Robert Falcon Scott Markham's first choice as leader but, having decided on him, the older man's support remained constant. There were committee battles over the scope of Scott's responsibilities, with the Royal Society pressing to put a scientist in charge of the expedition's programme while Scott merely commanded the ship. Eventually, however, Markham's view prevailed; Scott was given overall command, and was promoted to the rank of commander before "Discovery" sailed for the Antarctic on 6 August 1901. King Edward VII, who showed a keen interest in the expedition, visited the Discovery the day before the ship left British shores in August 1901,
Robert Wilson (ship captain) at George's Square in the town, and would also visit the home of Wilson. The home at 279 Lawson St. was known as the "Mariner's Home" as it was open to ill and homeless sailors during the winter. The Captain R. Wilson Public School is named in his honour. Robert Wilson (ship captain) Robert Wilson (1806 – 1888) was a Great Lakes ship captain operating out of Oakville, Ontario who helped black slaves escape to freedom as part of the Underground Railroad. Wilson was born in Ireland. His mother moved the family to Canada in 1817 after the death of