Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

The Antarctic

Coastal view with floating ice

A peripheral scientific subject investigated during the 1902-1904 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, led by the Scottish scientist and explorer William S Bruce, was the behaviour of polar ice. This research embraced not only terrestrial glaciology but also the formation and structure of ice at sea.

A practical understanding of this was absolutely essential for the safe progress of the ship, and indeed for the survival of the entire party. A more abstract interest was also shown, and many photographs were taken of various forms of sea ice in an attempt to understand its formation and movement.

Here we see an example of the moderately large low-level masses of ice floating in close proximity to an Antarctic coastal environment.