To gauge from the suggested names, the British public does not share the scientific community’s enthusiasm for this latest bout of government spending. True, some 2,400 voted to name the vessel RRS Henry Worsley, after a British explorer who died in January attempting the first unaided solo crossing of the Antarctic. And RRS David Attenborough, after the celebrated British naturalist, also made the short list.
However, both were blown away by the flood of votes for RRS Boaty McBoatface, which garnered 124,000 votes, four times that of the next-closest contender.
Related: Austin School Asks for New Name, the Internet Answers ‘Schoolie McSchoolface.’