 The relatively short expedition — Bruce was back in Scotland in May 1893 — failed in its main purpose , and gave only limited opportunities for scientific work . No right whales were found , and to cut the expedition 's losses a mass slaughter of seals was ordered , to secure skins , oil and blubber . Bruce found this distasteful , especially as he was expected to share in the killing . The scientific output from the voyage was , in Bruce 's words " a miserable show " . In a letter to the Royal Geographical Society he wrote : " The general bearing of the master ( Captain Fairweather ) was far from being favourable to scientific work " . Bruce was denied access to charts , so was unable to establish the accurate location of phenomena . He was required to work " in the boats " when he should have been making meteorological and other observations , and no facilities were allowed him for the preparation of specimens , many of which were lost through careless handling by the crew . Nevertheless , his letter to the RGS ends : " I have to thank the Society for assisting me in what has been , despite all drawbacks , an instructive and delightful experience . " In a further letter to Mill he outlined his wishes to go South again , adding : " the taste I have had has made me ravenous " . 
