THE FIRST YEAR\S WORK OF THE NATIONAL ANTARCTIC 



EXPEDITION/' 



By Sir Clements R. Markham, K. C. B., F. R. S. 



We must all, I think, feel that this is a great occasion. We have 

 received news of the splendid work done by our countrvmen in the 

 far south, and we are assembled to acquire some idea of the nature of 

 that work, and of the g-eneral results. We shall effect this object by 

 means of Mr. Skelton's photographs, and of the best map we have been 

 able to construct with the materials that have reached us. We do not 

 intend to discuss or to describe the scientific results of this work. We 

 have not the means. All that is reserved for the grand da}' when we 

 welcome the return of Captain Scott and his fellow-explorers to this 

 country. To-night should rather be devoted to an endeavor to under- 

 stand and to appreciate the high qualities, the indomital)le energy, the 

 strict sense of duty, the courage and hardihood which enabled our 

 countrvmen to make the extensive discoveries which are shown on the- 

 map. They represent an achievement Avhich is quite imsurpassed in 

 m}^ time. 



Before following the memorable voyage, I must say a ver}" few 

 words on the subject of the arrangements for the expedition in this 

 country. When the two societies approached the Government with a 

 view to obtaining assistance in June, 1899, Mr, Balfour spoke in the 

 strongest terms of the importance of such an expedition, both from a 

 scientific and a national point of view, and he was told that it would 

 be necessary to build a ship specially adapted for the service, among 

 other reasons for the sake of the magnetic observations. An estimate 

 was submitted to him amounting to £100,000 if the expedition lasted 

 for thnn^ years, or £90,000 if for two years. It was decided that the 

 expedition should be for two years. Mr. Balfour promised a parlia- 

 mentary grant which amounted to £45,000, The public subscribed 

 the other moiety, this society giving £S,000. The Biscoveri/ was 

 launched, and has proved most admirably adapted for the work. It 

 has been said that she is the most expensive vessel that was ever built 

 in this country for scientific purposes. It is equally true that she js 

 the cheapest. For she is the only vessel that was ever built in this 



«Read at the Royal Geographical Society, June 10, 1903. Reprinted from The 

 Geographical Journal, London, July, 1903, Vol. XXII, No. 1, pp. 13-20. 



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