ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

Shannon News, 27 September 1921, Page 1

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION.

SHACKLETON’S LATEST VOYAGE FEILDING OFFICER ON THE STAFF. I f ■ Sir Ernest Shackleton has just sailed from the Thames on his latest voyage of scientific exploration in the Antarctic. The expedition is aboard the Quest, a vessel only 111 feet long, but she is considered to be admirably suited for the work in hand, and is elaborately equipped for her sojourn - in 1 the stormy ;seas which she will penetrate. The staff will include six of Sir Ernest’s companion’s oh former expeditions. CQjmmander Frank Wild, (C.8.E., the second in command, has much Polar experience, and was y. the Scott and Mawson expeditions, in addition to accompanying the 1907-09 jmd 1914-17 Shackleton expeditions. Commander Worsley, D. 5.0., a New Zealander, is to take command of the Quest. He was captain of the Endurance in Shackleton’s last expedition, and after returning served in North Russia during the late war. Another New Zealander is Major C. R. Carr, D.F.C., a son of Mr Charles Carr, now of Rotorua and formerly of Palmerston North and Feilding, and a grandson of the late Major Liddle, of. Levin. Major Carr was in the RiA.F. during the war, and he achieved success in Russia as head of a fly±ng squadron. One one occasion he fled over a 8010 aerodrome,/ alighted with his machine on the building, and wrought havoc among the enemy air equipment. After the \fcar he offered his services to the Poles, and he was put in charge of the Polish air squadron against the Bolsheviks. Major Carr will go in charge of the aerial department of the present expedition, and he will act as pilot to a seaplane that is being taken. Sir Ernest Shacleton states that the aeroplane to he taken south is a specially built baby Avro seaplane, to assist in both sea and land observation. “The seaplane is specially designed for colder climates,” said Sir Ernest, “ and will be in charge of Major C. R. Carr, who did fine work in France, and was eventually flying during the winter campaign in North Russia. The ’plane can be taken to pieces except the fuselage. Down South it ought to revolutionise observation. One used to observe what one could from the ship’s crow’s nest—a horizon of about 11 rniles in the Antarctic. Our seaplane will only have to ri£e about 500 ft/ to tell how far the ice stretches and whether we can gain the South better by making a detour or going straight on.”