THE NORTHERN PARTY.

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

THE NORTHERN PARTY.

A STORY OF PRIVATION. STX x MONTHS IN THE SNOW. TERRTBLE F.N PERIEXCES. Cliristcliurch. Last Night. The story of a journey which was brimful of hardships and privations, and which very nearly ended in another tragedy, was told by Lieutenant Campbell, who led tlie northern party. The party consisted of Lieutenant Campbell, Surgeon Levick, Mr. Priestly (geologist) ami Seamen Abbott, Browning and Dickison. Returning from their journey, the party readied Terra Nova Hay on February 10. They anticipated that the Terra, Xova would be there to meet them, tlie vessel being expected there about tlie tenth. On reaching Terra Nova Pay. however, they found that the vessel was not there, and while they were keenly disappointed they thought that the Terra Nova must have encountered bad weather. It transpired, however, that it was not bad weather but unfavorable conditions that had prevented the vessel reaching Terra Nova Bav.

Lieutenant Campbell and his party were now faced with a journey over the ice of 200 miles to Cape Evans. But it was impossible to undertake the journey at this time, as the sea was not properly frozen over. "There were six of us in the party, and we had to make up our minds to winter there in the snow drift," continued Lieutenant Campbell. "Into the snowdrift we cut an igloo, which had to be our home for six months. We only had about a month's provisions, and we were not suitably clothed to spend-the winter in an igloo. But there was nothing for it, and we proceeded to make the best of the position." Continuing. Lieutenant Campbell said that they decided to kill as many seals as possible, and during their stay there the party secured 17 seals. Was that all the seals you caught? asked the pressman. "Well," answered Lieutenant Campbell., with a smile, "you can get a lot of meat off seventeen seals if you eat it carefully." The partv were in absolute darkness in their igloo, but they succeeded in making some lamps with, the aid of seal blubber, and po obtained liffht to brighten their surroundings. Then a small blubber stove was arranged, and this added to the comfort of the men. At the commencement of their six months' confinement in the igloo the members of the party were supplied with one biscuit a day each, hut (he small supply of biscuits soon ran out. and for the greater portion of the time their daily meals consisted of the unchanging meal obtained from the seals. The company also ran out of their supply of tobacco, and this served to add to their discom- ! font.

Asked how thev managed to pass the months in their igloo in the snowdrift. Lieutenant Campbell smilingly remarked. "By sleep and an occasional sing-song." He also said that some members of the party gave interesting lectures on various subjects, and served to while away the long dark hours.

Eventually the winter came to an end, and they were able to leave their cam]) on September 3. Two of their men, Browning and Dickison, were ill. For the first few days they were able to make only a few miles a day. After three days Browning improved, but Dickison suffered longer, and during the journey to Cape Evans he had occasionally to be placed upon a sledge.

On tlieir way to the base tlie member? of tlip paHv made a collection of geological specimens. At one spot lliov found a small depot of specimens Iffi. by Professor David, who was with Sliaeklcton's expedition. The remainder of flip journey was tarried out without further incident, and Cape Evans camp was gained on November 7. There better

food, of which they had been so long deprived, effected a speedy restoration of their condition. Lieutenant Campbell mentioned that I in his own case he put on two stone and seven pounds in a week, jumping from 10 to 12st 71b. • The other members also improved. Then Lieutenant Campbell paused for a while, and Commander Evans observed that (dip could have no conception of the hardships which Lieutenant Campbell and his companions had gone through. "It is extraordinary," he eaid, "that they survived."