THE NIMROD’S DEPARTURE

Evening Star, Issue 13123, 2 December 1908, Page 2

THE NIMROD’S DEPARTURE

FOR THE FAR SOUTH. [Special to the Star.] .CHRISTGIIXJRGH, December 2. Lyttelton (kmued seini-gala apparel yesterday to salute the dual occasion of the Birthday of Her Majastv Qneen Alexandra and the departure of tile Nimrod to Antarctica for the purpose of bringing back Lieutenant Shackleton and his merey men from the scenes of their arduous labor in the Frozen South. The Australasian flagship Powerful, H.M.S. Challenger and Pegasus were gaily dressed with bunting, while flags flew bravely over the other 'ships in port and from the staffs of most of the mercantile houses. The morning was occupied in taking in late stores, while parcels of all shapes and sizes, containing gifts of various kinds, rained down upon the little vessel in a continuous stream, eloquently betokening the popularity achieved by members of the ship’s company, from commander co cook’s ’mate. Floral tributes were in evidence everywhere aboard, nosegays blazing out in vivid splendor from every odd comer. The last pieces of cargo were safely stowed by 2.30 p.m., these comprising five fat lambs (gifted by Messrs Sims, Cooper, and Co.) and twenty-five fat sheep, the following donating five each; Messrs George Palmer, H. Cotterill, Rayno and C 0. .: Canterbury Frozen Moat Company, and Christchurch Meat Company. The remaining hour was fully occupied with farewells, ■ and the time appeared none too long for the purpose. —Valedictory Messages.— Tlio various officers and members o! the crew were literally deluged with telegrams and letters conveying good wishes. Captain Evans, R.N.R., was quite snowed under with felicitious messages, these comprising cables from England and Australia, and telegrams from all parts of the Dominion. Among others, farewell communications were received from Mrs David (wife of Professor David), Bishop Julius. Bishop Grimes, the Navy League, and hcets of others. Captain Evans received a most cordially-worded message from the directors, general manager, and staff of the Union Slopping Company. One of the most striking telegrams was. that from a remote country township, simply signed “A. Backblocker,’’ wishing all on board the Nimrod a rate voyage and a speedy return. The Prime Minister (Sir Joseph Ward) telegraphed to Captain Evans nr> follows;

I join the citizens of the Dominion in wishing you. your officers, and men bon voyage, a safe passage, and a quick return. I sincerely hope that you will find Lieutenant Shackleton and his brave men in the best of good health, and that we shall before long have the pleasure of welcoming each member of the party back to New Zealand. Best wishes for, a successful voyage.

In conversation with a ‘ Press ’ reporter just prior to sailing, Captain Evans stated that ho and his officers were most grateful to the people of New Zealand for their many kindnesses and for their generous expressions of good-will. It was impossible to reply to the numerous messages individually, hut he desired through the medium of the Press to thank the many friends of the expedition for their felicitious wishes. Mr J. J. Kinsey, official representative of the expedition in Christchurch, received a letter from Mrs Shackleton, wife of Lieutenant Shackleton, a few days ago, in which she expressed the liveliest satisfaction with the fact that everything had gone on so smoothly with the Nimrod's preparation for her second journey down to the ice. She stud that never a day passed without her thought going out in gratitude to those in New Zealand who had'showed such kindness towards the members of the expedition. —The Plan of Campaign.—

A complete and definite plan of campaign has been drawn out for tho Nimrod, which, it'is hoped, will meet every circumstance that can now be forseen. It is not possible, of course, to guard against every contingency, but both the London Executive, Mr Kinsey, and the ship’s company have implicit confidence in the sound judgment of Captain Evans to cope with any emergency that may arise,- and to do the best that is possible to ensure the safety of those concerned in the event of not nil of the shore party being at the base at the latest time available for sailing on the return voyage, and the Nimrod having to winter in the ice. The most ample provision will be found to have been made in regard to food supplies, sufficient being in hand to serve the whole thirty-eight men, comprising the shore party and the Nimrod’s company, for eighteen months. Should anything have happened to Lieutenant Shackleton, Captain Evans, as deputy-commander, will take entire charge of tho expedition. It if mast probable that, all going well, tho Nimrod will return to Ly tel ton in March or April next year. She will then refit, and proceed some two months later to England. Of course, many things may occur to delay the Nimrod’s home-coming, but it is the wish of the Executive that the vessel should return here by the date mentioned, even if it should be necessary to land men on the ice from the ship to search for any missing explorers uiid send for thorn subsequently. —Relief Arrangements.—

Mr Kinsey stated to a reporter that the possible necessity for the despatch of a relief vessel had not been overlooked by any means. Negotiations in that direction bad been proceeding* for some time, and .were now taking practical form. The details of any relief expedition depended upon the extent of funds available. Mr Kinsey said that advantage would be taken of every opportunity on the southward voyage to carry out scientific work, although, of course, nothing would be done by Captain Evans to imperil Ids chances of reaching Cape Boyds in due time. On the homeward voyage much mere scientific work would be carried out than would be possible on the way down to the ice. Mr Kinsev added that his relations with the expedition had been of a most pleasant character. The Executive at Homo had given liim a free hand to do as he considered best, and everything h© had done was cordially endorsed by the authorities at Home. On their part Captain Evans and his officers acknowledged the value of Mr Kinsey’s services and unremitting efforts to assure that not even tho slightest, detail should be overlooked, and relations all round have been of the most harmonious character. Captain Evans expressed himself as entirely satisfied with the condition of the ship and the provisioning. .as well as with the ivhole staff chosen to work under him. —Mails and Gifts.—

A large mail was sent down by the Nimrod. for members of tho shore party, Mr Kinsey having submitted it to a drastic process of elimination, in order to weed out unnecessary pamphlets and other communi•cations sfent along, with the sole object of securing the King Edward’s Land post-mark. Ast usual, numberless gifts were made to the expedition, some of these (in addition to private presents, which included a pretty little black Pomeranian imp) being of a most acceptable charcter. The Nimrod was also most generously dealt with by the numerous firms supplying stores,' etc, • —The Medical Aspect.— Dr Michel, who has tho oversight of the physical well-being of the Nimrod’s company, said that tho men were all in the best of health. Every man on the ship, including the old hands, who did the-first journey to the South, had been examined, and pronounced fit for the vovage to Antarctica. The “doctor’s chest” on board contained more medicine and material for the treatment of accidents than for the curing of diseases, as it was not anticipated that any epidemic would break out among the crew or be presen; with the exploring band Every expedition to the South wav more or lers of an experiment, and the hints gained from a health point of view were always useful to succeeding expeditions. On this account the possibility of reurvey had been almost eliminated.