THE MAROONED MEN

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1916, Page 5

THE MAROONED MEN

RESCUED BY SHACKLETON. THE KING'S CONGRATULATIONS. DETAILS OF SHACKLETON'S VOYAGE. WILD'S DIFFICULT TASK. GREAT PRIVATIONS By Cable.—Press Association—Copyright London, Sept. 4> Kir K. Shaekleton telegraphs that he reached Wild's camp on August 110. Ho is also telegraphing Wild's full report. Sir E. Shaekleton informed the King of the rescue, under Divine Providence) of his comrades, and thanked his Majesty for bis gracious message and kindly interest. He added that the party's safety was primarily due to Wild's leadership, tact, and force of character. Received Sept. 5. 6.10 p.m. London, Sept, 4. The King has replied to Sir E. Shaekleton, as follows:—"! most heartily rejoice in the rescue of your comrades, and congratulate you on the result of your determined efforts. I greatly admire the conduct of Captain Vvild, which was so instrumental in maintaining their courage. I hope and trust you will soon bring them all safely home." Received Sept. 5, 7 p.m. London, Sept. 4, Sir E. Shaekleton's despatch to the Daily Chronicle from Punta Arenas-, dated 3rd September, states that his fourth attempt to rescue his comrades marooned on Elephant Island, succeeded, and that all had arrived safe and well. On this occasion he set a course which enabled the Yelcho to approach the Island from the north-west, the ice having worked'towards the north-east. He reached Captain Wild's camp on August 30th after steering in a fog through ttumerou s stranded icebergs He' immediately started on the return journey. _ The despatch continues: "With Captain Wild lies the credit of keeping the party together in strength and safety under the moat trying difficult conditions, and I cannot speak too highly of Crean and Worslev, who had seen things through with me." CAPTAIN WILD'S REPORT The following is Captain Wild's report: On April 25, the day after the departure of the boat, the island was beset with dense pack-ice. The party was confined to a narrow spit of land, 'two hundred and fifty by forty yard:', surrounded by inaccessible clilfs and. ice laden seas. We were forced to abandon the ice house, the snows making untenable this mode of dwelfing. Two boats, supported by rocks, wa s far more practicable. The weather continued appalling, the vitality of the whole party being lowered by exposure. Blackboro, Hucf son, Grcenstreet, and Dickinson were ill, whilst several others were frost bitten.

A VIOLENT BLIZZARD. The .ilizzard in May swept much valuably gear into tho sua. ... ,AYe were iti danger of being swcpjus-ay b y the Jieuvy seas, due to the blizzard, which blew at the rate of seventy, miles an hour. Fortunately the ice formed at the foot of the sea shore, and this protection meant saving us from fatal destruction. The adjacent glacier split up oil several occasions, causing-heavy waves, and blocks of ice were once hurled within fifteen feet of the dwelling. ON SHORT RATIONS. We drastically economised our food, having only oue'hot meal daily, until we strengthened our reserve with blubber. This valuable stock, with bovril rations, was used at the rate of two meals weekly. The season being so late kept us in anxiety regarding the meat supply, but tills was periodically replenished with small penguins and seals unable to land owing to the iee at the foot of the shore. There was less wjiul from June onwards, but they were under coijstant hail, fog and snow. Blackboro's toes were amputated. A CHANGE OF DIET. The three previous attempts at relief synchronised with the times that the. island was beset with ice We were' able t.o collect seaweed and limpets at the beginning of August—a valuable change in diet. Heavy seas and ice presented fishing, but the gala on the 28th drove the pack from the island. A GLADSOME SIGHT. Through the lifting of the fog on the 30th we saw the Yelcho approaching. 1 wish to place on record the good moral? of the entire party.