SHACKLETON’S WIN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 33, 6 September 1916, Page 3

SHACKLETON’S WIN.

STORY OF THE MAROONED MEM, THE KING’S CONGRATULATIONS Press Association—Copyright, Austra'.iau and N.Z. Cable Association London, Sop tom her 4. T’lie King has replied to Sir t‘k Shackleton, as follows:—“1 most heartily rejoice in the rescue of your comrades, and congratulate you on the result of your determined efforts. I greatly admire the conduct of Captain Wild, which was so instrumental in maintaining their courage. I hope and trust you will soon bring them, all safely home.” Sir !&. Shaekleton’s despatch to the Thiily Chronicle from Pnnta Arenas, dated 3rd Soplembcr, stales that Ids fourth attempt to rescue his comrades marooned ou Elephant Island, succeeded) and that all had arrived safe and well.

On this occasion lie set a course which enabled the Yelcho to approach the Island from -,.e north-west, tin ice having woked towards the northeast. lie reached Captain A\ ild’s camp ou August 30th after steering in a fog through numerous stranded icebergs. He immediately started on the return journey.

The despatdi continues: -“Willi Captain Wild lies the credit of keeping (he party together in strength and safety under the most Crying difficult conditions, and 1 cannot speak too highly of Crean and Worsley, who had seen things through with me.” CAPTAIN WJLD’S REPORT. The following is Captain ild’s report: On April ‘25, the day alter the departure of the boat, the island wa s beset with dense pack-ice. The party was confined to a narrow spit of land two hundred and fifty by forty yards, surrounded by inaccessible dill's an I ice laden seas. We were forced to abandon the ice house, the snows making untenable this mode, ot dwelling. Two boats,, supported . by, rocks, was far more practicable.

The weather continued appalling, the vitality of the whole party being lowered by exposure. Blackboro, Hudson, Creensirecfc, and Dickinson, were ill, whilst several others were frost bitten. The blizzard in May swept much valuable gear into the sea. We were in danger of being swept away by the heavy seas, due to the blizzard, which blew at the rate of seventy miles an hour. Fortunately the ice formed at the foot of the sea shore, and this protection meant saving us from fatal destruction. The adjacent glacier split up on several occasions, causing heavy waves, and blocks of ice were once hurled within fifteen feet of the dwelling. We drastically economised our food, having only olio not meal daily, until we strengthened our reserve with blubber. This valuable stock, with bovril rations, was used at the rate of two meals weekly. The season being so late kept us in anxiety regarding the meat supply, but this was periodically replenished with small penguins and seals unable to land owing to the ice at the loot of the shore. 1 here was less wind from June onwards, but they were under constant hail, fog and snow.

Pdaekhoro’s toes rTf-ve amputated. 'the three previous altehipts uf fclicf synchronised with tlie. tiincs that the island was beset with ice. Be wpre able to collect seaweed and Innpets at the beginning of August—a valuable change in diet. Heavy sea* and ice prevented fishing, hut. rhe gale on the ”Bth drove the pack Irom the island. Through the lifting of the fog on the 30th, wo saw the Aelcho approaching. 1 wish to place on record the good morale' oi the entire party.

AM UNEXPECTED RESCUE. Vross Association—Copyright, Australian and N.JS. Cable Association. (Deceived 9.-15 a.in.) London, September o. Captain Wild’s parly thought Sir Ernest Shackle ton was dead, and they did not expect the rescue. THE ROSS ISLAND PARTY. SHACKEETON TO COMMAND AURORA ON RESCUE VOYAGE. Press Association —Copyright Heater’s Service. (Received 9.J0 a.m.) London, September 5. It is reported that Sir Ernest Shaekleton will proceed to) Australia via England, to command the Aurora on the voyage to rescue the marooned men on Ross Island. THE RESCUED MEM. The party left on Elephant island comprised:— Captain Frank Wild (who was with the Mawscn expedition-., second in command of the Endurance, m charge of provisions. George Marston, in charge ol general stores, artist.

Mr Frank Hurley, of Sydney, photographer. Captain Orclc Lees, in charge of motors. Lieutenant l'\ Dobbs, Hoyal Dublin Fusiliers, in charge of section ot dogs. Lieutenant Courtney Brocklehnrst, Hth Hussars, in charge of section ol dogs. Janus M'ordio, 15. A., Caniundgc, geologist. Ji. W. Janies, 8.A., Camliridge, B.Se., London, physicist and magnetician. Leonard !!. Hussey, B.Se., London, assistant inagnetician and meteorologist. V. Studd, Cambridge I university and Camborne School oi Mines, geologist. .Mi' Jeffrey, chief officer of the Kudu ranee. Mr Hudson, navigating oilicer in charge of the sounding machines anil dredging. Mr Cheetham, third oilicer and boatman. Mr Green street. Xine men of tile crew, consisting ol ex-naval men, tnnvling men iroin Hull, Grimsby, and Iroin Labrador. Elephant Island is one of the Sooth Shetland group, lying about GOO miles south-east of Cape (Horn. Sir Ernest Shaekleton, after the lus s of the Endurance, went with Cap tarn Worsley and three men, Cream Maeartliy and Vincent, in an open 21 ft boat . 400 miles to South Georgia for assistance. Miy .