THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2096, 23 January 1908, Page 3

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

RETURN OF THE KOONYA

Press Association. DUNEDIN, Jan. 22. Tlu> steamer Koonya has returned from towing the Nimrod. She readied Port Chalmers early this morning. Captain Evans, in has report, suites that the Nimrod headed slowly *, southward; until the sea became dot- ■ ■ fed with 'immense bergs. Heie the Koonya’s position courted danget. In addition to innumerable bergs, a shoal of their “calves,” as whalers say doited ah out close to the vicinity’of the steamer. Captain Evans signalled the Nimrod'to prepare lor disconnecting the tow lines. Ihe preparations were fraught with great daiif'cr, and carried out under extreme difficulties. Captain Engl an I left tlie Nimrod in a whaleboat, boarded the Koonya, and held a hurried consultation. Captain Evans arranged details for disconnection, and the captain returned to the Ninnod, which had been towed 1000 miles, and was now but one mile from the

The fact of the Nimrod being towed this distnice represents an advance of 1423 miles on Lieutenant (Shackleton’s objective. Lieiv eimnt Shackletoii’s men, through a roai gale, cheered the Koonya s crew for successfully performing t . Lieutenant Shackleton - i signal was to the effect. Deeply grateful for the thorough manner the Koonya performed her ord.mus all well and confident of sue CC fiie Koonya’s return to this port was marked with bad ucathei. •- called at the Campbell s, v'situu the depot for castaways. Two sheep farmers reported that there were no castaways, and everything, was well, on the island. Mr. Buckley retu ed by the steamer. J lie Koonya s men are all in perfect health.

LIEUT. SHACKLETON’S REPORT.

Reporting on the Koonya’s tow, Lieut, Shackleton says: There were heavy gales from January Ist to the 13th. On tlie 3rd tho gale prevented tlio Koouva from towing more than a knot an hour. Up to the 4th nei-

thor England nor himself had their clothes oil’. They luiil no sleep. The Nimrod proved a splendid sen boat. On tho oth they cngtgrcl the Kmmyn to pour oil on the water, which was done with satisfactory results. Olio pony fell on its back, and had to be shot. The l 7tli was the worst day, ! and there were squalls el hurricane i force. Lieutenant Shaekloton ox- ! presses the opinion that no other vessel of her size would have done as well ns the Nimrod. Tho ponies are making a plucky fight in tho rolling ship. Ho states: “AA’o lost one. 'I oday we were using oil nil the time. On the' Sth a honvv gale, with terrific squalls and high seas, continued, stoving in part of the bulwarks oil the forward side. The use of oil was continued throughout the day. On the 9th we had a moderate wind, with light, oonfu-od sea, and were able to go at full speed, but in the r. iternoon the wind increased to a squall and to a hurricane once. There wore vory high seas. More bulwarks were washed away. Towards night tho son moderated. My admiration for the way all hands do the work under trying circumstances is great. England simply lives on the bridge. The caro of tho ponies tinder tho adverse conditions is a serious piece of work. There was eontinuotls rain on tho Tilth, tho wind moderating. Most of the party are recovering from tho "pickling” during the preceding week.

On the lltli tlioro was a strong increasing wind, with rising sea. which caused anxiety, hut the Nimrod proved a wonderful soaboat. Towards night *tho weather moderated. Towards evening on the 12th wo were able to steer south again.* Tho staff was increased by the birth at sea of five white puppies. The Koonya did very well in the bad weather, owing to the seamanship of Captain Evans, who hail an anxious time. On the Lltli a gentle breeze from the eastward set in. Tho 14th was a fine, clear day. AYe massed two icebergs, tin' weather rapidly growing colder. AYe. sighted the pack on the port how at nine in the morning of the loth, in misty weather, and let the Ivoonva