Morton Henry Moyes diaries, 2 December 1911-7 February 1917, kept while a member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1916-1917, together with records kept on board the S.Y. Aurora, 16 December 1914-9 February 1917, during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914-1917, and the Aurora Antarctic Relief Expedition, 1916-1917

MLMSS 388
MLMSS 388/Box 3X

fonds

1911-1917

914141

2 boxes, 1 outsize box and 1 folder of textual material

Morton Henry Moyes, naval officer and Antarctic explorer, was born in Koolunga, South Australia, on 29 June, 1886. In 1911, he became a member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914, and was appointed to the staff of the Western Base Party as a meteorologist. This party, under the leadership of Frank Wild, consisted of 8 men. They were landed on the Shackleton Ice Shelf in the vicinity of Queen Mary Land, Antarctica, by the S. Y. Aurora on 15 Feb. 1912. During the autumn and spring of 1912, Moyes took part in several sledging journeys. He remained at the Western Base, Shackleton Ice Shelf, until the 23 Feb. 1913, when the party was relieved by the S.Y. Aurora.

In 1914, Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton acquired the S.Y. Aurora for the purpose of transporting the Ross Sea Party of his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914-1917. The S.Y. Aurora, under Captain Aeneas Lionel Acton Mackintosh, left Hobart, Tasmania, on 25 Dec. 1914. During 1915, Captain Mackintosh attempted to winter the S.Y. Aurora in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Tragically, it broke away in a gale and drifted in the pack ice for about 9 months, marooning some of the party, including Mackintosh, at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Breaking out of the pack ice the following summer, the S.Y. Aurora managed to reach New Zealand, having sustained extensive damage during her ordeal. Following repairs, the S.Y. Aurora, under Captain John King Davis, prepared to rescue the survivors of the marooned party. The Aurora Antarctic Relief Expedition, 1916-1917, left Port Chalmers, New Zealand, on 20 Dec. 1916; Moyes having joined as a navigator for any sledge journeys that might have to be undertaken. The surviving members were rescued on 10 Jan. 1917. Three of the party, including Mackintosh, had lost their lives. Although sledging operations proved unnecessary, Moyes had assisted with all routine navigation duties, as well as acting as meteorologist and draughtsman

Series 01: Morton Henry Moyes diaries, 2 December 1911-23 February 1913, kept while a member of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914

Series 02: Morton Henry Moyes diary, 26 December 1916-7 February 1917, kept while a member of the Aurora Antarctic Relief Expedition, 1916-1917

Series 03: Records kept on board the S.Y. Aurora, 1916-1917, during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914-1917, and the Aurora Antarctic Relief Expedition, 1916-1917

Series 04: The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition [printed], [1914]

<br>Contents list available in the Mitchell Library Reading Room at Manuscripts Leaf Catalogue No. 1 (7-1198C) -

Information transferred from Manuscripts Leaf Catalogue No. 1 (7-1198C) as part of the eRecords Project, 2010-2011

Microfilm copy available at CY 3660 (Series 01) and CY 4053 (Series 02-04)

Keyword subjects:

Meteorologists -- Antarctica
Sailors -- Antarctica
Penguins -- Antarctica

Finding Antarctica - State Library of New South Wales (29 November, 2011 - 20 February, 2012). Applies to: MLMSS 388/Box 3X