THE ELEPHANT ISLAND RESCUE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 7 September 1916, Page 2

THE ELEPHANT ISLAND RESCUE.

SHACKLETON’S DESPATCH, LONDON, Sept. 4. Sir E. Sliackleton’s dospatcli to the ‘ ‘ Daily Chronicle, ” dated Punta Arenas,, Sept. 3rd, says: The fourth attempt to rescue our comrades on Elephant Island succeeded. .All have arrived safe and well. On this occasion w e set a course which enabled the Yeleho to approach the island from the north-west, the ice having worked towards the north-east. We reached Wild’s Camp on August 30, after steering through fog and through numerous stranded icebergs. We immediately started the return journey. With Wild lies th e credit. He kept the party together in strength and safety under most trying and difficult conditions. I cannot speak too highly of Crean and Worsley, who have seen things through with me. STORY OF THE EXILE. WILD’S THRILLING REPORT. LONDON, Sept, 4. Following is Wild’s report: April 25th, the day after the departure of the boat, the island was beset by dense pack ice. The party was confined to a narrow spit of land 250 yards long and 40 yards broad, surrounded by inaccessible cliffs and ice-laden seas. We were forced to abandon the icehouse, thp snows making it an untenable mode of dwelling. Two boats were supported on the rocks as far as practicable from the sea. The weather continued appalling. The vitality of the whole party Avas lowered by exposure. Blackboro, Hudson, Greenstreet and Dickinson were ill. Several others were frost-bitten. A blizzard in May swept much valuable 'gear into the sea. We Avere in danger of being SAvept away by a heavy sea due to. a blizzard blowing at seventy miles an hour. Fortunately an ice foot formed on the sea shore. This protection meant saving us from total destruction. An adjacent glacier, caved on several occasions, causing heavy AAmves. Blocks of ice were 'once hurled within fifteen feet of the dwelling. We drastically economised food There was only one hot tneal daily until 'we strengthened our reserve of blubber. Our valuable stock of BoA r ril rations was used for two meals weekly. The season Avas late, so we wore, kept in anxiety regarding our meat supply, but we periodically replenished by small penguins and seals. We were unable to land owing to the ice foot. There AA'as less AA-ind from June onwards, but avo were under constant fog and snow, Blackboro s toes Avere amputated.

Throe previous attempts at relief synchronised with the times the island vas beset .by ice. We were able to collect seaweed and limpets at the bo-a-inning of Augnst,, which made a valuo.ble chan ye of diet. Heavy seas and ice prevented fishing. A gale on the 2Sth drove the pack from the island. Through the lifting fog on the 30th we saw the Yelcho approaching_ I wish plnc'> on record the good morale of the entire party.