EXPLORING THE ANTARCTIC.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 322, 23 January 1908, Page 2

EXPLORING THE ANTARCTIC.

THE NIMROD'S JOURNEY. RETURN OF THE KOONYA. BAD WEATHER MET WITH. Per Press Association. Dunediu, Wednesday. The steamer Koonya returned to port ibis morning after towing the Antarctic expedition ship Nimrod to the pa.k ice. In his reporting on the Koonya's tow, Lieutenant Shaekleton says:—"Heavy gales were met from January 1 to 13. On the 3rd the speed was only one knot per hour. Till the 4tli neither England nor himself had his clothes olf or hat any sleep. The Nimrod proved a splendid sea boat. Oil was poured on the water with good results. One pony fell, and had to be shot. The 7th was the worst day. Squally of hurricane force blew. The ponies made a plucky fight in the rolling ship. Used oil for several days. On the oth we had a moderate wind, and were able to go full speed till the afternoon. I'arts of the bulwarks were stove in during the roughest weather, and, the wind increasing, more were washed away."

I Jen tenant Shackleton expresses great admiration of the way all worked under the trying circumstances. ''Captain England lived on the bridge,'' he says. "Thg care ol the ponies was a serious piece of work. Towards the evening of the I4th the weather moderated. The Koonya did very well in the bad weather owing to the seamanship of Captain Evans, who hail all anxious time. On the 14th we passed two icebergs, and we sighted the pack at 9 a.m. on the 15th in misty weather, and let the Koonya go." t upturn I', vans says that he towed the Nitnrod till the sea became dotted with immense icebergs and the position was dangerous. The preparations to cant off were brought about with great danger and were carried out under extreme difficulties. (Japtain England hoarded the Koonya from a whaleboat and arranged the details. He left the Niinrod one mile from the ice, bavin" towed her 1500 miles. °

Lieut. Shackleton's men cheered th» Koonya through a roaring gale, and the commander signalled that he was deeply grateful for the thorough manner in \\ liicli (he arduous work had been performed. All were well, and he was confident, ol' success.

On itn return journey, the Koonya ailed at CamplieH's depot for castaways, nit two sheep farmers there reported here were none.