Nick Allen Book review on with Scott before the Mast
With Scott Before The Mast
With Scott Before the Mast – by Francis Davies, Leading Shipwright RN
When it comes to tales of exploration and adventure, Scott of the Antarctic is still there right at the top of the list. The ill-fated race to the South Pole is full of heroism, danger, old-fashioned grit and determination and ultimately heartbreak. Many books have been written, and numerous films made, about Scott and his expeditions. However, the accounts that these were based on are generally from officers. ‘With Scott Before the Mast’ is different.
The term ‘before the mast’ refers to the ordinary seamen on ships as opposed to the officer class. Frances Davies was such a man and this book is a collection of his journals about his time on Scott’s final expedition. As Shipwright RN and Carpenter, it gives a rare insight and viewpoint representing that of the lower ranks.
Davies longed for adventure into the unknown so, when he heard mention of the expedition, he immediately applied. He was appointed Leading Shipwright and began refitting the blubber laden whaler, Terra Nova, into an expedition ship. However, his principal task was to plan and build the huts, including living quarters, for the Southern party at Cape Evans.
“At my interview with Captain Scott, he explained what would be expected of me. My principal job, he said, would be the erection of Winter Quarters for the Southern party, which was to make an attempt to reach the South Pole… He also told me that I would be paid £40 a year, adding that if I made a success of the job, he wouldn’t say what he would do for me, but if on the other hand, I failed to come up to scratch, I would be for the high jump.”
Scott’s hut still stands today and is a designated Antarctic Historic Monument.
The Journals of Francis Davies
These are the Journals of Francis Davies, Leading Shipwright RN when on, and off, board Captain Scott’s “Terra Nova” British Antarctic Expedition 1910 – 1913. It includes never seen before photos and historical artefacts, held by his descendants, for over 100 years. They give a unique below decks prospective on Captains Scott’s last Antarctic Expedition.
Davies’ journals are biographical accounts, in chronological order, of his part in Scott’s final adventure. There are chapters about signing on, getting ready to leave, setting sail and heading south. And that’s all before the expedition proper even starts. Others include such unusual experiences, for most of us, as Christmas Day in the Pack-Ice and Hydrographic Survey of Admiralty Bay.
What is especially exciting is that these journals are about a unique time and a particularly unique type of adventure. More importantly, it documents Scott’s Last Expedition. As ‘Chippy’, as he was nicknamed by the crew, puts it:
“it was the end of an era in Antarctica or more correctly perhaps, of Polar exploration when the work was carried on in wooden sailing ships”
A personal touch
The book is full of great photographs. Various members of the ship’s company, including Davies and Scott feature. There’s the Terra Nova itself. And, of course, the ship’s cat! But it’s not just personalities and settings that feature. There are numerous letters, postcards and even a section of drawings of the refit of the Terra Nova. The video, below, gives an idea:
There are wonderful little snippets throughout that really make this a very personal read. There’s the explanation of how Captain Oates earned his nickname during the Boer War. We’re told about the Christmas Eve rescue of the ship’s cat. Moreover, we get a real feel for all the highs and lows that Davies, and others, experienced. This, of course, includes the search for, and discovery of, the perished Polar Party.
What’s in it for survivalists, bush crafters and preppers?
Survivalists and peppers will identify with certain things mentioned. The conserving of fresh water, boiling the ‘Billy’, the use of pemmican etc. Davies also used techniques, such as wind drying fish using a method picked up from New Zealand ‘bush whackers’. One wonderful menu change highlighted was fish, discovered in a seal’s stomach, fried in blubber. A seemingly crazy thing mentioned at one point was the drenching of a pony with a bottle of whisky. And it was effective in its necessary purpose too! You’ll have to read the book, or do some research, to find out! However, these were generally a required part of the peculiar life being lived at the time.
There’s plenty about life on ship, as you would expect. However there’s plenty about being on land too. There are plenty of humorous moments as well as emotional ones. The journals are incredibly well written and, consequently, very easy to read. The reader is seemingly welcomed in to the ship’s company and becomes part of the expedition.
This book is ideal for all those interested in the history of polar exploration and adventure in general. It truly gives a wonderful insight into adventuring and expeditioning in a bygone era. I loved reading this book and could really imagine myself being alongside.
As for Francis Davies, his naval career continued and reached the position of Lieutenant Commander. He’s definitely a very interesting character with some amazing experiences. Better still, he has shared some of these with us in this lovely book. It’s definitely a publication to happily display on the bookcase. After you’ve read it, of course!
Further information and availability:
The Standard edition of With Scott Before the Mast is a case bound coffee table sized book and costs £39.99.
There is also a collectors edition. 160 special hand finished, leather bound signed and numbered copies have been created. These cost £175, post free, direct from the publishers.
Visit the company online bookshop: www.antarcticbookshop.com
Email: Mast@Reardon.Biz for online payment details.
Tel: 01242 231800, or post a cheque for £175 to: Reardon Publishing, PO Box 919, Cheltenham, GLS0 9AN, UK
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