Ross Sea Party Tent Conservation Journey Begins
Donors and supporters across the world answered our call to enable an important conservation project which is now getting underway in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The Ross Sea Party tent, an invaluable artefact from Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17, is under scrutiny as three specialist conservators develop the most appropriate processes to conserve it.
The tent is believed to be the only one left of its kind, and testament to the Ross Sea Party’s determination to lay supply depots across the Ross Ice Shelf for Shackleton’s planned crossing during his Endurance expedition.
The canvas tent, with metal poles and hand-lashed bamboo pole repairs, is certainly one of the most challenging objects the Antarctic Heritage Trust has undertaken to conserve, with welcome support from Canterbury Museum.
In September 2024, metal conservator Emily Fryer and textile conservators Kate Blair and Sarah Clayton met to carefully look over this evocative piece of history. They are considering its current state, what conservation processes it needs and can withstand, and have taken samples for analysis to inform what happens next.
“It is ultimately a very challenging and complex object to conserve,” Sarah says. “It is a composite object made up of a number of metals, timber and textile, which all interact differently with each other. It was repaired by the Ross Sea Party, was embedded in ice for several years and has been stored for some time. We have to take into account each aspect of its history and what its long-term future is.”
Kate says there are new things to consider. “Our initial inspection has raised a lot of questions for us as we figure out what to do to stabilise the tent. There is rust on the textile and rust damage is ongoing, but trying to remove it might do more damage. The more I think about the textile component, the more I think less is more. We must find the balance between preserving the tent and telling its significant story.”
Focusing on the metal components, Emily says she will first identify each substance. “When test results come back, I want to identify the metal deterioration and the issues of treating it. The bigger question is how much the artefact needs, taking into account the environment of its eventual location, and options for future re-treatment”.
The conservation team is having some of its work recorded, which will provide a reference as work progresses over time and opportunities to share the process with a wider audience.
Though Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance expedition is well known, the story of the Ross Sea Party is not. This project showcases their incredible story and adds a new chapter to the 1914-17 Expedition, thanks to the support of the Trust’s generous donors. In the first half of 2024 over NZD $70,000 was raised for the Trust’s artefact conservation programme, which is enabling this important work.
Learn more about the Ross Sea Party Tent
