THE DISCOVERY

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 10

THE DISCOVERY

ARRIVAL IN PORT

NEW COASTLINE CHARTED

AiYTARCTIC CEUISE

The Antarctic research ship Discovery arrived in the stream shortly before 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, and berthed at the Clyde Quay Wharf about half-past four. Tho Discovery, at the conclusion of her last Antarctic voyage, returned to Hobart in March, and subsequently refitted at Melbourne, whero the Australian members of the expedition, including Sir Douglas Mawsbn, loft tho ship. The specimens collected during the voyage will shortly be distributed to specialists for classification and description; some have already been loft in Australia. , The first feature of the ship to strike tho observer is the "crow's nest" on, the main mast, 105 ft above tho dec]/;.. This specially-constructed "crow's nes/j" is. -used for observation purposes im navigating the pack ice. Included in tho scientific apparatus is an echosounding machine, by means of which a. large number of deep-sea soundimgs wore taken during the last voyage. There is a biological laboratory on deck. Tho vessel is very compl-etcly equipped for meteorological observations, including investigations of winds in the upper air by means of pilot balloons. The wireless cabin contains the direction-finding' apparatus. In the wardroom there is a photograph of Captain Scott. The room which Sf«jtt used is practically the same as Tvhen he first commanded the ship. On. the deck is gear used for running lines down to take samples of water at various depths; and, where depths fire not too great, samples of ocean botvtom. On the boat deck tjiere is space, where aircraft is stowed. SHIP'S PERSONNEL. Sir Douglas Ma.wson wais the originator and organiser of tlifc expedition, and was in charge on tho. last two voyages. ' The 'commander ojii the first voyage was Captain J. K. Davis, who has had great experience of navigation in Antarctic waters. Thai commander on the last voyage was Captain K. Mackenzie, who is still in charge. The other officers are: Chiicf officer, A. M. Stnnton; second officer, W. R. Colbcck; third officer, J. B. Ch/jd; chief engineer, W. J. Griggs; second engineer, W. 1\ Welch; wireless ope/rator, A. Williams. ' Mr. Colbeck's fa.ther was in -command of tho relief f-Jiip Morning, which visited (he Antarctic in 1902-3 in connection with Captain R. I\ Scott's first expedition on tho Discovery. Amongst those, who wero on the wharf to meet the vessel was Mr. R. A. Falla. who is an officer of the Auckland Museum, gjid who was assistant zoologist of the "expedition. His special duty on the lasit voyage was to study bird. life. He left the ship at Hobart and returned to Auckland. While the ship is in Wellington he will select some specimen«, which will be retained in New Zealand. The only scientific officer now on the ship is .Mr. IR. J. Simmers, who was meteorologist; of the expedition. He will now rejoin tho staff of tho New Zealand Meteorological Office. Sir Thomas Sidcy, Attorney-General, Dr. E. Marsden, Director of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and Dr. Kidson, Director of the Meteorological Department, met the vessel on arrival and welcomed the officers. STATEMENT BY CAPTAIN. Captain Mackenzie spoke in terms of high appreciation of tho ship's company, and said that during the recent voyage tho Discovery followed the coastline of the Antarctic continent away from the Ross Sea. Tho intention was not to make a now southern record, but to chart a new coastline. This work involved much perilous navigation, and at times the ship was subjected to intense ice pressure. He thought the charting of the new coastline would prove of much future value. On the last cruise the Discovery steamed round about one-third of tho Antarctic continent, which was more than had been accomplished by any ship in a single exploration. One result of the cruise .would be the issue of a' new chart of tho coastline of the Antarctic continent. STAY IN PORT. Considerable public interest was taken in.the Discovery by the general public yesterday, when crowds of people visited Clyde Quay Wharf. Owing to the smalluess of the vessel, it was impossible to allow visitors on board, although this would readily have been done had it been possible. On her trip across the Tasman the Discovery experienced rough weather all the way, with strong easterly winds and heavy seas. . On. Friday she met the souther]/ storm which was particularly severe about Cook Strait, and she was compelled to shelter off d'Urville Island. ■ - ' Coaling operations were in progress on the ship to-day, and will probably bo completed' to-morrow morning. The Discovery is taking on board 140 tons of coal, and is also replenishing her food supply with general stores, including about twenty live sheep. It is expected that she will sail to-morrow night or early Wednesday morning for London, via Capo Horn and Montevideo.