More than a hundred years ago, the young Australian geologist Douglas Mawson embarked on a first Australasian Antarctic expedition. This expedition is deemed legendary for the resilience, physical endurance, loyalty and accomplishments of the crew.
The Australasian Antarctic Expedition began in 1911. The objective was to investigate, as far as possible, a stretch of essentially unknown Antarctic coast. However this mission turned out to be fatal for 2 of Mawson’s crew members. Belgrave Ninnis plummeted down a crevasse with a sledge carrying most of their supplies. Another crew member, Xavier Mertz, perished from exhaustion, starvation and possible toxicity from eating dogs’ livers. Mawson’s survival was a miracle, as he described it in his journals “Never have I come so near an end; never has anyone more miraculously escaped”.
Despite the sacrifices that were made, the 3 years spent in sub-zero temperatures and extremely harsh winds didn’t go to waste. The expedition managed to chart large segments of east Antarctic coastline and resulted in major contributions to the knowledge of the region. Furthermore, species on land and sea, previously unknown, were described for the first time. Mawson was hailed as a hero for his persistence, determination and bravery which contributed to the advancement of science.
Thanks to the photographer Frank Hurley and other crew members, we can witness this groundbreaking expedition through these astonishing photographs.
More info: flickr
#1 Huskies Pulling Sledge
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#2 Blizzard, The Pup In Antarctica
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#3 Ice Cased Adelie Penguins After A Blizzard At Cape Denison
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#4 Mushroom Ice Formation
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#5 Skeleton Of Sea-Elephant & Harold Hamilton
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#6 King Penguins, Antarctica
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#7 Basilisk & Ginger At Main Base
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#8 C.t. Madigan With An Ice Mask
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#9 Cavern Carved By The Sea In An Ice Wall Near Commonwealth Bay
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#10 Wreck Of The ‘Gratitude’ In Macquarie Island
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#11 Sclater Penguin
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#12 Photo Of The Crew Members
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#13 A Radiant Turret Lit By The Midsummer Midnight Sun
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#14 Frozen Adelie Penguin, Antarctica
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#15 A Dreamy Venice In Seal-Land
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#16 F. Bickerton Looking Out Over Seas Near Commonwealth Bay
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#17 State Library Of New South Wales Follow Hamilton Hand-Netting For Macro-Plankton From Aurora
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#18 Weddell Seal In Shackleton Ice Shelf, Antarctica
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#19 Shags Defending Nest, Macquarie Island
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#20 The Air-Tractor
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#21 Mertz Leaving The Hut By The Trapdoor On The Verandah Roof
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#22 Arthur Sawyer & Sea Elephant Pup
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#23 Australian Antarctic Expedition Members In The Kitchen
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#24 Wild & Watson In Sleeping Bag Tent On Sledge Journey
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#25 Victoria Penguin
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#26 Frank Hurley Washing Cinematograph Film On The “Aurora”
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#27 Female Sea-Elephant, Macquarie Island
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#28 Winter Quarters, Queen Mary Land Winter
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#29 Mawson Rests At The Side Of Sledge, Outward Bound On First Sledge Journey In Adelie Land
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#30 Start Of The First Depot Journey; “The Grottoes”
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#31 In Full Sledging Gear On The Plateau
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#32 State Library Of New South Wales Follow Aurora Traversing Loose Pack Ice Entering The Durville Sea
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#33 Bob Bage And J. Hunter At 65 Miles South
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#34 Bage In The Entrance To The Astronomic Observatory
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#35 Young Sea-Elephants On The Beach, Macquarie Ilsand
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#36 Madigan At The Rail & Mawson Stepping From The Rail Of The Aurora
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
#37 Unloading Supplies At Cape Denison
Image source: State Library of New South Wales
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