Captain Scott's Discovery and HMS Unicorn

**cessna152towser** · 9th February 11, 04:00 PM

I needed a break from all the depressing things that are needing to be done here so when a friend suggested lunch in Dundee and visit a couple of old sailing ships that seemed like a very good idea.
Discovery was launched in Dundee in 1901.
She was a sailing barque with auxiliary steam engine. The steam engine was removed for scrap during World War II.

All set to sail the seven seas.
Discovery voyaged to the Antarctic in the 1901-1904 expedition. She was then sold to the Hudson's Bay Company of Canada for use as a cargo ship, and in the nineteen thirties she made further expeditionary voyages to the Antarctic.

On the bridge of Discovery looking aft.

The stern wheel. This was the original steering mechanism, linked to the bridge by a voice pipe. Later a second wheel was added on the bridge and this one was only used for emergencies.

The pantry

Mess deck.

Albert Armitage, second in command on the 1901-1904 Antarctic Expedition

The cabin of Captain Robert Falcon Scott.

Mannequin of Reginald William Skelton, 1872-1956, chief engineer and official photographer on Discovery's voyage to the Antarctic 1901-1904.
More to follow shortly.

**cessna152towser** · 9th February 11, 04:09 PM

Cementing international relations between Scotland and Lebanon at Dundee harbour.

HMS Unicorn was built as a frigate for the Royal Navy and launched in 1824. A superstructure was built over her main deck and she was laid up "in ordinary", serving as a hulk and a depot ship for most of the next 140 years. Her lack of active duty left her timbers well preserved, and in the 1960s steps were initiated to convert her to a museum ship. Despite the lack of masts she is still a fine ship and well worth a visit.

The Unicorn figurehead on HMS Unicorn. Appropriately I wore my sporran with embossed leather unicorn made by A_Hay for my visit to HMS Unicorn.

The Captain's table, HMS Unicorn.

HMS Unicorn was designed to be armed with forty six of these guns.
That's all folks.

**Jordan** · 9th February 11, 04:25 PM

Really good photos, It's nice to see your still getting out and about Alex, I hope your coping as much as possible.

If your ever heading up to Aberdeen we should try to meet up again especially since your going to be in Canada when I'm in your neck of the woods next month.

Jordan

**Father Bill** · 9th February 11, 04:43 PM

We were in Dundee last summer and saw these marvellous ships, but without time to visit. Thanks so much for taking us aboard!

**bigdad1** · 9th February 11, 04:46 PM

Great pictures Alex. I love the old sailing ships. If you ever make it to San Diego Sydnie and I will take you to the maritime maritime museum here.

**macwilkin** · 9th February 11, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by bigdad1

Great pictures Alex. I love the old sailing ships. If you ever make it to San Diego Sydnie and I will take you to the maritime maritime museum here.

Is the Star of India still there?

Many thanks for the photos, Alex. I have always wanted to see the Discovery.

T.

**ohiopiper** · 9th February 11, 10:40 PM

As a former sailor, I do enjoy a look at the old ships. They make me grateful to have served in the twentieth century, not the eighteenth!

**McClef** · 10th February 11, 01:02 AM

Great photos Alex.

I was last aboard the Unicorn when I was still a student and have some b&w photos somewhere.

I was last aboard Discovery when I was a wee laddie and it was still on the Thames. Although I stayed at the Dundee Hilton a couple of years ago and saw it in dock I didn't get around to going on board

**Oddern** · 10th February 11, 01:39 AM

Great pics Alex. You look good.
Skål!

**caig** · 10th February 11, 03:40 AM

Nice to see you out and about, Alex.

It is quite some years since I was in Dundee and seeing the old ships again brought back some pleasant memories, so thank you very much.