THE ANTARCTIC TRAGEDY.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14660, 8 May 1913, Page 4

THE ANTARCTIC TRAGEDY.

A TRIBUTE TO LIEUTENANT

BOWERS.

The Indian "Pioneer" of April 4th, to hand by this week's mail, contains an interesting account of the way in which the heroism of Lieutenant Bowers has been recognised by his Service. A mossago from Bombay, dated March 27th, says:—

Captain Lumsden. Director of Indian Marine, yesterday addressed the officers of the Service, when he read letters from Lieutenant Bowcrs's mother and the. la to Captain , Scott. Fifty officers and 200 men were on parade. Captain Lumsdon explained the reasons for tho muster. Ho said-:—"I have mustered tho ships , companies of the R.I.M. vessels in harbour and tie officers of tho dockyard staff here this morning, in ordor to read to them a letter which the lato Captain Scott nddresseoSto Mrs Bowers before starting from his winter quarters for tho Polo. The subject of this letter was tho opinion that Captain Scott had formed during'the shorfc time Lieutenant Bowers had been with him, nnd ns it is, I think, tho most complimentary certificate that I have ever seen on any officer in any service. I am issuing orders for tho letter to bo read on tho Quarter deck of each R.I.M. ship to assembled companies. I shall also have it added to the Servico records and shall forward a copy to tho Government of India. It is not only a compliment to Lieutenant Bowers, but I am quite sure from what I have seen of that officer that he thoroughly deserved every word that Captain Scott has written, and ho has left an examplo behind him that will, I am sure, have an exoellont effect on tho morale of_ tho R.I.M. Service generally as showing the sort of spirit that prevails in that Service and tho sort of officer that the R.I.M. Service produces in a time of danger, hardship and difficulty." Captain Lumsden then read tho letter which, he added, would bo placed in tho Service records, and would be shown to every young officer on joining the Servico as an example of what had boon and could be done by those just about to enter on their Servico career. Captain Lumsden's speech and the letter were afterwards translated to the lascars by an interpreter and the officers and men were then dismiseed.

It is proposed to establish a memorial to tho late Lieutenant Bowers and a meeting convened by tho Director of Indian Marine was recently held for the purpose of deciding what action should bo taken.