1907 Sub-Antarctic Islands Scientific Expedition

The 1907 Sub-Antarctic Islands Scientific Expedition was a New Zealand scientific expedition organised by the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury (now known as the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand). The main aim of the expedition was to extend the magnetic survey of New Zealand by investigating the Auckland and Campbell Islands but botanical, biological and zoological surveys were also conducted.

The planning committee of the Philosophical Institute of Canterbury approached the various branches of the New Zealand Institute for support and armed with this, approached the New Zealand Minister of Marine, John A. Millar, for possible transport. On being informed that neither of the New Zealand Government steam ships would be available, the committee sent a delegation to the Acting Premier, the Honourable William Hall-Jones. By 8 June 1907, it was confirmed that the NZGSS Hinemoa under the captaincy of John Bollons would be available to transport the expedition.

A group of 26 participants went on the expedition. The group was split into two main parties—one for Campbell Island and one for the Auckland Islands—with the intention that the groups were to be dropped off to survey while the NZGSS Hinemoa conducted its regular round of checking the castaway depots at other subantarctic islands before returning to pick the groups up.

There were a number of others that were invited to attend but either tendered their regrets or were unable to go. These included:

The NZGSS Hinemoa departed from Bluff on 14 November 1907 and the Expedition arrived at Port Pegasus, Stewart Island in the early afternoon. Some disembarked for an episode of botanical collecting. The voyage continued at 9pm that evening with an overnight steam to The Snares, which were reached at 6am. All of 15 November was spent at The Snares exploring the islands and collecting soil, rock and botanical specimens. By 16 November the expedition arrived at Auckland Islands and discovered the castaways of the wreck of the Dundonald. After ensuring that the castaways were supplied with provisions and taking on board one of the castaways to act as a cook for the Campbell Island expedition group, the Auckland Islands expedition party was dropped off at Camp Cove.

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