OHYAT: The First Returning Party

It had always been part of the plan that, as the twelve men approached the Pole, two parties of four would be sent back. It was unfeasible to carry enough food and fuel for all twelve to get there and back, but it was too much for a small party to carry alone, so the 'supporting parties' would help with the pulling and then leave depots for the return journey of the men going on. Exactly who was to be in these returning parties and who would go on to the Pole was to be decided on the journey itself, as it wasn't until they got up the Beardmore that they would know for sure who was the fittest to keep going.

On the evening of December 20th, ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO TODAY, Cherry wrote in his diary:

This evening has been rather a shock. As I was getting my finnesko on to the top of my ski beyond the tent Scott came up to me, and said that he was afraid he had rather a blow for me. Of course I knew what he was going to say, but could hardly grasp that I was going back—to-morrow night. The returning party is to be Atch, Silas, Keohane and self.

Scott was very put about, said he had been thinking a lot about it but had come to the conclusion that the seamen with their special knowledge, would be needed: to rebuild the sledge, I suppose. Wilson told me it was a toss-up whether Titus or I should go on: that being so I think Titus will help him more than I can. I said all I could think of — he seemed so cut up about it, saying 'I think, somehow, it is specially hard on you.' I said I hoped I had not disappointed him, and he caught hold of me and said 'No — no — No,' so if that is the case all is well.

Apsley Cherry-Garrard

Silas was less philosophical. (And he had a running one-sided feud with Teddy Evans, whose sledging team he had been on, which is quite amusing to follow; I will have to go more into it sometime.)

Atch, Cherry, Keohane, and I turn back tomorrow night. Scott a fool. Teddy goes on. I have to make course back. Too wild to write more tonight. Teddy slack trace 7/8 of today.

C.S. Wright

Photo time!

This was taken by Scott on the morning of Dec 20th, and apparently shows Cherry and Bill, seated on the sledge, sketching the mountains, with 'probably Bowers' standing near the tent to the right. It's likely the last photo Scott took, as he sent his camera home with the First Returning Party and Birdie took over as photographer from then on. You can find a really glorious high-res print of it in The Lost Holiday Snaps Photographs of Captain Scott which just came out this year – definitely recommended to anyone with an interest in such things!