The Home of the Blizzard / Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914

by Sir Douglas Mawson

Western Base Party
F. Wild Leader.
A. D. Watson Geologist.
Dr. S. E. Jones Medical Officer.
C. T. Harrisson Biologist.
M. H. Moyes Meteorologist.
A. L. Kennedy Magnetician.
C. A. Hoadley Geologist.
G. Dovers Cartographer.
In addition to these were the following gentlemen who accompanied
the Expedition for a portion of the time only or who joined later.
S. N. Jeffryes Wireless Operator, who relieved
W. H. Hannam during 1913.
E. R. Waite (Curator, Canterbury Museum, Christchurch),
Biologist, first Sub-Antarctic cruise of
'Aurora'.
Professor T. T. Flynn (Hobart University), Biologist, second
Sub-Antarctic cruise of 'Aurora'.
J. van Waterschoot Marine Artist, second Antarctic cruise of
van der Gracht 'Aurora'.
Captain James Davis Whaling authority, second Antarctic cruise
of 'Aurora'.
C. C. Eitel Secretary, second Antarctic cruise of 'Aurora'.
N. C. Toucher, and later Served in the capacity of Chief Officer
F. D. Fletcher on the 'Aurora' during the earlier voyages.

[TEXT ILLUSTRATION]
Signatures of members of the land parties in Antarctica and at
Macquarie Island

[Accounts of the members of the expedition, in alphabetical order.]
G. F. AINSWORTH, thirty** years of age, single, was born in Sydney,
New South Wales. His services were loaned to the expedition by the
Commonwealth Meteorological Bureau, Melbourne. For a period of two
years he acted as leader of the Macquarie Island Party, carrying out
the duties of Meteorologist. In the summer of 1913-1914 he visited
the Antarctic during the final cruise of the 'Aurora'.

** The ages refer to the date of joining the Expedition and are but
approximate.
R. BAGE, twenty-three years of age, single, was a graduate in
Engineering of Melbourne University and a lieutenant in the Royal
Australian Engineers. A member of the Main Base Party (Adelie Land)
and leader of the Southern Sledging Party, he remained in the
Antarctic for two years. During the first year he was in charge of
chronometers, astronomical observations and tidal records, and
throughout the second year continued the magnetic work and looked
after stores.
F. H. BICKERTON, F.R.G.S., twenty-two years of age, single, was born
at Oxford, England. Had studied engineering: joined the Expedition
as Electrical Engineer and Motor Expert. A member of the Main Base
Party and leader of the Western Sledging Party, he remained in the
Antarctic for two years, during which time he was in charge of the
air-tractor sledge, and was engineer to the wireless station. For
a time, during the second year, he was in complete charge of the
wireless plant.
J. H. BLAIR, twenty-four years of age, single, was born in Scotland.
For five years he served with the Loch Line of Glasgow as apprentice
and third mate. As second mate he joined A. Currie and Company, of
Melbourne, in the Australian-Indian trade, reaching the rank of first
mate, in which capacity he acted during the final Antarctic cruise of
the 'Aurora' in the summer of 1913-14.
L. R. BLAKE, twenty-one years of age, single, was born in England,
but had lived for many years in Queensland previous to joining the
Expedition. Before accompanying the Macquarie Island Party as
Geologist and Cartographer, he obtained leave from the Geological
Survey Department, Brisbane. He visited the Antarctic during the
final cruise of the 'Aurora' in the summer of 1913-1914.
J. H. Close, F.R.G.S., forty years of age, married, was born in
Sydney, New South Wales. During the South African War he saw active
service in Rhodesia, and at the time of the Expedition's departure was
a teacher of physical culture at Sydney. A member of the Main Base
Party (Adelie Land) and of several sledging parties, he spent two
summers and one winter in the Antarctic.
P. E. CORRELL, nineteen years of age, single, was a student in
Science of the Adelaide University. He joined the Expedition
as Mechanician and Assistant Physicist. He was a member of the Main
Base Party accompanying the Eastern Coastal Party during their
sledging journey. He spent three summers and one winter in the
Antarctic, acting as colour photographer during the final cruise of
the 'Aurora'.
J. E. DAVIS, twenty-eight years of age, single, was master of the
'Aurora' and Second-in-Command of the Expedition. Born in Ireland and
educated in England, he served his apprenticeship on the Liverpool
owned sailing-ship, 'Celtic Chief', obtaining his certificate
as second mate before joining the barque 'Westland' trading between
England and New Zealand. His next post was that of second officer on
the training ship 'Port Jackson', following which he joined Sir Ernest
Shackleton's Expedition (1907-1909) as chief officer of the 'Nimrod',
acting subsequently as master. Throughout the whole period of the
Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914) Captain J. K. Davis
commanded the 'Aurora' during five cruises.
G. DOVERS, twenty-one years of age, single, of Sydney, New South Wales,
was completing his term for Licensed Surveyor in the service of the
Commonwealth Government when he joined the Expedition. He was in
the Antarctic for two summers and one winter, being stationed with the
Western Party (Queen Mary Land). A member of several sledging parties,
he acted as Cartographer to the party which reached Gaussberg.
F. J. GILLIES, thirty-five years of age, single, was born at Cardiff,
Wales. He served his apprenticeship as an engineer on the steamers of
John Shearman and Company and P. Baker and Company of Cardiff. For
six years previous to joining the Expedition he was in the Indian trade.
Throughout the five cruises of the 'Aurora' between 1911 and 1914 F. J.
Gillies was Chief Engineer.
P. GRAY, twenty-two years of age, single, was born and educated in
England. He served on the 'Worcester' as cadet captain for eighteen
months and as apprentice on the 'Archibald Russell', of Glasgow, and
in the New Zealand Shipping Company. In 1909 he entered the Peninsula
and Oriental Company and reached the rank of third officer, joining
the Australasian Antarctic Expedition as second officer of the 'Aurora'.
Throughout five cruises, from 1911 to 1914, he served in this capacity.
H. HAMILTON, twenty-six years of age, single, was born at Napier, New
Zealand. Graduate of the Otago University. Besides being employed on
the New Zealand Geological Survey, he acted as Entomological Collector
to the Dominion Museum at Wellington. A member of the Macquarie
Island Party, of which he was the Biologist for two years, H. Hamilton
visited the Antarctic during the final cruise of the 'Aurora' in the
summer of 1913-1914.
W. H. HANNAM, twenty-six years of age, single, was of Sydney, New
South Wales, and joined the Expedition in charge of the arrangements
for a wireless telegraphic system. He was in the Antarctic at the
Main Base (Adelie Land) for two summers and a winter, and was
successful in transmitting wireless messages for a short time during
1912 through Macquarie Island to Australia, assistant magnetician for
a time.
C. T. HARRISSON, forty-three years of age, married, was born in
Hobart, Tasmania. For many years previous to joining the Expedition
he had done illustrative and artistic work and had been engaged on a
survey and in botanical and other scientific observations on the west
coast of Tasmania. Stationed with the Western Base (Queen Mary Land)
he acted as Biologist and Artist, accompanying F. Wild on his main
eastern journey and several other sledging parties.
C. A. HOADLEY, twenty-four years of age, single, was a graduate in
Mining Engineering of Melbourne University. A member of F. Wild's
Western Party (Queen Mary Land), he took part in several sledging
journeys and was Geologist of the party who explored westwards to
Gaussberg.
A. J. HODGEMAN, twenty-six years of age, single, was born at
Adelaide, South Australia. For four years he was an articled
architect, and for five years a draughtsman in the Works and Buildings
Department, Adelaide. A member of the Main Base Party (Adelie Land),
he took part in several sledging journeys, and throughout two years
in the Antarctic acted in the capacity of Cartographer and Sketch
Artist, as well as that of Assistant Meteorologist.
J. G. HUNTER, twenty-three years of age, single, was a graduate in
Science of Sydney University, New South Wales. A member of the Main
Base Party (Adelie Land) he carried on the work of Biologist during
two summers and one winter; and in the same capacity accompanied
the 'Aurora' in her final summer cruise 1911-1914.
J. F. HURLEY, twenty-four years of age, single, was of Sydney, New
South Wales. He had been the recipient of many amateur and professional
awards for photographic work before joining the Expedition. At the
Main Base he obtained excellent photographic and cinematographic records
and was one of the three members of the Southern Sledging Party. He
was also present on the final cruise of the 'Aurora'.
S. N. JEFFRYES, twenty-seven years of age, single, of Towoomba,
Queensland, was a qualified operator of the Australasian Wireless
Company. During the second year (1913) he took W. H. Hannam's place
in charge of the wireless plant, wintering at the Main Base (Adelie
Land).
S. E. JONES, twenty-four years of age, single, was a graduate in
Medicine of Sydney University, New South Wales. A member and Medical
Officer of F. Wild's Western Base (Queen Mary Land), he took part in
several sledging journeys during 1912 and was leader of the party who
explored westward to Gaussberg.
A. L. KENNEDY, twenty-two years of age, single, was a student in
Science of Adelaide University, South Australia. Receiving special
tuition, he acted as Magnetician at the Western Base (Queen Mary
Land) during the year 1912. He was a member of several sledging
parties and accompanied F. Wild on his main eastern journey as
Cartographer.
C. F. LASERON, twenty-five years of age, single, had gained a
Diploma in Geology at the Technical College, Sydney, New South Wales,
and for some years was Collector to the Technological Museum. At the
Main Base (Adelie Land), during 1912, he acted as Taxidermist and
general Collector, taking part, as well, in sledging journeys to the
south and east of Winter Quarters.
C. T. MADIGAN, twenty-three years of age, single, was a graduate in
Science (Mining Engineering) of Adelaide University, South Australia.
Through the courtesy of the Trustees of the Rhodes Scholarship, the
necessary leave to accompany the Expedition was granted just as he
was on the eve of continuing his studies at Oxford University. A
member of the Main Base Party (Adelie Land) he acted as Meteorologist
for two years, and during the second year (1913) was also in charge of
the Greenland dogs. An important journey in the spring and one to
the east in the summer were made under his leadership, and the Party,
left in Adelie Land in 1913, was to have been under his charge, but
for my return.
D. MAWSON, thirty years of age, single, was the Organiser and Leader
of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition and was, previous to it, a
member of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition of 1907-1909,
being one of the party under Professor David which reached the South
Magnetic Pole. A graduate in Science and Engineering of Sydney and
Adelaide Universities, he had filled for some time the post of
Lecturer in Mineralogy and Petrology at the Adelaide University.
The only survivor of a party sledging to the east from the Main Base
in the summer of 1912-1913.
A. L. McLEAN, twenty-six years of age, single, was a graduate in Arts
and Medicine of Sydney University; New South Wales. He acted as
Chief Medical Officer at the Main Base (Adelie Land) and carried out
observations in Bacteriology and Physiology during the first year.
In 1913 (the second year) he was Biologist, Ice-Carrier and Editor of
the 'Adelie Blizzard'. He took part in a sledging journey along the
eastern coast in the summer of 1912-1913.
X. MERTZ, twenty-eight years of age, single, of Basle, Switzerland,
was a graduate in Law of the Universities of Leipzig and Berne. Prior
to joining the Expedition he had gained the Ski-running Championship
of Switzerland and was an experienced mountaineer. At the Main Base
(Adelie Land) he was assisted by B. E. S. Ninnis in the care of
the Greenland dogs. On January 7, 1913, during a sledging journey,
he lost his life, one hundred miles south-east of Winter Quarters.
C. P. DE LA MOTTE, nineteen years of age, single, of Bulli, New
South Wales, had early training at sea on the barque 'Northern Chief'
of New Zealand, obtaining his certificate as second mate in March
1911. During the eight months prior to joining the Expedition he
served as fourth officer on the S.S. 'Warrimoo' of the Union Steamship
Company of New Zealand. Throughout the five cruises of the 'Aurora'
between 1911 and 1914, C. P. de la Motte was third officer with the
Ship's party.
M. H. MOYES, twenty-five years of age, single, of Koolunga, South
Australia, was a graduate in Science of Adelaide University. With the
Western Base Party (Queen Mary Land) he acted as Meteorologist and
took part in several sledging journeys in the autumn and spring of
1912. During the summer of 1912-1913, through an unavoidable
accident, he was left to carry on work alone at Winter Quarters for
a period of nine weeks.
H. D. MURPHY, thirty-two years of age, single, of Melbourne,
one-time Scholar in History of Oxford University. At the outset he
was to have been leader of a third Antarctic Base which was eventually
amalgamated with the Main Base (Adelie Land). Here he had charge of
the stores and during the early summer of 1912 was leader of the
Southern Supporting Party.
B. E. S. NINNIS, twenty-three years of age, single, was educated at
Dulwich, England, and entered His Majesty's Army, having a commission
as Lieutenant in the Royal Fusiliers prior to joining the Expedition
in London. At the Main Base (Adelie Land) he was assisted by X. Mertz
in the care of the Greenland dogs. On December 14, 1912, while on a
sledging journey, he lost his life by falling into a crevasse three
hundred miles east of Winter Quarters.
C. A. SANDELL, twenty-five years of age, single, of Surrey, England,
studied electrical engineering for some years and then came to
Australia in 1909 and entered the Commonwealth Branch of Telephony.
Having a practical knowledge of wireless telegraphy he joined the
Expedition as a Wireless Operator and Mechanic and was stationed with
the Macquarie Island Party for two years. After the departure of A.
J. Sawyer in August 1913, he was in complete charge of the wireless
station. C. A. Sandell visited the Antarctic during the final
cruise of the 'Aurora' in the summer of 1913-1914.
A. J. SAWYER, twenty-six years of age, single, was born in New
Zealand. Having had considerable experience in wireless telegraphy,
he joined the Expedition as an operator from the Australasian Wireless
Company. At the Macquarie Island Station he was chief wireless until
August 1913, when on account of illness he returned to New Zealand.
F. L. STILLWELL, twenty-three years of age, single, was a graduate
in Science of Melbourne University, Victoria. A member of the Main
Base Party (Adelie Land) he acted as Geologist. F. L. Stillwell
was leader of two sledging parties who did detail work for about sixty
miles along the coast eastward of Winter Quarters.
A. D. WATSON, twenty-four years of age, single, was a graduate in
Science of Sydney University, New South Wales. A member of the
Western Base Party (Queen Mary Land) he acted as Geologist. A. D.
Watson took part in several sledging journeys, accompanying F. Wild
in his main eastern trip during the summer of 1912-1913.
E. N. WEBB, twenty-two years of age, single, was an Associate of
Civil Engineering of Canterbury University College, and, for the
five months previous to joining the Expedition, carried out magnetic
observations under the Carnegie Institute of Washington, U.S.A. At
the Main Base (Adelie Land) E. N. Webb was Chief Magnetician,
accompanying the Southern Sledging Party.
L. A. WHETTER, twenty-nine years of age, single. He graduated at
Otago University, New Zealand, and joined the Expedition as Surgeon,
acting in that capacity at the Main Base (Adelie Land) during 1912.
He accompanied a sledging party which explored to the westward of
Winter Quarters.
F. WILD, thirty-eight years of age, single, was Leader of the Western
Base Party (Queen Mary Land). He joined the Merchant Service in
1889 and the Navy in 1900, served on an extended sledge journey
during the National Antarctic Expedition (Capt. R. F. Scott) of
1901-1904, and was one of the Southern Party of Sir Ernest
Shackleton's Expedition from 1907-1909. During the Australasian
Expedition he opened up a new tract of country—Queen Mary Land.
I desire to make special mention of the Ship's Party who faced the
rigorous conditions of Antarctica and the stormy Southern Ocean,
during five separate voyages, with a cheerfulness and devotion to duty
which will always stand to their lasting credit. In regions of heavy
pack-ice and sudden blizzard winds, Captain Davis piloted the Ship
safely through many situations of extreme danger. In a report to me
on the work of the Ship he writes an appreciative note:—
"I wish to draw particular attention to the loyal way in which the
officers and men of the 'Aurora' supported me. Messrs. Toucher,
Fletcher, Blair, Gray, de la Motte, and Gillies, in their respective
positions, carried out the duties assigned to them with ability and
cheerfulness, often under very trying conditions.
"Mr. Gillies not only looked after the engines but assisted
materially in the deep-sea work by the invention of a new form of
sounding driver which was used successfully during the various
cruises of the 'Aurora'.
"The Chief Officer was in charge of the stores and equipment of the
Expedition on board the vessel, in addition to his ordinary executive
duties. Messrs. Toucher, Fletcher and Blair served in this capacity
on different voyages.
"Mr. P. Gray, as Second and Navigating Officer, and Mr. C. P. de
la Motte, as Third Officer, acted capably and thoroughly throughout
the Expedition."
APPENDIX II
Scientific Work

It should be remarked that there is no intention of furnishing
anything more than a suggestion of the general trend of the scientific
observations of the Expedition. The brief statement made below
indicates the broad lines on which the work was conducted and in some
cases the ground which was actually covered. It may thus give the
general reader a clue to the nature of the scientific volumes which
will serve to record permanently the results amassed during a period
of more than two years.

Terrestrial Magnetism
1. Field Work.
(a) Dip determinations were made at Macquarie Island, on the eastern
and southern journeys from the Main Base (Adelie Land) and on a
short journey from the Western Base (Queen Mary Land).
(b) Declination by theodolite observations was determined at
Macquarie Island and at intervals on all sledging journeys in the
Antarctic.
(c) Rough observations of magnetic variation were made daily on the
'Aurora' during her five cruises.
2. Station Work.
(a) Regular magnetograph records were kept at the Main Base (Adelie Land)
for a period of eighteen months. A system of term days for quick runs
was also followed; Melbourne, Christchurch, and other stations co
operating. In connexion with the magnetograph work, Webb conducted
regular, absolute observations throughout the year 1912. Bage continued
the magnetograph records for a further six months in 1913, observed
term days, and took absolute observations.
(b) At the Western Base (Queen Mary Land) Kennedy kept term days in
the winter, using a magnetometer and dip-circle.

Biology
1. Station Collections.
(a) At Macquarie Island, Hamilton worked for two years amongst a rich
fauna and a scanty but interesting flora. Amongst other discoveries
a finch indigenous to Macquarie Island was found.
(b) In Adelie Land, Hunter, assisted by Laseron, secured a large
biological collection, notwithstanding the continuous bad weather.
Dredgings from depths down to fifty fathoms were made during the
winter. The eggs of practically all the flying birds known along
Antarctic shores were obtained, including those of the silver-grey
petrel and the Antarctic petrel, which were not previously known;
also a variety of prion, of an unrecorded species, together with its
eggs.
(c) At the Western Base (Queen Mary Land) eggs of the Antarctic and
other petrels were found, and a large rookery of Emperor penguins was
located; the second on record. Harrisson, working under difficulties,
succeeded in trapping some interesting fish on the bottom in two
hundred and fifty fathoms of water.
2. Ship Collections.
(a) A collection made by Mr. E. R. Waite, Curator of the Canterbury
Museum, on the first Sub-Antarctic cruise.
(b) A collection made by Professor T. T. Flynn, of Hobart, on the
second Sub-Antarctic cruise.
(c) A collection made by Hunter, assisted by Hamilton, in Antarctic
waters during the summer of 1913-1914. This comprised deep-sea
dredgings at eleven stations in depths down to one thousand eight
hundred fathoms and regular tow-nettings, frequently serial, to
depths of two hundred fathoms. Six specimens of the rare Ross seal
were secured. A large collection of external and internal parasites
was made from birds, seals and fish.

Geology
(a) A geological examination of Macquarie Island was made by Blake.
The older rocks were found to be all igneous. The Island has been
overridden in comparatively recent times by an ice-cap travelling
from west to east.
(b) Geological collections at the Main Base. In Adelie Land the rocky
outcrops are metamorphic sediments and gneisses. In King George V
Land there is a formation similar to the Beacon sandstones and dolerites
of the Ross Sea, with which carbonaceous shales and coaly strata are
associated.
(c) Stillwell met with a great range of minerals and rocks in the
terminal moraine near Winter Quarters, Adelie Land. Amongst them was
red sandstone in abundance, suggesting that the Beacon sandstone
formation extends also throughout Adelie Land but is hidden by the
ice-cap. A solitary stony meteorite was found by a sledging party
lying on the ice of the plateau.
(d) In the collections made by Watson and Hoadley at the Western
Base (Queen Mary Land) gneisses and schists were ascertained to be
the predominant types.
(e) A collection of erratics was brought up by the deep-sea trawl in
the course of dredgings in Antarctic waters.

Glaciology
(a) Observations of the pack-ice, coastal glaciers and shelf-ice from
the 'Aurora' during her three Antarctic cruises.
(b) Observations of the niveous and glacial features met with on the
sledging journeys from both Antarctic bases.

Meteorology
(a) Two years' observations at Macquarie Island by Ainsworth
(b) Two years' observations in Adelie Land by Madigan.
(c) One year's observations in Queen Mary Land by Moyes.
(d) Observations by the Ship on each of her five voyages.
(e) Observations during the many sledging journeys from both
Antarctic Bases.