SCOTT'S DIARY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1784, 24 June 1913, Page 5

SCOTT'S DIARY.

FIRST INSTALMENT PUBLISHED EVENTFUL VOYAGE. BALING OUT THE TERRA NOVA. VESSEL NEARLY FOUNDERS. OFFICERS MAN THE BUCKETS. By Telegraph—Prose Association—Copyright (Roc. June 21, 0.45 a.m.) London, June 23. The July number of tho "Strand Magazine" publishes tho first instalment of Captain Scott's story from his journals. The narrative, which is finely illustrated by Mr. Ponting's photographs, covers the journey from New Zealand to tho establishment of depots preparatory to tho advance on the Pole. Scott graphically describes tho gravo outlook on board when tho pumps choked after clearing Now Zealand, the danger of foundering, and how Captain Oates and Lieutenant Atkinson laboured through the night to save the ponies, while twentyfour of tho officers literally baled the Terra Nova with buckets. Petty Officer Williams worked in sweltering heat behind tho boilers, and cut through the bulkhead, enabling Lioutenant Bowers to reach tlio pump and clear tho suction.

"The spirit of tho crew throughout," says Scott, "was instanced by the way they cheerfully prepared to 'pig it' in tho forecastle in order to provide more stowago for the stores. Cheerfulness and good fellowship reigned whether in calm or in storm." Bowers's organising genius was wonderful. Scott relates a thrilling incident when six killer whales rose under a floe on which wero Ponting (photographer) and a number of dogs. The floe was shattered into fragments. All had a marvellous escape. Tho work of depot-laying was greatly hampered by soft snow, and the ponies were useless until a sort of snowshoe was devised. Scott continues: "What extraordinary uncertainties presented themselves every day! Some new i'act, some new obstacle, revealed a threatening gravo obstruction. I supposo this is the reason which makes the garno so well worth playing." The dogs grew a little fierce. One bit Scott, but Dr. Meares's intervention prevented tho wholo pack from attacking him. Many fights occurred. Tho pack would be quito peaceful one moment, and become tearing, raging, fighting devils tho next. Ono team fell into a crevasse. It was an exciting incident. Eleven dogs out of thirteen wero rescued after a Herculean task. Captain Scott, on his return to Safety Camp, received Lieutenant Campbell's letter announcing that Captain Amundsen was at tho Bay of Whales, ready with his dogs to make a dash to the Polo earlier than was possible with ponies. Captain Scott, however, resolved to adhere to his original plans. The preliminary work revealed a disturbing. .factor, as tho ponies lost condition in tha blizzards. "This," says Captain Scott, "makes a lato start necessary next year." Tho narrative then recapitulates Commander Evans's Albert " Hall story of tho .bravory of Lieutenant Bowera's party om tho ice floe at Hut Point, and eulogises tho way they stuck .to tlio ponies, knowing that the loss of them would ruin his plans. The next' instalment will describe tlia winter quarters and tho start of the fatal journey.