Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions

Brian Roberts

doi:10.1017/S0032247400052153

Chronological list of Antarctic expeditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 October 2009

Brian Roberts

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This list was first published in the second edition of the Antarctic Pilot (London, Hydrographie Department, 1948, p. 6–25). Since that time it has been possible to make a large number of important corrections and additions. A check-list of this kind has been found necessary for classifying original log books, published narratives and other documents connected with the expeditions. It is hoped that it will also prove of value to those engaged in Antarctic research who may wish to check which expeditions have visited any particular area.

Type: Articles
Information: Polar Record , Volume 9 , Issue 59 , May 1958 , pp. 97 - 134

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0032247400052153 [Opens in a new window]
Copyright: Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1958

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^{page 98 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 98 note 2} Commander unknown. Voyage described by a passenger, le Sieur Ducloz Guyot.

^{page 99 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 99 note 2} Following Cook's account of his discoveries, British sealers started work at South Georgia in 1778. They were soon followed by Americans and the industry developed rapidly. In 1791, there were at least 102 vessels engaged in securing Fur Seals and Elephant Seal oil in the Southern Ocean, but there is no certain information of new discoveries by these sealers until the beginning of the nineteenth century.

^{page 99 note 3} This voyage marked beginning of United States sealing industry at South Georgia.

^{page 100 note 1} Died at Iles de Kerguelen, February 1793; succeeded by Hezekiah Pinkham.

^{page 100 note 2} Edmund Fanning records that, in addition to the Aspasia, there were sixteen other American and British vessels working South Georgia during this season.

^{page 101 note 1} Henry Fanning initiated the sealing business at Iles Crozet during this voyage.

^{page 101 note 2} Hasselberg spelt his name in a number of different ways.

^{page 101 note 3} In September 1810 the “First Fleet” of six vessels left Sydney for Macquarie Island: Aurora (Capt. S. R. Chace), Elizabeth and Mary (Capt. Gordon), Perseverence (Capt. F. Hasselberg), Star (Capt. John Wilkinson), Sydney Cove and Unity (Capt. Daniel Cooper). Uncontrolled exploitation of the Fur Seals exhausted the stock in about ten years. From 1820 onwards sealing interests in Hobart began to compete with Sydney firms. Elephant sealing continued to be profitable until about 1834. Voyages to Macquarie Island after 1810–11 are listed here only when there is some special interest.

^{page 102 note 1} Following Smith's second visit to the South Shetland Islands in October 1819, several sealing vessels visited the group in January 1820. In the summer of 1820–21 there were at least 44 American and British vessels working in the South Shetland Islands, and in the summer of 1821–22 the number had increased to at least 91 vessels. As a result of uncontrolled slaughter, the Fur Seals had become almost extinct in the islands by the beginning of 1822. At the end of 1821 the more enterprising skippers began to search for new hunting grounds further south and east. It seems certain that the whole Bransfleld Strait area, including the northern part of Trinity Peninsula, must have been seen by many sealers at this time. They were working in competition, and for the most part kept their discoveries to themselves.

^{page 103 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 104 note 1} Sailed in company.

^{page 104 note 2} Senier commander.

^{page 104 note 3} Capt. Walker reported 30 American vessels sealing in South Shetland Islands in 1820–21 season.

^{page 106 note 1} Lynx wintered at Falkland Islands in 1821.

^{page 106 note 2} Sailed in company for first season. Huntress sailed from South Shetland Islands for Patagonia in March 1821. Huron and Cecilia wintered at Falkland Islands in 1821 and returned to South Shetland Islands for 1821–22 season.

^{page 106 note 3} Name Young Huron also used.

^{page 107 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 107 note 2} Capt. Kellick reported about 20 sail of Americans in South Shetland Islands in 1821–2 season.

^{page 108 note 1} The two vessels sailed separately but returned in company.

^{page 109 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 110 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 111 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 111 note 3} Capt. Prior commanded Hopeful until expedition reached Falkland Islands, when he resigned in favour of Capt. Rea.

^{page 112 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 112 note 2} For first Antarctic cruise only. Sea Gull was lost off Cabo de Hornos in Spring of 1839.

^{page 112 note 3} R. F. Pinkney commanded Flying Fish for second Antarctic cruise.

^{page 113 note 1} Senior commander.

^{page 114 note 1} Sailed in company.

^{page 116 note 1} This voyage appears to mark the beginning of the United States sealing business at Iles de Kerguelen, although a number of British and United States vessels had previously obtained cargoes of oil and skins at these islands. New London sealers virtually had a monopoly there for the next 30 years.

^{page 117 note 1} Sailed in company.

^{page 120 note 1} This voyage initiated the United States sealing business at Heard Island, which was frequently visited from 1857 onwards. Heard Island and Iles de Kerguelen were usually worked together. The tenders Atlas and Franklin had sailed from New London for Iles de Kerguelen in 1851 and returned to New London in 1856; Exile sailed in 1852 and returned in 1859; Mechanic sailed in 1853; Laurens returned in 1857.

^{page 122 note 1} This sealing gang may have been left during Zoe's previous voyage of 1855–57.

^{page 127 note 1} In 1871 there was a revival of United States Fur sealing in the South Shetland Islands. Three vessels took 8000 skins in 1871–72; eight vessels took 15,000 skins in 1872–73, and six vessels took 10,000 skins in 1873–74. Details unknown except for those listed. Some of these expeditions probably sailed southwards to Graham Land and the Palmer Archipelago, but detailed records have not been traced. During the next decade the high prices fetched by Antarctic skins resulted in repeated searching of every accessible beach and rock in the Southern Ocean and catastrophic reduction of seal stocks, which in some cases were beginning to recover from earlier devastation.

^{page 129 note 1} Capt. Fuller was regarded by the transit of Venus expeditions to be the chief authority on Iles de Kerguelen and Heard Island at that time.

^{page 129 note 2} Chief astronomical observer.

^{page 130 note 1} It is not clear how they got from Rugged Island to Potter Cove; presumably in their own boat.

^{page 132 note 1} For outward voyage, 1882.

^{page 132 note 2} For return voyage, 1883.

^{page 132 note 3} Capt. Buddington probably returned the following season, but the seals in the area were by then worked out.

^{page 132 note 4} Sailed in company.

^{page 133 note 1} Sailed in company.

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