SCOTT'S EXPEDITION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 15, 23 May 1913, Page 5

SCOTT'S EXPEDITION.

A TALE OF ACHIEVEMENT. COMMANDER EVANS’ LECTURE. l ßy Electric Telegraph —Copyright] I'UEoo Association.J London, May 22. There was a great audience at St. Albert Hull. Lord Curzon, presiding, said that Captain Scott’s expedition would bo remembered, not merely lor the crowning tragedy, but for tne splendid tale of acuievement. PHOTOGRAPHi AND CiNEMATOUAtATn i. London, May 22. There was a bnmauo a&semuiage to near .Lieutenant Jwans's lecture. It .iiciuaed tne Pnuco or Jbatcenourg, ueneral Baden Dowell, Lord Lrassey, Lord C/heimsxord, Lord Lamington, Lady tcott, Hon. T. Mackenzie (Ne»/ /ieuuuid), naval and military officers, and many prominent scientists. Lieutenant Evans was accompanied to the platform by tne survivors of the expedition. He exhibited a wonderful series of photographs of seal and penguin life, and cinematograph dims oi the sledging parties. Lord Curzon welcomed the survivors as men who not only dared and suffered, but accomplished that which entitled them to the gratitude of their countrymen and‘‘the admiration of the world. When the result of Captain Scott’s work was published it would be in the first rank of contributions to our Antarctic, knowledge, and be a real monument to Scott and bis men, greater than sculptured effigies or carved inscriptions.

TALES OF HEROISM. Lieutenant Evans stated that Scott’s organisation -was complete and his equipment splendid, so that the expedition remained self-contained ever after his death. He paid a tribute to the bravery of Petty-officer Bowers and to Seamen Cherry, Garrard and Crean. When adrift on the sea ice near Hutt Point, Crean gallantly jumped from floe to floe, going to the assistance of Bowers and Garrqrd, who were afloat on broken ice with the ponies a whole day before they were rescued. Describing the work of the expedition, he said that |n a dry valley they found a lake, and washed the gravel for gold, but only found magnetite specimens. He detailed the life of the party in ,the winter quarters, and Wilson’s journeys to Capo Crosier to observe the habits of the penguins. The party almost perished in a gale. The tent blew away and they slept in sleeping bags in the open for two days. When the ■outhern march began, Meares and a supporting party travelled further s’outh than his return.rations warranted. He an Demitri, on a 450-mile northward march, deprived themselves of one meal daily in order not to deplete the depots. When the time of the last supporting party came to leave Scott on his dash for the Pole they gave three cheers anl watched the intrepid five disappear over the horizon. Lieutenants Evans recounted how he secretly advanced the hands of his watch m order to get an extra hour’s march on the homeward journey. He eulogis'd- Crean and Lashley for refusing to leavo him when attacked by scurvey. Both were recommended for the Albert Medal. “THE PEACEMAKER.”

Lieutenant Evans next detailed Scott’s journey as revealed by his diary. He came upon Amundsen’s dog tracks in latitude 88, and followed them to the Pole, which was located within half a mile of Amundsen’s reckonings by dead reckonings. He described the fine work of both expeditions, and mentioned the fact L hat Lady Scott had remarked on the magnificent spirit of the party, not making an uncharitable remark when they know they had been anticipated. On the return journey and after Seaman Evans’s death, Scott must have i ealised by the gradually shortened marches that there was little hope of reaching the winter quarters. In the 'ater stages they only did three miles daily. Oates was badly frost-bitten, md constantly appealed for Wilson’s advice. “What could he do,” he asked, and Wilson replied that he “could only slog on, just slog on.” Oates died on his birthday. Wilson v. as nicknamed “The Peacemaker.” Thanks to him they never had a quarrel or an angry word. Bowers was the pet humorist of the party. He "as a marvellous little fellow, whom Bcott described as the hardiest man who ever undertook a polar journey. Scott himself was the heart and brain of the expedition. FURTHER TRIBUTES.

TERRA NOVA’S WORK

(Received 8.50 a.m.) London, May 22. Lieutenant Evans paid a glowing tribute to the work of Campbell’s party. Griffith and Taylor accomplished a most valuable journey in Victoria Land for geographical and survey ourposes. He expressed the hop© that he Would deliver a special paper on that expedition. The Terra Nova’s oceanic work was also worthy of special account. Lieutenant Evans concluded by thanking the public of Britain and the Overseas Dominions for their generous support of Captain Scott’s last I appeal, which will provide for the relatives and give fund* to publish the expedition’s records.