UNKNOWN

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14523, 27 November 1912, Page 12

UNKNOWN

,<£TIC OBSERVATIONS AT LYTTELTON.

Shortly after 4 o'clock ~ yesterday morning, tho Terra Nova left Lyttelton and proceeded to sea for a short cruise to enable some important magnetic observations to be made. By the courtesy of Commander E. G. R. G. Evans. R.N., a '•Press" reporter was enabled to mako the trio on the Terra Novaj and spent a very interesting and enjoyable day. The cruise was undertaken for the purpose of determining tho deviation of the ship's standard compass, and of the position on tho ship where tho magnetic observations are taken, and also for obtaining data by vibrating magnetised needles vertically and horizontally whilo tbe fihip was steaming north, cast, south and west, for subsequent comparison with the time of vibrations taken at the Christchurch Magnetic Observatory-, and also in tho Antarctic regions. Tho magnetic work was carried out by Commander Evans nnd Lieut. Pennell under fairly favourable circumstances. Tho Terra Nova cleared Lyttelton Heads shortly before 5 a.m., there being little or no wind while the sea was calm. The ship's movements probably caused some conjecture amongst observers from Sumner and New Brighton, and the settlors on Banks Peninsula. For nine hours she steamed round about five to seven miles from Lyttelton Heads, describing many circles, and her movements, as shehovered offshore, resembled those of the senbi-ds which wheeled tirelessly in her wako on the -watch for scraps of food. It was at first thought that, the cruise would occupy the best part of two days, but the weathor conditions were so favourable, although a fresh easterly breeze sprang up about midday, that by 2 p.m. the magnetic observations "were completed, and tho Terra Nova headed back to Lyttelton. She mado a brief stop in the harbour to test iho gear for lifting her anchor; and finally arrived in port shortly after 3 p.m., being berthed at the breastwork in readiness to,resume loading. Throughout the cruise the vessel's engines worked exceptionally well. The Terra Nova will fill her bunkers by taking in another 25 tons of coal this week. The lonic, which is duo at Lyttelton about December sth. has some tons of stores for tho Expedition, and according to present arrangements everything will be in readiness for the chip's departure for the Antarctic at 7 a.m. on December 14th.