THE RETURN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 227, 13 February 1913, Page 5

THE RETURN.

TKIIRA XOYA, TURNS HCH&- '•■ WARD. ._... .;;• Forty-eight hours later the Terra Nova left her winter quarters. .She proceeded towards Hut Point and landed eight men. who erected a large cfo¥s on Observation Hill, overlooking the great ice barrier, where our gallant leader and brave comrades sacrificed their lives to the honour of their country-after the achievement of the great object jsf this expedition. Before leaving the Antarctic the ship called at Cape'Royds. Granite Harbour and Terra Nova Bay, to pick up the depots of ecological specimens. We have established provision depots at f'ape Evan-. TTnt Point am 1 Terra Nova Bav.

THE VOYAGE. LARGE ICEBERGS ENCOUNTERED. It is interesting to note that on the return voyage to New Zealand, in latitude 64 deg. 15 min. S., longitude 159 dog. 15 min. E., the Terra Nova passed close to an iceberg 21 geographical miles in length. On February 2, in latitude 02'deg. 10 min. S., longitude 158 deg. E. during thick weather, the ship was beset with icebergs, and at slow speed steamed for six miles along the face of one huge iceberg. She was in a narrow channel, out of which she could not work, owing to the close grouping of detached icebergs, which lay on cither hand. We have passed hundreds of icebergs, some of which, from their exceptional size, may drift to lower latitudes before disintegration, and become a danger to navigation. Undoubtedly this is a bad year for ice. The Terra Nova has usually been clear, except for isolated bergs, in muck higher latitudes. All the surviving members are in excellent health. After a month's refit in New Zealand, the Terra Nova will proceed to Cardiff. Lieuts. Penn'ell (com-

ma'iding) and Ren wick, Surgeon Levick, and the biologists, Messrs Nelson and Lillie, are returning in the ship. Commander Evans, Lieutenants Campbell and Bruce. Surgeon Atkinson, Secretary Drake, and Messrs. Wright, Priestley, Debenh.im, Cherry. Garrard and Gran will return by mail *f earner. (Signed) E. P. G. R. Evans, Commander Royal Navy, commanding expedition.