Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

People of the Expedition

Letter from Thomas Robertson, captain of the Scotia, to Ernest Shackleton

Thomas Robertson of Peterhead was master of the Scotia on the 1902-1904 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition.

He had had much experience of polar navigation as master of various whalers, notably the Active on the 1892-1893 Dundee Antarctic Expedition, during which William S Bruce sailed as surgeon on the Balaena (one of three other ships on that expedition).

Following the success of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, Robertson wrote to the then secretary of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Ernest Shackleton, requesting the society's diploma of fellowship in recognition of his vital contribution. On 20 October 1904 the Royal Scottish Geographical Society council had already decided on the award of the society's silver medal, and on 20 December it approved the further award of fellowship.