The correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller: With this sum steamers can be purchased and so thoroughly equipped as to render the Swedish-Australian expedition one likely to yield grand results, not only in science in many directions, but also in...

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Physical location:

91.05.00f

Preferred Citation:

Ferdinand von Mueller to Charles Topp, 1891-05 [91.05.00f]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1890-6/1891/91-05-00f-final.odt>, accessed June 13, 2026

Letter not found. The text given here (B91.08.01) is from the Annual Address by C. A. Topp, the retiring president, to the Annual Conversazione of the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria held on 28 May 1891. In the section of the address on the Antarctic expedition proposed to be undertaken by Baron von Nordenskiold, Topp used 'Information which I give on the authority and by the courtesy of' M. After summarizing financial contributions received from the Australian colonial governments and the amount to be given by Baron Dickson toward the total requirement of £15,000, Topp then quoted M as given here.

With this sum steamers can be purchased and so thoroughly equipped as to render the Swedish-Australian expedition one likely to yield grand results, not only in science in many directions, but also in commerce and industry, by initiating by definite reconnoitering whaling and sealing by subsequent steamers in regions never touched since creation, and yet comparatively near to Australia.

At this point, Topp wrote 'Baron von Mueller continues: —'.

It is, however, not generally recognized here how much depends on us collecting our monetary forces so as to enable Baron von Nordenskiold, the illustrious accomplisher of the eastern passage through the Arctic Sea, to get ready, during the present northern summer and autumn, with all needful strengthening and scientific fittings, the two ships, which ought for safety to keep company, in order that he with his companions may leave Sweden as soon as the ice breaks up, early next year, so as to reach Australian ports before the middle of 1892, where he could receive the Government subsidies and other monetary contributions and scientific assistance. It would then be possible for him to form the depôt at Macquarie Island not later than September, with the full nightless season before him. If the required aid cannot be fully secured very soon then clearly the season of 1892-93 will be lost for the expedition.

Topp concluded by further summarizing M's views on the composition of the proposed expedition. The expedition did not proceed; see Home et al. (1992).