the Ross Sea, sailed along the Ross Ice Shelf and located land, naming it King Edward IV Land. On 4 February 1902, he had the first balloon flight ever in Antarctica. The expedition over wintered at Hut Point on Ross Island. A hut was built on land, which they used for recreation and scientific work. The "Discovery" was frozen in packed ice and used by the crew as accommodation. On 2 November 1902, Scott and two of his crew (Shackleton and Wilson), tried to cross the Ross Ice Shelf on 9 sleds pulled by dogs. On 30 December 1902, they reached 82°16.5'S and decided to turn back. The remainder of dogs were weak and tired, and Shackleton suffered from scurvy. On 3 February 1902 they finally reached the "Discovery". On 1 March 1903, seven of Scott's crew and Shackleton returned home on the relief ship "Morning". Scott and the remaining crew decided to explore until the next summer. After exhausting attempts, the "Discovery" was finally freed from packed ice on 16 February 1904. On 19 February 1904, the "Discovery" accompanied by the "Morning" and the "Terra Nova" began their long voyage home. The Discovery Expedition revealed the most extensive scientific results ever in the history of Antarctic research.

On 29 November 1910, Scott began his second Antarctic Expedition on the "Terra Nova", sailing from New Zealand. He was competing with Roald Amundsen to be the first man to reach the South Pole. On their first day at sea, enormous storms challenged the "Terra Nova". On 9 December 1910, they penetrated packed ice, and on 4 January 1911, they reached Ross Island. It was not possible to over winter in their old hut on Hut Point, as it was filled up with ice. They had to build a hut at Cape Evans. That winter, Scott achieved an extensive amount of scientific work.

On 1 November 1911, the explorers started their last voyage to the south - no more ponies or dogs were used, only men pulling the sledges. Depots filled with reserves were built for the returning parties. On 4 January 1912, their last support team turned back. Scott and his chosen team started the last length of their journey, and on 17 January 1912 they reached the South Pole - they were painfully disappointed that Amundsen had reached the pole before them on 14 December 1911.

On their return home the explorers were exhausted, starving, and suffering from frostbite. On 17 February 1912, one of the team members died - a month later, another died. On 21 March 1912 a storm forced the remainder of the team to stay in their tent. Scott's last entry in his diary was on 29 March 1912 and on 12 November 1912, a rescue team found the remaining three explorers. Scott achieved his goal - he reached the South Pole; his expedition also managed to research a huge amount of important science.

Trivia:
Robert was also known as "Con" to his family and friends.