Southern Cross Expedition departs London

Background. Carsten Borchgrevink, a Norwegian polar explorer, conceived the expedition as the first British venture of the Heroic Age. Newnes stipulated the expedition sail under the British flag, styled the British Antarctic Expedition. Borchgrevink purchased the steam whaler Pollux in 1897, built in Arendal, Norway, to the design of Colin Archer, who had designed Nansen's ship Fram.

Departure from London. Southern Cross left London on 23 August 1898, after inspection by the Duke of York, the future King George V, who presented a Union Flag. One account gives the departure as 22 August 1898. Borchgrevink had previously sought financial backing for an Antarctic expedition in Britain and Australia.

Historical Significance. The expedition was the first to over-winter on the Antarctic mainland and visit the Great Ice Barrier since Ross's 1839-1843 expedition. Despite significant firsts, Borchgrevink was not accorded heroic status like Scott or Shackleton. However, Roald Amundsen acknowledged the expedition removed obstacles to Antarctic travel, opening the way for future expeditions.