ANTARCTIC SURVEY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 49, 22 November 1920, Page 6

ANTARCTIC SURVEY

"MR. J. L. COPE'S PLANS. \-happy little partv left London at the cud of September on n two years trip to the Antarctic regions, where, on behalf of'the British Imperial Antarctic Expedition, they will carry out a survey and circumnavigation of the western coast of the Woddell Sea and Graham Land. Tlio expedition, whiclw is of a purely scientific character, is headed 4>y Mr. John L. Cope, F.K.G.S., who, in addition to being in command, will act as biologist. Mr. Cope has had previous experience, of the Far South, for he was surgeon to tho Ross Sen party of the Shocklcton expedition. The other members nro Captain G. H. Wilkin?, M.C., meteorologist, survey officer, and photographer; Mr. T. W. Bagshawe, geologist, and a, naval seaman. Tho expedition will travel from Newcastle to Cliristianin, and thence by a Norwegian boat to the Falkland Islands, whence they will continue their journey to Deception Island, which they hope to make in December next, in a whaler. Enough; food, medical supplies, clothing, and equipment are being taken to last tho party for two years. For the first twelve months no news of the intrepid adventurers is expected, but at the end of that period f ho headquarters of the expedition in London expect to hear news of them by means of a wireless installation, wliieh is being taken to the Antarctic. Should no nows arrive after twelve months, efforts will be made to find the party by wireless messages. Hope island, in Graham Land, on tho north-west sido of the Weddol Sea, will lie used as a base, and from this centre, bv means of sledges, thoy will explore regions hitherto uncharted. J?or this purpose twenty-two dogs have been procured from Alaska. During the. dark months tho expedition will go into winter Quarters. Ordinary huts will be used for slielteT, and these, covered with snow which will immediately freeze into solid ice, will provide them with wirmth and security against Antarctic storms. A kinomatotrraph: oporntor is also accompanying the party, and almost the whole of the journey will be recorded in this way. Should there be no news of tlio explorers at the end of two years a relief expedition will bo sent out to seek them. , ~ . I Mr. Cone intended to make theiourney J in a ship specially built for the pur- ] pose, but, as the vessel i« not ready and it was considered, that the surveying work was urgent, he has uidt-craken this preliminary trip in the mcnntine. •The narlv should return Ui their base on if ope' Island about January. If' 22, and then they intend *<> leiurn to London to prepare the main and bigser expedition at fiis£ premeditated. In this second journey, which will b,j undertaken in the now ship, Mr. Cope will have the nssi/fance nf aeroplanes, and a five years' exploration will then lie carried out.