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SOUTHWARD HO" AGAIN.

Already fresh Antarctic expeditions i are being talked of: at least three are ; "in the air." Lieutenant Barne. who was a member of the Discovery expedition, is desirous of exploring south of Weddell Sea (just opposite the point •, which Captain Scptt reached), in order - to ascertain the character of the country, and to discover definitely whether Graham Land, which Briscoe found, is 1 •an island or part of a continent. His ( expedition would be on a much smaller . scale than the one which Captain Scott . led. The Discovery expedition cost about £90,000, and the "party was a large one, ' and elaborately equipped. Lieutenant ■ Barne, on the other hand, proposes a ■ small crew of fifteen, and a modest expenditure of £12,000 or £15,000. An interesting feature of his equipment would be a motor for sledge-haul-ing. Captain Scott believes that an automobile especially constructed under his direction might be used to traverse the great ice barrier, over which, it will be remembered, the Discovery's commander travelled several thousands of miles on foot. Lieutenant Skelton. who was also on the Discovery staff, is likewise favourably inclined towards tha automoI bile suggestion, but neither he nor Cap--1 tain Scott are sure that it can be carj ried out successfully. As Admiral Sir Clements Markham puts it in the "Stan- / dard," "there never yet has been dis-j ■ 1 covered an oil which in intense cold will 1 not become solid. It is the need for ef- j fectual lubrication that is the main difficulty, and there will have to be a great deal of experimenting before auto- | mobiles are taken out. The ice barrier is wavy, but tolerably smooth, so that if the lubricating and other difficulties I could be overcome, a motor could tow a train of sledges on the top of the bar-1 rier. But it would have to be an automobile of special construction. An ordinary one would be knocked to pieces very soon."' The idea of using automobiles in Antarctic exploration came originally, it seems, from Mr. Louis Bernaeelii, late of the Discovery expedition. Dr. Charcot, the French explorer who spent the winter of 1004 in the Antarctic ice. returning in March 1905. aft. j some severe experiences, is anrfous renew the work of discovery in these wild regions. Within the past few days he has "been conferring in London with Sir Clements Markham. Captain Scott, ; and Mr. Bernaeelii. to whom he unfolded • his plans. Dr. Charcot will attend the Antarctic Exploration Congress which the. Belgians intend to hold at Mous in 'May next. The Beligans. it appears, propose to send an expedition of their own round the Antarctic circle —to do, in fact, just what Captain Cook did one hundred years ago. Admiral Markliam has rather hurt their feelings by de- - scribing this as a perfectly useless proceeding- "If van want to explore the. . ■'regions of the South Pole." he told ! them " io -o south, and not east and west, Ia" you" propose, round the Antarctic j circle We have had quite enough looki iug round." But the .Belgians are sending their expedition out, all the same, i

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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19060324.2.77.5

Bibliographic details

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 9

Word Count
521

SOUTHWARD HO" AGAIN. Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 9

SOUTHWARD HO" AGAIN. Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 72, 24 March 1906, Page 9

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