Dr. MAWSON'S SHIP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1490, 12 July 1912, Page 5

Dr. MAWSON'S SHIP.

AT LYTTELTON.

BATTLING IN BAD WEATHER,.

LITTLE ACHIEVED.

SOME FRANK DISAPPOINTMENT/ (By Trießrmh.-Preae Assoct&tlon.l Christchurch, July li. The s.s. Aurora returned from her winter cruiso to-day, and reported "all well." The vessel is under the command of Captain J. K. Davis, and carries on board Mr. Edgar K. "Waito (curator of tho Christchurch Museum) and Mr. E. J. Hayncs (taiidonnist); also Mr. H, Primmer, kincinatogTapher, representing tho Qaumont Company. Tho Aurora is sailing iu the interests °f Dγ, Maw-son's Australasian. Antarctic Expedition, and is not further required until November next, when she \rill return to the ice to bring tho leader and party back to Australia. She was fitted out to conduct scientific investigations in eub-Antarctio boos, and sailed from Sydney on May 17. She proceeded by way of Bass Strait to the UOtli meridian, which was reached ton days later. When in the latitude of tlio reported Royal Company's islands, tho vessel was turned eastward, and four days wero spent in searching for the islands, this work being supplementary to tho search mado by Captain Davis when in command of Sbackkton's ship, the Nimrod. , ,

Endeavour to Map New Islands. Two different positions havo been assigned to the reported islands. Both of theso positions have now been thoroughly exploited, but, on neither occasion, ivas nny trace of land discovered. Captain Davis says definitely that these islands do not exist where laid down on the charts, but mentions' th'at,' even in tho relatively clear weather encountered off Macquario Island, this position was not Bee"n from a distance of eight miles only. It is still possible that there may be laud in the vicinity.

Deep Soundings in Rough Seas. Very boisterous weather precluded tlio possibility of making soundings, for such would probably have given indications of shoaling had land been inthoncighbourhood. For not a single day was the sea sufficiently moderate to justify the uso of tho sounding-machine, but, not wishing to fail for want of trying, several attempts were made. • These only resulted in the loss of gear, and, on ono occasion, of 2000 fathome of sounding-wire. To even attempt to uso the trawl was absolutely out of the question, while the absence of light prevented the uso of the kineinntograph, even had it been'possible to stand tho instrument on tho deck of the lively vessel.

Wireless at the Macquarics. Macquarie Island was reached on Juno 8, when the five men constituting Dr. Miiwson's Jlacquario Island party were found to be well, and doing good work. The wireless station is working admirably, daily weather reports being sent to Melbourne, Hobart, and Wellington. Messages are also caught as far as.Fiji and Western Australia, and expedition and general news messages are daily received from Sydney. The violent and persistent gnlss, and the excessive humidity interfere with tho installation and insulation, nnd demand constant attention of tho engineer. Twice have the "aerials" had to be rc-crcctod, these having been blown down. The freezing of the water (cooling tho petrol engine) is also a source of trouble, Tho operator believes that his messages. aro received at tho bass in Antarctica, but owing to the unfortunate damage to part of the apparatus, that operator is unablo to transmit message? to Mncquarie Island.

The Fauna of Sub-Antarctica, Quite contrary to tho statement, which recently appeared in some nowspnpers to tho effect that tho sea elephants have been well nigh exterminated, those animals were found to be very abundant, hundreds having been seen during tho brief stay of tho Aurora, both at North-East Bay and Lusitania Bay. Examples of tho more solitary seals—known as sea leopards, and perhaps tho most beautiful seal in the world—were occasionally seen on the beaches, whilo. king penguins, together with their downy young ones, roved about, in tho quaint manner peculiar to penguins in general. .At this season tho young birds are nearly as largo as their parents, or appear so from tho circumstance that they arc covered with long coffoe-colourod down. Maori lions, imported to Macqnarie Wand from Now Zealand many years ago, 3mve multiplied to such an extent that they may be seen on tho Iwaches in scores, running to the shelter of tho tussocks whou molested. Otherwise they are perfectly trusting, and most inquisitive.

Disconcerting Weather. '. A fierce wind blew almost incessantly, while snow, hail, and frost added to tho discomfort, kind calendered no c-nvy of the position occupied by the party left on June 22. Continued • heavy weather, accompanied the party to tho Auckland Islands, the anchor bciust dragged jn Carnloy Harbour two days later, tn Juno 29, and tho narrative continues os follows:— "Wβ arrived at Port Ross, remaining there, and at Endorby Island, until July G, wlion the course was sot for Port Chalmers. Dredging ' was done in tho sheltered harbours of the Auckland Islands, and two attempts were made with tho trawl in tho open pea—first off tho east side of Maccjuario Island, when wind and wavo carried us so rapidly off tho land that, with the suddenly-deepening water, wo failed to place the trawl on tho bottom before a freshening wind and rising fcea. compelled us to haul the trawl award as rapidly as possible. Tho second attempt was made on tho day wo left the Auckland Islands, but, encountering a rocky bottom, tho trawl vas damaged, and tho net torn, thus liberating any specimens which might havo been secured.

What the Captain Thought .of It. Interviewed on the work of Hie cnifee, Captajn Davis stated that,, judging from his previous experience in theso latitude? at this time of the yoar, ho was proparod fes , a good deal of boisterous weather, • but had hoped for at lca.st somo moderate days. Even these, however, were not forthcoming, 'and the way in' which the littlo res Tel weathered the many galos eays much for the staunchness and seaworthiness of tho old whaler.

Captain Davis was plea<>ed to find that Sir. L. B. Blake had already made a hydrographical survey of tlio northern end of tho island, whioh was supplemented by soundings made from tho vessel while at anchorago off North Bay. Tho present cruise, boing the initial o'no conducted by tho vessel, was largely in tho nature of a trial, and it is satisfactory to find that, with the excoption of on'o or two small defects, tho apparatus specially installed for tlio purpose gvnluitouslv by the. Government of Now South Wales, worked to complete satisfaction. Captain Davis is Of opinion that the next cruise projected for tho couiimr spring will be niora successful, for weather conditions ave likely to be favourable for marine work, more daylight <ind smoother seas being essential for deep-sea work in the?e latitudes.

Kino. Man Frankly Disappointed. Jlr. Primmer stated mihesitatinjily thnt he is much disappointed at not'btilng able to secure moving pictures of popular intfrest. The lipht in the southern eras nt this period of the year (even in the middle of (lm day) has practically no value for Idnemntofrrapliy. ' Moreover, dnylißht (cuch as it is) is very short, while sunliulit is virtually absent, only two houra being recorded during the period of fourteen days spent nt the Macqnario Tslnnd. Mr. Primmer felt bound to make an attempt on some interesting subjects, but ho much feni-s under exposure throughout.