THE AURORA’S CRUISE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 12, 6 September 1912, Page 2

THE AURORA’S CRUISE.

o IN SUB-ANTARCTIC SEAS. GOOD WORK ON MACQUARIES. The Antarctic exploring ship Aqrora returned to Lyttelton from her winter cruise on July 11th, and reported all well. The vessel is under the command of Captain J. K. Davis, and carries on board Messrs Edgar R. Waite (curator) and E. J. Haynes (taxidermist of the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch), and also R. Primmer (cineraatographist), representing the Gaumont Company. The Aurora is sailing in the interests of Dr Mawson’s Australasian Antarctic expedition, and not being required until November next, when she will return to the ice to bring the leader and his party back to Australia, she was fitted out to conduct scientific investigations in sub-Antarctic seas.

The vessel sailed from Sydney on May ] 7th, and proceeded by way of Bass Strait to tlhe 140th meridan, which was reached 10 days later. When in the latitude of the reported Royal Company’s Islands the vessel was turned eastward, and four days were spent in searching for the islands, the work being supplementary to the search made by Captain Davis when, in command of Slhiackleton,’s ship the Nimrod. Two different positions have been assigned to the reported islands, both of which have now been thoroughly explored, but on neither occasion was any trace of land discovered. Captain Davis says definitely that the islands do not exist where they are laid down on the charts, but mentions that even in the relatively clear weather encountered off Macquarie Island, the land was seen from a distance of eight miles only, so that it is still possible that there may be land in flit vicinity. Very boisterous weather precluded the possibility of taking soundings, which would probably (hlave given indications of shoaling had land been in the neighbourhood .

Not a single day was tfic sea sufilciently moderate to justify the use of the sounding machine. Several attempts were made, resulting in the loss of gear, and on one occasion of 2000 fathoms of sounding wire. Even an attempt to use trawl was absolutely out of the question, while the absence of light prevented the use of the cinematograph, even had it been possible to .stand the instrument on the deck of the lively vessel.

Macquarie Island was reached on June Bth, when the five men constituting Dr. Mawson’s Macquarie Island party were found to he well and doing good work. The wireless station is working admirably, daily weather reports being sent to Melbourne, Hobart, and Wellington. Messages are caught as far as Fiji and West Australia, and expedition and general news are daily received from Sydney. The violent and persistent gales, and the excessive humidity interfere with the installation and insulation, and demand the constant attention of the engineer. Twice have the aerials had to be re-erected after having been blown down. The freezing of the water cooling the petrol engine is also a source of trouble. The operator believes that his messages are received at the base in the Antarctic, but owing to the unfortunate damage to part of the apparatus, the (Antarctic party is unable to transmit messages to Macquarie Island. Life on the Beaches. Quite contrary to the statement which recently appeared in the newspapers, to the effect that the sea elephants have been well-nigh exterminated, these animals were found to he very abundant, hundreds having been seen during the brief visits of the Aurora, both at North-East Bay and Lusitania Bay. Examples of the more solitary seals known as sea leopards, and perhaps the most beautiful seal in tillo world, were occasionally seen on the beaches, while king penguins, together with their downy young ones, roved about in the quaint manner peculiar to penguins in general. At this season the young birds are! nearly as large as their parents, or appear so, as they are covered with long, coffee coloured down. Maori hens, imported to Macquarie Island from New Zealand many years ago, have multiplied to such an extent that they may be seen on the beaches in scores. They run to the shelter of the tussocks when molested, but otherwise they are perfectly trusting, and most inquisitive. Fierce winds blew almost incessantly, while snow, hail, and frost add to the discomforts, and engender no envy of the position occupied by the party.

Macquarie Island was loft on Juno 22nd, and continued (heavy weather accompanied the ship to the Auckland Islands, the anchor being dropped in Carnley Harbour two days later. On June 29th, the ship arrived at Port Ross, remaining there and at Enderby Island until July 6th, when the course was set for Port Chalmers. Too Rough For Trawiing. Dredging was done in the sheltered harbour of the Auckland Islands, and two attempts were made with the trawl in the open sea, first off the east side of Macquarie Island, when wind and wave carried the vessel so rapidly off the land that with the suddenly deepening water the trawl was not on the bottom before a freshening wind and rising sea compelled the crew to haul it on board as rapidly as possible. The second attempt waa made tbo day the ship left the Auckland Islands, but, encounetring rocky bottom, the trawl was damaged and the net torn, thus liberating any specimens which might have been secured. Mr Waite and his assistant have secured valuable collections for the Canterbury Museum, and the curator is pleased with bis endeavours in this direction, remarking that it is the first series obtained for the museum for many years past. Some of them are entirely new to the collection, notably tlhle sea elephants, one specimen obtained being nearly 17 feet in length and weighing, when alive, considerably over a ton. Satisfactory Progress. Interviewed on the work of the cruise, Captain Davis stated that the present cruise was largely in the nature of a trial, and it was satisfactory to find that with the exception of one or two small defects, the apparatus specially installed for the purpose gratuitously by the Government of Nev South Wales worked to complete satisfaction.

Captain Davis is of opinion that th© next cruise projected for the coming spring will he more successful, foi weather conditions are likely to he favourable for marine work, more daylight and smoother seas being essential for deep sea work in these latitudes. Mr Primm&r stated unhesitatingly that he is much disappointed at not being able to secure moving pictures of popular interest. The light in the Southern seas at this period of the year, even in the middle of the day, jiad practically no value for cinematography. Moreover, daylight, such as it is, is very short, while sunlight is virtually absent, only two hours being absent during the period of fourteen days spent at the Macquarie Islands. Mr Plimrner felt bound to make an attempt on some interesting subjects, but lie much fears 1 under-exposure throughout. <\r