It happened on this day - 17th Jan in 1912
On this day, 17th January in 1912, explorer Captain Robert Scott reached the South Pole only to find that Norwegian Roald Amundsen had got there before him one month earlier.
Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated expedition to the South Pole in 1912 is one of the most tragic tales of polar exploration. As the leader of the British Terra Nova Expedition (1910–1913), Scott sought to achieve glory for Britain by becoming the first person to reach the South Pole. However, his team was beaten to the pole by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and subsequently faced dire consequences during their return journey.
Scott and his team reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912, only to find the Norwegian flag and a note left by Amundsen, who had arrived there 33 days earlier. This discovery was a devastating blow to Scott and his men. They had endured months of grueling travel across the Antarctic wilderness, relying on a combination of man-hauling sledges, ponies, and motor sledges, which had proven largely ineffective. The morale of the team was shattered as they realized their monumental efforts had not achieved the glory they sought.
The return journey proved fatal due to a combination of factors, including extreme weather, insufficient supplies, and physical exhaustion. The team faced relentless blizzards, temperatures as low as −40°C (−40°F), and dwindling food and fuel reserves. One by one, Scott’s companions succumbed to the harsh conditions. Lawrence Oates, suffering from severe frostbite and aware that his condition was slowing the team, famously sacrificed himself by walking out of the tent into a storm with the words, "I am just going outside and may be some time."
Scott and the remaining members of his party perished in late March 1912, just 11 miles from a supply depot that might have saved their lives. Their bodies and journals were discovered by a search party months later. Scott’s detailed diary revealed the immense hardships they faced and his unwavering commitment to the scientific objectives of the expedition, even in the face of certain death.
Though the mission ended in tragedy, Scott and his team are remembered for their courage and dedication. Their story remains a testament to the risks and sacrifices of early polar exploration, highlighting both human resilience and the unforgiving nature of the Antarctic.
