‘MEN WANTED for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honour and recognition in case of success’ – ad placed in London newspaper by Ernest Shackleton, 1914.
In 1911 a group of mainly Australian scientists and adventurers left Hobart for Antarctica. Led by Dr Douglas Mawson, the band were bound for Macquarie Island and then unknown parts of Antarctica.
The scientists of the expedition produced information that later made an major contribution to knowledge of the region. The exploration of new lands established precedence to claims, formalised in 1936 as the Australian Antarctic Territory. Although James Francis (Frank) Hurley was the official photographer to the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, other members of the expedition also took photographs.
Hurley would become the Shackleton expedition photographer. Before abandoning ship, Shackleton and Hurley went through the photographs. They kept 120 glass plates to keep. They smashed 400 plates.
Via: State Library of New South Wales
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