Robert Falcon Scott - Quick facts

 

 

 

Robert Falcon Scott was a British naval officer and Antarctic explore

He was born on the 6th June 1868 to Hannah and John in Devonport England

Scott is remembered for his bravery in losing the race to the South Pole

Scott was just 33 when he was given command of the National Antarctic Expedition

Scott was a British naval officer and is one of the most revered explorers in Antarctic history

He discovered King Edward VII Land (now known as Edward VII Peninsula)

Following the news of his death, Scott became an iconic British hero, a status maintained for more than 50 years and reflected by the many permanent memorials erected across the nation.

Robert Falcon Scott - Quotes

A big iceberg sailed past the ship this afternoon.

A chain of bergs must form a great obstruction to a field of pack ice, largely preventing its drift and forming lanes of open water.

A milder situation might be found for the ponies if only we could picket them off the snow.

All the scientific people keep night watch when they have no special work to do, and I have never seen a party of men so anxious to be doing work or so cheerful in doing it.

An Emperor penguin was found on the Cape well advanced in moult, a good specimen skin.

As one looks across the barren stretches of the pack, it is sometimes difficult to realise what teeming life exists immediately beneath its surface.

Bowers reported a floe of 12 square miles in the middle watch.

But if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the honour of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to see that those who depend on us are properly cared for.

But take comfort in that I die at peace with the world and myself - not afraid.

But we have been to the Pole and we shall die like gentlemen. I regret only for the women we leave behind.

Certainly dog driving is the most terrible work one has to face in this sort of business.

Coal is now the great anxiety - we are making terrible inroads on our supply - we have come 240 miles since we first entered the pack streams.

Do you remember I warned you that secretiveness was strongly developed in me? Don't forget that at forty the reserve of a lifetime is not easily broken.

Each man in his way is a treasure.

Every day some new fact comes to light - some new obstacle which threatens the gravest obstruction. I suppose this is the reason which makes the game so well worth playing.

Everything looks hopeful for the depot journey if only we can get our stores and ponies past the Glacier Tongue.

For God's sake, look after our people.

Found party much shorter of blubber than I had expected - they were only just keeping themselves supplied with a seal killed two days before and one as we arrived.

Had we lived I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale.

Hunger and fear are the only realities in dog life: an empty stomach makes a fierce dog.

I am ready to insist on these conditions to the point of resignation if, in my opinion, their refusal imperils the success of the undertaking.

I can imagine few things more trying to the patience than the long wasted days of waiting.

I fear we have shot our bolt - but we have been to Pole and done the longest journey on record.

I maintain that our arrangements for returning were quite adequate, and that no one in the world would have expected the temperatures and surfaces which we encountered at this time of the year.

I may not have proved a great explorer, but we have done the greatest march ever made and come very near to great success.

I must be consulted in all future appointments, both civilians and others, especially the doctor.

I must be consulted on all matters affecting the equipment of the landing parties.

I must have complete command of the ship and landing parties. There cannot be two heads.

I read the Church service every Sunday on our voyage to Melbourne and I propose to do the same with equal regularity throughout the voyage.

I shall not have suffered any pain, but leave the world fresh from harness and full of good health and vigour.

I take this opportunity of saying that we have stuck to our sick companions to the last.

If we can get through the ice in the coming effort we may get all the ponies through safely, but there would be no great cause for surprise if we lost two or three more.

In any case, if it holds or not, it will be a great relief to feel that there is this plain of negotiable ice behind one.