Program Information

By the turn of the twentieth century, most of the globe had been explored. One great prize remained -- the South Pole. In the end the race came down to an intense competition between two determined men.

A Moment in Time is a brief, exciting and compelling journey into the past. Created to excite and enlighten the public about the past, its relevance to the present and its impact on the future, A Moment In Time is a captivating historical narrative that is currently broadcast worldwide.

Transcript

Lead: By the turn of the twentieth century, most of the globe had been explored. One great prize remained -- the South Pole. In the end the race came down to an intense competition between two determined men.

Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

Content: Barren Antarctica is the coldest and iciest place on earth. The terrain is so hostile to human habitation and the distance – roughly 800 miles from the sea—that early expeditions to reach the pole fell short of their goal. In 1902, Arctic explorer and British Naval officer, Robert Falcon Scott led the Discovery expedition, named for his ship, to Antarctica and came within 400 miles of the pole. Accompanying Scott on this trip were British zoologist Edward Wilson and a young Arctic explorer, Ernest Shackleton. In 1909 Shackleton led his own expedition and came within 111 miles of the Pole.

Scott joined the Royal Navy in 1880. He was a popular public figure, a best selling author, and was raising money for his second expedition when he heard that his rival Shackleton had failed in his attempt to reach the pole. In June 1910 his second expedition conveyed on HMS Terra Nova, sailed from London. Although the expedition would concentrate on scientific studies and exploration, its primary goal was to bring home the honor and glory for Great Britain by being the first to reach the South Pole.

In Melbourne, Australia, during the Terra Nova voyage, Scott received a telegram from Norwegian explorer, Roald Amundsen informing him Scott that he, too, was en route to the South Pole. Amundsen’s original intent was to be the first to reach the North Pole, however, when he heard that American Robert Peary had accomplished this feat Amundsen altered his Plans and went for the South Pole instead.

In January 1911 Scott established his base at McMurdo Sound, an inlet of the western Ross Sea. Amundsen’s base was 400 miles to the east in an inlet on the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf – but sixty miles closer to the pole. Scott, further away, would follow a known route already pioneered by Shackleton. Amundsen would be crossing unknown territory. Both parties prepared extensively for almost one year – each establishing supply depots to the south with fuel, supplies and food for the long return back from the pole. Next Time: Triumph and Tragedy.

At the University of Richmond, this is Dan Roberts.

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