"The Hell Hole of Wind."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1913, Page 5

"The Hell Hole of Wind."

Adelie Land. *

THE WINDIEST CORNER OF THE WORLD.

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Awitod Press Association.)

ARRIVAL OF THE AURORA. STORY OF THE EXPEDITION. A GRAPHIC NARRATIVE, (Received 9.30 a.m.) Hobart, March 15. The Aurora has arrived at Esperancc Bay. Mr Eitel, the secretary, landed and furnished an account of the expedition. “The Aurora left Hobart on Boxing Day, and at Tarooma embarked twen-ty-one Greenland dogs, those being Captain Amundsen’s presentation. The Aurora did not secure wireless communication with Mawson’s base at Adobe land until two days before reaching there.

“At the request of the Federal Government we took Captain James Davis to test the whaling potentialities of these seas, but not a single right whale was observed on the voyage. No land was discerned despite the keen watch. We found that forty-miles long ice barrier, charted last year as being sixty miles to the westward of Adelie Land, had disappeared. The Aurora passed less than thirty hours pack ice before reaching the main base, thus confirming Dr. Mawson’s assertion that it was possible to visit the base in an iron steamer.” THE HOME OF THE WIND. TEN YARDS IN TWO HOURS. LOST IN THE SNOW.

(Received 9.45 a.m.)

“The base at Adelie was sighted on January 13th, and we observed that one wireless mast was erected, and the other was lying on the rocks, thus explaining the sudden stoppage in wireless connections.

“The nine occupants were overjoyed to see us. The stamp of hardships was noticeable, though all appeared in a robust condition. Dr. Mawson was absent on a sledge journey, and was expected back in two days. The other two parties were also shortly due.

“The most interesting scientific results undoubtedly consist of the meteorological data gathered in the winter quarters at Commonwealth Bay, which is absolutely the windiest corner of the world. An idea of the force of the wind may be obtained remembering that while a velocity of fifty miles an hour constitutes a full gale, the records show that the average velocity for ten months was' fifty-two. A maximum of 202 miles an hour was actually registered qn the gust recorder. The highest average of any single hour was between ninety and one hundred. Some gales lasted several months. “Correll, during a blizzard, was lost for two hours when traversing ten yards from the camp to the meteorological screen. Hodgeman was lost for two hours and a half returning from the magnetic hut under two hundred yards away. We had to crawl about on our hands and knees. Adelie Land has well earned the title of ‘The Hell Hole of Wind.’ ”

A DEPOT LOST.

PARTY PROCEED FOODLESS. HURLEY’S! DECISION. (Received 10.15 a.m.) “The keynote of the scientific results arc undoubtedly the velocity and the continuance of the wind, though much other striking scientific work has been achieved. Terrible wind temperature was recorded, descending to minus 29 degrees Fahrenheit. “Five sledging parties had been despatched. Bage, Webb, and Hurley re-

TAKING OFF WILD'S PARTY.

HOMEWARD BOUND.

(Re ceived 11 a.m.)

turned three days before the Aurora arrived. Their objective was to reach the Magnetic Pole from the North. They arrived within fifty miles before an insufficiency of food compelled them to retreat. Hurley’s resolution to abandon the search for the lost depot and proceed foodless to the next depot saved the party from disaster. Madigan, Dr. Mac Lean, and Correll traversed 550 miles eastwards, and made interesting geological discoveries, but failed to locate one food depot and spent two days foodless in sleeping bags.

THE MESSAGE FROM MAWSON. AURORA LOSES HER ANCHORS. LIVES IN JEOPARDY. (Received 10.30 a.m.) Dr. Mawson stated definitely that lie would return on January 13th, and no appreliension was caused at fiist when he failed to appear. Eventually sledge parties went on a search. The Aurora cruised 60 miles along the eastern coast, and all the members ot the shore party agreed to remain another year and search for Mawson while the ship proceeded to rescue Wild’s party. “Madigan, Bage, Bickerton, Hodgman, Mac Lean and Jefferies were left behind, and the Aurora departed on February -Bth. The vessel was victualled for only one year, owing to shortage of funds. Some stores were landed on the main base for the relief of the party. ; Consequently, if the vessel were caught in the ice wo would be in danger of.starving. Eight hours after sailing,, the following wireless message was receivedßeturned to base Safely; Minnis and Mortz dead: re-

turn and pick up shore party iranm diately. This was signed by Dr Mawson.

“ The Aurora returned, but a strong hurricane prevented communication with the land. The ship flagged a message to send instructions by signal. Wo observed the shore party, but no attempt was made to reply. The hurricane increased to such intensity that the Aurora in heaving lost her anchors, and was unable to keep her ground. Captain Davis summoned us and explained the situation, and said that the delay was jeopardising the lives of the party at Wild’s Base. Wo all sympathised with him, knowing the terrible strain caused by the responsibility. We unanimously supported his decision to start immediately for Wild’s Base, leaving Ma wson and relief party to be brought back next year.

CAPTAIN’S DECISION UPHELD

“If ever the blame is laid at the captain’s door tor deserting the main base, every member will stand shoulder to shoulder with him. Volunteers offered to row the whaleboat ashore, but the captain refused to allow the men to risk their lives. There- is little doubt the boat would have been swamped by the high seas. “The Aurora pushed full speed ahead, and sighted the Barrier thirty miles from Wild’s base on the 23rd, and found the party of eight all safe. We took aboard specimens and instruments and a few stores, and sailed at nine o’clock at night for Hobart,”