South Polar Chart (1898): A Window into Antarctic Exploration’s Golden Age

June 8, 2018 Alex

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In the late 19th century, as the world’s great powers raced to unlock the mysteries of Antarctica, Scottish oceanographer John Murray proposed an ambitious scheme for exploring Earth’s southernmost continent. His detailed 1898 South Polar Chart stands as a remarkable testament to both the scientific aspirations and political rivalries of the era.

A Wealth of Information in One Map Poster

This remarkable chart is far more than a simple map of Antarctica. At its heart lies a detailed central map showing proposed exploration routes and “areas for bathymetrical research” – regions where ships would conduct depth soundings during the winter months. The map poster carefully marks “winter stations” – planned bases for scientific observations – and documents known coastal elevations, painting a picture of what explorers understood about Antarctica’s geography at the time.

Scientific Details and Climate Data

Around the main map, Murray included several smaller but equally fascinating charts:

February air temperatures around the South Pole (in Fahrenheit)
A detailed survey of Graham Land and the South Shetland Islands
Oceanic deposits across the southern hemisphere
February isobars and wind patterns
A close-up examination of Victoria Land

The Politics of Exploration

Perhaps most intriguingly, the map poster includes a section on “International spheres of exploration,” dividing Antarctica between “British and American” and “German and Scandinavian” spheres of influence. This division reflects the growing international competition for Antarctic resources and scientific discoveries that would later culminate in the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration.

Murray’s Vision and Legacy

John Murray’s mapping work proved invaluable for subsequent Antarctic expeditions. His detailed bathymetric studies and climate data helped lay the groundwork for famous expeditions like Robert Falcon Scott’s Discovery Expedition (1901-1904) and Ernest Shackleton’s Nimrod Expedition (1907-1909). You can learn more about Murray’s contributions to oceanography in the Royal Society’s biographical memoir.

Historical Context

The 1898 publication of this chart poster came at a crucial moment in Antarctic exploration. The Belgian Antarctic Expedition, led by Adrien de Gerlache, was already underway (1897-1899), marking the beginning of the Heroic Age. The expedition’s ship, the RV Belgica, would become the first to overwinter in Antarctic waters, though not by choice – they became trapped in the pack ice of the Bellingshausen Sea.