Antarctic conservation blog

Fran, Friday 6 November 2009

Temperature: -13
Wind: 5 knots
Temp with wind chill: - 15°C
Conditions: Generally cloudy with periodic bursts of sunshine, very minimal wind.

We are now in our last week at Scott Base before we head out to spend a month working and camping at the historic bases.  The large pile of crates full of untreated artefacts from Captain Scott’s 1910 – 13 expedition base has finally started to dwindle and what seemed initially to be an insurmountable quantity of work has been successfully completed.

So, we have had a chance to move onto what are affectionately termed ‘crate mysteries’.  One crate has been of particular interest as the contents were taken from in and around the bunk beds of expedition members Taylor (Geologist), Nelson (Biologist), Debenham (Geologist) and Day (Motor Mechanic). Although the objects of general use that we have treated have been interesting, there is something so much more emotive about objects that can be identified as the personal belongings of a particular individual.

All manner of paraphernalia was collected from the small shelf boxes (which can be seen in the photo below) secured to the bunk sides at the hut.

Taylor, Nelson, Debenham and Dav’s bunks, from around 1911 © Canterbury Museum

The large number of quill nibs is indicative of the amount of writing these men must have done, and the quantity of safety pins, needles and buttons hints that the need for clothing repair must have been frequent. Of these 4, Day left behind the most possessions, including his toothbrush and even small fragments of crackers that he may well have enjoyed in bed as a midnight feast! Of the numerous scraps of paper found, many held a multitude of surprises.

Day’s toothbrush, from around 1911 © Antarctic Heritage Trust

One was a ball of scrunched up foil, that when painstakingly flattened was found to be stamped with the word ‘Vinolia’. Research showed that it was packaging for soap. This particular brand of soap was considered a real luxury, and was even provided in the cabins of the first-class passengers aboard the ill-fated Titanic.

An advert for Vinolia soap © Antarctic Heritage Trust

Another of the tiny fragments appears to have been torn from a book page and simply reads ‘pulling your leg!’ It’s nice to imagine why this was done, and why it was kept amongst a hoard of personal belongings. I can only deduce that there was an element of humour involved, indicating that despite the trials of Antarctic existence, there was still the opportunity for laughter.

Read more about the expedition members

Posted in Antarctica, Conservation, Polar exploration, Scott, Scott Base

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