POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Protective work clothing used by Charles Francis Laseron

Object No. 98/55/1

This collection of protective work clothing was used by Charles Francis Laseron (1887-1959) during Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914. Charles Laseron is an important figure in the history of the Powerhouse Museum (formerly the Sydney Technological Museum), serving a highly distinguished career as collector and Officer in Charge, Applied Arts, for the Museum from 1906 until 1929. In 1911 Laseron was given leave from the Museum to join the Australasian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914, directed by Australian geologist Sir Douglas Mawson (1882-1958). Laseron worked as taxidermist, biological collector, and general scientific assistant. This expedition, along with the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Expedition 1929-1931, was one of the most important Australian scientific expeditions of the 20th century, laying the basis for Australia's later claim to almost 42 per cent of the Antarctic continent. The chief objective of the expedition was the exploration and charting of the largely unexplored coastline of Antarctica. This included meteorological and magnetic observations, and the collection of biological and geological samples. Sailing on the Newfoundland sealing vessel 'Aurora', the team entered a part of the world which was then little known. From January 1912 to February 1913 Laseron was based in Adelie Land, and took part in two major sledging journeys, making discoveries in geology and biology during the geological survey of the Antarctic coast. Laseron describes some of his experiences and hardships from this time in his book, 'South with Mawson'. The expedition was not without tragedy. During a sledding trip to the east of the base with Douglas Mawson, Xavier Mertz and Belgrade Ninnis, a crevasse swallowed up Ninnis, a team of six dogs, and the sled containing most of their food. The survivors began the arduous journey back to base, some 500 kilometres away, during which they ate the remaining dogs for food. Mertz died during the return, leaving Mawson to travel the 100 kilometres back to base alone. Charles Laseron is a significant figure in the Powerhouse Museum's history, not only in terms of his work as collector and Applied Arts Officer, but through his involvement in Australian Antarctic research, for which he was awarded a Polar Medal. The protective clothing, along with related items in the collection, reflects some of the equipment necessary to survive and work in the harsh conditions of Antarctica and gives insight into a story of adventure, hardship, and tragedy in a time of heroic Antarctic exploration. In addition it forms part of a collection that signifies Australia's immense contribution to exploration and scientific research of the Antarctic region.