On his way home from the South Pole, Captain Robert Falcon Scott met his untimely demise in 1912. Suffering from hypothermia and starvation, Captain Scott and the individuals accompanying him, met their death. His tragic end followed the bitter pill of relinquishing the title of first to the South Pole. His attempt at this competition ensured his status as national hero.
It is only now, following many years of analysis and research, that the unforgiving nature of the climate of Antarctica is understood, and it’s affects on explorers is realized. Winter air temperatures could reach minus 90 degrees Celsius. Winds traveled about 67 kilometers per hour. In 1912, with little understanding of the devastating hazards the continent had in store for him, Scott was ill prepared for the task he was undertaking.
As a scientist in the Polar Regions, Scott expressed his overwhelming feeling of isolation to his wife in letters he wrote to her. Even today, with the technological advances in communications, scientists who work in this area, report that they are still plagued by the same feelings of isolation. Scott’s death made his wife a widow and single mother to her young son.
A relief expedition sent several months later found Scott’s body, along with letters he had written to his wife. The doomed expedition was found only 11 miles from the supply camp. Word of Scott’s death was sent to his widow in New Zealand, where she had been anxiously awaiting his return.
Historians can learn much by reading the Scott’s letters to his wife. In the beginning, his letters were positive and explained how much he enjoyed sitting down to a good meal. There was not much complaining going on about the cold, seemed that the warm food made up for it.
But as the expedition wore on and food began to run out Scott’s tone in the letters becomes darker. He talks about the cold weather worsening, and temperatures not slacking off. In the letters he explained how they had to eat only one hot meal and two days of cold food while traveling 11 miles.
Although Scott was a pioneer in the field of exploration, he had bad luck twice over with this trek. He lost the race to the South Pole to Norwegian Roald Amundsen. Amundsmen arrived on December 21, 1911, beating out Scott, who arrived on January 18, 1912, by nearly one month.
Scott became a national hero due to his incursion to Antarctica from 1902-1904. Scott, along with Dr. Edward Wilson, and Lieutenant Henry Bowers, held on to the belief that they would be able to complete the journey. Captain Lawrence Oats and Petty Office Edgar Evans weren’t so lucky.
With just twenty miles until the next depot, the expedition stowed their provisions. They were almost out of food and fuel. Scott then told his wife in a letter that she could find a new husband in the event of his death. In the same letter, he wrote of temps reaching negative 70, and only a tent to provide protection.
He never once expressed any remorse or regret for setting out on his final journey. He said he enjoyed what he was doing rather than sitting idly by at home. Throughout the years that have followed, many Brits young and old, have been encouraged by Scott’s endearing will and perseverance.
Roald Amundsen beat Captain Robert Scott’s team to the South Pole by several weeks. He met his death on March 29, 1912. Published as “Scott’s Last Expedition,” his journals are available for study.
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