RETURN JOURNEY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 6

RETURN JOURNEY

HEROIC FIGHT TO THE BITTER END. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh; Cbntinuing the previous Antarctic dispatch, dealing with Captain Scott’s march back from the polo, from February 17th, the date on which Petty Officer Evans died, the following account of the return journey from the pole has been supplied by the Press Association : Owing to the lateness of the season anil the consequent fall of temperature, the surface became like sand. It is well known in polar climates that ice crystals, which melt under friction caused by a sledge running over them ttt higher temperatures, cease to do so When the thermometer falls to thirty below zero and become cutting algos. These low temperatures complained of by Captain Scott account for the slowness of his party’s progress over the Barrier. The average distance between the depots was sixty-five miles, which, , not allowing for bad weather, meant that the partv must average over nine miles a day. The food and fucl_ in each depot gave full rations at this speed for a week. The best march of the oouthem party on the Barrier was approximately nine miles, falling in later tetagfes to as low as throe miles. This failure to maintain a higher speed was undoubtedly duo to poor Captain Oates's failing condition. HEROIC BBT HOPELESS STRUGGLE. The constant tax on the energies of Che party was rapidly weakening them, and when they had to face persistent Winds and frequent blizzards the hopeless nature of the outlook was forced : upon them. But they never relinquished the gallant struggle, and fought on heroically to the bitter end. As recorded in the previous dispatch, the search party found the hut on November 10th, 1912, half covered with snow. The sledge with the gear was ■ completely covered. The tout was well spread, and the inner tent in place on i poles. The bodies wore identified, the tuner tent placed over them and a largo cairn of snow erected. RECORDS LEFT AND'COLLECTED. A cross was placed on top, and the following record loft: • “This cross and cairn erected over i the remains of Captain R. F. Scott, C.V.O.J R.N., Doctor E. A. Wilson, and Lieutenant H. R. Bowers, R.1.M., as a slight token to perpetuate their gallant and successful at- ‘ tempt to reach the pole. This they did on January 17th, 1912, after the Norwegians had already done so on December 15th, 1311. Also to com- > momorate their two gallant comrades. Captain L. E. G. Oates, of the Inniskilling Dragoons, who walked to his death in a blizzard willingly about twenty miles south of this place to try and save his oomrades beset by hardship. Also of Petty Officer Edgar Evans, R.N., who died at the foot of the Beardmore Glacier. The -. Lord gave and the Lord takoth away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” This was signed by all the members. Dr Atkinson states that no symptom of scurvy existed. All the records were collected, and the whole search party proceeded twenty-three miles south to search for Oates’s body. No trace of It was found. Near the site of his departure from his comrades the cross and cairn were erected, and the following record left on the cairn: “Hereabouts died a very gallant gentleman. Captain L. E. G. Oates, Ixmiskilling Dragoons, who on their return from the pole in March, 1912, willingly walked to his death in a blizzard to try and save bis comrades beset by hardship.” UTILITY OF THE MULES. .Seven mules, supplied by the Indian Government, were used by the search party. Their ration consisted of 111 b of oilcake and oats, in the proportion of one of oilcake to two of pats. The speed of their march on the average was better than that of the ponies the previous year, and from the start the daily marches averaged fourteen miles. The surfaces on the outward journey were exceptionally good, and the mules made good progress without sinking ■ deeply. In the deep snow encountered on the return journey they had much heavier going. The chief difficulty in connection with them was that they would eat anything except rations. The food of some of them consisted of rope yarn, tea leaves, man biscuit and dog biscuit, and tobacco nah. The weights hauled by mules were much heavier than those hauled by the ponies, the highest weight at one time being 7601 b. Their gear, which had been supplied by the Indian Government, showed great forethought, and only had to be altered in very slight ways. Their snow goggles were especially useful and a comfort to the animals. The harness was • breast harness. Two mules were shot on the barrier, and five returned after doing 350 miles’ hard pulling in temperatures falling to 29 deg. below zero. There were two teams of dogs, eleven in each team. Eighteen of the twenty-two were brought down in the first year. All stores were brought back to the depot at Hut Point. The care of the mules devolved on Chiefstoker Lashley, and his constant attention kept them in good order. A detailed record has been kept showing the performance of each mule during the winter and the travelling season. This will be sent to the Sup?ly and Transport Department of the ndian Government, who trained the mules for the expedition. The health of the search party throughout was excellent.