THE TERRA NOVA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8358, 19 February 1913, Page 8

THE TERRA NOVA

ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOMEWARD JOURNEY. Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, February 18. Members of the British Antarctic expedition are at present busily engaged' in making preparations for an early departure for England. A:r Francis Drake, secretary of the expedition, will leave on Thursday by the Moeraki for Sydney, where he will join the Otranto for Toulon and JLondon. He will probably bo accompanied by Lieutenant V. Campbell. Commander Evans will leave for Wellington next Tuesday to meet Mrs Scott, who will arrive in Wellington from San ; Francisco by the Aorangi on Thursday, 27th inst. Lieutenant Bruce, brother of Mrs Scott, will also go north next Tuesday night to meet his sister. Mrs Scott and Lieutenant Bruce will go to Sydney to join. the P. and O. steamer Medina for England. Commander Evans and Mrs Evans will leave next week for Sydney tOj join the Otranto for London. j Dr Atkinson, Lieutenant Gran, and Messrs AVright, Priestley, Debenham, 4 and Cherry Garrard will also travel to England by the mail steamers. Commander Evans informed a reporter to-day that arrangements for the homeward passage of the Terra .Nova had practically been completed, The vessel will be dry-docked shortly for re•fftting, cleaning, and painting, and, after taking in coal and supplies she, will sail from Lyttelton for England on March 15th. She will leave with about 500 tons of coal on board and will, proceed on the great circle track fronb Lyttelton to Magellan Straits, andl will make a call at Punta Arenas. Thence she will go to Rio de Janeiro' for bunker coal, and on to Cardiff. According to the programme mapped out the Terra Nova will leave Punta Arenas on April 26th, Rio de 0 aneiro on May 25th, and is expected to arrive at Cardiff on July 11th. She will steam and sail, and it is possible that she will improve on dates mentioned on her homeward passage if weather conditions are favourable, The programme has been arranged on a speed allowance of 120 miles per day. The distances are approximately : Lyttelton to the Straits of Magellan, 4680 miles; Punta Arenas to Rio de Janeiro, 2150; Rio to Cardiff, 5680; total, 12,510 miles. The time allowed for the passage is eightynine days. The object is to get the Terra Nova to England as quickly as possible, but if opportunity offers soundings will be made and dredgings for Plankton and other forms of sea life will be taken on the passage. Lieutenant Pennell will be in command of the Terra Nova, with Lieutenant Renwick as second in command. Mr A. Cheetham will act as second mate, and Messrs G. Nelson and D. G. Lillie, biologists to the expedition, will travel home in the Terra Nova. Mr M. Williams. R.N., will continue as chief engineer, and Mr W, Horton, R.N.., as second engineer. All the Royal Navy men in the crew and most of the merchant frarvice seamen at present on board will go to England in the Terra Nova.