A Son of the Rock

Due to the need for hull strength to withstand the crushing forces of the Antarctic ice, the RRS Discovery had no portholes. Instead internal illumination and ventilation were made possible by the use of mushroom vents in the deck. The crew nicknamed these ankle crushers as they presented obstacles to easy movement.

Mushroom vents:-

This deck structure also contains “portholes” pointing skywards:-

Steering wheel and binnacles:-

To the right above you can see the plaques denoting the location of the steering wheel, the binnacles and the ship’s cuddies.

Shipbuilders plaque. Dundee Shipbuilders, Panmure Yard:-