Unique photos from the first Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1911-1914

In 1911, a group of scientists and adventurers led by geologist Douglas Mawson left the Australian city of Hobart. A team of 37 people headed across Macquarie Island (simultaneously making the first detailed map of the island) to the unexplored lands of Antarctica. 

The Australian expedition was an unprecedented event for Antarctic research for that time. Information from geological, climatological and biological studies has made a huge contribution to the study of the region. Of the 37 members of the group under Mawson's command, 20 had a degree, only two of them — Mawson himself and the commander of the Western Party F. Wild - had polar experience. 

Frank Hurley became the official photographer of the Australian Antarctic Expedition. 

At the age of 13, Frank dropped out of school and got a job at the Esk Bank Ironworks steel mill in the town of Lithgow. Young Hurley's interest in photography was instilled by his master mentor at the factory, who was passionately passionate about this, then a fairly new kind of art. He often took Hurley with him on "photo walks" in the Blue Mountains, in the vicinity of which the town is located. 

In 1911, Dr. Douglas Mawson invited Frank Hurley to take part as a photographer in the first Australian Antarctic expedition. In addition to his main duties, Hurley took an active part in solving everyday expedition tasks, and also became a participant in the "Southern Party" campaign led by astronomer Edward Badge, whose purpose was to conduct observations of terrestrial magnetism in the immediate vicinity of the Earth's south magnetic pole. From November 10, 1912 to January 11, 1913, the party traveled more than 600 miles (965 kilometers) across Antarctica in conditions of severe bad weather.

Ice cave.

A member of the expedition looks at the water of the Commonwealth Bay.

A wrecked fishing vessel on the Macquarie Island beach.

Ice mushroom.

Huskies pull the sled.

Biologist Hamilton collects plankton from the Aurora.

Arthur Sawyer and the baby elephant seals.

Harold Hamilton and the skeleton of an elephant seal.

Members of the expedition in the kitchen.

Wilde and Watson are wrapped in a sleeping bag in a sleigh.

A sled dog puppy.

Penguin chicks Adele after a severe blizzard.

The cormorant protects its nest, Macquarie Island.

Dogs on the main base.

A typical portrait of a man who went out into the air in a hurricane. In the photo, meteorologist Madigan after taking readings.

Sea elephants.

Royal penguins.

Wintering place, Queen Mary's Land.

Members of the expedition.

The photo illustrates the movement during a hurricane wind.