THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1916, Page 5

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

SIIACKLETON'S ATTEMPT AT RESCUE FAILS.

BY ONLY TWENTY TUTT.Tfo

By Cable.—Press Association—Copyright

London, June 26. Sir Ernest Shaekleton is unable to leach Elephant Island, owing to the ice pack.

London, Later. Sir E. Shackloton, from Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, telegraphs:— "1 returned here from my attempt to 'each Elephant Island in tile vessel the •.Tiigiwyan Government kindly lent. I greatly regret to report that I was unable to effort the rescue of my comrades left there in an ice-hole. We encountered much heavier ice conditions than during the previous attempt in May in the Captain Thomas, a South Georgian whaler.

"We encountered stream ice. sixty miles northward of Elephant Island and passed through this successfully and reached within twenty mites of the island, but owing to the heavy impenetrable pack, interspersed with numerous icebergs, also the high north-westerly swell, it was impossible to proceed. "The ice stretched in crescent' form from the west through the south to north-north-east, the two horns being sixty miles from tho island. This winter's ice conditions are so bad that the ultimate rescue will only lie possible with a wooden steam vessel or an ice breaker.

"We saw Gentoo penguins on the edge of the ice. These will supplement the party's food, which was mainly Bovril lations of high catori/ic value. Lieut. Wild, seeing the ice conditions, would early and drastically economise the stares, going 011 half rations, supplemented by penguins. "We left twelve cases of sledging rations seven miles northward of Ocean Camp, which we formed when the Endurance foundered. I cannot saj whether the party can reach them. Though they are hard pressed hope must not be given up of their ultimate rescue." SERIOUS POSITION OF MAROONED PARTY. ANOTHER ATTEMPT MUST BE MADE. Received June 27, 8 p.m. < London, June 27. The Daily Chronicle states that the Shackleton message has evoked universal regret, and makes the position of the marooned party most serious. Another attempt must be made. Apparently there is no suitable vessel in South American waters. The question is how long will it take to find, equip and despatch a ship.

Mr. Frank Houlder lias cabled from South Africa hoping to find a suitable Dundee whaler at the Cape whaling station.

The Aurora is entirely suitable if it is possible to repair and send her from New Zealand in time. Even if there is ice surrounding the island a strong gale might at any moment disperse it, leaving fret access for a ship.

It is understood that the Minister of Marine is communicating with Messrs. J. J. Kinsey. of Christclmrch, and John Mill, of Port Chalmers, to secure their services as a working committee in connection with the relief of Shacklcton's party left at Cape Rovds. The work Mill include repairs to the Aurora, provisioning, and the appointment of officers and men. Messrs. Kinsey and Mill will iik under the Imperial, Australian and Ne>v Zealand Governments.

A Dunedin message says that tlie Aurora is to go into Port Chalmers dock tomorrow. It is definitely settled that Captain Stenhouse is have charge of the party for the relief of Captain Macintosh and. his men.