The Scotia sails back into the Clyde

On the 21st July 1904 the ship Scotia sailed into the Clyde after a two year expedition in Antarctica. Almost a decade before the South Pole was reached, at this time the continent was largely unknown and unexplored. Conceived and led by the surgeon and scientist William Speirs Bruce, the expedition had spent an Antarctic winter living and doing scientific research at a base on the South Orkney Islands (the base is still used today and is the longest inhabited research station in Antarctica) before sailing into the Weddell Sea. Here they briefly became trapped in the ice, during which time they conducted a ‘scientific experiment’ to see how Emperor penguins responded to bagpipe music. They then carried out oceanographical research in Antarctic and Subantarctic waters.

The expedition was considered a great success and they made a triumphant return. On reaching the Clyde, the Scotia was met by a flotilla of ships which escorted them to Millport. Bruce and some of the crew were then taken to the slip at the Marine Station where they were met by dignitaries, including the Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, and presented with medals from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. During lunch they received a congratulatory telegram from the king. Today, a plaque at the Field Studies Centre commemorates this event.

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