Rare photographs of British and Australian Antarctic expeditions of the early 20th century (16 photos)

National Archives of Australia and Australian Antarctic The department recently digitized archival images. This collection contains photographs from Australian, British and New Zealand expeditions to Antarctica 1910s - 1940s.





The collection consists of hundreds of black and white photographs and negatives on glass plates that document the harsh conditions, unusual wildlife, science and technology of the time, and everyday life of polar explorers.

So let's take a trip back in time!



King penguin rookery at Nuggets Beach, island Macquarie, in the Southwest Pacific Ocean. The picture was taken during Australian Antarctic Expedition, conducted from 1911 to 1914 year under the guidance of Australian researcher Douglas Mawson.



Australian Antarctic Expedition. Research the ship "Aurora", covered with a layer of ice. The ship was later bought by Ernest Shackleton. It is not known who took this picture, but it is assumed that this is the work of Australian photographer and adventurer Frank Hurley.



Giant iceberg. The picture was taken during British-Australian and New Zealand Antarctic research expedition (BANZARE), 1929-1931



Male southern elephant seal. The picture was taken during British-Australian and New Zealand Antarctic research expedition.



Frightened female Adélie penguin. The picture was taken during British Antarctic Expedition led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott between 1910 and 1913.



Members of the British Antarctic Expedition in their workshop.



A member of the British Antarctic Expedition stands in a hole dug in the ice.



The ship of the polar expedition "Terra Nova" in the pack ice. Negative on a glass plate, shot taken during the British Antarctic expedition in the 1910s.



British Antarctic Expedition. Two seals near the ice cliff.



British Antarctic Expedition. Husky on ice.



British Antarctic Expedition. English artist George Edward Marston reading a book with a candle on his head for illumination. Marston also traveled with Ernest Shackleton on two separate expeditions. to Antarctica.



British Antarctic Expedition. Bath day.



A member of the British Antarctic Expedition takes Greenland Huskies for a walk.



Man and icebergs. During which Antarctic expedition this picture was taken is unknown.



Group Captain Stuart Campbell (center) raises Australian flag over Heard Island in the Southern Ocean on December 26, 1947 of the year. Campbell was head of the Australian National Antarctic research expedition, which started in the same year.