ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1916, Page 6

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

RETURN OF THE AURORA WEARY MONTHS IN ICE

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Wellington, Yesterday. The return of the Aurora to civilisation, though without any information as to the whereabouts of Sir E. Shackleton and party, or any record of their courageous work, and thus shorn of points of most vital interest, nevertheless gives further evidence of the resource, courage and endurance of the men of our race. It is the old story of many weary months' suspense while crushed in the ice-pack helplessly drifting, and full of anxious doubt when released as to the ability of the ship in her damaged\State. to weather the high sets and tempests she would probably encounter ere reaching the nearest land. It is a tribute to the resource and courage with Which Lieutenant Stenhouse, on wh.om the responsibility of command was accidently thrown, that the' Aurora was safely navigated from the ice-pack to New Zealand in her disabled condition, especially with a makeshift jury rudder in the seas of the latitudes, where the ships' quick answer to the helm i» so frequently necessary for safety. MEETING THE TUG it was, then, with intense satisfaction and gratitude that the tug Dunedin hailed the explorers at 3.30 a.m. on April 2, 140 miles south of the Otago Heads. A high sea was running, but the tow-rope was successfully fixed at daylight, and the vessels were off Otago Heads at 11 o'clock the same night. At 8.40 this morning the pilot, Customs officer and a correspondent boarded the Aurora, and were received by Lieutenant Stenhouse. The crew bore evidence of their long imprisonment in the ice-pack and the rough weather since encountered, but cheered by renewed contact with their fellow men and the plentiful supply of fiesh provisions sent by the tug, including a "good old English breakfast" for all on board—porridge, meat, bacon, eggs, jam, etc., generously sent by the Dunedin citizens, was heartily relished by the men who had been mainly existing on seal and penguin. The men had files of newspapers for 12 months also placed on board, and the war news was gagerly devoured. (RECORD OF THE VOYAGE. Lieutenant Stenhouse briefly referred to the departure from Hobart on December 24, 1914, after embarking 25 sledge dogs fron» Taroona station, along with two members of the party who had been looking after the dogs. They proceeded south to Macquarrie, Island, keeping a sharp look-out for the Government steamer Endeavor, which had left Hobart. and was then long overdue, but they saw nothing of her. Macquarrie Island was reached on December 30, and, after landing sheep, poultry and stores for the peopta at the wireless station, they proceeded on the 31st. ' The Aurora made a fine run down. The first iceberg was sighte3 in latitude 82.40 South, longitude 169.58 East, and the first line or narrow stream ice passed through in hit. 04.27% S., 171.49 E. From thence onward detached bevgs and growlers were passed continuously. Mount Sabine, the grim sentinel of the south, was sighted early on January 7. They found Ross Sea fairly clear of ice, and arrived at Cape Crozier on January 9, in sixteen days, a record passage. The wintering party, consisting of Lieutenant Stenhouse, Messrs Cope and Spencer Smith, went ashore, accompanied by others, to endeavor to effect a landing of stores and erect a hut to facilitate the winter journey from the winter quarters. No landing \vas, however, effected, wring to the advancement of the barrier along the high Crozier cliffs. The party returned to the ship, and m§antimc the ship was driven mi the ice-b'arrier 50Jt high. She lost her jib-boom, and proceeded towards the entrance of McMurdo Sound, 3C miles west. There she was held np by pack ice until January 16, when a landing was effected at Cape Evans across one mile of fast bay ice.

THE VESSEL AGROUNJ*. Commander Mackintosh also landed and Joyce, Stevens and Spencer Smitl pioceeded'to Scott's Hut, and returnei after making a survey of the hut. Th< ship proceeded south and west of In accessible Island in an endeavor tic reach Hut Point, from which the depot laying- parties intended to start. Hu Point is 14 miles south of Cape Evans While the Aurora was endeavoring ti reacli close communication with tli hore she struck bottom, and remaine< fast throughout the day. Attempts ti heave her off with a kedge anchor am rolling the shin failed to move her . Sh came off in the evening and proceeds into the pack. During the day follow insr 9tores were landed at Cape Evans 5. Benzine 624 gallons, kerosene 208 gal lons, coal in bags 10 tons. On the ItSh a party,' consisting o Stenhouee, Joyce, Hayward, Stevens am Gaze, proceeded over the sea ice to Hu . Point to make an inventory of th stores there. Three miles from tli - ship Stenhouse and Joyce, who wer I leading, sank through the snow-crns - over a wide crack up to the waist. Thei % skis prevented their total immersioT and a further calamity. The marcl I was proceeded with for two hour.? an t a camp made near Hut iPoint. A wid - tidal crack was negotiated by a sledg bridge. Gaze fell in, but was promptl - rescued from his dangerous prediica ment. The hut was reached, and four, jfnqwed up. Tliej; made an entrant

through a window. The parry was held up by o blizzard for three days, and returned to the ship on the 21st. DK?OT PARTIES CO OUT On the 24th the fir3t depot partyJoyce, Gaze and Jack—with nine dogs, left the ship with stores for the Mina Bluff depot. On January 25 Commander Mackintosh, with Wild, Spencer Smith and nine dogs, left for the Mt. Hooper depot, 90 miles south of Mina Bluff, or 175 miles from Hut Point. On January 31 the third depot-laying pafty left the ship, comprising Cope, Stevens, Eiehards, Hooke, Ninnis and Hayward, with a motor tractor towing two sledges, and one sledge man-hauled. The party seemed to be in trouble from the start, having to relay frequntly. During the evening a blizzard arose, and the party made a depot with two sledges and proceeded. There was trouble with the motor, and they ran it on safe ice near Hut Point, where it was left awaiting repairs. The party then returned to the ship 1 . During the evening, with the depots still in sight, two members of the ship's company were sent to examine the depot, but were recalled owing to the ship being in danger of drifting ieeberg3. The following day they were sent out again, and met the party returning, and all arrived at the ship.

Commander Mackintosh has left a note in the hut stating that it was difficult going on the barrier, and advising that he had returned from the barrier on account of bad weather on the sea ice. Mackintosh then preceded south again, leaving instructions regarding n, safe course on the barrier across the sea ice.

Cope's party reported that Joyce's party were in difficulties off Cape Armitage on the sea ice, one member of that party having returned to Discovery Hut, As they were informed of the danger of February 3, in the evening they pushed the ship into the breaking pack and picked :ip the depots of the third party. On February 5, the sea ice being then safe, the third party again left the ship for Mina Bluff, via Hut Point. The ship hung on the edge of the sea ice four miles north of Hut Point awaiting signals assuring it of the safety of the party. r :here were no signals seen, and on February 7 the ship proceedeed to Cape Evans to make soundings for a winter anchorage.

LOOKING FOR A HARBOR. A fresh northerly gale Wowing and driving small ice iiito the bay rendered boat work with the shortage of hands impracticable, and it was decided not to lay moorings in Evans Bay, but to endeavor, as directed, to winter the ship at Glacier Tongue. Strict instructions had been given to Lieutenant Stenliouse by the commander on no account to attempt to winter at Hut Point. The ship was held up, but on Fepruary 18 proceeded to the south side of the Tongue to procure water. During the time it held there were continued blizzards, and the ship was at the mercy of the wind and ice On watering the ship, the southerly wind increased and the ice pressed the ship against the Tongue. The ship had therefore to leave for the open sound again. The shortage of coal and the smallness of the crew rendered the investigations for a harbor and the manoeuvring of the ship extremely difficult. On the 24th, having again made fast to the Tongue, and during an endeavour to work in towards the Turk's Head rocks to find moorings, the wind shifted to the north, driving the 'loose pack heavily on Glacier Tongue, and the ship wa» thrown on the port side of the glacier, and remained there seven and a half hours, receiving a severe buffeting. They then gave up the attempt to hang near the Tongue, owing tn the danger from the pack, and proceeded to Evans Bay and dropped anchor off Scott's Hut. During the whole time since entering the sound there had been a succession of blizzards, and it was much ice-bound. They proceded to embed two neavy spare anchors on the shore from the stern in the morning. The shortage of coal precluded any further attempt to seek winter quarters. The crew were then employed in preparing wireless masts for erection on the ship. On March 10 the anchor' dragged and the ship set close to Barn Glacier in the. blizzard, and narrowly escaped destruction She drifted north west for I 30 miles, the wind moderating during the nieht, steamed towards Hut Point, and anchored in Discovery Bay on the forenoon of March 11.

They put two months' full provisions for 12 men on shore for the non-return-ed parties, and embarked Spencer Smith, Stevens, Hooke, Ninnis, Richards and Gaze, who had returned from the Bluff locality. Alterations having bi'cu made in the parties, Mackintosh, Joyee and Wild proceeded to Mount Hooper, and Cope, Hayward and Jack to the Bluff.

A LONG DRIFT. The ship then returned to Cape Evans. The young ice was forming rapidly, and the days drawing in. They anchored in Evans*Bay at 0 o'clock on the morning of March 12. The blizzard increasing, the ship dragged her anchors again, and swept dangerously close to Capes Barn and Royds. The wind increased to storm force and the ship was driven to the neighbourhood of Beaufort Island, 40 miles from the anchorage. During the night the weather moderated, and on the 13th they again returned to the anchorage. Evans Sound w:f, covered with young ice, and manoeuvring the ship was extremely difficult. On March 14 they moored the ship to howc-r anchors ahead, and all the availa'.x wires and mooring chains were nia astern to the anchorage ashore. On March 23, Stevens, Spencer Smith, Gaze and RieSauds went to OnivWa H,ut to cairy on scientific wora,'

During the whole of this time, until the final breaking away, the ice was continually forming and setting out froni the bay and returning, and as it was over-riding the pack the ship could not shift her position. During heavy winds a berg near the end of the capo capsized, cau.iing a trcicndcvs sea, and washed away oil oases and so "si- coal. Thi' ship W u S o, iitimially drawing her anchors unum' the infhiciiei: of the iic. There was no <l<in : ;or from tie wind only from the moorings. STUMS ON SHORJ3, More than sufficient provisions vfcre landed at the hut for the use of the shore party, sufficient for two months approximately. The provisions left by the Scott expedition at Evans Bay were ample for all the shore party's needs, and no fears need be entertained for the food supplies of the party. The other stores at Hut Point were sufficient, with the new depot, for four months in all. There were large colonies of seals in the vicinity of all the huts, consequently blubber aid fuel was available in profusion. The provisions at Cape Royds were sufficient for from twelvejto eighteen months. The clothinjr and'fuel was limited, but could, with' resourcefulness, be made to last until the relief next year. There was no fear of scurvy with seal and penguins in plenty. Lieutenant Stenhouse asks that special assurances be made to all relatives of the southern party as to the sufficiency of food. Conversation with Lieutenant Stenhouse shows that he had been greatly worried about the apprehension of relatives, and therefore sends this special message. EREBUS ACTIVE. During the stay at Evans Bay, Mt. Erebus, which was slightly active, was constantly rumbling. The rumbling was first thought to proceed from the calving of the Barne Glacier, and was followed by a short, quick swell, which Lieutenant Stenhouse believes to be the result of a subterranean disturbance. On March 20 the ice being fairly firm round the ship they shut down steam m the main engines, the fires were drawn and boiler blown down for economy of fuel. Only 118 tons of coal was left at this date out of a starting supply of 474 tons. The irreducible minimum was left, as this was required to supply heating for the ship'and for .steaming purposes on its release from the ice, awaiting Shackleton's arrival and the final clearance from the ice. All the sledging rations were put on shore,. but the following season's winter clothing was kept on board, as it had been previously arranged to make the ship the quarters.On March 26 very heavy over-riding ice sheets were driven into the bay and caused the ship to drag her anchors and touch the ground aft! . During the whole stay at Evans Bay constant vigilance was required to tend the moorings and keep the ship in position in the moving and uncertain ice sheet, whilst the rigging and extension of the masts for wireless was iising all the available daylight. Sometime there were 49 degrees of frost. A small temporary aerial was fixed from the mizzenmast to the hut ashore in an endeavor to communicate with the Macquarries. Slight atmospherics were heard on the aerial during the first observations. These were auroral displays.

SEARCH PARTY SENT OUT. On April 14, it was decided, owing to the non-return of the southern party— Mackintosh, Joyce, Wild, Cope, Jack and Hayward—to send a search party out over the sea ice to Button Cliffs, the sea ice being now safe to the south of Evans Bay. The party consisted of Ninnis, Hooke, and Gaze. Instructions were given by Stenhouse to. Ninnis, who was placed in charge, to proceed to Hut Point with provisions for three men for one week, and four gallons of oil, sufficient for three men for forty days, the surplus ul to be depoted at Hut Point. Signals were arranged. If, on arrival at the hut, they found no traces of the parties, Ninnis was to provision his party for 21 days and proceed to Corner Camp. If nothing was seen of the parties he was to return to the ship at once. If practicable he was to nnlimber the motor at Hut Point and bring back to Evans Buy the sledge ready provisioned, which was to be hauled overland and depoted on the ice at the fort in readiness for the relief dash. As the sea around Evans Bay was treacherous, they were lowered by rope ladder from the sledge depot to the sea iee and laid out the depot flag three miles south in the direction of Hut Point. Directions were given for the safe ascent of the ice cliffs should the party return previous to the search.

IN THE GRIP OF THE ICE PACK. Bad weather prevented the despatch of the party during the subsequent stay at Evana Bay, which accounts for the non-return of Mackintosh's party from Hut Point. With a decrease in the temperature the ice surrounding the ship became firmer. A fierce blizzard driving the ice from the Sound put a terrific strain on the ship and her moorings. A remarkable comet was observed on May 2 over Mt. Erebus. A blizzard of terrific violence, accompanied by an enormous volume of drift blew on May 6. SWEPT FROM HER MOORINGS. The ship having parted from all her moorings and snapped her bow anchors, swept out in the rapidly breaking up pack to the north, westward in McMurdo Sound. Steam was immediately raised, but the sea cocks being frozen, great difficulty was experienced in running the boilers. Eventually this was accomplished by the use of hot rods. On the Bth, Cape Bird was sighted, Cape Banre being visible at this stage. Lieut. Stenliouse entered in his diary: "Little prospect of getting back to Cape Evans or anywhere in the Sound. Short of coal. Hope she drifts quickly to north-east, then I can endeavour to push through the pack,- make for New Zealand, coal, and return to the Barrier east of Cape Crozier. . This co.uld be done, I think, early in the spring (September) . SHORT OF WATER. "After the severe blizzards there was normal weather for two months during which we continued to drift, our greatest difficulty being to get fresh water> the shortage of fuel preventing our working the condenser. On May 2flth an intense pressure of ,ice was heard about the slv, and precautions for the future were taken in the event of the ship being nipped in the ice. On May 27 .ve sighted Mount Melbourne. It was beautiful weather with moonlight nights. The ship was still drifting at a greatly increased rote as she passed Franklin Islands. Then the ship set north-east-ward and the free ice appeared to be eastward, indicating the way was open to the Ross Sea. The. ship suffered greatly from pressure and heavy bumps from under riding ice." A wireless message of "All well" was sent to Cape Evans every night in the hope that they had rigged an outfit. . By June 15 conditions had so Improved • that Lieut. StssJipUf?. entered In sit

diary: "Were it not for tlio uncertainty as to the welfare of those at Hut Point life would be very pleasant. What we miss most is exercise, as it is not now safe to leave the ship owing to the breaking ice and pressure. Weather reports were continuously sent to the Macquarries, but no acknowledgment was received. ...... ..., STILL IN THE ICE. ''Midwinter-day (J,um:22) was Observed as a holiday, the ship's comp'any being gathered aft in the evening and made jolly. All hands were happy, but we missed the others at Cape Evans. We pray to God that we may soon be clear of this prison, and in a position to help them. The weather was more violent during July, and the pressure noises increased, but on Sunday, 18th, the ice split around the ship witli a violent shock and opened a broad lane, the nearest land being ninety miles to the westward. On the 21st the floes closed in again, nipping the ship fore and aft with tremendous force, and twisting the steel-bound rudder like a corkscrew. The ship rose amidships with a concertina motion, and I thought the end had come. PREPARATIONS TOR ABANDONMENT. "On the 22nd the ship was sustaining a terrific pressure, being half raised on the ice, so I called all hands to their stations for sledges and made final preparations for abandoning the ship in case she was crushed. The diary entry was, "Am afraid the ship's back will be broken if the pressure continues. Have poured carbon sulphuric acid on the ice astern in the hope of rotting the ice and relieving the pressure on the stern post. At 10 p.m., the ship crashed her way into new ice on the starboard side and' slewed aslant the lane, with her stern post clear of the hard ice. At 12 p.m., she was in a safe position, with lanes opening in every direction." The ship was then .ninety miles south by east of Coulman Islands. MESSAGE TO THE KING. The diary continues: "Thank God, we have been spared through this fearful nightmare. On July 24th, I sent a message to King George as follows: 'Sire, Aurora driven from winter- moorings at Cape Evans by a blizzard on May (1, and set north, being locked in the pack ice. At present we are ninety miles south-east of Coulman Island on the Ross Sea. Our rudder was smashed and the ship was in a precarious position, but in the event of a disaster the company was prepared to abandon the ship and proceed to Cape Adare or coast southward. As the safety of the southern depot party is doubtful, I pray your Majesty, if the Aurora fails to arrive in a New Zealand port by November, to permit a relief ship to proceed with all haste to Cape Evan's with a relief party to meet the trans-Continental. Your Majesty's humble and devoted subject, Stenhouse; master of Aurora." THE SUN RETURNS. "This message was sent continuously to Macquarrie Island, but no acknowledgment was received. On August 0 the sun returned, the ship being forty five miles east of Possession Island. As provisions were low we had only two meals a day. On August 10 we passed Cape Adare, setting north westward. A terrific blizzard on September 5 caused the mizzen wireless mast to be carried away, but we rigged another and continued *hc messages. We sighted land, far distant, on September 14, and early in October, Oates Land was sighted oh the south-west. As the summer passed, our hope of being of any use to the southern party vanished. We continued scientific observations and obtained good records. FREE AT LAST. "All the Antarctic life wo obtained during the long drift should prove of great value. Christnias brought great ice .thickness, but the conditions continued to improve, the ship gradually working rorthward. Me.ny bergs were sighted during February, ind on March 10, the .ihip had a narrow escape of huing dished. We cleared the ice' on the fourteenth, and wireless communication was established with Awarua on the 23rd."