As captain of the Aurora during Mawson's 1911-14 expedition, Davis was able to produce one of the few first-hand accounts available in print. Rather like Shackleton's South, the book itself is a typical poorly produced war-time volume.

The 1911–1914 expedition encountered many challenges: dangerous weather, uncharted coastline, and problems with the ship including failing pumps in the engine room. In the Sydney Morning Herald of the 30th May 1929, Close writes of Davis's crucial role in the expedition: '...so much of its safety and success hinged upon his masterly seamanship, firm decision of mind, and courageous daring in handling the expedition ship Aurora'.

Davis, as Master of the Aurora, made several crucial voyages, establishing and relieving the wintering bases at Macquarie Island and on the Antarctic mainland, at Commonwealth Bay and the Shackleton Ice Shelf. It was he who had to make the difficult decision, whether to wait for blizzards and harsh seas to abate to collect Mawson's party, or to relieve the second base party led by Frank Wild. He chose the latter.

First edition; 8vo (24 x 18 cm); 8 maps, of which 1 folding, and 1 plan, 83 plates on 42 sheets, further in-text maps and illustrations, review copy plate and prize book plate to front endpaper; publisher's blue cloth, gilt lettering and pictorial vignette to upper board, a little rubbed and marked, spine faded, first gathering slightly weak, touch of spotting to edges, a very good copy; xxi, 183pp.