UNAWARE OF CAPTAIN SCOTT'S FATE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14600, 26 February 1913, Page 9

UNAWARE OF CAPTAIN SCOTT'S FATE.

STATEMENT BY PROFESSOR DAVID. Asked last Tuesday by a Sydney interviewer if tho news had been convoyed to Dr~. Mawson by wireless of tho disaster that had overtaken Captain Scott and his Polar party, Professor David said, "No, I do not think so. Of courso tlio dreadful news was flashed fro:,' wireless station io wireless station but I think that Dr. Mawson's station was dismantled before the fate of Captain Scott and his comrades became known." Questioned regarding tho possibility of Dr. Mawson or any of liis party touching at any of Captain Scott's camps, and learning tho news. Professor David said it was extremely unlikely as the Antarctic was a vast continent, bigger than Australia, and while Dr. Mawson was 800 mile 3as the crow flies from Captain Scott's route to tho Pole, Mr Frank Wild and Ids party wero over 2000 miles away . Professor David said he expected Dr. Mawson's vessel to bo off Cape Borda on tho return journey early in March. The Professor's message was very brief, but it appeared that the Aurora was apparently three weeks late in reaching Adelie Land. Sho left Hbbart for Antarctica in December last, and expected to reach Dr. Mawson's base on January 16th. The wireless outfit taken down for Dr. Mawson by the Aurora had enabled him to transmit messages, but ho had been unable to receive them. The Professor confidently expected that Dr. Mawson would bring back with him a large quantity of new geographical and meteorological information, including new data regarding the South Magnetic Pole. This information, together with that secured by the Shackleton and Scott expeditions, will prove of great assistance to scientific research.