The Scottish national antarctic expedition's survey of Laurie Island, South Orkneys

Abstract

Abstract The Scottish National Antarctic Expedition (SNAE) arrived at Laurie Island in late March 1903 but serious mapping did not begin until after mid‐winter, starting with a local compass survey. Work with a theodolite was commenced in late July but little progress was made before it was brought to a halt by an accident to the instrument in early September. From then until November, relying mainly on a sextant, the survey was extended over the greater part of the Island. The SNAE's manuscript map, while showing virtually all of Laurie Island's coastline in detail, depicts little of the mountainous interior. Triangulation by theodolite was restricted to part of Scotia Bay. The remainder of the Island was mapped by a method involving the measurement of one or more additional base‐lines and the intersection and resection of sextant and compass angles. Comparison of the SNAE's published outline with a recent Landsat‐based map of Laurie Island does not reveal any serious flaws in the survey.