Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Schwedischen Südpolar-Expedition 1901-1903. [Zoology, Vol. 5]

1908

Expedition Reports Q115 S966 1901

Stockholm: Lithographische Institut des Generalstabs

The Swedish Antarctic Expedition, that began in 1901, was a disaster from the start. Led by geologist, Otto Nordenskjöld, the expedition was not supported by the Swedish Academy of Sciences. Upon reaching the polar continent aboard Antarctic, Nordenskjöld and five others set up a magnetic observatory on Snow Hill Island where they would overwinter. The ship, captained by Carl Larsen, left to explore northern regions but because of the ice was unable to return and pick up the party. This meant two harsh winters on the island, during which time Nordenskjöld and his men resorted to bagging 400 penguins and 30 seals for fuel and food supplies. Despite this, scientific observations were still made and specimens, like that of the Myriothela austro-georgiae, pictured here, were still collected.