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Neil Olliver - The last explorer series tonight


clanchief
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Tonight the programme examines the exploits of William Spiers Bruce who undertook a major Scottish expedition to the Antarctic in 1904. The ship was named the SCOTIA. One of the crew was a John Smith born in Kirkhoull, Easter Quarff in 1881. (Shetland Johnnie)

 

After the expedition the Scotia was sold to Dundee and converted for the Greenland whaling. According to the Scotia expedition website she only made one trip (unsuccesful) to Greenland.

 

However this is inaccurate because ther is a photo in the museum collection of the Scotia in Lerwick harbour in 1911 recruiting crew. My father's discherge book says he joined her on 18th April1911 and was discharged on 30th August 1911.

 

After the sinking of the Titanic, the Scotia was fitted with wireless and brought back to service as part of the North Atlantic ice patrol.

 

During the 14-18 war she was a freighter in the English Chanel until she caught fire and was burnt out on a sandbank in the Bristol Chanel on 18th Jan 1916

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