What science and commerce may gain from an Antarctic expedition

• Main Author: Morton, Alexander
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 1890
• Subjects: Royal Society of Tasmania; Van Diemens Land; VDL; Hobart Town; natural sciences; proceedings; records; Arctic; Antarctic; The Antarctic; White Sea; Antarc*; Spitzbergen
• Online Access: https://eprints.utas.edu.au/16724/; https://eprints.utas.edu.au/16724/1/1890-Morton-gains_from_antarcic_expedition.pdf

What is to be gained from an Antarctic Expedition is a question so frequently asked that some notice should be taken of it, and an answer framed that, if possible, shall be satisfactory. Perhaps a reference to what has been done by Arctic Exploration may encourage belief that some benefit would accrue from a properly equipped expedition to the Antarctic region. Observations in the far north have been of incalculable value for the confirmation or correction of scientific theories relating to ocean currents, magnetic deviations, climatology, geographical distribution of plants and animals, and a host of similar subjects; while, as to commerce, it is only necessary to mention the discovery of the White Sea route to Russia, with its consequent trade, the establishment of the Spitzbergen fisheries, and the opening up of new and lucrative whaling grounds in Baffin's Bay and Prince Regent's Inlet, as convincing proofs of the usefulness of many expeditions that promised less in the way of discovery than one to the Antarctic regions. An Antarctic expedition is thought to be of vital importance but should not be left to any other country other than England and her loyal Australasian subjects.