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A set of ancient scales has been returned to Antarctica more than half a century after they were taken as a “souvenir” from Scott’s cabin.
Salter scales were a vital piece of equipment during the Discovery Expedition (1901-1904), allowing men to weigh supplies, equipment, and dog food, before crossing the ice.
In the late 1950s, American Captain James Douglas visited Antarctica.
He was a distinguished engineer and naval command officer, in charge of the construction of eight American bases on the frozen continent.
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Douglas polished the scale and decided to take it to America as a souvenir.
Before he died, Douglas gave the scales to his daughter, Susanna Marquette, who hung them in her log cabin in Idaho for the next 15 years.
Antarctic Heritage Trust / supplied
Antarctic Heritage Trust has returned the scales to the historic cabin on Ross Island.
After learning of the Antarctic Heritage Trust’s work to preserve the Discovery Hut, he contacted the Christchurch-based charity to donate the scales.
“I was only 6 years old when my dad went to Antarctica and I remember getting postcards from him with pictures he had drawn of penguins and himself with a beard,” Marquette said.
“He told me that [the scales had] They come from Scott’s Discovery Hut, where they had been used to weigh meat for the dogs. I was very, very honored that he had passed them on to me. “
The scales were moved back to the ice by the Antarctic Heritage Trust in late November and delivered to Discovery Hutt by Lizzie Meek, manager of the trust’s artifact program.
Supplied
American James Douglas visited Antarctica in the 1950s and removed the scales as a souvenir.
“These scales are over a hundred years old, but despite their age and travel, they are in perfect condition,” he said.
“They are an important artifact and were probably used by Antarctic explorers of the heroic era to weigh items before sledding expeditions, to ensure that supply levels were accurate and the sled was as light as possible.”
James Douglas and Susanna Marquette took care of them “incredibly,” Meek said.
People who remove artifacts from huts today are subject to prosecution.
However, it was not uncommon in the 1950s and 1960s for those who visited the cabins to take home a souvenir, he said.
Supplied / Stuff
The Discovery Hut was used by Robert Falcon Scott’s team between 1901 and 1904.
“We have had several of these returned over the years, including skis, clothing and food, and we welcome the opportunity to be able to repatriate them.”
Meek urged anyone with similar memories to “get in touch.”
“We would love to be able to help repatriate these items. We have the cold weather conservation expertise to ensure these artifacts are returned to where they belong and are well cared for for generations to come. “
Antarctica is the last Covid-free continent on Earth and activity there is significantly reduced this season.
Antarctic Heritage Trust was supported by Antarctica New Zealand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade allowed it to carry out conservation activities in the cabins.
