Abstract
THE criticisms levelled by Prof. W. H. Hobbs at certain English explorers of West Antarctica of the early part of last century (Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc., 31, Part 1, Jan. 1939) were discussed in NATURE of April 29, 1939, p. 731. A much fuller and a most scholarly treatment by Mr. A. R. Hinks of Prof. Hobbs's structures appears in the Geographical Journal of October under the heading “On Some Misrepresentations of Antarctic History”. The title indicates the nature of the conclusions which Mr. Hinks reaches. From a study of relevant documents, including original maps, he shows conclusively that Prof. Hobbs's claim that Palmer and not Bransfield discovered the Antarctic continent is false and that there is no foundation for Prof. Hobbs's contention that the chart signed by Bransfield which is in the Hydrographic Office is not genuine, and that Prof. Hobbs has no justification for discarding the account of Bransfield's voyage which appeared in the Literary Gazette (vol. 5, November 1821). No argument that Prof. Hobbs brings to this discussion can shake the authenticity of the documents on which Bransfield's claim to the discovery of Trinity Land, the first sighting of the Antarctic continent, is founded. Mr. Hinks raises many other points in his articles, including Prof. Hobbs's aspersions on the good faith of J. Weddell, whose discoveries conclusively stand the test of any inquiry and criticism. The article may be accepted as a final reasoned answer to the attacks made by Prof. Hobbs on these English navigators of Antarctic seas.
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Early History of Antarctic Exploration. Nature 144, 901 (1939). https://doi.org/10.1038/144901c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/144901c0