SHACKLETON'S EFFORT FAILS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2808, 28 June 1916, Page 5

SHACKLETON'S EFFORT FAILS

UNABLE TO RESCUE THE MEN ON ELEPHANT ISLAND TERRIBLE WINTER WEATHER CAN THE* SURVIVORS HOLD OUT? i — 1 — / By Telegraph-Press Assooiatioii-Co-pyright London, June 26. Sir Ernest: Shackleton, who is at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, telegraphs:— "I have returnod here from my attempt to reach Elephant Island in. the vessel the Uruguayan Government kindly lent me. I greatly regrot to report that I was unable to -effect the rescue of my comrades, who were left there in an ice hole. 1 _ . "I encountered much: heavier ice conditions than on the previous attempt in May, in-the Captain Thomas, a South Georgian whaler. Wo encountered stream ioo sixty miles northward of Elephant Island. We passed through this successfully, and reached within twenty 'miles of the island, but owing to a heavy, impenetrable pack, interspersed with numerous icebergs, and also a high, north-westerly swell, it was impossible to proceed. . "The ice stretched in crescent form from west-south-west through south to north-north-east, the two horns being sixty, miles from the island. This winter's ice conditions aro so bad that ultimate rescue is only possible with a wooden' steam' vessel or an ice-breaker. Still Hope for the Survivor*. . "We saw Gentoo penguins on the edge of" the ice. ■ These will supplement ' the party's food, which is mainly bovril rations of high calorific value. Frank Wild, seeing (he ice conditions, would early drastically .economise in his stores, going oil lialf-rations, supplemented. -by penguins. "Wo left twelve- oases of slodging rations soven miles northward of Ocean Camp, which we formed when tho Endurance foundered. I cannot say whethor the party can Teach them. Though they are hard pressed, hope must not bo given up of ultimate rescue."

"ANOTHER ATTEMPT-MUST BE ' MADE." : (Rec. June 27,,8.15 p.m.) London, June 27. ; The "Daily Chronicle" says that Sir Ernest Sliacileton's message lias evoked universal regret. "It makes the position of the .marooneil party most serious. Another attempt must l)e made. Apparently there is no suitable vessel in South American waters, and the question is: How long is required to iind, equip, and dispatch a ship ?" /' Mr. Frank Houlder (the ship-owner) lias cabled to South Africa hoping .to fiud a suitable Dundee whaler at the Cape Whaling Station. The Aurora is considered to be entirely suitable* if it 'could lio found possible to repair anil send lier from Neiv Zealand in time. Even 'if the ice is surrounding the island, a strong gale might at any moment disperse it, leaving a freo acces3. , THE AURORA'S JOURNEY. Dunedin, June 27." The Aurora is to go into Port Chalmers dock to-morrow. It has been definitely settled .that Captain Stenhouse will have charge of the party for the relief of. Macintosh and the men irlio -weTe left ■with him at Capo Royds.