Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

People of the Expedition

Men with dogs and a cage of penguins at the bow of an ice-bound ship

Penguins had a double significance for the members of the 1902-1904 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition. From a scientific point of view they were of considerable interest to the zoologists, but they were of perhaps even greater interest to the other personnel as a popular source of fresh food.

Once the unusual taste of penguin meat had become familiar, it proved to be a great favourite: fried and stewed, or as a basis for soup and curry.

The examples in this photograph were probably zoological specimens, at least initially.There would have been no other need to keep them alive, as their carcasses would have stayed fresh in the Arctic temperatures.