Like (great-great-grand) father like (great-great-grand) daughter..

I have wanted to go to the Antarctic for what feels like forever! My initial knowledge of the region came from my Dad who has always read about early exploration there and has shelves full of Polar Expedition books. My great great grandfather Jim sailed with Scott and Shackleton and the family stories about him have always inspired me (cheesy I know.. but still!) so I jumped at the opportunity to go down South as a seal biologist at the British Antarctic Survey's research station on Bird Island.

The location of my new home starting in November!

In his early 20s James William Dell, or Jim, sailed south as a Royal Naval able seaman in a voyage led by Robert Falcon Scott on the vessel Discovery.  This British National Antarctic Expedition took place between 1901 and 1904 and was among the first of the British ventures in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. During the expedition Scott, Dr Edward A. Wilson and Ernest H. Shackleton made their first attempt to reach the South Pole, and though unsuccessful, they got closer than anyone had before.

Jim Dell in the crew photo onboard the Discovery, 1901

Jim was involved in 2 sledging expeditions but later cut himself flensing a seal, an injury which became infected and was probably what we now know as seal finger (being only scientifically described for the first time 3 years later in 1907). This infection would now be treated using very powerful antibiotics but formerly the only real option was amputation. In what was then a miracle of an operation Jim’s lymph nodes in his armpit were removed and he was very lucky to escape with his arm otherwise intact.

Photograph of a Discovery sledging party, taken by or including my great great granddad

The Discovery was almost abandoned after becoming stuck in the Antarctic ice for longer than anticipated, but it was finally freed and the crew returned safely to the UK. Scientific investigations during the expedition shed new light on Antarctic biology, oceanography, geology and meteorology, and the voyage was the beginning of Scott and Shackleton’s subsequent attempts to reach the South Pole.

The Discovery trapped in the Antarctic ice

After serving in the First World War and his later retirement from the Navy, Jim was asked to sail with Shackleton again, this time on the vessel Quest on the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition of 1921-1922.  During the course of this voyage Shackleton passed away, and was later buried on South Georgia, signalling for many, the end of the Heroic and Golden Age of Antarctic Exploration. 

Onboard the Quest (centre top row), 1921

Jim went on to serve in the Coastguard during the Second World War and in his retirement he became founder member of the Antarctic Club. He died in 1968 at the age of 88, only a few years after he stopped doing headstands. My Dad remembers very little of  Jim other than the stuffed emperor penguin which lived at the top of his staircase.

Now I'm heading down to South Georgia on my own adventure, with far less peril and isolation, but still daunting enough! I'm so excited about finally getting to the sub-Antarctic and getting to play with/sensibly and scientifically study the incredible wildlife.

Getting some training in: A bit of old fashioned seal tummy tickling on North Rona