ARCTIC EXPEDITION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 212, 2 June 1921, Page 5

ARCTIC EXPEDITION

SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON’S PLANS

(Rec. June 1, 8.10 p.m.)

London, June 1

Sir Ernest Shackleton will sail on his Arctic expedition in the late summer ill a Norwegian two-masted schooner renamed the Quest, which is being fitted with an auxiliary steam engine and generally reconditioned at Southampton Docks The vessel’s bows will be strengthened with a thick wooden sheathing, and the hull will bo cased in steel plates.—“ The Times. TA message from' Christiania tp tly London 'Times,” dated February «, stated: "Sir Ernest Shackleton isplan ning a new Polar expedition this time to the Arctic. He expects to be away for two years. He proposes to) leave England in May or .Tune next, and will take with him a dozen men, chiefly those who accompanied him on expeditions. The Norwegian whaling boat Foca I, bought in Christiania for this now expedition is now Tromso, and will delivered mEngla:nd next month. Tn all probably, Foea I will go, in the fi"rt instance to Hud son’s Bay, where 150 dogs wi 1 be taken on board. Thence ihe expedition wiII proceed via Baffin’s oTtulv reached, it is hoped, by the end of July, provided ice conditions are favourahie through Lancaster Sound to Axel Heiberg's land.. Thence Sir Ernest, Shackleton intends to explore the islands eastward to Parry Island, this th ° main object of the expedition. These islands have been already visited by Otto Sverdrup, Godfred Hansen, and others but Shackleton believes that theie is still much scientific work to be done that region. He will procure his equipment in England, and hopes to receive fl quantity of the material which the English used in Archangel during the war He was. it may he remembered employed by the British Government to see that th/troops in North Bus- -re properlv equipped for Arctic conditions Poca l‘ is said, by exnerts. to be one of the best boats in the Norwegian Whaling Fleet. It has a large and spacious deck, co that there, will be plenty of room for dogs and sledges. Sir Ernest Shackleton has told an acquaintance in t.liristinnia that he has given no the idea ot exploring the South Polar regions and in future will devote himself to the Arctic.]