VOYAGE OF THE ' SCOTIA ' 35 



We have met with Bruce before: first in the Balcena 

 in 1892, and afterwards with Mr. Andrew Coats in 

 Spitzbergen. The latter voyage was a fortunate one 

 for Bruce, as it provided him with the means of fitting 

 out his expedition in the Scotia to Antarctic waters. 



The vessel left the Clyde on November 2, 1902, under 

 the command of Captain Thomas Robertson, of Dun- 

 dee. Bruce had secured the assistance of Mossman, 

 Rudmose Brown and Dr. Pirie for the scientific work. 

 In the following February the Antarctic Circle was 

 crossed, and on the 22nd of that month the ship was 

 brought to a standstill in lat. 70 25' S. The winter was 

 spent at Laurie Island, one of the South Orkneys. 



Returning to the south, the Scotia reached, in March, 

 1904, lat. 74 I' S., long. 22 W., where the sea rapidly 

 shoaled to 159 fathoms. Further progress was impos- 

 sible owing to ice. Hilly country was sighted beyond 

 the barrier, and named ' Coats Land," after Bruce's 

 chief supporters. 



In the foremost rank of the Antarctic explorers of 

 our time stands the French savant and yachtsman 5 Dr. 

 Jean Charcot. In the course of his two expeditions 

 of 1903-1905 and 1908-1910 he succeeded in opening up 

 a large extent of the unknown continent. We owe to 

 him a closer acquaintance with Alexander I. Land, and 

 the discovery of Loubet, Fallieres and Charcot Lands 

 is also his work. 



