Vintage: First Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914)

Vintage: First Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914)

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2024

In 1911 a group of scientists and adventurers left Hobart under the leadership of Dr Douglas Mawson. They were bound for Macquarie Island and the then unknown parts of Antarctica. The scientists of the expedition produced information that later made an major contribution to knowledge of the region. The exploration of new lands established precedence to claims, formalised in 1936 as the Australian Antarctic Territory. Although James Francis (Frank) Hurley was the official photographer to the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, other members of the expedition also took photographs.

Wreck of the 'Gratitude', Macquarie Island, 1911

Wreck of the ‘Gratitude’, Macquarie Island, 1911

Skeleton of sea-elephant and Harold Hamilton, circa 1912

Skeleton of sea-elephant and Harold Hamilton, circa 1912

Start of the first Depot Journey; "The Grottoes", circa 1912

Start of the first Depot Journey; “The Grottoes”, circa 1912

Wild and Watson in sleeping bag tent on sledge journey, circa 1912

Wild and Watson in sleeping bag tent on sledge journey, circa 1912

Mertz leaving the hut by the trapdoor on the verandah roof, circa 1912

Mertz leaving the hut by the trapdoor on the verandah roof, circa 1912

Mushroom ice formation, 1912

Mushroom ice formation, 1912

Basilisk and Ginger at Main Base, circa 1912

Basilisk and Ginger at Main Base, circa 1912

Bage in the entrance to the Astronomic Observatory, Antarctica, 1911-1914

Bage in the entrance to the Astronomic Observatory, Antarctica, 1911-1914

F. Bickerton looking out over seas near Commonwealth Bay, circa 1912

F. Bickerton looking out over seas near Commonwealth Bay, circa 1912

Cavern carved by the sea in an ice wall near Commonwealth Bay, circa 1912

Cavern carved by the sea in an ice wall near Commonwealth Bay, circa 1912

The Air-tractor, circa 1912

The Air-tractor, circa 1912

Huskies pulling sledge, circa 1912

Huskies pulling sledge, circa 1912

Hamilton hand-netting for macro-plankton from Aurora, circa 1912

Hamilton hand-netting for macro-plankton from Aurora, circa 1912

Arthur Sawyer and sea elephant pup, circa 1912

Arthur Sawyer and sea elephant pup, circa 1912

via State Library of New South Wales


MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2024