Cope, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, [Ross Sea Party]

• MS 1537/4/4/3;D Medical Report of the Ross Sea Base, January 1917 [Detailed account of the health and conditions of the shore party 1915-1916] 6 leaves, holograph

This expedition was organised by Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton to meet the party from Endurance who were to sledge across the Antarctic from the Weddell Sea. After visiting Macquarie Island to provision the Commonwealth Meteorological Expedition the Aurora (Captain Mackintosh) sailed to Ross Island. When ice prevented the creation of a base at Cape Crozier the ship continued to Cape Evans where ten men became stranded when on 6 May 1915 Aurora was driven from her moorings in a blizzard. With minimal supplies and equipment the party laid depots towards the Beardmore Glacier for the expected Weddell Sea party. Three men including Captain Mackintosh died between March and May 1916. During the 1916 winter a party of four wintered at Cape Evans while a party of three were at Hut Point. Aurora (Captained by Stenhouse) drifted for ten months in the Ross Sea before returning to New Zealand. The seven survivors were rescued in January 1917.

Chronological.

The Institute holds several archival collections containing material relating to this expedition, see SPRI collection GB 015 Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, [Ross Sea Party], 1914-1917 for more information.