Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

The Antarctic

Near Wilton Bay on Laurie Island in the South Orkney Islands

Wilton Bay, on the south-west coast of Laurie Island in the South Orkney Islands, was named after David W Wilton (died 1940). He was the zoologist and sole Englishman on the 1902-1904 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition organised and led by Scottish scientist and explorer William S Bruce.

The printed results of Wilton's zoological researches occupy five of the seven published volumes of the "Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of SY Scotia during the years 1902, 1903, and 1904".

On the safe return of the Scotia in 1904, in recognition of his major contribution to the success of the expedition, Wilton was awarded the bronze medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Four of Wilton's scientific colleagues were also awarded the medal.