GREAT STORM.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1922, Page 5

GREAT STORM.

THE QUEST’S STRUGGLE. SHACKLETON’S TRIALS. A THRILLING STORY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Feb. 3, 5.5 p.m. London, Feb. 2. His widow, has decided that Sir Ernest Shackleton's remains be buried in South Georgia, the scene of his greatest exploit. Friends and relatives support the decision.

taptain Hussey cables the foliovviLg details:—

trank, I’ve terrible news for you/’ were the words with which Dr. MakHn awakened Wild on board the Quest on January 5.

•‘Fire away,” replied Wild. “The boss is dead/’ stammered Maklin.

Minuter elapsed before Wild, who was Shackleton's dearest friend, could recover from the terrifile blow sufficiently to > speak. Then he said, brokenly. “Poor old boss. But we must carry on the expedition: he would have wished it.” VI ild ordered all hands to assemble on, the poop and, addressing them, he said: “Boys, I’ve terrible news for you.” He announced the death and then said the expedition would go on. His voice broke as he turned away. All hands were stunned by the news. Slianekle ton’s diary relates how the Quest left St. Vincent, apparently in en route for the Cape. Four days out, engine trouble developed. They spent the day at St. Paul's Rock, surveying, sounding and collecting birds and insects.

Next day they ran into a howling gale. Shackleton was on the bridge all night long, despite Wild’s urgent requests to replace him. Great seas swept everything loose overboard. It was impossible to light the galley fire. Waves forty feet nigh threatened to swamp the ship. Shaekletofi ordered the helm to be lashed. Shackleton, Wild and Worsley remained on tue bridge, all soaked to the skin. They were not dry for two days. In the middle of the storm the engine trouble became worse and the engines wre stopped, while they turned the Quest’s head to the storm. Gunnybags filled with oil \tefe trailed at the ship’s sMle. The waves had now considerably lessened, but the vessel was still awash, and was rolling nearly fifty degrees. One heavy roll upset boiling water over the foot of the cook Green, but he carried on and made cocoa for all. News of the engine trouble was kept from the crew for fear it would produce despondency.

Shackleton was cheery, but was looking old and worn with anxiety. He told Hussey that he. 'never so longed to reach port. It was the worst storm he had ever known. When the storm abated a heavy sea continued to run. It was decided to postpone the Christmas dinner till the ship reached South Georgia and on arriving there Shackleton went ashore and arranged with the manager of the whaling station and friends to celebrate Christmas on board the Quest on January 5. On the previous day parcels were opened and turkey and pudding prepared. During the early morning of the fifth Hussey awakened the cook and told him they “would not have Christmas dinner to-day ’as the boss was seriously ill.” Three hours later the truth about the bossi was conveyed to the crew by Wild. During the two days’ storm (previously referred to) Shackleton had no rest or sleep, and he was worn out with anxiety whpn the storm eased. He unlashed the helm, reset his course and went to cabin. Kerr then made the discovery that tlie water was running short and informed Wild, who waited Shackleton’s awakening before breaking the news. The leader, undismayed, proceeded to conserve the remaining water and provided half a pint daily. They were unable to wash themselves or their clothes. London, Feb. 2. CaptaTn Hussey cables that Sii Ernest Shackleton’s body was roughly embalmed aboard the Quest, dressed in blue and white pyjamas, shrouded with canvas, and sealed up in a zinc casing placed ’n a coffin of plain deal. The case vias covered with a tar-stained Union Jack. When the body reached Monte Video it war properly embalmed and placed in a good coffin. There was a chain of coincidences connected with the Andes acting as funeral ship for Shackleton. When the Quest first limped into Lisbon the Andes was the first to welcome and entertain the explorers. Later the Quest met the Andes on the homeward journey at Rio and again entertained artd wishedXthe explorers God-speed. The ships weht their respective ways. Now the Andes, again on its outward voyage, finds the body waiting conveyance to the Homeland. She will reach Southampton on March 2. —Times Service.