PATON, JAMES [SCOTTY], Antarctic Diary 1914-1917. Imperial Tans-Antarctic Expedition, Ross Sea Party [Sir Ernest Shackleton's Expedition]. Typescript diary by Boatswain, James Paton of the S.Y. Aurora, beginning Hobart 23 December 1914, includes the 'drift' in the Ross Sea and the arrival under jury rudder into Port Chalmers in April 1916. 275mm, 207p, the diary begins with a list of the crew and mission statement, 'Our mission was to proceed to the Antarctic, and at Cape Evans, Ross Island, South Victoria Land, establish our Winter Quarters, and from there send out our parties to lay depots as far as the Beardmore Glacier, to assist Sir Ernest Shackleton on his great Trans-Antarctic Expedition. We were thus named the 'Ross Sea Base'.
A very good copy of an original Polar diary, believed to have been typed and bound on Paton's instructions. Original dark brown cloth, with gilt title printed diagonally across front board.
Paton was a seasoned Antarctic Sailor having sailed on 'The Morning', the 'Nimrod' and the 'Terra Nova', and finally on the 'Aurora' as Boatswain in 1914, which became icebound in 1915 and was not freed until Feb 1916. He then sailed back to the Antarctic as Boatswain again in 1917 as part of the relief expedition, with Shackleton to rescue the stranded men. Following the successful rescue, Shackleton sold the Aurora and Paton sailed on it again for Chile to make delivery to the new owners, they were never heard of again and by Nov 1917, the ship was posted missing with all hands.
Includes various related clippings one cutting laid onto final page 'The Overdue Aurora'. Also a telegram mounted to back pastedown, dated 6th April 1916 'Many Thanks coming soon, Jim Paton'. Paton had sent a wireless message to his mother, and in return received a cable advising him of her death.