Summary

Lantern slide of the Gipsy Moth seaplane, Antarctica.

One of 328 images in various formats including artworks, photographs, glass negatives and lantern slides.

Description of Content

Gipsy Moth seaplane A7-55 taking off in the Ross Sea. Eric Douglas' caption 'Solo Reconnaissance Flight in open water in the Ross Sea - January, 1936. Flight Lieutenant Eric Douglas - Care has to be taken to avoid contact with brash ice during take off'. Eric Douglas' log of 12th January, 1936 'At about 8.30AM this morning we entered a pool of fairly clear water which seemed to me to have possibilities in regard to a reconnaissance flight. So the Skipper was in agreement we got the moth ready. At about 10.30AM I was lowered over the side and after a bit of manoeuvring I took off solo and climbed to 1100 feet (I could not go higher owing to clouds) and noticed that to the south (true) it appeared to offer the best path for the ship. About 30 to 35 miles away appeared to be clear water. I then alighted and was safely hoisted on board again'. Photograph taken during the Ellsworth Relief Expedition, 1935-1936.

Physical Description

Standard format lantern slide, consisting of two glass sheets each 3.25 x 3.25 ins (83 x 83mm), one pane bearing a positive transparent image and the other pane protecting the image. Sealed with paper binding strips around the four edges of the lantern slide and internally framed with a black cut-out window mask.

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