DUNDEE SHIPBUILDERS COMPANY (W.E. SMITH, ARCHITECT, R. PATERSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, E. BATE, INSPECTOR)

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SCOTT'S BRITISH NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1901-1904 (lots 72-77) SCOTT'S DISCOVERY 'In deciding to build a vessel for the purposes of the expedition the Ship Committee made a new departure, for the 'Discovery' was the first vessel ever built in England (sic) for scientific exploration.' R.F. Scott, The Voyage of the 'Discovery'. The Admiralty Chief Constructor, Mr. W.E. Smith, submitted plans for Scott's ship to Sir Clements Markham in April 1899. A tender from Dundee Shipbuilders Company, one of just two submitted, was accepted by Markham on 14 December and the Keel was laid down the following March. She would be named 'Discovery' in June 1900, following a line of famous exploring vessels of this name, and taking her most immediate inspiration from the Discovery of Nares' Arctic expedition of 1875: 'As a starting point,' wrote Smith, 'the drawings of the old Discovery, that went into the Arctic Regions in 1875-76...were considered, and it was, as a first measure, directed that the new vessel should be built of wood and should follow as closely as possible on the general lines of the old Discovery as regards dimensions, lines, sail area, etc., leaving special features as regards strengthening, details of accommodation, etc., to be improved upon as might prove practicable.' The lines of the old Discovery were to be copied because she was thought to be the ultimate development of the nineteenth-century steam whalers of Dundee, whose overhanging stem enabled her to force a passage more easily through pack-ice. 'On account of the great success of the Fram,' continued Mr. Smith, 'it came under consideration whether it would not be well for the new vessel to have a midship section shaped as in that vessel, of a pronounced "peg-top" character, so as to promote lifting out of danger when exposed to a heavy crushing pressure of ice, but after full consideration, it was decided that, having regard to the many thousands of miles of tempestuous seas the new vessel would have to traverse both outwards and homewards, it would be better to have an ordinary ship-shaped section, as being more conducive to general goodness of behaviour under trying sea-going conditions.' (A. Savours, The Voyages of the Discovery, London, 1992, pp.14-15, quoting from W.E. Smith's 'The design of the Antarctic exploration vessel Discovery' in Transactions of the Institution of Naval Architects, xlvii, I, 1905, pp.3-4.) Barque-rigged and with engines designed by Engineer Commander P. Marrack, RN, manufactured by Messrs Gourlay in Dundee, Discovery would have a length of 172 feet and breadth of 34 feet, displacing 1,620 tons and with a registered tonnage of 485. Her particular features, for ice work, included a rudder and screw which could be detached and lifted up through the deck at the stern, a massively reinforced bow whose stem was made up of blocks of scarfed wood, bolted and protected with steel plates and heavily lined sides: 'The frames, which were placed very close together, were eleven inches thick and of solid English oak; inside the frames came the inner lining, a solid planking four inches thick; whilst the outside was covered with two layers of planking, respectively six and five inches thick, so that, in most places, to bore a hole in the side one would have to get through twenty-six inches of solid wood...All this went to give the ship a frame capable of resisting immense side strains, but, strong as she was in this respect, the rigid stiffness of the sides was as nothing to that of the bows.' (R.F. Scott, The Voyage of the 'Discovery', London, 1907 ed., I, p.38.) She was named and launched by Lady Markham on 21 March 1901: 'The bottle of wine was smashed against her bows, there was a pause of two minutes and then the good ship 'Discovery' glided into the sea - a beautiful sight - amidst tremendous cheers: the strongest ship ever launched, and the first built specially for exploring work, in this country.' (Sir Clements Markham's diary, RGS Archives, CRM 1/14.) After engines and boilers were fitted, she sailed from Dundee on 3 June, arriving in East India Dock on the Thames three days later. After hurried stocking of the ship she sailed from London Docks at the end of July, was inspected by the King at Cowes on 5 August and finally slipped from her buoy on her voyage south the following day. Her performance was disappointing at first, Scott remarking that she 'did not possess a turn of speed under any conditions', and the constructors came in for criticism when she sprang a leak that would dog the entire vogage. Later, in southern seas, her performance improved: 'As time went on we became more and more satisfied with the seaworthy qualities of our small ship; she proved wonderfully stiff, and as her sail area was small, it was rarely, if ever, necessary to shorten the sail even in the most violent gales; she rose like a cork to the mountainous seas that now followed in her wake, and, considering her size, was wonderfully free of water on the upper deck.' (R.F. Scott, op. cit., p.73.) After caulking, provisioning and re-stowing at Lyttelton, Discovery crossed the Antarctic circle on 3 January 1902. After running along the Great Ice Barrier Discovery eventually found 'a difficult anchorage' at the ice-foot in McMurdo Sound. A hut was erected on the nearby promontory of land but the ship was retained as a shore station throughout the expedition. It had been originally intended that Discovery would do no more than land a shore party and depart before winter closed in, but Scott considered the ship could winter at their anchorage in safety. She was frozen in for two winters from 1902-4. The Morning was unable to relieve the expedition in 1903, to the consternation of the Admiralty, and it was only the remarkable efforts of Colbeck and MacKay in the Morning and the Terra Nova that finally released Discovery from the ice in February 1904. Discovery was bought by the Hudson's Bay Company in January 1905 and adapted as a merchant vessel, voyaging to Hudson Bay 1905-11 and continuing in general service until the Company granted the ship as temporary headquarters to 16th Stepney Sea Scout Troops in 1922. She was bought by the Crown Agents for the Colonies for scientific research in the South Seas in 1923 and embarked on the Discovery (Oceanographic) Expedition in 1925(-7). She was lent to Mawson's British, Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) 1929-31, was laid up in London 1931-6, used as a training ship for the Boy Scouts 1936-9, by the Navy in the war, and continued under ownership of the Boy Scouts Association after the war. The Maritime Trust took her over in 1979 when restoration work began, intending to return her approximately to her 1925 arrangements, although her engine and machinery had been taken out for scrap in the war. She was returned to her home city of Dundee in 1986, helping to inspire the regeneration of that 'City of Discovery' in recent years. The following tracings, linens and blueprints, beginning with Smith's tracing of Nares' Discovery, take us through the development of Scott's ship from its very earliest proposals, through the general arrangements of the linens, to the architect's copies of Discovery's blueprints, Scott's ship 'as fitted'. The present collection includes tracing proposals, linens and blueprints of such key features as the reinforced bow and sides, the lifting rudder and screw. Notations, alterations and approvals on the sheets detail the changes in construction from the first proposals to completion. Further plans for Scott's Discovery.1901 are held by the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London. We are grateful to R.G. Todd, Head of the Historic Photographs and Ship Plans Section at the National Maritime Museum for his kind assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.

DUNDEE SHIPBUILDERS COMPANY (W.E. SMITH, ARCHITECT, R. PATERSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, E. BATE, INSPECTOR)

National Antarctic Exploring Vessel Discovery. Twenty-three sketch proposals and linens of the general arrangements and six blueprints (as fitted), all from the architect's set, comprising:

Details

DUNDEE SHIPBUILDERS COMPANY (W.E. SMITH, ARCHITECT, R. PATERSON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, E. BATE, INSPECTOR)
National Antarctic Exploring Vessel Discovery. Twenty-three sketch proposals and linens of the general arrangements and six blueprints (as fitted), all from the architect's set, comprising:
1. SKETCH PROPOSALS
THREE TRACING SKETCH PROPOSALS WITH WATERLINE OUTLINE PROFILES (1. Discovery, 2. New Vessel, 3. New Vessel, all scale 1/8" = one foot)
numbered 9,10 and 11 on the reverse
pencil, pen, black and red inks and grey wash on tracing paper
each 18¾ x 36in. (47.8 x 91.4cm.)

SKETCH PROPOSALS FOR THE RUDDER (IN POSITION AND RAISED)
numbered 8 on the reverse
pen and ink on tracing paper
12¼ x 30in. (31.1 x 76.2cm.)

SKETCH PROPOSAL OF FULL OUTBOARD PROFILE WITH RIG
numbered 6 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks on cartridge paper
21¼ x 31¼in. (59 x 79.4cm.)

SPAR LIST (S.S. No133)
signed and dated by the managing director 'R Paterson 5/7/00', signed, inscribed and dated by the architect 'Concur as in red and blue. W.E. Smith 31.8.00' and by the inspector 'Noted. & a copy has been handed to me E Bate 4.9.1900', numbered 7 on the reverse
pen, black and red inks on tracing paper, with alterations to various diameters and materials in blue and red inks
21¾ x 12¼in. (55.2 x 31.1cm.)

2. LINENS OF THE GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS

RIGGING PLAN S.S. No133 FOR ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION Scale 1/8" = 1 foot numbered 1 on the reverse, pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
22¼ x 38in. (56.4 x 96.5cm.)

NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPLORING VESSEL DISCOVERY
Scale ¼" = 1 foot - waterline outboard profile
numbered 2 on the reverse, black and blue inks on draughtsman's linen 27¾ x 59½in. (70.4 x 151.1cm.)

INBOARD PROFILE AND PLAN OF UPPER DECK numbered 3 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
26 x 58½in. (66.1 x 148.6cm.)

PLAN OF HOLD AND SECTIONS Scale ¼in. = one foot
signed and dated 'London/October 1899/Sd. W.E. Smith' (upper left)
numbered 4 on the reverse
pen, black and coloured inks and washes on draughtsman's linen
26½ x 57¾in. (67.4 x 146.7cm.)

PLAN OF UPPER DECK Scale ¼in. = one foot AND PLAN OF FORECASTLE
numbered 5 on the reverse, pencil, pen, black and coloured inks and washes on draughtsman's linen
257/8 x 56½in. (65.7 x 143.5cm.)

CUTTER FOR S.S. DISCOVERY No133
Scale 1" = one foot, After Body, Fore Body, Sheer and Half Breadth Plans numbered 12 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
14¾ x 295/8in. (37.4 x 75.3cm.)

BODY PLAN, S.S.W.S. No133 FOR ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION (INSIDE OF MAIN PLANKING SHOWN - OUTSIDE OF MAIN PLANKING - OUTSIDE SHEATHING - DIMENSIONS LENGTH BETWN RUDER AXS & CUT WATR 172'0" BREADTH OVERALL 34'0" DEPTH FROM TOP OF UPPER DK BEAMS TO CEILING 18'9½" - Scale ½" = 1 foot
numbered 13 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
26¾ x 26in. (67.7 x 66.1cm.)

BODY PLAN, S.S.W.S. No133
numbered 14 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
24½ x 24¼in. (62.2 x 61.6cm.)

SECTION (fortified ice-breaking bow) Scale ½" = 1 foot
numbered 16 on the reverse
pen and black ink on draughtsman's linen
17 x 14in. (43.2 x 35.6cm.)

SECTIONS FOR FINISHED LINES, S.S. "DISCOVERY"
Scale ¼inch = 1 foot
numbered 18 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
22½ x 351/8in. (57.2 x 89.2cm.)

SECTIONS FOR FINISHED LINES, S.S. "DISCOVERY"
Scale ¼inch = 1 foot
numbered 19 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red ink on draughtsman's linen
22¼ x 351/8in. (56.5 x 89.2cm.)

PROFILE, Scale ¼in = one foot
signed and dated 'London/October 1899/signed W E Smith' (upper left)
numbered 22 on the reverse
pen, black, blue, red inks and coloured washes on draughtsman's linen
22½ x 61¾in. (57.2 x 156.8cm.)

FINISHED LINES, S.S. "DISCOVERY" scale ¼inch = 1 foot [Sheer and Half Breadth], with a Body Plan
numbered 23 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks on draugthsman's linen
24¾ x 70½in. (62.8 x 179.1cm.)

PLAN OF LOWER DECK, Scale ¼in = one foot
numbered 24 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks and coloured washes on draughtsman's linen
20¾ x 53½in. (52.7 x 135.8cm.)

FINISHED LINES, S.S. "DISCOVERY", scale ¼inch = 1 foot [Sheer and Half Breadth], with a Body Plan
numbered 25 on the reverse
pencil, pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
24¼ x 72½in. (61.6 x 184.2cm.)

MIDSHIP SECTION, Scale ½in = one foot
DISPOSITION OF FRAMING &c., SKETCH SHOWING METHOD OF FITTING NON-CONDUCTING MATERIAL UNDER DECK., DISPOSITION OF FASTENINGS OF BOTTOM PLANKING.
signed and dated 'London/October 1899/Sd. W.E. Smith,' (upper left)
numbered 26 on the reverse
pen, black, blue and red inks and coloured washes on draughtsman's linen
27¼ x 48¾in. (69.2 x 123.8cm.)

SHEER DRAWING, Scale ¼in = one foot
signed and dated 'London/October 1899/Sd W.E. Smith' (upper left)
pen, black, blue and red inks on draughtsman's linen
26½ x 74in. (67.3 x 187.9cm.)

3. BLUEPRINTS (AS FITTED)

SECTION (fortified ice-breaking bow)
Scale ½" = 1 foot
numbered 15 on the reverse
blueprint
17½ x 12½in. (44.4 x 31.7cm.)

CUTTER FOR S.S. DISCOVERY, No133, SHEER AND HALF BREADTH PLANS, AFTERBODY AND FOREBODY
with 'THE DUNDEE SHIPBUILDERS CO., LD/Successors to/Alex. Stephen & Sons/DUNDEE' stamp dated 11(?)/12.00 and inscribed 'Approved as per/Capt. Scott's letter Jan 4 01' (upper right)
numbered 17 on the reverse
blueprint
14¾ x 30in. (37.4 x 76.2cm.)

PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT FOR LIFTING RUDDER AND PROPELLOR, S.S. No133
Scale ¼" = 1 foot
dated '22/9/00' (centre right), signed, inscribed and dated 'Concur generally with/the arrangements I have hereon for/lifting the screw & the rudder/by the mizzen gaff./The/.../and workmanship of the/various parts to be such as to/afford adequate strength/W.E. Smith/22.10.00', numbered 20 on the reverse
blueprint
38 x 223/8in. (96.5 x 56.8cm.)

RIGGING PLAN, S.S. No133 FOR ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION
Scale 1/8" = 1 foot
dated '22/5/1900' (upper centre)
numbered 21 on the reverse
blueprint
227/8 x 37¾in. (58.2 x 95.8cm.)

NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPLORING VESSEL DISCOVERY
Scale ¼" = 1 foot
with 'THE DUNDEE SHIPBUILDERS CO., LD./Successors to/Alex. Stephen & Sons/DUNDEE' stamp over the managing director's signature and date 'R. Paterson/20.9.01' (upper right)
numbered 28 on the reverse
blueprint
28½ x 62¼in. (72.3 x 158.1cm.)

NATIONAL ANTARCTIC EXPLORING VESSEL DISCOVERY, scale ¼ inch = 1 foot., INBOARD PROFILE AND PLAN OF UPPER DECK
with 'THE DUNDEE SHIPBUILDERS CO., LD/successors to/Alex. Stephen & Sons/DUNDEE' stamp over the managing director's signature and date ' R. Paterson/20.9.01' (lower right)
numbered 29 on the reverse
blueprint
26½ x 62in. (67.3 x 157.5cm.)
(29)

Provenance

Sir William Edward Smith, CB (1850-1930), Admiralty Chief Constructor (1894-1902) and Discovery's architect (inscriptions in red ink on all sheets 'Lent by Sir W.E. Smith/to S.C.W (Mr. W.H. Whiting)/July 1916', the date indicating that the plans were borrowed for Discovery's brief refit at Devonport in July-August 1916 prior to sailing on the Shackleton relief voyage, aborted at Montevideo in September.)

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