1909 Alastair Forbes Mackay at the South Magnetic Pole
Alastair Forbes Mackay 1876 - 1914
Journey to the South Magnetic Pole
Alastair was the 4th son of Alexander Forbes Mackay and Mabel Innes. Educated in Edinburgh, he undertook biological work and served in South Africa in the Boer War. On his return to Scotland, he passed his examinations in medicine, and returned to the war as a surgeon. Then Alastair entered the Navy as a surgeon, retired after four years' service, and joined Shackleton's 1908 - 1909 South Pole expedition. Alastair joined Australians Professor Edgeworth David and Sir Douglas Mawson as the first people to reach the South Magnetic Pole. The epic three man expedition is well recorded in a journal by Professor David and Alastair's diary. David's journal covers more detail than Mackay's and records that Mackay was a very important member of the small group. Alastair was adept at hunting seals and penguins, usually correct in making important decisions, and displayed a great sense of humour. By comparison, Alastair's diary is more matter of fact but displays some humour in the final paragraph - see right. |
Final paragraph in Alastair's journal - the moment of being reunited with the expedition's ship
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1913 Arctic expedition
Anxious to resume polar exploration, Alastair joined the ill-fated 1913 Stefansson Canadian Arctic Expedition. Alastair died a stoic death on an ice floe, after refusing assistance, and he was never seen again. Alastair never married.
Anxious to resume polar exploration, Alastair joined the ill-fated 1913 Stefansson Canadian Arctic Expedition. Alastair died a stoic death on an ice floe, after refusing assistance, and he was never seen again. Alastair never married.