Percy Correll (1892–1974) was a mechanic and an assistant physicist on
Sir Douglas Mawson's scientific expedition to Antarctica from 1911–1914, the
Australasian Antarctic Expedition.
Biography
Percy Edward Correll (also known as Percival) was born in 1892 in
Adelaide, and died on 11 June 1974. He was cremated at
Centennial Park Cemetery
Centennial Park Cemetery is a large, 40.5 hectare (or 100 acre) cemetery in the southern Adelaide suburb of Pasadena, located on Goodwood Road. It is the largest cemetery in the southern suburbs and one of the largest in the Adelaide metropolit ...
, Adelaide.
Australasian Antarctic Expedition

Correll was 19 years old and a science student at the
University of Adelaide when he was selected to join Mawson's expedition.
He was selected as a mechanic and as assistant to wireless operator Walter Hannam.
He took part in the Eastern Sledging journey with
Cecil Madigan and
Archibald McLean, exploring the coast near the
Mertz Glacier.
They were instructed to explore this area taking detailed records of magnetic, biological, topographical, meteorological and geological observations, as well as details of the surfaces including
sastrugi and record distances and heights.
The group left Cape Denison on 8 November 1912, reached their farthest point on 18 December 1912,
and returned to base camp on 16 January 1913. Their return was delayed one day past their deadline due to blizzard conditions on their return which slowed their progress. During their trek the group explored the Mertz and
Ninnis glaciers, travelled over dangerous stretches of coastal ice and glaciers, climbed
Aurora Peak
Aurora Peak () is an Antarctic peak high along the west side of the Mertz Glacier, south of Mount Murchison. It was discovered by the Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911–14) under Douglas Mawson. The members of the eastern coastal part ...
and reached
Horn Bluff Horn Bluff () is a prominent rocky headland on the northern side of the coastal island at the western side of Deakin Bay, Antarctica. The feature rises to and is marked by the columnar structure of the dolerite forming the upper part of it. It was ...
. They kept detailed records of geological features and mapped the environment as they travelled.
Correll left the main base on
SY ''Aurora'' in February 1913 along with most of the expedition, while a smaller group stayed behind awaiting the return of the
Far Eastern Party (comprising Mawson,
Xavier Mertz and
Belgrave Edward Sutton Ninnis). During the return trip, he acted as colour photographer. He returned to Adelaide in March 1913.
Correll Nunatak
Correll Nunatak () is a nunatak lying within the western part of Mertz Glacier, about south of Aurora Peak
Aurora Peak () is an Antarctic peak high along the west side of the Mertz Glacier, south of Mount Murchison. It was discovered by the ...
is named after him.
Patents
Correll applied for a number of
patents including:
*Process for embellishing glass
*Improvements in light projectors including head lamps for vehicles and the like
*Improvements in the Construction of Tent
*Improvements in the Construction of Headlamps for Vehicles
*Improvements in and relating to "screens" and "sheets" and the like for the reception of optically-projected pictures, images and the like
[GB166133 (A) – Improvements in and relating to "screens" and "sheets" and the like for the reception of optically-projected pictures, images and the like]
European Patent Office
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References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Correll, Percy
1892 births
1974 deaths
Australasian Antarctic Expedition
Explorers of Antarctica