November 12th: Today in 1912 the bodies of Robert Scott, Henry Bowers, and Edward Wilson were found in a snow covered tent in the Antarctic. Scott was the romantic image of a perfect explorer and his diary is harrowing reading, especially the diary of the last days but the expedition had made far too many mistakes to survive.

His description of the death of Lawrence Oates:

Should this be found I want these facts recorded. Oates’ last thoughts were of his mother, but immediately before he took pride in thinking that his regiment would be pleased with the bold way in which he met his death. We can testify to his bravery. He has borne intense suffering for weeks without complaint, and to the very last was able and willing to discuss outside subjects. He did not—would not—give up hope till the very end. He was a brave soul. This was the end. He slept through the night before last, hoping not to wake; but he woke in the morning—yesterday. It was blowing a blizzard. He said, ‘I am just going outside and may be some time.’ He went out into the blizzard and we have not seen him since.

Oates body was never found.

And his Scott’s last entries:

Thursday, March 29. Since the 21st we have had a continuous gale from W.S.W. and S.W. We had fuel to make two cups of tea apiece and bare food for two days on the 20th. Every day we have been ready to start for our depôt 11 miles away, but outside the door of the tent it remains a scene of whirling drift. I do not think we can hope for any better things now. We shall stick it out to the end, but we are getting weaker, of course, and the end cannot be far.

“It seems a pity, but I do not think I can write more.

R. Scott.”

Last entry. “For God’s sake, look after our people.”

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