January 1910

Scott

Early in the new year, the expedition was given a government grant of £20,000, far short of the £40,000 he needed. Scott's application had emphasised the scientific aspect of the expedition, especially its geological ambitions. "It is anticipated that the accomplishment of very important scientific work will be fulfilled.... The steps which are being taken will ensure the Expedition being better equipped to deal with scientific problems that any other Polar expedition that has ever left these shores." [1]

"Captain Scott," wrote the Daily Mail with approval, "has a personal force which is plain for all men to see. Thick-set, deep-chested, with a thoughtful geniality in his clean-shaven 'naval-officer' face, he is much of the bull-dog type, with blue eyes that look out sparklingly from a face hard-bitten with adventure. 'Suppose you don't succeed at first?' he was asked.... Captain Scott took his cigarette from his lips and brought his finger down on to the table with slow emphasis. '... We shall jolly well stop there till the thing is done.'" [2]


Notes:

[1] R.F. Scott, [source not given], quoted by David Crane in Scott of the Antarctic (New York : Knopf, c2005), p.359-360.
[2] Daily Mail, January 1910, quoted by Diana Preston in A First Rate Tragedy (Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 1998, c1997), p.118-119.