THE NIMROD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 222, 12 September 1908, Page 2

THE NIMROD.

PREPARATION S FOR HER RETURN TO THE ANTARCTIC. By Telegraph,—Press Association, Christciiurch, Laat Night. It is understood that t'iic j>r ILisll Antraetic expedition ship Nimrod will leave Lytteltoa on December Ist un her second trip to the Antarctic regions. The vesa«l has now been in Lyttelton nearly seven months since her return from the south, and during that time her oilieers and men who Slave stayed by her have not been idle. A large amount of work has been done recently in connection with thy overhauling and repairing of the vessel to fit 'her to cope successfully wit# tile .elements during heir coming The whole of the rigging has been thoroughly overhauled and repaired. A reporter who visited the Nimrod to-day found what an important work was in progress. This consists in the extension of t!he living quarters below the aftel- end of the vessel. The additional space is being obtained by extending the living quarters into the after-hold, a portion of which is now being partitioned off by stout timber walls newly lined inside. When complete, the enlarged quarters will be more comfortable than 'those in the after deckhouse which were occupied by the shore party on the trip to the ice. They were terribly cramped for room, ami the lighting and ventilation was had in the extreme. When the alterations are completed the living quarters below will be four times larger than before, and will be immeasurably superior to and better ventilated 1 and lighted tlhan the small and dingy i compartment formerly occupied by the 1 shore party.

A peep into the engine room showed that the engineers have been doing solid work. The engines and pumpJ and other gear below have been overhauled and put in thorough repair. The engine room presented a very spick and span appearance, having been thoroughly cleaned and re-painted throughout. The Nimrod will ship a full year's supply of stores before startin'g for the south, and the whole of the remaining available space will be filled with coal. Lieut. F. P. Evans, H.N.It., of the Union Company, is to take the command of the vessel for the next voyage south. The vessel will make the fullest possible use of her sails, but as she will not be towed south this time, and a good deal of unfavorable wind will be doubtless met with the ship will probably have to use her engines very often; hence the need for ' taking as large a supply of bunker coal as possible. Mr. John I\. Davis, chief officer of the Nimrod, who has been continually by the ship since her arrival from EnglandlHast year and since her return 1 from the Antarctic, is about to take a 1 Well-earn'ed holiday. He will leave for Auckland in the Totfgariro next week.