ARRIVAL OF THE TERRA NOVA.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13876, 29 October 1910, Page 10

ARRIVAL OF THE TERRA NOVA.

A LONG TRIP ENDED.

THE WORK AHEAD

EXPLORATION"" AXD SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

The syren of the Lyttelton Harbour Board':; lug Canterbury sent forth its . ummons shortly after five o'clock yesterday morning. It conveyed the information that the Terra Nova, the stout old whaler wliich is to carry a band of intrepid explorers and enthusiastic scientists t<. iho chill South, had been sighted off ihe Heads. About half an Lour lat.r tho tug, Avith Captain Thorpe, harbourmaster, and a small contingent of reporters and ph-.to-proceeded down tlio harbour. It A.as a beautiful morning, and the harbour and the magnificent surrounding eminences Avere wearing their most entrancing appearance. Lyttclt:n, to be appreciated, should be scon on a bright and clear n-orning, he-lore the smoke of industry easts its gloom over the atmosphere. The tug steamed down Hie harbour at a merry pare, but on reaching the Heads avis contront.d ivith a bank of fog, which, about two miles out, encircled tho entrance. Tlie Canterbury went up to tho edge of the log bank, but neither good eyes nor powerful glasses could pick up tho Terra Nova. She v. as completely enshrouded in the filmy Avhiteness.

Tho Canterbury sounded her syren occasionally, but no answering hoot came out of the veil. After a stay of about an hour, a signal was received fur the tug to return, and sho stood in a_ain towards tho Heads. Just aa she reached th. harbour entrance a pair ot sharp eyes detected v black i.-iast, sticking up spike-hke, above the mist, as though'it had impaled a cloud. Captain Thorpe at once turned the Canterbury out to sea again, and made direct towards the cloud-capped top-gallant. A new factor then entered th- proceedings, the signal--tation notifying that there was a steam trawler in distress, wanting immediate assistance. The only steam trawler in sight was the Mulloch, which t.i all appearances was behaving in quite a conventional manner, and did not display any signals denoting distress. It Avas decided to go on to the Terra Nova, which ivas every moment becoming more plain to the view. Sho Avas under easy steam, and jogging along toAvards harbour at a most comfortable gait. The tug, flying the "welcome" signal flags, srwept doAvn on her, and circled round to get on the best side for touching. As the vessels came together, Captain Thorpe, -with a mailbag in his hand, jumped aboard the exploring ship, and he Avas'accompanied by the pressmen. The next few minutes a. ere devoted to the renewing of acquaintances of "auld lang syno." and the reading of "letters from Home." The mail bag always contrives to be a popular incident in the arrival and departure of the Antarctic ships. The craving for news of dear ones left behind ia naturally one of the strongest, and there is no interval between tho receiving of a 'etter and opening it. Rambling about the ship, one would drop across officers and men snatching tho few minutes which chance might I place at their disposal for the perusal of these welcome epistles. I