Home > RRS Discovery
A number of ships have borne the name RRS Discovery, the original (and the last wooden three-masted ship to be built in the British Isles), was launched on 21 March 1901, designed for Antarctic research. Her first mission was to carry Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton on their first, remarkably successful journey to the Antarctic, otherwise known as the National Antarctic Expedition.1 History
1.1 The Mission begins
Five months after setting sail, on 6 August 1901, from the Isle of Wight for Antarctica, she sighted the coastline, on 8 January 1902. For the first month Scott began charting the coastline. In preparation for the winter, he weighed anchor, in McMurdo Sound. Unfortunately, this was where she would to remain, locked in ice, for the next two years; they had expected to spend the Winter here and move on in the Spring. Despite this, the Expedition was able to determine that there was, indeed, a continent in the Antarctic and to relocate the Southern Magnetic Pole. Scott, Shackleton and Edward Wilson also achieved a Furthest South of 82 degrees 18 minutes. The ship was eventually freed on 16 February 1904, by the natural break up of the ice followed by the use of controlled explosives. RRS Discovery finally sailed for home, arriving back at Spithead on 10 September 1904.
1.2 Cargo Vessel
The National Antarctic Expedition was acclaimed upopn its return but was also in serious financial trouble, and so in 1905, RRS Discovery was sold to the Hudson's Bay Company, who used her as a cargo vessel between London and Hudson Bay, Canada until the time of the Great War, when she began carrying munitions to the Russians. Later, in 1917, she carried supplies to the White Russians during the Russian Revolution. At the end of the hostilities RRS Discovery was chartered by various companies for work in the Atlantic, but outdated and outclassed by more modern merchant vessels she was soon laid up, spending the early 1920s as the headquarters for the 16th Stepney Sea Scouts.
1.3 Renewed Research
In 1923 her fortunes were revived when the Crown Agents for the Colonies purchased her for further research work in the Antarctic. Re-registered to Port Stanley in the Falklands and designated as a Royal Research ship, Discovery underwent a £114,000 re-fit before sailing in October 1925 for the South Seas to chart the migration patterns of whale stocks. Her research role continued when the British Government lent her in 1929, to the B.A.N.Z.A.R.E. (British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Expeditions) expeditions, lasting until 19311931 is the common year starting on Thursday. see link for calendar) Events January January 4 Female aviator Elly Beinhorn begins her flight to Africa January 6 Thomas Edison submits his last patent application. January 22 Sir Isaac Isaacs sworn in as the.
1.4 Boy Scouts
Returning to Britain, her research days now over, RRS Discovery was laid up until 1936Events January-February January 15 The first building to be completely covered in glass is completed in Toledo, Ohio, for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company. January 20 Death of George V of the United Kingdom. His son Edward VIII succeedes him as King of th when she was presented to the Boys ScoutsFor professional sport scouts, see Scout (sport). Scouting is a world-wide youth organization. Its aim is to develop young people physically, spiritually and mentally through non-formal education with emphasis on practical activities in the outdoors so th Association as a training ship for Sea Scouts. During the war years her engines and boilers were removed for scrap to help with the war effort. Too costly for the Scouts Association to maintain she was transferred to the Admiralty in 19551955 is a common year starting on Saturday. see link for calendar) Events January events January 2 Panama president Jose Antonio Remon is assassinated. January 19 The Scrabble board game debuts. February events February 8 Nikolai Bulganin ousts Georgi Mal for use as a drill ship for the Royal Navy Auxiliary Reserve. As the years passed her condition deteriorated and when no longer of use to the Navy, she was in danger of being scrapped. Saved from the breakers Yard by the Maritime Trust , into whose care she passed in 1979Events January-February January 1 Sino-American relations: United States and the People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations January 4 State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to families of dead and injured in Kent State University shootings., her future had been secured. Berthed on the River ThamesThis article is about the River Thames in southern England. For other meanings of the word Thames, see Thames The Thames ( pronounced /temz/) is a river flowing through southern England and connecting London with the sea. Course The Thames has a length of and open to the public, the trust spent some £500,000 on essential restoration until she was passed into the ownership of the Dundee Heritage Trust in 1985.
