FROM THE ANTARCTIC

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 79, 2 April 1912, Page 7

FROM THE ANTARCTIC

SUPPORTING PARTY'S EXCITING EXPERIENCE. LIEUTENANT EVANS BECOMES SERIOUSLY ILL HOW HIS LIFE WAS SAVED. PLUCK AND PERSEVERANCE. (Special Copright Summary.) IBY TELEOBAMI — PRESS ASSOCIATION.] AKAROA, This Day. The second 'section of the story of the Scott expedition to the Antarctic begins with brief accounts of the journeys of the first two parties detached from the Southern party as it advanced. [The main etory appeare on page 3 of this issue.] Mr.'B. C. Day and Mr. F. Hooper, who left the Southern party on 4th November, arrived safely at Cape Evans on 21st December. Surgeon Atkinson, Mr. C. S. Wright (chemist), Mr, A. Cherry Garrard (assistant zoologist), and Petty Officer Keohane, left the Southern party at Upper Glacier, depot on 21et December, and reached Cape Evans ou 28th January. On their way down Beardmore Glacier they spent Christmas Day visiting the moraine near Cloudmaker Mountain, and collected some geological specimen*. ' A depot party left Cape Evans on 26th December, and placed three special rations at One Ton depot "for the returning parties. While returning opportunity was taken by Mr. Day (motor engineer) to repair the motor sledge which was left at the Barrier near Safety Camp last spring. The necessary parts having been brought out on the outward journey, it is now in working order, and it is intended, if possible, to bring this motor sledge back to the ship next year. FAREWELL TO CAPTAIN SCOTT. The last supporting party had an exciting time. Their report states: — During the forenoon of 4th January the party, consisting of Lieutenant Evane, Mr. W. Lashley, and Petty Officer Crean, marched three miles South with Scott's advance party, then bidding their leader and his comrades farewell, turned Northward in latitude 87.35, and commenced the homeward march. The Southern party were travelling rapidly yet easily, and the members appeared to be exceptionally fit. The last returning party retraced their steps, confident that Cautain Scott would reach the South Pole, IN A PRECARIOOS POSITION. They covered over 18 miles a day until 9th January, when a blizzard of moderate severity blew from the South, lasting three days, and severely hampering the party. Accordingly, to ensure full rations for the early part of the homeward march, a course was shaped, direct for the depot near Mount Darwin. This took them across Shackleton's ice falte at the head of Beardmore Glacier, but saved at least a day's march. They descended many hundred feet, mostly riding a sledge with little difficulty beyond frequent capsizes { and arrived undamaged on comparatively flat surface at the foot of the falls on the 17th January. Nearly halfway down the f lacier this little party was embarrassed y getting into a maze of icefalls and a pressure of the ridges and crevasses during thick weather. They extricated themselves from this precarious position on the 18th, after two very hard days of climbing and toboganning, being bruised. Their aledges were also con-, siderably damaged. The next 300 miles" of the journey were uneventful. DRAGGING THEIR SICK COMRADE. In latitude 80deg 30min Lieut. Evans was found to be suffering' from scurvy. Owing to the party being one man short, a fourth member of the unit having been taken to support the southern partyi Evans was compelled to continue dragging his sledge. Lashley and Crean did all in 'their power to help their tent mate forward. His condition, however, became serious daily. At One Ton Camp, 136 miles from Discovery Hut, he was unable to stand without the support of his ski sticks. His legs were very much swollen and discoloured, and other symptoms of advanced scurvy were in evidence. After struggling onward on a ski m great pain for four days, during which they covered 53 miles, Evans was unable to move further. His companions, therefore, made a depot of every item of their equipment not absolutely necessary for their existence, and placing the sick man on a sledge in a fur sleeping bag, made a gallant effort to drag him to safety. For four days, helped by the southerly wind all progress possible was made. The party arrived at Corner Camp on the evening of the -17th February. Incessant snowfalls during the next twelve hours rendered the surface hopeless for travelling. The two men. could barely move the sledge. " DRASTIC MEASURES. On the 18th Evans's condition, was serious, food was runinng short, and drastic measures were necessary. Therefore, Crean set out to walk to Discovery Hut, thirty miles away. Lashley remained to nurse Evans, and by his extraordinary care and excellent nursing he undoubtedly saved the lieutenants life. Cre»n arrived at the hut after an eighteen hours' march, much fatigued and numb with cold. Fortunately Doctor Atkinson and Dimitri were there with two dog teams. A severe blizzard broke within half-an-hour of Crean' s arrival, but as soon as it had sufficiently abated. Dr. Atkinson and Dimitri set out with the dogs to succour Lieut. Evans and Lashley. They travelled in driving snow all night, and eventually reached Evans. A tent and fresh food had been brought out. After resting the dogs Doctor Atkinson decided to take the invalid to Discovery Hut in a single march. The dogs covered 34 miles in about five hours. Dr. Atkinson allowed Evans to be moved on the sledge to the Terra Nova after a week's rest at the hut, and attended him for another week, when he considered the patient out of danger. EVANS CONVALESCENT. Evans's condition has continued to improve, and he is now convalescent. After a complete refit in New Zealand he will, it ie hoped, be able to proceed to England on business of the expedition, and return in time to make the relief voyage south in the Terra Nova at the end of the year. Lieutenant Evans states that no anxiety need be felt concerning the health of members of Scott's, sledge team, as Lieut. Evans was absent from the winter quarters on surveying work and depot laying from 9th September till jusfc before leaving on the main sledging journey. During this period he had necessarily to eat sledging rations, while the other members of tli© southern party were in tho hut about two months before leaving. Great care was taken by the doctors that all in the hut ate fresh meat and other antisprbutic food

daily. Further, it may be pointed out, Lieut. • Evans had an exceptional amount, of man-haulage, owing to the motor ,sledge breaking down, which accideDt did not affect any members of Scott's present party. The southern party, having five men to pull their sledge, will return very easily compared to the last supporting party of three men. They will also be met and supported by two dog teams driven by Cherry Garrard and Dimitri, who were left at Discovery Hut for that purpose on 26th February.