RETURN OF THE POLAR EXPLORERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1674, 13 February 1917, Page 2

RETURN OF THE POLAR EXPLORERS.

THE return of the surviving members of the Ross Sea party to civilisation and comfort is the closing chapter of a thrilling story of South

Polar exploration. Sir Ernest Shackleton’s intenton was to cross right over the Antarctic continent from Weddell Sea to Ross Sea. Ho commanded the Weddell Sea party himself, and reached the Antarctic coast in December, 1914, in the Endurance. Towards the end of the following year the vessel was crashed like an eggshell in the ice, and sank. After terrible privations and hairbreadth escapes, the Weddell Sea party reached Elephant Island, and Shackleton and five others went on to South Georgia with a 22ft. boat between them and a grave hr the watery wastes of the Antarctic. They suffered great hardships, but reached their destination, a whaling station in South Georgia.. From there Shackleton went to America, and eventually, in a small steamer lent by the Chilian Government, rescued the Elephant Island party on 30th August, 1910. The Ross Sea party, the survivors of which have reached Wellington, were in charge of Captain Mackintosh, and reached Ross Sea early in 1915. The object in making a base on the opposite side of the Antarctic continent to (liat on which Shackleton had landed was to establish depots tor 300 miles along the last portion of Shackletoirs intended route from AVeddell Sea to Ross Sea. Before the Aurora had completed her task she broke away from her moorings in a blizzard in May, 1915, being compelled to leave behind ten members of the party,' seven of whom were rescued. The health of the party is excellent.