Deuxième Expédition Antarctique Franc̜aise (1908-1910). [Vol. 4]

c. 1911

Expedition Reports Q115 E873 1908

Paris: Masson and Co.

Inspired by William Speirs Bruce and his polar expedition vessel, Scotia, Jean-Baptiste Charcot fitted out Pourquoi-pas?, along similar lines. It has been described as ‘one of the most successful of all polar vessels’ (Bryan, 2011). On his second trip south in 1908, Charcot intended to ‘verify, complete, and expand’ his researches. Because of the improved living conditions aboard Pourquoi-pas?, there were high levels of scientific productivity. New territories were discovered (one Charcot called after his father – Charcot Land) and maps were made of thousands of kilometres of coastline. Again botanical and zoological specimens were collected like these starfish.