ACROSS ANTARCTICA

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1932, Page 7

ACROSS ANTARCTICA

WEDDELL SEA TO ROSS SEA

WATKINS'S PLANS

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LONDON, IBth January.

Among the many projects of the H. Sv Watkins Antarctic expedition is a 150(Xrm'Te sledge journey across tlie unknown country from the Weddell Sea to- the Ross Sea, on which the late Sir Ernest Shackleton was unsuccessful in 1914.

Mr. Watkins, wKo will be accompanied by Augustine Courtauld's rescuers, Rymill and: Chapman, also Riley and1 four others, will be the first to take the British flag across the South Polar Continent to determine whether the uncharted tracts consist of land: or a great sea; connecting the Wedd'ell and Boss Seas.

Tlie expedition plans to leave England in tlie coming autumn and South GeoL-gia at tlie end of December. It will land Uhe trans-continental party at Prince Regent Luitpold. iand in Janu-! any, 1933, and establish, a base from which am aeroplane, fitted with skis, cam1 make reconnaissances.

The trip, across- the continent probably will bo made in the following October. Mr. Watkins is confident that, with specialty trained dogs and help from the 'plane, it will1 be possible to cross to Amundsen's' Boss Sea base in ,four and a; half months, and rejoin the ship in March, 193-f. This will be the longest journey, minus depots, ever 'undertaken. .

Mir. Watkins says he will be at least I two years in the polar regions. He ; intends to1 establish a proper meteoro!logics! station- from which he should objtain data of immense value to Ausjtralaa. Sir. Watkins is only 24 years jo£ age. . .