Masts

Looking from below the fore mast to the main mast with its crow's nest and the mizzen mast on the Discovery.

We know more about Mars now then was known about Antarctica in 1901 when the Discovery was launched in Dundee. Until six years previously no one had been there and they had not ventured far from the coast, so it was decided that Scott and his team would go there to carry out scientific work and this consequently resulted in a major contribution to the understanding of Antarctica. They worked under the most extreme conditions without all the benefits of warm protective clothing and modern day technological equipment. They were then stuck In the ice for almost two years but the strong hull withstood the crushing ice.

The Discovery is a three masted sailing ship with a funnel and built in 1901 specifically for the ice of Antarctica. It was built mainly of wood which could withstand compression by ice and was equipped for scientific work. It was planned to use sail power but also had a steam engine to provide power for times when the wind was insufficient or when the boat was close to the coast and also for heating and cooking. The funnel could be lowered when all the sails were up and the propeller and rudder could be hoisted out of the way of ice. The structure of the hull is very interesting and even includes salt cavities to absorb water and protect the timber.

The boat is now in Dundee where it was built.