Scotia sounding Ross Deep, Weddell Sea, 1904

was broken up. Speirs Bruce never returned to the Antarctic.

He tried to organise another expedition in 1910 and had the support of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, the University of Edinburgh and a host of other bodies. But hostility from the English establishment, orchestrated by Markham (in Speirs Bruce’s view), meant the plans came to nothing. He

A good expedition leader, Bruce lost no member of his crew, avoided being trapped in the ice and shared everything with his companions.

did, however, give generous help and advice to Shackleton in preparation for the 1913 Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition which received £10,000 from the British Government.

In contrast,

Speirs Bruce had been offered, and had received, nothing from that source.

Rudmose Brown and Captain Thomas Robertson in Scotia’s cabin, 1903

Bruce on Scotia during rebuilding in Ailsa Shipbuilding Co dry dock, Troon, 1902 August 2015 89