PRODIGAL WASTE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 287, 4 September 1928, Page 11

PRODIGAL WASTE

MONEY SPENT IN EQUIPPING THE DISCOVERY VESSEL UNSAFE FOR USE IN ANTARCTICA (United Press Association.— By Electric Tele graph.—Copy right.) (United Service.) London, September 2. A reckless, prodigal waste of money for insignificant scientific results, according to. Sir Robert Donald, in an article in the “Daily Mail,” sums up the history of Scott’s former Polar vessel, the Discovery, in connection with whaling research. The Discovery herself cost £5OOO, but her repairs cost £57,430. The capital expenditure before she was equipped for whaling and oceanographic research totalled £130,320. It was then found that the addition of bilge keels to reduce rolling rendered her unsafe in the Antarctic ice, and she. is therefore of no practical use, and must be sold or scrapped. Altogether the expedition in the three years ended 1926 cost £317,500, with nothing important to show.

Sir Robert Donald contrasts the important and valuable results, of the German expedition aboard the Meteor, and asks where are the British successors to Scott and Shackleton. The only Briton at present engaged is Sir George Wilkins, who has been financed by Australian and American money.