“DASH FOR THE SOUTH POLE.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2133, 16 July 1907, Page 4

“DASH FOR THE SOUTH POLE.”

LIEUTENANT SHACKLETON’S SCHEME. PROJECTED MOTOR TRIP IN THE ANTARCTIC. (Wellington Post Correspondent) LONDON, 27 May. it is announced that preparations are rapidly advancing for the “dash by motor-car to the South 1 ole, which is contemplated by Lieutenant Shacklcton, who took part in the famous voyage of the Discovery, under Captain Scott. He states that his ship will sail from London at the end of July or the first week of August. • She is a Newfoundland sealer, specially built for contending with ice and will undergo cetniin alterations prior to sailing, with the object of giving more room down below for storage purposes. First she will proceed to New Zealand; thence she will go to Ring Edward VII. Land where she will disembark the shore party. In January 1908, she will return to New Zealand, arriving there in May ol that year; and will lie up till the lollowing January, when she goes down again to King Kdward VII Land and will pick up the expedition on its return from its shore work. The expedition will navigate as far as possible to the westward, till the coal runs out, and it gets too dark and dangerous, when it will return to New Zealand, and thence home again. Lieutenant Shadkletou and his comrades expect to be back in again in Juno 1909. j I hear the captain of the vessel has not yet been chosen. There will be a crew of fourteen. In addition there will be the staff for scientific and general work numbering twelve in all. These will include Sir Philip Brocklehurst who is a. good strong man at sledging work, and who will also do the surveying; Lieutenant Adams, wlio will act as meteorologist, and is also very good for sledging; Mr. •James Murray (the biologist); and Mr. James Muir, who is an able mechanical ongineor. A special feature of the expedition is that it will press the motor car into the service of Antarctic exploration. This idea is not new. It was mooted at the time of the last expedition, but so far as Lieutenant Shackleton knows the present is the first time it has ever been put into effect. The intention is to use petrol or some similar substance that will not freeze; while it will have separate sets of wheels adapted to the varying surfaces over which the journey lias to be made. The car is not to carry the members of the expedition—with them it is a case of marching on foot. Its function will be to draw the sledges containing the impedimenta of the expedition. But in case the motor breaks down on the unaccustomed journey, the loads will be transferred to a number of Manchurian ponies. These animals are very strong, capable of living on eleven pounds of food a day, and will be quite at home in the Antarctic regions, for they are accustomed to living in very low temperatures. There will also be a number of dogs wi th the party. From the basis of King Edward VII. Land to the South Pole is some seven hundred miles, apd unless insuperable mountain difficulties are met. the distance may be covered in about five weeks or so. Lieutenant Shackletoil points out that the object of his expedition is not a mere “dash for the Pole” and back. There is geographical and scientific work in hand also. Four million miles in the region of the Pole await the footsteps of the explorer, and a rich harvest of geological, geopraphical, and magnetic discoveries is probably in store for those who venture the journey.