Antarctic Adventures by Emma Brook

On Saturday 27th May, Emma Brook talked to the group about early explorers and what it is like to live in Antarctica. 

Captain James Cook - 1773 crossed the Antarctic circle but never saw land.

Captain William Smith - 1819 sighted the South Shetlands and reported his sighting but was not believed. He returned and made charts. 

Captain Edward Bransfield - 1820 hired Captain Williams to take him to Antarctica.

Captain Thaddeus Von Bellingshausen - 1820 First to set foot on the Antarctic continent three days before Captain Bransfield arrived.

Captain James Weddell - 1823 Set a new record furthest South. Weddell Sea is named after him and Weddell Island in the Falkland Islands.

Captain John Biscoe - 1830 Master of Tula and the Lively sealing vessels in the Falkland Islands. He circumnavigated Antarctica three times. The ship John Biscoe a supply and research vessel used by the British Antarctic Survey are named after him.  

Captain James Clark Ross - 1839 Commanded Erebus and Terror. He was sent to discover the Southern Magnetic Pole. Ross Sea, Ross Island and another supply and research vessel used by the British Antarctic Survey are named after him.

The group were tasked to highlight places on a map, and were shown a very old map of when Antarctica did not exist.

Emma talked to the group about her 10-years seasonal work living onboard the Clipper Adventurer as a geologist lecturer exploring Antarctica. Emma used to be a Zodiac driver taking people ashore, which could be quite challenging at times. She showed us photos of all the different wildlife, landscapes, scientific stations, people swimming in volcanic waters and pictures of entertainment during the festive times. 

The group had to plan their own expedition and plan what to take with them. To help them they headed to the Antarctic Heritage Room in the Museum. Here you will find the Reclus Hut, clothing and a sledge - amongst many more items.   Some of the items the group decided they would take included: Clothing, food supplies and items to entertain themselves - such as playing cards.

After running through the lists together Emma had a few fossils to show the group.  The rocks were broken up to reveal even more fossils which meant every member of the group was able to take a piece home.  

Thank you so much to Emma Brook for a fantastic talk and activities. 

Thank you also to Alison Barton for volunteering to help.