This under-documented expedition was a pivotal moment in the annals of polar exploration and was the starting point, in historical terms, of revealing the great unknown continent of Antarctica. It was the first time in nearly 70 years since Captain James Cook had circumnavigated Antarctica, that a Royal Naval voyage of discovery had ventured so far South. They set a new ‘furthest south’ record in the process beating the one set up by James Weddell in a whaling ship in 1823.

The expedition set sail from Greenwich in 1839. It consisted of two wooden sailing ships commanded by Captain James Clark Ross and Commander Francis Crozier. The ships were manned exclusively by Royal Naval personnel and each ship had a complement of 64 men and officers. Their primary task was of a scientific nature to study the Earth’s magnetic field and build up a set of results that could provide a greater understanding of the effects of magnetism on compasses and their use in navigating the world’s oceans. This voyage had a set of planned targets and all were accomplished. In the process a vast amount of scientific information was collected.  

Many exotic places were visited during the voyage amongst them Madeira, St. Helena, Cape Town, Kerguelen Island, New Zealand, Australia and the Falkland Islands but the pinnacle was the discovery of the Ross Sea, the Ross Ice Shelf and the mighty volcanoes of Erebus and Terror (named after the two ships). The crews experienced the dangers of navigating in ice-strewn waters and narrowly escaping being crushed by icebergs. Illness was kept at bay although several lives were lost due to accidents.

It would be another 60 years before the scenes of their greatest discoveries were visited again and then the Golden Age of Discovery was ushered in with the likes of Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen.

Contents: Part 1 – The Expedition. In the Beginning; Targets and instructions; James Clark Ross and Francis Crozier; Setting sail to Madeira and the Atlantic Islands; Cape Town and beyond; Next stop – Hobart, Tasmania; First taste of the ice; Amazing discoveries and wonders to behold; Turning North; South again to the Great Ice Barrier; Impending Disaster; Wild cattle hunt and a third winter away; Return to the Antarctic. Part 2 – The sailors’ stories. Part 3 – The ships and their sailors. Muster list for HMS Erebus; Muster list for HMS Terror. Postscript

All those interested in exploration, adventure and natural history, maritime and naval history and anyone with a particular interest in the Antarctic will find this a hugely enjoyable and informative read.

'Knight has drawn attention to the Ross expedition, making the point that it has, to an extent, been over-shadowed by the later expeditions led by Shackleton, Scott and Amundsen.  He redresses that imbalance and has written an interesting book that also focuses the reader’s attention on the RN’s polar and scientific exploration techniques in the mid-nineteenth century which were at the cutting edge of contemporary technology. ...I recommend it.' Australian Naval Institute

'Author John Knight uses his expertise to guide the reader through the under documented Ross Expedition of 1839 to 1843 in “The Magnetism of Antarctica”.' Our Man On The Ground Travel And Lifestyle

'John Knight has done a remarkable amount of detailed research resulting in a very readable account of an ultimately successful Expedition, the preparations for it and also covering some of the less successful previous Expeditions... All those interested in exploration, adventure and natural history, maritime and naval history and anyone with a particular interest in the Antarctic will find this a hugely enjoyable and informative read. In Depth, Submariners Association

'...presents a new examination of the expedition from a refreshing perspective... ...is not a hard read at all. It flows quite beautifully with clear descriptions of the places visited, the investigations carried out and the discoveries made... ...a sensitive and informative retelling of what is the most significant Antarctic expedition of the 19th century, renowned for its geographical and geological discoveries, for its important magnetic observations and for opening up the route in the South Pole.' British Antarctic Club Journal 

''Thourough' is well justified. The author declares that is has taken years to put this book together and it is a worthy effort. ...This book can be recommended as a reliable and affordable account for the general reader...' The Naval Review

‘…an in-depth look at the whole expedition. …a detailed but very readable account… It is interesting to read the full accounts of the men’s lives, including what they did after making it home. …helpfully included both charts and full colour images throughout the book, which help to bring Knight’s account to life and give an impression of the remarkable sights that the crew of Erebus and Terror witnessed during their journey’. Nautilus International

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