Captain Scott Statue. Christchurch. New Zealand.
S 43° 31.870 E 172° 38.018
59G E 632002 N 5178900
Christchurch was the New Zealand base for the British Antarctic expeditions in 1901 and 1910. Captain Scott's final voyage reached the South Pole 25 January, 1912. Returning from the South Pole Captain Scott and his companions perished.
Waymark Code: WM8MEZ
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 04/18/2010
Views: 18
This monument to the famous Antarctic explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott stands on the corner of Worcester Street and Oxford Terrace in Christchurch. Due to bad weather Scott and his party were unable to make it to the next supplies base and simply died of starvation. News of the death of Scott and his companions did not reach Christchurch until 11 February, 1913.
A week after the news broke in Christchurch a committee was set up to organise a Scott memorial fund. The Christchurch City Council entered into a contract with Lady Kathleen Scott. Lady Scott, a British sculptor, had been married to Captain Robert Falcon Scott since 1908. Lady Scott agreed to complete a sculpture of Scott for £1 000. A bronze statue was originally intended but when the work was started in 1915 all available metal was being used by armament makers. The subsequent high cost of bronze meant that Carrara marble was a more viable option.
Lady Scott portrayed Captain Scott in polar dress, facing north on the homeward journey when death overtook him and his companions. On the plinth the names are inscribed along with an extract of Captain Scott's last note as he awaited death.
Type of Waymark: Off Continent Point of Interest
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