DOUBTFUL ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 509, 17 May 1909, Page 2

DOUBTFUL ISLANDS.

.MISSION OP THE'NIMEOD.S • .':'.. Tho .Nimrod Bailed ont of Sydney Harbour recently to finish the work of tho expedition' in tho Antarctic by making a complete search in. sub-AntarctioAregions tor several .islands, the existence of which : is doubtful; It will bo thei duty of Captain J. K. Davis, formerly chief officer and now commandor of the Nimrod, to seek to locate tho Emerald, Nimrod, and Dougherty Islands, if they really exist, and plant on each of them, a British flag. : ■ The Nimrod is to. proceed, on a S.S.E. -course until reaching ihe latitude' of Macquario Island. When that island is reached a party will-bo landed to collect specimens, both geological and zoological. From there. tho . Nimrod will eeck for Emerald Island, the existence of which ie as though it'was reported in about 1620, its location was passed by . the . United States exploring expedition in 1811, .without 6eoiug any indication. of laud. Tho Nimrod' will next searohfor tho Nimrod proup .: of islands, to ascertain whether they actually, exist or not. Captain Henry Elibech; in. bringing, tho ship.Nimrod in 1828■■ from Port Jackson to' Bib de Janeiro, placed them on the chart, Tjut in spito of. subsequent search they have not been: seen since! Dougherty Island will next, be ,6Ought. The Discovery,, in making hsr voyage Home, after the last expedition to tho Antarctic, sailed over tho position given , in tho charts as that of Doughjrty Island, but saw no sign of land. This island was supposed to have been.seen , by Captain Dougherty, on, May 29, 1841, and.by another captain in 1859, but tho fact that it has .not been seen on other occasions renders tbo fact of its existence rather doubtful. "■; /.' ■ ■ ■■•'. .. '. . The cruise will occupy about eight weeks, and the Nimrod will then proceed to jEio. dp Janeiro to coal. Thence sho Will sail direct to Falinouth for orders. .-.• ■ '.-.''.