Discovery II Lincoln Ellsworth relief expedition

In late 1935, the research vessel Discovery II left Melbourne for Antarctica, to search for well-known American explorer Lincoln Ellsworth.  Ellsworth and his companion, the British born Hollick Kenyon, had lost radio contact after landing their plane in the 'Little America' area of the Antarctic.  The mission succeeded in rescuing Ellsworth and Kenyon unharmed.

The Discovery II's rescue effort was a joint project involving British, Australian and New Zealand crew and resources.  The ship stopped in Dunedin for provisions, leaving there for Antarctica on 2 January 1936. 

The album contains 38 photographs of the relief expedition, each with a description. The photographs were taken by Alfred Saunders, who was working for Discovery Investigations.  According to the Dundee Heritage Trust, Discovery Investigations (1924-51) was 'a series of scientific  investigations into the biology of whales in the Southern Ocean' (http://www.dhtcollections.com/item/Brand_DiscoveryIIcrew_456_0_27379_1.html).

The crew of the Discovery II included Captain Hill, Flight Lieutenant Douglas, Sergeant Cottee and Flying Officer Murdoch.