TO ANTARCTICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1921, Page 5

TO ANTARCTICA.

A NEW EXPEDITION. SHACKLETON'S PLANS. VISIT TO DOMINION. By Telegraph. —Press Assn.—Copyright Received Sept. 17, 5.5 pm. London, Sept. 16. Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Quest is sailing on the 17th on the expedition to the Antarctic. Sir Ernest Shackleton made an eleventh-hour alteration in his plans. For the first time in the history of Antarctic exploration he decided to use Capetown as his base, and stores will be deposited on arrival there on December 1, to enable the vessel to take in more coal for the voyage to the Antarctic ice. On emerging from the ice after exploring the limits of the Antarctic continent the expedition goes to South Georgia, and then proceeds, via Bouvet Island, back to Capetown to replenish stores and coal the ship. The Quest subsequently proceeds to the Sub-Antarctic Ocean and the islands of Crozet, Macdonald and Heard on the way to New Zealand.

Sir Ernest Shackleton, in a message, recalled the Australasian enthusiasm concerning the Endurance, the Nimrod and the Discovery expeditions, adding: “In the meantime the prospects are as bright as possible, and we hope to make the Dominions proud of this expedition. There could not be a better augury for British science and navigation than the fact that the Dominions are always interested in the work of exploration. The march of mankind depends on unity, courage, knowledge and organisation, and I believe the present expedition is actuated by all these aims.” !—United Service.

THE VESSEL SAILS. A WELL-EQUIPPED PARTY THE LAST IN SCIENCE. Received Sept. 18, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept. 17. Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship Quest leaves the Thames at midday. Never was a polar expedition better equipped. She has the finest instruments known to modern science installed, everything being done by electricity. Sir Ernest Shackleton estimates that he thus gets work to the value of 36 out of a crew of 18. The bridge contains a wireless telephone, enabling the explorers on the land to keep up conversations with the Quest. Th. hold contains hundreds of cases of •tinned food, soup, pork and beans, fruit: also rum for a Saturday night ration, when the ship’s company will toast their wives and sweethearts. The men who do not drink will be allowed to eat chocolates during the honoring of the toast. Directly the Quest has swung her compasses at Plymouth she will make for Capetown, Whence she departs for the unknown.

Later. There were enthusiastic scenes at the departure of the Quest, and thousands lined the Thames wharves.—Aus.-N.2. Cable Assn.