POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Clothing and sun goggles worn by Morton Moyes in Antarctica

Object No. H9550

These objects were used by Morton Henry Moyes whilst working as a meteorologist for Sir Douglas Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expedition (AAE), Antarctica, 1911-1914. 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. During the summer of 1912-1913, through an unavoidable accident, Moyes was left to carry on work alone at Winter Quarters for a period of nine weeks. Moyes later published several reminiscences describing the hardships endured throughout the expedition. The expedition was not without tragedy. Douglas Mawson, Xavier Mertz and Belgrade Ninnis undertook a sledding trip to the east of the base, during which 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. At Mawson's request, Moyes was seconded to the British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE), 1929-1930. The expedition aimed to assert British territorial claims in Antarctica. Serving as survey officer for the scientific staff he was responsible for operating the expedition echo-sounder, taking sights and drawing charts, helping with tow-nets, and assisting Mawson in executive matters. The AA and BANZAR expeditions were two of the most important Australian scientific expeditions of the 20th century, laying the basis for Australia's claims to almost 42 per cent of the Antarctic continent. The objects are part of a collection of protective clothing worn by Moyes during the AAE, and are indicative of some of the equipment necessary to survive and work in the harsh conditions of Antarctica. Along with related items in the collection, they give insight into a story of adventure, hardship, and tragedy in a time of heroic Antarctic exploration. In addition they form part of a collection that signifies Australia's immense contribution to exploration and scientific research of the Antarctic region. REF: Australian Dictionary of Biography Online, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au Haywood, Elizabeth, 'Australian Antarctica: Celebrating fifty years of Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions', Australia Post Philatelic Group, Melbourne, 1997 Mortimer, Gavin, 'Shackleton and the Antarctic Explorers: The men who battled to reach the South Pole', Carlton Books Ltd, Dubai, 1999