OHYADBY: The Ill-Fated Motor Sledge

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO TODAY BEFORE YESTERDAY*


Scott brought three motor sledges to the Antarctic on the Terra Nova, at great expense both of cash and weight. They unloaded the first two shortly after landing at Cape Evans and used them to assist the dog, pony, and man teams in hauling supplies across the bay ice to the actual shore, which they did quite successfully.

While it was still below freezing, the sun was quite warm, and some people had gone through soft spots in their laps across the ice, but Scott thought they were just isolated soft patches in the crust, and gave the order to unload the third (and newest) motor sledge.

Some half-hour after the motor was put on to the floe, we were told to tow it on to firm ice as that near the ship was breaking up. All hands started on a long tow line. We got on to the rotten piece, and somebody behind shouted ‘You must run.’

From that moment everything happened very quickly. Williamson fell right in through the ice; immediately afterwards we were all brought up with a jerk. Then the line began to pull us backwards; the stern of the motor had sunk through the ice, and the whole car began to sink. It slowly went right through and disappeared and then the tow line followed it. Everything possible was done to hang on to the rope, but in the end we had to let it go, each man keeping his hold until he was dragged to the lip of the hole. Then we made for the fast ice, leaving the rotten bit between us and the ship.

Apsley Cherry-Garrard, The Worst Journey in the World

Half a minute later nothing remained but a big hole. Perhaps it was lucky there was no accident to the men, but it’s a sad incident for us in any case. It’s a big blow to know that one of the two best motors, on which so much time and trouble have been spent, now lies at the bottom of the sea. The actual spot where the motor disappeared was crossed by its fellow motor with a very heavy load as well as by myself with heavy ponies only yesterday.

Capt. R.F. Scott

I promise this blog has not simply become a centenary countdown – I'll post some more art soon, but being on the road has limited my scanning and blogging time these last few weeks. Back to routine, now, though!


*I was on the train and unpacking and stuff ...