Regan, correspondence

• MS 101/104/1-37;D Correspondence (37 letters) with William Speirs Bruce and others, 23 February 1912 to 7 May 1913 [Regan's work at the British Museum (Natural History) on the fishes of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, 1902-1904] 44 leaves, holograph and typescript

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.

Regan worked on the fish specimens from the expedition publishing his results in the Report of the scientific results of the voyage of the steam yacht Scotia in 1915.

Chronological

The Institute holds an extensive archival collection for William Speirs Bruce as well as several collections containing material relating to the expedition, see GB 015 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, 1902-1904, ships logs and plans.