SCOTT'S LAST MESSAGE."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 226, 12 February 1913, Page 5

SCOTT'S LAST MESSAGE."

HOW BEAVE MEN DIE. THE STCHY OP A HEROIC FIGHT. . LAST THOUGHTS FOR THOSE LEFT BEHIND. In Captain Scott's diary, Atkinson found the following, which is quoted verbatim:— " Message to the Public—The causes of this disaster are not due to faulty organisation, but to misfortune in all risks which had to be undertaken. The loss of pony transport in March, 1911, obliged me to start later thaii I had intended, and obliged the limits of the stuff transported to be narrowed. " The weather throughout the outward journey, and especially the long gale in 83 degrees south, stopped us. " The soft snow in the lower reaches of the glacier again reduced the pace. We fought these untoward events with a will, and conquered, but it ate into our provision reserves. Every dejtail of our food supplies, clothing and depots made on the interior ice sheet on that long stretch of 700 miles to the Pole and back, worked out to perfection. The advance party would have returned to the glacier in fine form and with a surplus of food, but for the astonishing failure of the man who we had least expected to fail. Seaman Edgar Evans was though't to be the strongest of the party. The Beardmore glacier is not difficult in fine weather, but on our return we did not get a single completely fine day. This, with a sick companion, enormously increased our anxieties. I have said elsewhere that we got into frightfully rough ice, and Edgar Evans received a concussion of the brain. He died a natural death, but left us a shaken party, with the season unduly advanced. "But all the facts above enumerated were as nothing !o the surprise which awaited us on the Barrier. I maintain that our arrangements for returning were quite adequate, and that no one in the world would have expected the temperatures and surfaces which we encountered at this time of the year. On the summit, in latitude 85 degrees to 86 degrees, we had minus 20 to minus 30. On the Barrier in latitude 82 degrees, 10,000 feet lower, we had minus 30 in the day and minus 47 at night pretty regularly, with a continuous head wind during our day marches. It vis clear that these circumstances came on very suddenly, and our wreck is certainly due to this sudden advent of severe weather, which does not seem to have any satisfactory cause. Ido not think human beings ever came through such a month as we have come through, and Ave should have got through in spite of the weather but for the sickening of a second companion, Captain Oates, and a shortage of fuel in our depots, for which I cannot account, and finally but for the storm which has fallen on us within eleven miles of this depot, at which we hoped to secure the final supplies. Surely misfortune could scarcely have exceeded this last blow. We arrived within eleven miles v of our old One Ton camp, with fuel for one hot meal and food for two days. For four clays we have been unable to leave the tent, the gale blowing about us. We are weak, and writing is difficult, but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as in the past. We took risks, and we knew we took them. Things have come out against us, and, therefore, we have no cause for complaining, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last. But if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the honor of o,ur country, 1 appeal to our countrymen to see that those who depend on us are properly cared for. Had we lived, I should have had •* tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of even an Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.—R. SCOTT, March 25,1912."

THE BTPJAL UF THE DEAD. I.A«T SCENE OF AL. ]sv Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Pcccivcd 11. !).2.'i p.m. London, February 11. Dr. Atkinson collected the records and effects of the Southern Tarty, including thirty-live pounds of valuable geological specimens. He read the burial service and erected a cairn and a cross over the inner tent, in which the bodies were buried. They searched for twenty miles southward for the body of Captain Dates, but could not find it. They erected a cairn in the vicinity. THE NOPTHEPN PARTY. TERPIRLE PPIYATIONS. SIX MONTHS IN THE SNOW. London, February 11. i The search party turned northwards for the relief of Campbell's Northern Party and found them safe. When they reached the hut at Point Campbell they were forced to make back to Cape Evans. They burrowed in a snowdrift and constructed an Tgloo where they wintered, j They killed and -tored seals', and lived for six months on seal meat, blubber, a few biscuit* and a small quantity of cocoa. There were constant gales, and the partv was weakened by attacks of enteritis fever. Tliev were unable to start for Cape Evans until September 30th. They picked up Professor David's specimens on the depot, Island, where the partv actually wintered. They sledged 230 miles on one month's stores. THE SCIENTIFIC PESULTS. The party obtained excellent scientific results and records. Scott's effects included Amundsen's letter to the King of Norwav. A MEMOPTAL. The Terra Nova lauded a partv and erected a large cross on Observation Hill overlooking the (,'reat Ice Barrier. AMERICAN OPINIONS . Received 11. ll.ir, p.m. New York. February 11. Stefanssen says that no blizzard is likely to have killed Scott. The probable cause of death was starvation or falling into a crevasse. >'Pary expressed deep svmpaihv when informed. OEOORAPMICAL SOCIETY'S SYMPATHY. AN IDEAL ENOLISH SAILOR. London, Februarv 10. Mr. Douglas Ereshfield. presiding at the Geographical Society's meeting in Lord Ciirzon's absence, said they met in the shadow of a great calamity. The Society sympathised with Mrs. Scott, and they could only say good-bye to the band of heroes." whose names shone as examples of the highest courage. Captain Seott would live in- their memories as the ideal English sailor. Dr. Atkinson, who accompanied Lieutenant Pennell ashore, is feeling the loss of his chief and comrades intensely. He has gone to Mr. Kinsey's house at Sumner to rest. Lieutenant Pennell is staying with Mr. Kinsey. He is anxious to remain in seclusion. Mr. Kinsey spent an arduous and sleepless night. When seen this morning he had a pile of cablegrams on his desk. He was unable to see people who were anxious for details of the disaster.

SHACKLETOX AND PEARY INTERVIEWED. London, February 10. Sir Ernest Shackleton, who is in New York, diil not, at first believe the story, as it was inconceivable that so well equipped an expedition should have perished. He thought seurvy a greater peril than blizzards. Renter's New York representative interviewed Sir Ernest Shackleton, who said lie was amazed at the disaster to Captain. Scott's party. It was inconceivable, he said, that an expedition so well equipped could perish in a blizzard. Sir Ernest Shackleton said ho had faced the severest blizzards without disaster. Lieutenant Peary, interviewed, expressed heartfelt sympathy for Mrs. Scott, and the relatives of Captain Scott's brave comrades. CAPTAIX AMUNDSEN INTERVIEWED. New York, February 10. ••Horrible! horrible!" exclaimed Captain Amundsen at Madison. Wisconsin, when notified of Captain Scott's death. "There must lie som? horrible mistake." lie identified the spot mentioned in Scott's recorrls as the South Poi,'. The Norwegian flag was left there. SYMPATHY IX AUSTRALIA. PROFESSOR DAVID INTERVIEW El). Received 11. 5..)5 p.m. Sydney, February 11. Intense intere-t and universal sorrow are expressed in Scott's fate. The. State flovcniinent has cabled to the British authorities .an expression of grief at the disaster which has overtaken brave men. As a special mark of synipafliv it ordered the flag- on the public buildings to be half-masted throughout to-morrow. Professor David, in an interview, said thai the news of the death of Scott and his comrades was only too true. He had received a cable from Mr. Kinsey confirming the sad occurrence, which was all the more tragic on account of the proximity of the brave party to their winter quarters, lie surmises that thev may in the thick drifting snow caused by (he continuous blizzards have missed one of the food depots when weak from fatisiie. long endurance and excessive cold. It must be remembered that as compared with Amundsen's partv. the party, much as they suffered, endured far more intensely. Thcv had to dins' their sledges over hundreds of miles, including a hitter windswept plateau ten thousand feet high, This fearfullv heavv protracted work must, liave fold on their constitutions, though they were of the hardiest. In view of the' comparatively .slow progress on the return journev one could not help thinking that, the whole party could not have been in the best of health. THE NEWS IX CHRIST* TIPPCTI. Christchurch, Last Night The- news of Captain Scott's fate quickly spread throughout the city this morning, and there was a. continuous stream of enquirers seeking confirmation of the intelligence. The news caused a profound sensation in the city, and groups in conversation in the ' street, spoke of the matter as they would in referring to some sad and 'unexpected event which told of the passing of a liero, who. it was thought, had returned from the Antarctic crowned with success. Flags flew at half-mast from numerous buildings in the city to-dav, and at midday the bell at the Cathedral j was tidied. This afternoon a slight | alteration was made in Evensong at the

I Cathedral as a iminorial to lliu.sc lost .On Thursday afternoon a memorial ser vice will be held in the Cathedral Thursday lias been fixed in order tc allow the members of the expedition and the officers of the Terra Nova to be present. THE NEWS RECEIVED WITH t DISMAY. Whilst the news of the very early return of the Terra Nova from the Antarctic over a month before her due date, caused great astonishment in Lyttelton, and appeared to indicate that something untoward had occurred to cause the change in plans, no one was prepared for the dreadful news which filtered through to Port this morning that Captain Scott, the gallant leader of the expedition, and his little band of brave supporters had perished in a terrible blizzard on lonely stretches of iee and snow. THE DEAD MEN'S EFFECTS. The persona] effects and other luggage and paraphernalia of some of those who died in the South still lie at the Tourist Office, Christchurch. where they were left when the adventurers went south. CAPTATN SCOTT'S BODY. A rumor was current in town this morning that the body of Captain Seott had been brought back by the Terra Nova. Mr. Kinsey, when asked what the facts lay behind the tale, gave it a most complete and emphatic denial. TERRA NOVA TO ARRIVE TO-MOROTC. Information has been receive* in Lyttelton that the Terra, Nova will arrive off Lyttelton Heads between 9 and 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. The 'Lyttelton Harbor Board tug, with Captain Thorpe, harbormaster, will go out to meet the ship. Lieutenant Pennell and Dr. Atkinson will also go out in the tug. The Terra Nova, will probably i reach Lyttelton about 11 o'clock. PUBLIC SYMPATHY. The flags were half-mast high on all public and private buildings in Lyttelton to-day. The merchant service also pah] its tribute to the memory of Captain Seott and his partv, every ship in port lowering her flags 'to half-mast. COMMTJNICATINC, WITH AIRS SCOTT. It is understood that a wireless message will be sent to Mrs. R. F. Scott, who is on her way from San Francisco, apprising her of the fate of the southern party, and instructing her not to land in the Dominion. Mrs. Wilson, who has been staying in the south' reached Christchurch to-day by the first express. INTERVIEW WITH SIB CHAS. BOWEN. Sir Charles Bowcn. who is keenly interested in Antarctic exploration.' and who had many opportunities of meeting Captain Scott on the different occasions that he was in phristchurch, was seen by a press representative regarding the sad news of the death of the explorer and his party. Sir Charles said that beyond the news giving the fact that Captain Scott and his party had perished in a blizzard he was not in possession of any details. The news was very terrible, and he felt keen sorrow that so courageous an officer had met with so sad a fate, and he felt the deepest sympathy for Mrs. Scott and the relatives of the brave men who perished with their leader. "Captain Scott was not only a great explorer," and not only possessed of the courage of a great explorer, but he also possessed the necessary skill and know-' ledge, and was also'a first-class naval man, and would have made his mark in whatever circumstances he was placed. The death of Captain Scott and his party in such tragic circumstances will create a profound sensation through the whole Empire." METIIODTSTS' SYMPATHY. Wellington, Last Night. The Methodist Conferennc to-night placed on record its deep regret, at the sad fate of Captain Scott and his comrades in the Antarctic, and expressed ' heartfelt sympathy with Mrs. Scott and ( the relatives of the other members of •' the expediion who perished. The pro- i position was ordered to be sent to Mr. < Kinsey. the representative of the expedi- ] tion in Christchurch. s i TN MEMORTAM. ' Christchurch. Last Night. '' At all the theatres to-night, funeral marches were played as a tribute to the memory of the dead explorers. CAPTATN SCOTT'S CAREER. Captain Robert Falcon Scott, R.H.. s C.V.0.. F.R.ft.S., commanded the Nation- t al Antarctic Expedition in 1(100-4. He 1 was born at -Outlands. Devonport. on t •Tunc (>. ISf.R. 'He was the eldest son of a the late John Edward «cott. of Outlands. t In lfiOS he married Kathleen, daughter s; of the late Canon Llovd Bruce. He was educated at Stubbington House. Fare- j| ham and entered the Navv in IRS2. He t, served in the Rove from ISR7-SS as Lieutenant: in the Amphion in ISS9: was Torpedo-Lieutenant of the Majestic, in ~' the Flagship Channel Soundron.' in ISOS- ' 00. iFrst Lieutenant. ISOO-1000: Commander. 1000: Cantain 1004. He was made an Hon. D.«c. of Cambridge and " Manchester in 1005. and was <v o ld med- ° allist of the Roval eCographieaT Societv. t] Roval Scottish ftcosjrnnhical Society, " American. Swedish. Danish. Philadelph- " ian. and Antwcrn Oeofi-nphical Societies. ° Tn 1005 he mil)]isiied his Polar exnloralion story "The Voyage of the Discov- P cry."