The Antarctic Letters, written from the British Antarctic ex...

Hammer

£6,400

The Antarctic Letters, written from the British Antarctic expedition of 1901-1904 George Francis Arthur Mulock DSO, RN, FRGS (1882-1963) Letter 5 ‘Feb’ Postmarked 25th March 1903 To: Mrs Waymouth, Karewa From George F A Mulock (Cartographer, arrived on SV ‘Morning’ in 1903 and replaced Shackleton who was invalided home) Written from: (indistinct)? Strait On National Antarctic Expedition SY ‘Morning’ headed paper & with envelope. One sheet folded into four pages, two and half pages covered in handwriting. Excerpts: “The ice which still holds the ‘Discovery’ in her winter quarters, prevents us approaching nearer than 5 miles to her.” “Most of the ‘Discoverys’ think there is a chance of their being released later on in the summer months although all that remain seem in excellent spirits and quite prepared for second winter. I am sorry to say that the only opportunity I have had of using my sledge flag was in going to the discovery, a distance of 7 miles! but it is consoling to hope that if she winters down here again, there may yet be another chance.” Note: George Francis Arthur Mulock was born in 1882. He was educated at Stanmore Park and Dartmouth and qualified in marine surveying while serving in HMS Triton. Originally appointed in as sub-lieutenant on the British Relief Expedition 1902-03 (Morning) in 1902, he was seconded to the British National Antarctic Expedition 1901-04 (Discovery) in 1903 to take the place of Ernest Shackleton in the shore party, because of his particular skill in drafting charts. In November 1903, he accompanied Michael Barne on a ten-week southern journey to Barne Glacier. On the return of the expedition, Mulock was lent by the Admiralty to the Royal Geographical Society to complete the compilation of his Antarctic survey. His results were published by the Society in 1908 as 'The charts of the Discovery expedition'. During World War I Mulock served with distinction in the Gallipoli campaign with the Royal Navy. Retiring in 1920, he joined the Asiatic Petroleum Company in Shanghai as Marine Superintendent. He saw further naval service in the Second World War. Mulock died in Gibraltar on 26 December 1963, and is commemorated in the Antarctic with Mulock Glacier (79°00' S 160°00' E) and Mulock Inlet (79°08' S 160°40' E). (Biography courtesy of the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge) From the estate of the Lamorna artist Eleanor Hughes, née Waymouth, thence by descent. Mr & Mrs. Frederick Waymouth and their family lived in Christchurch on the South Island of New Zealand, in their grand home 'Karewa' now known as 'Mona Vale,' an important historic homestead. Mr Waymouth, a successful businessman, was the managing director of Canterbury Frozen Meats, and with his wife Alice, were prominent members of Christchurch society. The 'Discovery' docked in Lyttelton, the port for Christchurch, on 29th November 1901. The Waymouth family entertained members of the expedition in their beautiful home 'Karewa' and Frederick Waymouth also provisioned them with supplies. On December 21st, after a three-week stay in New Zealand, the 'Discovery' set sail and headed south for Antarctica. The correspondence that followed their visit is a testament of affection towards Alice Waymouth, and the warmth and hospitality she showed them is gratefully reflected back in the light-hearted conversational nature of these letters even when discussing the hardships of extreme cold and being locked long-term within the ice pack. In the introduction to his account of the 1901 expedition ‘The Voyage of the Discovery’ Robert F Scott writes about the kindness his team received from the people of New Zealand. He goes on to list nine men who provided particular assistance and this includes Frederick Waymouth. “In considering such general kindness it is almost invidious to mention particular names, but the following gentlemen are among those who must be especially remembered by us for the manner in which they were ever ready to assist us: His Excellency the Governor Lord Ranfurly, the Premier Mr Sedden, the Hon. C C Bowen, Captain Hutton of the Christchurch Museum, Mr Kinsey, Mr Waymouth, Mr A Rhodes, Mr Coleridge Farr of the Christchurch Observatory and Mr H J Miller of Lyttelton.” Further information in our blog