WHEN EVANS LEFT SCOTT

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8352, 12 February 1913, Page 8

WHEN EVANS LEFT SCOTT

ONLY TEN DAYS MORE. POLE THEN IN SIGHT. It is now recent history bow Com. mander E. R. Evans, R.N., left Captain Scott on January 4th, 1913, in latitude 87min SSseo, 145 geographical miles from the Pole. He felt certain! that Scott got to the Pole ten days; after he left him. Amundsen, who' reached the Pole first and surprised the! world by his brilliant achievement, said on his return: 'I 'saw nothing of Captain Scott. If he did not get there sooner than myself, it is exceedingly likely that he reached the Pole later." Amundsen campod nearer the Pole than Scott did, the latter preferring dry land for travel, whilst Amundsen, whose base was 400 miles fro mScott's, elected to make his way over the barCaptain Scott deputed Commander Evans to take back the final party shorthanded to the base, the leader having taken one of the men to strengthen his own party in order to make the attainment of the Pole more certain. When about 300 miles from the expedition's base at Cape Evans* the young commander was found to be suffering from scurvy, and his condition rapidly became worse until he wmj quite unable to travel, and but for_ the gallantry of his two companions—Chiefstoker Lashley, R.N., and Petty-offioer T Crean—he could never have reach-, ed the base alive. These brave fellows dragged the officer for forty miles on the sledge, travelling at the "J® of ten miles a day, which necessitated, most strenuous efforts on their part.j On February 18th they reached the; depot known as Corner Camp, and,, owing to the heavy fall of snow during the night they were unable to. move their sick companion on the sledge next day. The situation became 'd«P«*t£ There was only food for two or three days, and to remain much longer was to perish. . Crean set out without food, on a journey of thirty-tour mile*> to the old Discovery hut where telephonic communication had been established with Cape Evans. Crean had a, most trying experience, and when, ".chad his goal he was' thoroughly exhausted. Luckily burgeon E L. Atkinson, 8.N., was found, at Hut Point, together.with the Hub,, E ; nn doe-driver Demetri and two dog, teams* g Wnen Crean had efficiently! recovered he was able to explain the, phgbV of the party, but a buzzard LfW set in almost simultaneeously thHogs were unable to set out tiU he weather had cleared Evans's camp was reached on 1 ebru-, arv 20th and after a short rest bur-, geon Atkinson and Demetri taking Commander Evans on onepledge and Lashlev on' the other, brought them back slfely to Hut Point. After ten | 5 •!? T& n t ' Point the Terra Nova arrived? and* Commander Evans was' carried aboard. SCOTT'S LAST MESSAGE. - THE ADVANCE PARTY. PREPARATIONS FOR FINAL DASH. Captain's Scott's last message was: We are now within 150 miles of tha pole. I am going forward with, a party of five men, and am sending three back under Lieutenant Evans with this note. The names and descriptions of ! the advance party are: Captain Scott, Royal iNavy. Doctor Wilson, Chief of the Scientists Staff. „ Captain Oates, Inniskilling Dragoons, in charge of ponies and mules of expedition.

Lieutenant Bowers, Royal Indian Varine, Commissariat Officer. Petty Officer Evans, Royal Navy, in charge of sledges and equipment. The advance party goes forward with Ja month’s provisions. The prospect of success seems good, providing the weather holds and no unforeseen obstacles ‘arise. It has been very difficult to choose the advance party, as everyone is lit and able to go forward. Those who return are naturally much disappointed. Everyone has worked his hardest. The weather on the plateau has bean good on the whole. The sun has never deserted us, but the temperatures are low (now about minus twenty degrees) and the wind pretty constant. However, we are excellently equipped for such conditions. The ylnd undoubtedly improves the surface. So far all arrangements have worked out most satisfactorily. It is more than probable that no further news will be received from us jthis year, as our return must necessarily be late. (Signed) B. SCOTT.