Memories frozen in time: from ships covered in ice to a VERY startled penguin, rare vintage photos from early 20th century British and Australian Antarctic expeditions
Advertisement
Explore the Antarctic of 100 years ago, courtesy of these rare vintage photos.
The photos are amazing archive photos from early 20th century Antarctic expeditions that have recently been digitized by the National Archives of Australia and the Australian Antarctic Division.
The collection consists of hundreds of black and white photographs and glass negatives documenting the harsh conditions, unusual wildlife and everyday life of epic voyages such as the Australian Antarctic Expedition and the British Antarctic Expedition, both of which took place in the 1910s.
The Director General of the National Archives of Australia, Simon Froude, said: ‘I am delighted that this collection will be held within the National Archives for future generations to access. These photographs complement other national collections documenting Australia’s exploration and research in Antarctica.
“The images provide a unique picture of the difficult conditions the explorers faced. There are fantastic photos of the unique wildlife, as well as photos that reflect the science and technology of the time.’
While Deputy Director-General for Collections Management, Steven Fox, said: ‘This collection is rare and fragile. By acquiring, preserving, digitizing and preserving it, it becomes accessible now and for future generations. The public has digital access to a range of documents, from very early Antarctic explorations to later expeditions.’ Scroll down for a journey through time…
This captivating photo shows a royal penguin colony on Nuggets Beach, Macquarie Island, in the Southwest Pacific. The photo was taken during the Australian Antarctic Expedition, an expedition from 1911 to 1914 led by Australian explorer Douglas Mawson
This photo from the Australian Antarctic Expedition shows the Aurora research vessel covered in a layer of ice. The ship was later purchased by Ernest Shackleton. It’s not certain who took this photo, but it’s thought it could be the work of Australian photographer and adventurer Frank Hurley
This shot captures a giant iceberg captured during the British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE), which took place between 1929 and 1931
LEFT: This photo of a bull southern elephant seal was taken during the British-Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Exploration Expedition. RIGHT: This close-up of an apparently startled Adelie penguin was taken during the British Antarctic Expedition under Captain Robert Falcon Scott between 1910 and 1913
This photo from the British Antarctic Expedition shows unidentified men sewing and cutting rope
An unknown man stands in a hole dug in the ice. This photo was taken during the British Antarctic Expedition
The polar expedition ship Terra Nova is held in pack ice in this glass plate negative of the British Antarctic Expedition of the 1910s
LEFT: Two seals are depicted near an ice cliff in this glass negative from the British Antarctic Expedition. RIGHT: This photo from the British Antarctic Expedition shows husky dogs sitting on ice
This photo from the British Antarctic Expedition shows English artist George Edward Marston reading a book while a candle rests on his head for light. Marston also joined Ernest Shackleton on two separate expeditions to Antarctica
In this scene from the British Antarctic Expedition, an unknown man is seen taking a bath
This photo from the British Antarctic Expedition shows an unidentified man exercising Greenland huskies
It is not known during which Antarctic expedition this was recorded. The identity of the man staring at large icebergs in the photo is also unknown
Group captain Stuart Campbell (centre) raises the Australian flag over Heard Island in the Southern Ocean on 26 December 1947. Campbell was the leader of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition, which started that same year