SCOTT’S EXPEDITION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1929, Page 8

SCOTT’S EXPEDITION

DETAILS OF DASH FOll POLE,

SYDNEY, Aug. 19,

For the first time since 1912, Sydney heard at first hafid details of the illfated Scott Expedition to the South Pole, when Rear-Admiral Evans, commander of the Royal Australian Navy and second in command in 1912 of the Scott Exhibition, told members of the Millions Cub, at a luncheon "held in Sydney on Monday last, how his leader, Oapt. Scott, died. Twice during his narrative Admiral Evans broke down. Finally, after lie had graphically told how two men had been served differently by providence —his leader and himself—lie was able to carry on with his story. Rear-Admiral Evans began his address by facetiously referring to the compliments paid to him by Sir Arthur Rickard, chairman .of the Millilons Club, who laid emphasis upon the numerous decorations won by their distinguished guest. “Medals are like millions” said Admiral Evans amidst laughter, “when you got the first, the rest follows.”

Dealing with Captain Scott’s expeditions, Rear-Admiral Evans .said that in his last expedition he undertook a ski-ing expedition of nearly 15U0 miles. “Captain Scott was one of the greatest Polar explorers, but I always think that the scientific and geographical results of his first journey to the South were greater than those of In. last. His example was one of the most wonderful tilings in the history of the Southern Hemisphere. It must have helped us to overcome that feeling of depression when all of the world seemed yellow. I was 793 nights at sea without leaving my bridge in the Great War, and my chance did not come until rny five-hundredth night at sea. Still, I feel that nothing I could ever do—if I live to be a million—would ever better .that last dying message of Oapt. Scott’s to the Elmpire. I was the last person ever to see Captain Scott alive,” continued Admiral Evans. “In his last expedition his main object was to get to the South Pole and secure for the British Empire the honour of that achievement. It was one of the most scientific expeditions that ever left our shores and was supported uy prominent people.” A THRILLING NARRATIVE. I I Alter narrating the difficulties and vicissitudes of the march from the main base to the spot where he and two members of the expedition parted from Captain Scott and his party of four others Admiral Evans proceeded : “On January 3rd. 1912, my leader came to my tent and asked me to send my companions away. I had always been a naughty boy tlirougout my life and I thought I was going to-be ticked off for bad language, as we have used so very bad language, being human beings. But it was not that.

“Captain Scott looked very serious and said to me, ‘Evans, I am now quite sure I can get to the South Pole, but I am not sure that I can ever get back again.’ He then asked me whether I thought I could make" the return journey of something like 750 or 800 miles shorthanded. If I could hand over one of my men he having five and me three, lie could so increase his speed that he would reach the South Pole and get home alive. Of course, I assented. “Actually I bit off more than I.could chew.' If ever a man’s footsteps were dogged by disaster and bad luck, Captain Scott’s were; and if ever good fortune or providence, or whatever you iiKo, favoured a party of men, it did mine. The next day my two men and myself harnessed and marched with Captain Scott for some two ’ miles., 'then we halted, shook handLS, and sai • goodbye.

“As the party started off we gave them three cheers, little knowing t.n *»<ose three cheers were the last piece 1 of appreciation that they would ever ! know from the outside world. Scott j turned southward. We turned towards the north, constantly looking over our shoulders until we saw, the last of him. a tiny black speck on the white horizon of snow and ice.”

COURAGEOUS INSUBORDINATION

Admiral Evans told how lie and Ins companions when food was scarce, tobogganned down a wall of ice 2000 feet nigh in 20 minutes, doing GO miles an hour in places. When nearly 100 miles from, their, base, Evans said that he himself collapsed in his harness and fell fainting in his tracks. “When I came to,” he said, “I told my companions that they must leave me in my sleeping bag with whatever food they could spare. This was the only case that we had during the expedition of insubordination. “If one goes out we all go out,’ was the reply of my two companions,” said Admiral Evans. “I hate to tell you this,” he proceeded, “because it was very hard. However the men put me in my sleeping bag, placed me on the sledge, and dragged