From Edinburgh to the Antarctic
An Artist's Notes and Sketches during the Dundee Antarctic Expedition of 1892–93

In 1894, an account and sketches of a whaling expedition of 1892–3 by the on-board artist.

William Gordon Burn Murdoch (Author), W. S. Bruce (Contributions by)

9781108048248, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 April 2012

384 pages, 121 b/w illus. 3 maps
21.6 x 14 x 2.2 cm, 0.49 kg

Scottish artist W. G. Burn Murdoch (1862–1939) joined a whaling expedition to Antarctica that left Dundee in 1892. He was on board the barque Balaena, the largest of the ships in the group, and under the command of Captain Fairweather. They were searching for the valuable Bowhead whale, which had been sighted on Ross' 1839–43 Antarctic expedition. Although unsuccessful at achieving this aim, the ships returned in 1893 loaded with seal pelts. First published in 1894, this is Murdoch's account of the expedition, illustrated throughout with his sketches. He documents each stage of the voyage, and describes living conditions on the Balaena. His illustrations include scenes such as the Ship's departure and ice landscapes, as well as focusing on the daily work of the crew. The Ship's naturalist, William S. Bruce (1867–1921), wrote the final chapter, focusing on the scientific observations he made during the voyage.

1. Written in the North-East trades, recalling our departure from Edinburgh and the University Hall
2. In Dundee we sign articles as assistant-surgeon on the barque Balaena, bound for the Antarctic and the adjacent seas
3. A short account of the origin and objects of the Dundee Antarctic expedition
4. Further notes during the bad weather
5. Fine weather at sea
6. Old horse day
7. An account of how two boys came to stow away in the Balaena, written by one of them
8. We run into the North-East trades
9. We cross the Line
10. A tropical storm
11. Albatross fishing
12. Changeable weather
13. The Falkland Islands
14. Leave the Falklands
15. Christmas Eve in the Antarctic ice
16. Christmas Day
17. The pack-ice that barred the progress of Ross's sailing vessels
18. Off to the North again
19. By W. S. Bruce, naturalist on the Balaena.

Subject Areas: Historical geography [HBTP]