The Polar Expedition Sledging Rations are arranged in alphabetical order by the name of the company that produced each item.
Method of acquisition for all contents unknown.
[identification of item], Polar Expedition Sledging Rations, SPEC.PA.56.0256, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University
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Processed by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2026 February; Finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2026 February
Sledging rations are calorie dense meals designed for use by people traveling long distances, often by sledge, through the polar regions. The rations are meant to be lightweight, portable, shelf stable, and nutritious. In the early 1900s, sledging rations commonly consisted of sledging biscuits, pemmican, butter, sugar, cocoa, tea, and other dry goods such as rolled oats. During that time period, pemmican (a food made of dried meat, dried fruit, and suet fat) was often combined with water and sledging biscuits to make hoosh, a kind of stew. As of 2024, modern day polar scientists working in the field consume sledging rations that include freeze-dried meals, dried soup, dried vegetables, porridge, chocolate, butter, orange drink, and dried milk. A standard modern sledging ration provides around 3500 calories per day.
The Polar Expedition Sledging Rations date from the 1900s to the 1910s, and consist of sealed tinned foods that were used in polar expedition sledging rations to feed humans and dogs during that time period. While these particular sledging rations are not known to be associated with a specific expedition, they are brands and packaging of rations that were used on Robert F. Scott's British Antarctic Expedition (1910-1913), as well as on other British polar expeditions between 1900 and 1920. The Bovril Pemmican was most commonly used as dog food, though human explorers ate it as well in emergency situations.