A century ago this month, a pioneering research vessel named the Royal Research Ship (RRS) William Scoresby set sail from Humber Dock in Hull. Its mission, initially focused on whale stocks around the Falkland Islands, inadvertently laid much of the groundwork for our modern understanding of significant global weather phenomena, including El Niño.
Named after a renowned Whitby whaler and scientist, the Scoresby was purpose-built in Beverley at the shipyard of Cook, Welton and Gemmell. It was designed specifically for exploration close to the Antarctic and to delve into the depths of the southern seas. Its inaugural voyage saw it accompany the famous Discovery, a ship that had previously carried explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton on their Antarctic expeditions.
Over several subsequent voyages, the Scoresby began to conduct extensive research into ocean movements. Scientists on board meticulously collected samples and conducted tests, significantly advancing the nascent fields of marine biology and oceanography. Dr Rob Robinson, an honorary research fellow at the University of Hull, highlights that the foundations for our understanding of currents like El Niño and the complementary cold-water Humboldt current were largely established by this vessel.
A particularly impactful journey in the 1930s saw the Scoresby away from Britain for 19 months. During this expedition, the crew conducted detailed examinations of the Humboldt and El Niño currents. The data gathered during this period was instrumental in developing an understanding of these powerful currents and their far-reaching impact, not only on the Pacific region but on global weather systems.
The Scoresby's adventures were not limited to scientific exploration. During World War Two, the ship was repurposed for Operation Tabarin, described by Dr Robinson as a 'cloak and dagger' operation in the South Atlantic. This mission aimed to counter Argentinian claims to sovereignty over various islands within the Falkland Islands Dependencies. The vessel was eventually laid up in the 1950s and later scrapped, but its legacy in marine science remains profound, consolidating our knowledge of ocean frontiers and their influence on weather.