Our Daily Bill: Discovery

The National Antarctic Expedition, known commonly after the name of its ship, Discovery, departed England for Antarctica in August of 1901. The rough company of Navy men was uncomfortable to Wilson and he found himself bereft of anyone with whom he could share his deeper thoughts and feelings, but took the experience as an incentive to improve his character.

"I am more thankful than I can say for having been brought to this life because it is such an education. But God knows it is just about as much as I can stand at times, and there is absolutely no escape. I have never had my temper so tried as it is every day now, but I don't intend to give way ... It's a hard school down here, but I wouldn't have missed it for worlds ..." (Seaver, 103)

According to his biographer George Seaver, this trial cut right to what Wilson considered his primary flaw: "He could always 'give as good as he got' and better; he could never suffer a fool gladly; and he accused himself of having been often sarcastic, cutting and contemptuous, when he might have been a peacemaker." (Seaver, 103)

In trying to live up to the idea of 'peacemaker' Wilson became something of a counsellor for the ship, and his cabin was a popular destination for those wishing to talk things out; he became good friends with Scott but it was Shackleton who was his closest companion the first year, for his 'wonderful memory ... quick wit and keen humour' (Seaver, 104). But it was in his letters that he poured his heart out: Wilson had married his beloved Oriana a mere three weeks before leaving and whenever he had a moment alone he would write to his 'grass widow' and commune in spirit.

It was on the Discovery that he acquired the nickname 'Bill' – 'Billy he was, and Billy I think he always will be in the minds of us all,' wrote his shipmate Hodgson. (Seaver, 126) Everyone regarded him very highly, and Oriana received letters not only from her absent husband but from his friends, such as this from Capt. Scott:

There is one thing your husband will not have told you, and that is what a fine fellow we all think him. His intellect and ability will one day win him a great name, of this I feel sure. We admire such qualities, as well as the artistic talent which goes far to cheer our monotony; but his kindness, loyalty, good temper, and fine feelings are possessions which go beyond the word admiration and can be simply said to have endeared him to us all. (Seaver, 85)

Wilson's rigorous character work on the Discovery may have taken some time to take effect, but it was not without fruit:

A caustic tongue was a formidable weapon which could also become a dangerously unruly member, and this he sternly set himself to curb, but it took some little time; he was 'Bill the Critic' and even 'Bill the Cynic to a few of his comrades of the Discovery days, but he was 'Bill the Peacemaker' to all without exception on the Terra Nova and ever after. (Seaver, 18)