1909 Alistair Forbes Mackay at the South Magnetic Pole
Alistair Forbes Mackay 1876 - 1914
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Journey to the South Magnetic Pole
Alistair - the spelling of his christian name varies with time and source - 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 Alistair entered the Navy as a surgeon, retired after four years' service, and joined Shackleton's 1908 - 1909 South Pole expedition. Alistair 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. Alistair was adept at hunting seals and penguins, usually correct in making important decisions, and displayed a great sense of humour. By comparison, Alistair's diary is more matter of fact but displays some humour in the final paragraph - see right. Alistair Forbes Mackay is commemorated by Mackay Glacier 76°58’ S 162°00' E which was discovered by the South Magnetic Pole Party. |
1909 Final paragraph in Alistair's journal - the moment of being reunited with the expedition's ship
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1909 Alistair Forbes Mackay
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Medals awarded to Alistair Forbes Mackay
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1913 Arctic expedition
Anxious to resume polar exploration, Alistair joined the ill-fated 1913 Stefansson Canadian Arctic Expedition. After the expedition's ship, the Karluk, was crushed by ice, Alistair led a group of four attempting to make it across the ice to Wrangel Island. He died a stoic death on an ice floe, after refusing assistance, and was never seen again. Alistair had never married.
His 1 Feb 1914 letter (below) to the ship's captain, Captain Bartlett, absolved Bartlett of any blame if he and his companions failed to make landfall safely.
Four other expedition members reached Herald Island but died before rescue arrived. Some, including Captain Bartlett, struggled to Wrangel Island. In all, 11 of the 28 expedition members perished. Stefansson, the organiser and leader of the expedition, abandoned the ship before it sank with a small number of men and proceeded to explore north of Canada (floating on ice floes), not returning until 1918.
Captain Bartlett left members of this crew on Wrangel Island and successfully travelled to Siberia for help.
All round, this was a disastrous expedition.
Anxious to resume polar exploration, Alistair joined the ill-fated 1913 Stefansson Canadian Arctic Expedition. After the expedition's ship, the Karluk, was crushed by ice, Alistair led a group of four attempting to make it across the ice to Wrangel Island. He died a stoic death on an ice floe, after refusing assistance, and was never seen again. Alistair had never married.
His 1 Feb 1914 letter (below) to the ship's captain, Captain Bartlett, absolved Bartlett of any blame if he and his companions failed to make landfall safely.
Four other expedition members reached Herald Island but died before rescue arrived. Some, including Captain Bartlett, struggled to Wrangel Island. In all, 11 of the 28 expedition members perished. Stefansson, the organiser and leader of the expedition, abandoned the ship before it sank with a small number of men and proceeded to explore north of Canada (floating on ice floes), not returning until 1918.
Captain Bartlett left members of this crew on Wrangel Island and successfully travelled to Siberia for help.
All round, this was a disastrous expedition.
Chukchi Sea map - showing Wrangel and Herald Islands
Jan 1914 The Karluk as she was about to sink
Karluk memorial on Wrangel Island
1 Feb 1914 Letter from Alistair Forbes Mackay to Captain Bartlett
The occasion: the separation of Forbes Mackay and 3 companions from the main party
The occasion: the separation of Forbes Mackay and 3 companions from the main party
Comments on the handwriting in Alister's 1 Feb 14 letter
The crossing ("T-bars") of the letters "t" are a standout feature of this letter - a letter, no doubt, composed in a time of high stress and anxiety almost a month after the Karluk had sunk.
In graphology, the letter "t" is studied in both strokes: the stem and the bar:
From a psychological point of view, the stem symbolises the energy which the individual affirms his personality firmness in conviction, personal assurance and flow of energy in projects.
Drawing the T-bar takes effort and attention. It is a conscious process that contributes to the legibility of the letter. It is considered that T-bars drawn overly to the right may indicate impulsiveness, thoughtlessness and impatience.
The capital "F"s - February and Forbes at the top and bottom of the letter respectively, prove that the letter was written by Alister.
Alister's signature "A. Forbes Mackay" confirms that the family considered their surname comprised two names.
The crossing ("T-bars") of the letters "t" are a standout feature of this letter - a letter, no doubt, composed in a time of high stress and anxiety almost a month after the Karluk had sunk.
In graphology, the letter "t" is studied in both strokes: the stem and the bar:
From a psychological point of view, the stem symbolises the energy which the individual affirms his personality firmness in conviction, personal assurance and flow of energy in projects.
Drawing the T-bar takes effort and attention. It is a conscious process that contributes to the legibility of the letter. It is considered that T-bars drawn overly to the right may indicate impulsiveness, thoughtlessness and impatience.
The capital "F"s - February and Forbes at the top and bottom of the letter respectively, prove that the letter was written by Alister.
Alister's signature "A. Forbes Mackay" confirms that the family considered their surname comprised two names.