Trials of Antarctic

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 229, 15 February 1913, Page 5

Trials of Antarctic

THE NORTHERN PARTY,

A PICTURESQUE STORY

SHORT RATIONS AND HIGH

SPIRITS,

UNCONQUERABLE WILLS,

(Per Press Association). Wellington. Last Night.

The further particulars of Lieulenant Campbell's party's northern journey are officially given as follows: —

COLD BLIZZARDS.

While awaiting the ship in February cold blizzards from the plateau were experienced. which caused the seals 1o take to the sea earlier than tisnal, the seals objecting to the cold autumn gales. Tims on March 1, when Lieutenant Campbell decided that, the winter would have to be faced, and that it would he necessary to prepare for winter, very few seals were to be seen. By .March 20 the igloo, although unfinished, afforded shelter.

The igloo was constructed by digging a deep trench, and with ice axes cutting out. a chamber at the end of this, measuring Lift. by Oft. The trench was afterwards roofed in with sealskins and snow, forming a long passage. Doors went formed by sucks, and by having three of these they were able to keep the temperature in the living room above zero.

Tlio igloo afforded shelter just in time, for Levick's tent, in a 1 terrific gale, liad collapsed on the 10th, three of the poles breaking, and the tent being blown to ribbons. After lying under the ruins all day his party made their way to Campbell's ramp, about a mile away, arriving there in a frost-bitten and exhausted condition. Thev were revived with

"hoosh," and slept that night, two in a sleeping bag, a most uncomfortable experience.

SHORT RATIONS,

Ry the time the winter had set in, in spite of killing everything seen, only l(i seals and 80 adelie penguins had been secured. The rations, which had previously consisted of two pannikins of seal hoosh and one of biscuit per man per day, had to be cut down to half that amount, and, not having any sale, the food had always to be cooked in sf\lt water.

Seaweed was sometimes used as a ration, but certain members of the party could never get used to this. One lucky find was thirty-six fish in the stomach of a seal, which, fried in blubber, proved excellent, ALWAYS HUNGRY. Until the middle ,of July, when three more seals were captured, the party was always hungry. For cooking and lighting purposes a blubber stove and a lamp were constructed, the fuel for the stove being old seal bones aiul blubber. The lamps were simply old tins filled with melted blubber, with rope yarn for wicks. On two occasions in the blizzards the ventilation got blocked with snow, and the party almost asphyxiated, the lamps and stove refusing to burn until a passage was dug out. Of luxuries, there was enough sugar to give each man twelve lumps every Sunday, and one stick of chocolate cverv Saturday, with half a pannikin of tea. on Sunday, the leaves being reboiled for Monday, and then being kept for smoking, the tobacco having run out. Half a pannikin of cocoa was served on five nights a week.

Reireations consisted of lectures and the reading aloud of our two books—

"David Copperfiehl" and the "Lift; of Stevenson.'' There were concerts every Saturday night. Swedish exercises were compulsory during the later part of the, winter. On Sunday evenings divine service was held. ATTACKED BY EXTERITTS. The party sufi'ej-ed much from enteritis. Browning was very liad the whole, winter, but tins never affected his spirits. and. to his great credit, he was cheery and willing throughout it all. St'FFKRIXC, I'ROM FROSTBITE.

The condition of the party's clothes and footgear caused a lot of frostbites, but luckilv none was .serious.

THE RKTURX OF THE SUX,

With the return of the snu enough seals were procured to return to full rations of meat and blubber, saving enough for sledging purposes. Sullicient oil had been saved to cook breakfast and supper, but lunch had to consist, of raw seal and penguin. THE RETURN".

A start was made for Cape Evans on September 2(1. Progress was slow, as the pariv was weak, and Browning was too weak to pull. Terra Xova Bay remained open, and they were forced to cross the rough ice on the Drigalski barrier tongue, so ably described by Professor David in Shackleton's "Heart of the Antarctic.'" During this part of the journey they experienced a cold blizzard with ill ill . and on two occasions XEAKEY CAME TO GRIEF over ice dill's. They successfully negotiated the Drigalski by the evening of October H-. tints taking ten days to make this passage. During that, time an enormous erev. ss had to be crossed |. v a snow bridge, which measured 175 paces. Campbell found the Drigalski cut bv barrancas, but most ot the crevasses were weil bridged. OX THE SEA ICE.

Descending on to the sea ice. the j-ariv en 'mini cred a. bad screw pack. Till' pi'l ssiire of the ridges at times was so bad thai a road had to be cut with

ice axes. The next barrier across their track was the Nordeiiskiold Glacier tongue. Xo crevasses were found on this, and the passage proved quite easy, but n turning to Use sea ice the screw pack was aeaiu found.

Lieutenant Campbell examined the coast very closely for signs of PROF, DAVID'S GEOLOGICAL DEPOT. first examining Tripp Island, where a geological collection was obtained, and then proceeding to Depot Island (which is not shown oil the Admiralty chart). Here Professor David's depot of geological specimens and letters was found

and taken along. GonuraH.v better surfaces were met with after leaving Depot Island, and Browning had to be carried on the sledge when the ice was smooth, hiu condition being critical.

OAMPHKIjLI'S DTATiY. A TIMKI/Y FIND. .The following exivacl i- in-ierled from T.ieiileuanl Campbell's diary:- "Oct. _"C Turned out at a.m.: Hm; day. but. hank of clouds of southward: a cold

westerly wind. A two hours' march brought us to Cape Roberts, where 1 saw through my glasses a bamboo stuck on the top of the cape. Leaving the sledges, Friestby and I climbed the cape, wliero we found a record left by the western party on the previous year, before they were picked up, giving their movements; also near by a depot of provisions they had left behind. We gave such a yell that the others came up the slope. It seemed almost too good to be true. One and three-quarter tins of biscuits, a small bag of raisins, ditto of sugar, tea, cocoa, butter and lard, some clothes, diaries and specimens from flranite Harbor.

"T decided to camp and have a day oft, dividing the provisions between the two tents.

A GREAT '- PEED."

"We soon had hosh going, and such a feed of biscuits, butter and lard we had not had for nine months, followed up with thick, sweet cocoa. After this we killed and cut up a seal, as we were getting short of meat, and there was every prospect of a blizzard coming on. Another hoosh and more biscuits and lard in the evening, then we turned into our bags, and, i|nite torpid with food, discussed our plans on arriving at Cape Evans, as we had quite decided we should find no one there."

Note. —Campbell and his companions had always imagined that the ship had picked up Captain Scott and the main party, and had been blown north by adverse circumstances or shortage of coal, preventing her from relieving them. Tin; diary continues:

"Still discussing plans, we fell asleep. What with news from the main party and food, although both were a year old, it was the happiest day sinci) we last saw the ship. I awoke in the night, finished niv share of butter and most of my lard, and then dozed off again."

FOOLISH CANARDS:

FLATLY DENIED EY COMMANDER EVANS.

Received 14, 11.2 op.m. Christohurch, Last Night

Many rumours, are in circulation regarding the various phases of Captain Scott's expedition. A Press reporter tonight drew the attention of Commander ] Evans to several statements that are lining'made ami sought to receive an official reply from the Commander. "One cannot give a defence where no defence is needed," said Commander Evans, "and I am 'not going to be brought into a controversy on a scries of rumours which have originated from irresponsible parties." One rumour was that Petty Officer Edgar Evans has not met his death as described in the official message, but ha d suffered from lira in t rouble, which became so serious that he had to be hauled a considerable, distance on a sledge, an undertaking which great.lv delayed the party. Commander Evans characterised this statement as "cruel, scandalous, and foundationless. He went on to say that Petty Officer Evans behaved exceptionally well under very trying circumstances. "I know he did his best, and he was certainly never insane," declared Commissioner Evans. •'•'lllness lie could not prevent, and it was brought about by privations and bardships of which no man could be ashamed." Rumour also hinted that there was dissension in the ranks of the members of the expedition, hut Commander Evans said that this rumour was absolutely without foundation. "1 give permission to any pressman to go and converse with any of the men on the Terra Nova and see if they can hear a whisper of dissension.'' he continued. "It is a sillv unfounded rumour which is not worth contradicting." The reporter drew Commander Evans' attention to the cablegram in which Professor David had strongly denied the statements of the London Times that there was dissension in the part v. Commander Evans laughed ami then said: "Tile Professor «»ems to have hit the rijjlit nail on the head when dentin!" with the London Times. T will not; tie drawn into a discussion on this matter." continued the Commander. Later in the interview Commander Evans said that against the advice, of his doctor.be gone back to the Antarctic to see his leader through, and he did not think this looked like dissension. Commander Evans stated einphaticiillv that the depots were not touched hv the supporting parties. There was. lie admitted. evaporation of the oi, but, tliis was due to the leathcr washers in the tins.

PROFESSOR DAYTD

IXWORTHY PRESS IXSIXt'ATIOXS.

Sydney. Eehruarv Itl

Professor David, commenting on the continuation of the narrative, savs it seems more than a coincidence that Seaman Evans' first symptoms of failure dated to almost, exactly the same time ;'s when Commander Evans, about a fortnight after leaving Captain Scott, commenced to develop symptoms of scurvy. It is hard to imagine the cause uf the rapid weakening of a man like Seaman Evans unless I here was some actual sickness of the nature of scurvv. The speed of the march from the Pole to where Evans died on the P>eardniore Glacier never exceeded 18 miles dailv, and does not explain in any way the complete exhaustion of such a man. In spite of Dr. Atkinson's statement that there were no signs of scurvy on the last three, Professor David still was of Opinion that. Evans failed through a disease allied to scurvy. Professor David considers the suggestion of the London Times that the shortage of fuel was due to evaporation is absurd, in view of the great: care with which the oil tins were made. He declares the other suggestion of the Times that, the supplies were tapped by the supporting parlies is mean, cruel and as iinwor(h\ as untrue. Received 1-1. 7.20 p.m. Sydney. February 14. Professor David, commenting on Ihe statement regarding the shortage of fuel, said that if the statement was correctly deciphered, it was ha I'd to nmlerstand. in view of the i'aci Iha I. after February 17 the parly was reduced to four. Many causes contribute to make an otherwise full ration of oil insufficient for an extremely slow march. Secondly, there was the difficult of avoiding spilling the oil when their hands were numbed by low temperatures. Thirdly, there was the fact that on the last march they were compelled to use powdery snow for melting, instead of the denser -now available in summer. This necessitated a constant lifting of (he lid of the cooker to replenish the supply. Fourthly, much more oil was needed to thaw snow when the thermometer was at 00 degrees below freezing, than when it was only a few degrees below. JseverIheless. all these reasons must have, been perfectly well known to Captain Scott; hence it was inexplicable why he used the word "'unaccountable." Xo doubt a simple and satisfactory explanation would be forthcoming. Professor David

attribute* the failure of Captain Oates during the final march to scurvy, and the failure of the other lhn>i> was due. lo the extreme latiguc ol sledging over the terribly difficult surface of sandy snow crystals, combined willi llic severity of marching through blizzards and drifting snow and often against the v, iiid. He cnliri'lv discredit-. Ihe rumor from < 'hri-tchurch that the relations of the heads of the expedition were more

tluim i.i liitle strained. liiiili this- ami the suggestion that was connected with the work of the relief parlies in March, 1912, were foundationless.

IMPRESSING THE CHILDREN.

Received 14, 7.20 p.m. , Sydney, February 14.

At noon on Monday a special lesson referring to the tragedy of the Pole will be given in the New South Wales Stateschools. DISTIiIISITIXG THE R'XI). London, February 13. A service will he held in Portsmouth Dockyard Church to-nioiTow.

Thi! Antarctic expedition oonimitt.ee has handed Petty-OHicer Evans' widow money to provide herself and children with mourning and immediate necessities. THE SCOTT FCXD.

Received 15. 1.1.") a.m. Sydney, February 14. Iho Scott fund appeal is meeting with A generous and widespread response, Dunedin. Last Night. The Mayor has opened a fund for the support of the dependents of those who lost their lives in the Antarctic. He has already received a donation of £IOO fiom tlie 1 nion Steam Ship Company,

AN IMPRESSIVE SERVICI-

Received 14, 11..V) p.m

Sydney, February 14

An impressive service was held in the Anglican Cathedra.! in memory of the Polar heroes. U was. attended bv the Premier. Lord Mayor. Japanese Admiral and staff and many leading citizens. The Archbishop paid a glowing tribute to the indomitable courage and heroism of the.dead. They died only to live as deathless heroes. ''We will do our best for those left," he said, "and lot allow them to suffer privation."

ROYA L COND< ILENCES.

Received 14. 9.50 p.m. London, February 14,

Queen Alexandra condoled with Lord Curzon, president of the Royal Geographical Society, regarding the loss of Captain Scott and party.

HON. T. MACKENZIE'S SUGGESTION.

Received 14, 9.50 p.m.

, London, February 14. The ITon. T. Maekenzie-pi-Dp'tfseg- thatthe New Zealand Government should allow the Hinemoa to proceed to the Antarelic, is a decision is reached, to recover the bodies of the lost explorers.

A PRESS TRIBUTE.

Received 14, 9.50 p.m. Melbourne, .February 14. The Age, referring to the absorbing interest in Captain Scott's story, says that never before in history has a last message of a leader who saw certain death in .front of him created such a thrill in the minds of his countrymen. A PATHETIC INCIDENT.

Christclrareh, Last Night. It is understood, in regard to PettvOlliccr Evans, that that unfortunate seaman's mind went after leaving the Pole, and that his comrades had to drag him some hundreds of miles in a sledge. This practically sealed the fate of the expedition. The bodies of Captain Scott and his two companions were found i'i their sleeping hags in the tent.

SUGGESTED RECOVERY OF THE

BODIES.

Chvistchurch. Last. Night.

The sntcgistion made bv Mr. Ernest Oiivis, nf Auckland, that the bodies should he recovered and buried at St. Pauls', docs not. find support anion?' the members of the Term. Nova expedition. Tliey pointed out that, if it was thought right to bring the bodies hack. Commander Evans would have done so when the Terra Nova returned.

,-v ciißisTcnmcri memortat.

Christehnrch, l-ast Night,

A number "of leading citizens waited on the Mayor to-day and suggested that some memorial (o Captain Scott and the other dead explorers should be established in Christe.liurch. The Mayor has consequently decided to call a meeting of citizens to consider the proposal. The meeting will be held on Wednesday next.

CLERI.CAL COXDOLEXCE.

Timarn. Last Night

The Congregational Union passed a resolution regarding Captain Scott's party, sharing in the general sorrow over their mournful fate, and adding: "We are profoundly moved by the story of their sufferings, so heroically endured, and of the loyalty that died for its friends. We recognise that the spirit in which the explorers faeed their death made their sacrifice complete. It recalls the greatest and holiest of things in the history of our race, and belongs to the redeeming features in our humanity."

BURIAL OF THE BODIES,

THE MEMORIAL CROSS,

Christehnrch. February 13.

The Times says that some groundless speculation was indulged in when the Terra Nova had left Clamant, and the news of the tragedy had percolated through, as to whether the bodies were being brought up from the south. As a matter of faet the vessel eottld have brought the bodies up. and Commander Evans gave a reporter sin assurance oil that point. 'When askeil whether any attempt might be made in that, direction be said that the matter bad confronted Dr. Atkinson when he came upon Captain Scott's tent on the iee barrier, but be and every one of Ihe party, agreed that it would be better to leave the explorers' in their eternally' fresh 'White : marble, where they had given' their, lives in a great mission. In tins decision all the oilier members of the expedition' -liad-con-curred. when they erected the .m ■n, over looking the iee barrier in .whfrh the I bodies lay. ■

It lias been pointed 6nt. h,owever. that the bodies have no permanent sepulchre. They are on the barrier, a huge glacier which, however slowly, is moving down to the sea. and is broken off in icebergs little bv lill.le. If an ntt"mpt is made to bring 'lie bodies back it would have to be made next summer. Til the Antarctic th e sunwl'all is continuous, and soon, levels up ihe surface. A cairn marks the spot, where Captain Scott. Dr. Wilson and Lieutenant Rowers sleep, but men by now Captain Oatcs's- and PettyOflieer Evans's graves may have become indistinguishable on the ice plain, and would be hard to lind. even if their positions were fairly accurately charted. No trace was found of Captain Gates by the relief partv, and Petty-Officer Evans' was beyond their reach.

Speaking of the memorial preeled for Captain Scott and his comrades, a member of the e:;pedit ion stated that "Mr. E. Davis, carpenter of the Terra Nova, made a large cross of jarrah timber, which would last almost for ever in the Antare-

tie climate, where there W no decay. Tile memorial cross wa* lauded in charge of a party consisting of Dr. Atkinson, Messrs. Cherry. Garrard, Wright and Debenhani, Seamen Krean, Abbott and Keohane, and Carpenter Davis, about ten miles north of Jliitt Point. The party went away on Monday, January 29, to erect the cross on Observation Hill, overlooking the Great lee Barrier. The cross was painted white, the carved lettering being picked out in black.