The Worst Journey in the World · Chapter
II: Making Our Easting Down explained
The chapter describes the Terra Nova's voyage from London to New Zealand, focusing on the crew's camaraderie, the challenges of life at sea, and the preparations for the Antarctic expedition.
What happens
The chapter describes the Terra Nova's voyage from London to New Zealand, focusing on the crew's camaraderie, the challenges of life at sea, and the preparations for the Antarctic expedition. It highlights Scott's growing trust in officers like Campbell and Bowers, the scientific staff's adaptability, and the warm welcome from New Zealand. The narrative also includes vivid descriptions of albatross captures, a dramatic squall, and the daily routines of the watch.
Themes in this chapter
Companionship and Loyalty
The chapter emphasizes the strong camaraderie and willingness of the crew to work hard at distasteful jobs with cheerfulness, putting the expedition first and the individual nowhere.
Exploration and Scientific Inquiry
The capture of albatross for scientific specimens and the observation of bird behavior highlight the expedition's scientific objectives alongside exploration.
The Natural World and Its Power
The chapter vividly describes the power of the Southern Ocean, including a severe squall that threatens the ship's mast, and the majestic albatross that inhabit these stormy seas.
Characters to notice
- Captain Scott
Scott lands in Australia with a cheerful mind, pleased with the crew's enthusiasm and comradeship. He places increasing trust in Campbell and recognizes Bowers' seamanlike qualities.
- Birdie Bowers
Bowers is noted for his seamanlike qualities and is described as 'the hardest traveller that ever undertook a Polar journey.' He is relieved by Campbell during the morning watch.
- Victor Campbell
Campbell is trusted by Scott to lead the Northern Party. He calmly handles a squall that threatens the mast, pacing the bridge with a smile while the crew waits.
- Tom Crean
Crean volunteers to go aloft alone to free a jammed yard during the squall, but permission is refused.
- Edward A. Wilson
Wilson is mentioned for his belief that albatross fly around the world before westerly winds, landing only once a year to breed.
Key passages
“Such enthusiasm and comradeship as prevailed on board could bear only good fruit. It would certainly have been possible to find a body of men who could work a sailing ship with greater skill, but not men who were more willing, and that in the midst of considerable discomfort, to work hard at distasteful jobs and be always cheerful.”
The crew's enthusiasm and camaraderie promised success. While other sailors might have been more skilled, none were as willing to cheerfully tackle unpleasant tasks despite significant discomfort.
Highlights the theme of companionship and loyalty.
“Campbell paced quietly up and down the bridge with a smile on his face. The watch was grouped round the ratlines ready to go aloft, and Crean volunteered to go up alone and try and free the yard, but permission was refused.”
Campbell calmly walked the bridge, smiling, as the crew stood ready by the ropes. Crean offered to climb alone to free the yard, but was denied permission.
Illustrates Campbell's steady leadership and Crean's bravery during the squall.
“The Southern Ocean is the home of these and many species of birds, but among them the albatross is preeminent. It has been mentioned that Wilson believed that the albatross, at any rate, fly round and round the world over these stormy seas before the westerly winds, landing but once a year on such islands as Kerguelen, St. Paul, the Auckland Islands and others to breed.”
The Southern Ocean hosts many bird species, with the albatross being the most notable. Wilson thought albatross circle the globe on westerly winds, landing only annually on remote islands to breed.
Reflects the scientific curiosity and natural world themes.
