THE SOUTH POLE EXPEDITION.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13612, 22 December 1909, Page 8

THE SOUTH POLE EXPEDITION.

ARRIVAL OF THE TERRA NOVA

IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS.

(FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, November 12. The whaler, Terra Nova, which Captain Scott has purchased for his South Pole expedition, has arrived in the West India Dock, and after discharging her cargo, which has been brought from Newfoundland, she will be prepared for her polar journey, on which she is to start early in August.

The Terra Nova, which is generally conevded to be the best and largest whaler afloat, being considerably bigger than either the Discovery or t'tio Nimrod, has already been used for polar exploration purposes, and has beon botti n or th and south. For some time past she has been in use on the Newfoundland whaling stations. When littod for the expedition she will be open to nublic inspection, and it is hoped that many who visit her will contribute towards" the cost of the expedition, a considerable sum being still reluired.

If the British Antarctic Expedition (lUlO) had built a ship for their great purpose they could not have found a safer craft "than this splendid old whaler. The seas have done their worst with her. Seafaring men say that she is the finest ship of her type ever turned out from the Dundee shipyards, or from any other. In 1884 ehe was built. The best timbers went into her, and the best work too. Her deep, strong sides were made to withstand the nip of the ice in the northern waters, her bow was built solid and strong to thrust aside the crushing impact of drifting icebergs. For years she went far north, and came safely back again. Six years , ago the old whaler went to far-distant southern waters as t!he Admiralty relief ship in connection with the famous Discovery expedition. The fame of the fine ship became worldwide among seamen. Four years ago she again set out to the extreme of northern navigable waters , . She penetrated right through dangerous waters to Franz Josef Land and came back safely.

Captain Scott anticipates that very little internal arrangements will be necessary. The engines and boilers are in z- satisfactory condition, but the rigging and sails may need refitting.

An experienced member of the expedition is being despatched shortly to Siberia, in order that the ponies and dogs required for the work may be selected with the greatest possible care. Steps are also being taken' to secure tho best quality reindeer skins for the travelling equipment. Another member will leave soon for Norway to test petrol motor sledaes.

The appeal for £40,000 which has been fixed by Captain Scott as tho probable cost of the expedition, has been fairly well responded to by private people and corporations, but a further effort will be necessary before t'he expedition can be regarded as adequately provided for. Captain Scott has received a letter from Major Leonard Darwin, President of the Royal Geographical Society, expressing the Council's hearty approval of the expedition, and adding that he may count upon the Society for a contribution of £500 toward the sum needed. Captain Scott has also received a communication from Mr A. B. Kempe. Treasurer of the Royal Society, stating thafT the President and Council would be happy to subscribe £250 from their private funds towards the scientific objects of t3ie expedition. Captain Soott in reply wrote: —"I iim pleased to be able to add an expression of my confidence , that the arrangments which axe being made for the conduct of the scientific work of the expedition will meet with the approval of the Royal Society."