TO THE SOUTH POLE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 622, 27 September 1909, Page 7

TO THE SOUTH POLE.

ANOTHER BRITISH VENTURE. DR. BRUCE. HIS ROUTE AND EQUIPMENT. (Dy Telceraph—Press Association-Copyright,) ; (Rec, : September 26,' 5,5 p.m.) London, September 25. Dr. Bruce,'the oceanographor and Polar oxploror, is-preparine for a Scottish expedition to the South Pole. If tho sum of £50,000' is forthcoming, he will'start before iOU.'. '/'U'..' • ' '" •' ' . : Tho expedition ■ will consist of thirty-six men, inoludiiic six scientists. It will carry oooaiiographical equipment to operate to a depth of 3000 fathoms. A wintering station will be established in Coats Land (on the Atlantio side of the Polo), whenco a dash across the Antarctic Continent will, bo made, .filially "emerging in Kobs Sea, *on tho Pacific side.

Dr. Bruce's theory regarding the mountain. rangoß, suggests that the easier going by-this" route'will compensate for the greater distance it involves as compared with Scott's and ShacMeton's routes.- :' jr*>:■:.. AND SCOTT; ' ! "-Dr. Bruce proposes to start before ..the end of 1910,' 'And-Captain Scott propos6s, ; to start in August, 1910; so. if their iexpectations are realised, thero" will not bo muoh" difference in time-between ith'o starts.of these British explorers. Captain Scott estimates'the cost at .£IO,OOO, Dr. Bruco at X 50.000, This means that tho Antarctic is calling for .£30,000 to .£IOO,OOO in British coin, and the generosity of the.givera is' being stimulated by stories of preparations for an American invasion of the Antarctic. Easier Aieent from Atlantic. Dr. Bruce proposes to attack the South Pole from the Atlantio side. He estimates that the base boiwould j set up at Coats Land would be 300 miles further from tho Polo than tho.reoent base of Shaokleton or that of Scott, But,, even tbonßh the distance from tho. Antarctio coastlino.to the.Polo is greater, by 300 miles on 1 tho Atlantic side than on the Pacifio side, he is not deterred by that, because he'eonsiders that the road' will'be easier, and,, moreover, "every Inch wo .coyer will bo now,- absolutely.' untrodden, .'by the'foot of man." Bruoe thinks that".the 1 South• Pole i»' situated, "not oh tho narrow-and'steep Pacific ice-sheet that Shackloton travelled to within 07 miles of his object, but oh gently, sloping Atlantic.icesheet. - Henco the contemplated osoent from the Atlantio and: descent to the Pacific. .

Bruce'i Programme. ..''.'.., ; To use Dr. Bruco's own itords: "Thia attempt to cross the Antarotio Continent, even if only partially successful."'cannot fail to add more to our knowledge of Antarctica than any other route, for. it will, with Shackleton's work, give the most combleto sectional idea of Antarctica. My plan, therefore, is to.land in the- vicinity of Coats land and tb cross the Antarotio Continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific, We reverse previous' Antarctic methods; wo travel from the unknown to the known, and'not. from the known (o the unknown. "The first. port of call in tbo couth will be Buenos 'Ayres. From, Bueno6 Ayres a iig.saj course will;bo made to Capo Town : between 40deg. S. and oOdep;. S.;.from Capo Town the ship wjll proceed to Coats' Una,''where the wintering station \iill'bo &et up; tho'Ship will the,n.,r*tr.eati to 'Melbourne, sounding, ete., tn rAT 1 . 4 .?^;^ o^] 11 ' 1 " 1 P ar 'y wilt divide 1 into two or if parties, one for 1 work to the easr.i-.ono -foniwork to tho: wostipand a 'third under my leadership, southward across the Antarctic Continent. ' ;'''Trom Melbourne the ship, in (ho'second season, will, push' southward to.M'Murdo Bay, to meet niy transcontinental party,-.setting. up caches of provisions as far to the south as. jasi siblc, and leaving stores at-WMurdoßay,' The ship wilHjhen return to New Zealand, with'rov party.. Thence,she will-sail to Coats land during the third.season to piok up the rest of the'land party, and proceed homey"