Rudmose Brown, Scottish National Antarctic Expedition

• MS 356/47;D Minutes of agreement between William Speirs Bruce and Brown, Edinburgh 12 September 1902 [Regarding participation in the expedition] 1 leaf
• MS 826/1-3;BJ Diaries (3), 1902 to 1904, 3 volumes, holograph
• MS 356/20;BJ Notebook, 26 January to 8 December 1903 [Containing copies of letters written to his parents during the expedition] 1 volume, holograph
• MS 356/21/1-3;BJ Journals (2) and sledging journal, 1903-1904, 3 volumes, holograph
• MS 356/24;BJ Album of postcards collected or sent during the expedition [Most of the cards are addressed to members of the senders family and have brief greetings or descriptions written upon them] 1 volume
• MS 356/36/1-4;D Lectures (4) on the expedition [To the South Pole, fitting out. Discovery, new Land. Sledge travel. An unknown Island] 26 leaves, holograph

The Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, 1902-1904 (leader William Speirs Bruce) undertook exploration of the Weddell Sea. To the west of Queen Maud Land the expedition discovered Coats Land, which was named for James Coats Jr and Major Andrew Coats who had supported the expedition.

A meteorological observatory (Omond House) was established on Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands which was later transferred to the Argentine government who continue to run it to this day. (Laurie Island is now the oldest continuously operational observatory in the region.)

The expedition conducted a comprehensive scientific program, plans were made to search for the missing Swedish South Polar Expedition, 1901-1903 (leader Nils Otto Nordenskjld) but were set aside when news of their rescue by the Argentine naval ship Uruguay arrived.

Chronological.

The Scott Polar Research Institute holds a number of photographs, film and other illustrative material in the Picture Library, some of which covers this expedition. The catalogue can be searched on line by going to the Picture Library Database and selecting the Enter Polar Pictures link.

SEE SPRI collection GB 015 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, 1902-1904, ships logs and plans for a fuller list of material held by the Institute on this expedition.