Frozen Witness: Aurora's Polar Voyages

Temporary

Aged, black and white photograph of members of the crew of the SY AURORA, a group of 19 men both seated and standing, in various clothing including formal uniforms, raincoats, and hats. In front of the group is one of the vessel's white life rings, featuring the text: SY AURORA

Voyage back in time to the early stories of Australians in Antarctica through the journeys of SY Aurora, an Arctic whaler/sealer turned exploring vessel. This small exhibition features Aurora’s Arctic years under Captain James Fairweather and in Antarctica, the expeditions of Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Ernest Shackleton through the remarkable story of a wooden vessel pitched into the icy unknown.

This small exhibition includes the surviving lifebuoy and a selection of evocative objects and images from the National Maritime Collection, and other public collections, including Museums Victoria, Royal Australian Navy Heritage Collections, Canterbury Museum and the Maritime History Archive at the Memorial University of Newfoundland as well as early vision from the National Film and Sound Archive.

‘The story of this vessel, SY Aurora, touches lives and keynotes from the early history of Antarctic exploration and Australia’s part in it, in expeditions, especially that of Sir Douglas Mawson, which contributed to Australia’s territorial claim to more than 42% of the continent in the Antarctic Treaty of 1959.’

Daina Fletcher, Senior Curator

On 20 June 1917 the famous polar vessel SY Aurora left Newcastle, Australia with a cargo of coal for Iquique Chile, where it was to load nitrates for the Europe for the war effort. It was never to be seen again.

This lifebuoy, recovered from the seas six months later is the only surviving remnant from the wreck. The lifebuoy is a powerful emblem. With the ghost lettering of its famous Antarctic expeditions on its rim, it acts as a lifeline to all the sailors, whalers, scientists, workers, expeditioners and sealers whose lives, toils and achievements were entwined with it.

Importantly, the lifebuoy connects all of us to the tragic loss of its captain and 20 officers and crew in 1917.

Get a closer look

This exhibition is supported by the greatgrandchildren of Aurora’s Captain Fairweather in memory of their father James S Fairweather, 1926–2015 through the Australian National Maritime Museum Foundation.

‘This small exhibition features a selection of historic objects donated to the National Maritime Collection from family members which will thrill visitors through the drama, ambition, expertise and poignancy they embody.’

Daina Fletcher, Senior Curator