QUEST TRAGEDY.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1922, Page 3

QUEST TRAGEDY.

EXPLORER’S GREAT TRIALS. SHACKLETON’S SAD END. AUBTEALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION, LONDON, Feb. 2. Sir E. Shackletons widow lias decided

that the explorer’s remains be buried in South Georgia, the scene of his greatest exploit. His friends and relatives support this decision. Captain Hassey cables the following

details:— “Frank, I’ve terrible news for you,”

were the words with which Doctor Macklin awakened Commander Wild aboard the Quest on January sth. “Fire away!” replied Wild. “The Boss is dead!” stammered Macklin. Minutes elapsed before Wild, who was

Shackleton’s dearest friend, could recover from the terrible blow, sufficiently to speak. Then he said brokenly,

“Poor old Boss! But we must carry oil the expedition. He would .haA’e Avislied

it.” Wild ordered! all hands to assemble

on the poop. Addressing them, lie said: “Boys, I’ve terrible news for you!’.’ Ho announced the death, and then stated the expedition would go on. His voice broke as he turned away. All hands were stunned by the news.

Shackleton’s diary relates how the Quest left St Vincent, apparently in good triin, en route for the Cape. When four days out engine trouble developed. He spent a day at St Paul’s Pock, surveying, sounding and collecting birds and insects. QUEST IN A STORM. Next day the vessel ran into a howling gale. Shackleton was on the bridge all night long, despite Wild’s urgent requests to replace him. Great seas swept everything loose overboard. It was impossible to light the galley fire. Waves forty feet high threatened to swamp the ship. Shackleton ordered the helm to be lashed. Shackleton, Wild and Worsley remained on the bridge, all soaked to the skin, and they were not dry for two days. In the middle of the storm, the engine trouble became worse. The engines were stopped, and they turned the Quest’s head to the storm. Gunnybags, filled with oil, wore trailed at the ship’s side. The waves were thus considerably lessened, but she was awash, and rolling nearly 50 degrees. One heavy roll upset boiling water over the foot of the cook, Green, but he carried on, and made cocoa for all. The news of the engine trouble was kept from the crew, for fear it would produce despondency. Shackleton was cheery, but lie was looking old and worn, with his anxiety. He told llassey he had never before so longed to reach port. It was the worst storm he had ever known. “NO XMAS DINNER TO-DAY.” When the storm abated, a heavy sea continued to run. It was decided to postpone the Christmas dinner till the ship reached South Georgia. On arrival there, Shackleton went ashore, and arranged with the manager of the whaling station and friends to celebrate Christmas aboard the Quest on January sth. On the previous day, the parcels were opened, and turkey and pudding wore prepared. During the early morning on the sth, Captain Hassey awakened the cook and told him : “They would not have Christmas dinner today, as the Boss was seriously ill.” Three hours later the truth about the Boss was conveyed to the crew bj Wild

During the two da} s’ storm, Shackleion had no rest or sleep. When the storm eased, he unlashed the helm, reset the course, and went to his cabin. Kerr then made the discovery that their water was running short. He informed Wild, who waited for Shackleton’s awakening before breaking Iho news. The leader was undismayed, and proceeded to conserve the remaining water, which provided half a pint a man daily. They were unable to wash themselves or their clothes.