Thomas "Tom" Crean Biography

Birth of Thomas "Tom" Crean

Discovery sails for the Antarctic

Discovery arrives in McMurdo Sound, where she anchors at a spot designated as "Hut Point", & establish the base from which they will launch scientific and exploratory sledging journeys, Crean proves to be one of the most consistent man-haulers in the party

Crean accompanies Lieutenant Michael Barne on three sledging trips across the Ross Ice Shelf, then known as the "Great Ice Barrier" including the 12-man party led by Barne which set out on 30 October 1902 to lay depots in support of the main southern journey undertaken by Scott, Shackleton and Edward Wilson

The Barne party passes the previous furthest south mark,set by Carsten Borchgrevink in 1900 at 78 degrees 50S, a record which they held briefly until the southern party itself passed it on its way to an eventual 82 degrees 17S

During the Antarctic winter of 1902 Discovery became locked in the ice, efforts to free her during the summer of 190203 failed, and although some of the expeditions members (including Ernest Shackleton) left in a relief ship, Crean and the majority of the party remained in the Antarctic until the ship was finally freed in February 1904

After Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition fails to reach the South Pole despite setting a furthest-south record, Scott tells Crean that they should attempt the Pole themselves.

Part of the 13-man party who laid "One Ton Depot" 130 statute miles (210 km) from Hut Point, the depot being named because of the large amount of food and equipment cached there

Crean helps haul the weakened Evans toward safety.

Turns back with Edward Evans and William Lashly.

Death of Thomas "Tom" Crean