Shackleton was keen for his ship to utilise the latest technological equipment including the latest wireless equipment and an instrument for measuring a ship’s course called an odograph. Most radical was the plan to take a small Avro ‘Baby’ sea plane. As Shackleton stated in his official proposal, a plane was “a powerful help to the modern oceanographic expedition.” However, a change of Quest’s route meant that vital parts were never retrieved from storage in Cape Town and the aircraft was never deployed.
Australian aviator and Quest crew member, Hubert Wilkins, later became one of the first men to carry out aerial explorations of Antarctica in 1928.
There was much public interest in the equipment and living arrangements of the crew. Newspapers printed the expedition’s product promotions and reports commenting on their kit and food provisions, including rumours of taking edible candles.
“Her berths for the most part are fitted with spring mattresses, and electric light is installed throughout. The kitchen —the most compact little place imaginable—and the cook’s cabin back on to one another.” The Scotsman August 1921