SOUTHWARD BOUND

Evening Star, Issue 14525, 29 November 1910, Page 4

SOUTHWARD BOUND

THE QUEST FOR THE POLE. FAREWELL TO THE TERRA NOVA. The Terra Nova left Port Chalmers this afternoon on her voyage to Antarctica, having on board Captain Scott and party, with whom went good wishes from ail the world over. There was no fuss over tho farewell, but there was much evidence of the appreciation of the men wlio sailed in search of fonio for a threat Empire, All the morning motor cars, motor bicycles, and cyclists kept on arriving at Port Chalmers. Tho visitors all went down to tho wharf where tho Terra Nova lay, and passengers by tho trains also swelled the crowd, who, 'hour after hour, continued to observe the exploring ship from the wharf. A] 1 that was observable could bo seen in five minutes, but the fascination of tho vessel and its mission held the attention of the spectators. The snapsbottexs hustled the throng or themselves got bustled, but they snapped incessantly. Tho clicking and snappjng_ of cameras outlasted tho baying and yelpmg of tho dogs, whose energy sank to sleep with tho passing of the meal hour. Whilo the wolf-eyed dogs bayed most loudly the cameras snapped voraciously. Maids and matrons vied with boys and grey-haired men in pointing and snapping various shapes and sizes of cameras. By-and-byo the ofliccrs, their wives, and lady friends went on board, and some of tho latter aJso started snapshotting. Thou the snapsaotters on the wharf fell to with fresh vioor, and "look" the officers, their wives, aifd their snapshotting young lady fnends. What hopes and disappointments will dart rooms develop this evening V The vessel's decks were very much lumbered up, the sacks of coal being piled up as far aft as tho mi/.zen. Everything had been secured, however, and except very bad weather is encountered no damage is iikelv to occur. Her draught aft-and she was'trimmed deeper at tho stern than at the bow—was 19ft 3in this morning, when practically everything was on board. This left a freeboard of over 2ft at the lowest point. Tiiese measurements were not taken by means of a measuring instrument, but nevertheless arc correct to the nearness of a fraction. The vessel looked vttv low in the water, but buoyancy would compensate. She is expected to reach the ice pack in three weeks' time. In spite of gales of wind, the sea in the- vicinity oi even drift ice is smoothed by the presence of the ice in the water. This smooth water may be encountered long before the ice is sighted. Therefore, if all goes well, as everything argued at her departure this afternoon, the Terra Nova should experience no great difficulty in getting down to the ice. Towing, as in the case of the Discovery and the Koonya. makes good progress,* but it also make-; bad weather worse for those on board the vessels which are driven ahead in spito of contrary winds and seas. The Terra Nova will have the "lilting" power of her sail propulsion, i.nd speed will bo accelerated by means of tho auxiliary engines when such a course is practicable. Tho Terra Nova should therefore escape the rough experiences of the towed Discovery on the trip to the ice. She looked a staunch vessel, and capable of withstanding a deal of rough weather usage. CAPTAIN SCOTT IN DUNEDLN. FAREWELLED UY THE MAYOR. This morning Captain Scott called on His Worship tho Mayor, who, in tho presence of Ore M'Pheison and Taplcy, proposed his health in a few well-chosen words. He wished the- expedition Godspeed and expressed tho hope that it would b crowned with the siicees that the most earnest wish could favor. Captain Soott briefly replied. He referred to the pleasure ho had in viewing the progress of Duncdin since his List visit, which was attended with many happy reminiscences. H ewould go away buoyed up with tho encouragement of the people of New Zealand and Australia, who had manifested tho keenest interest and the wannest desire for the success which ho and his staff hoped to win. GIFTS TO THE EXPEDITION. Amongst the sifts for the Terra Nova was one- from tho St. Matthew's Branch of tho Church of England Men's Society, .SeamcnY> Guild. This gift consists of a Christmas box for each member of the expedition, containing articles which will undoubtedly give pleasure to tho men while ai distant from their friends and homer;. Their Christmas will bo celebrated at a different date to our, and is therefore known, ns the Antarctic Christmas. Through gifts sent in by friends in response to an appeal by tho hon. secretary, through the Pm=s. and moro particularly through tho generosity of Colonel Logan, ftaff. and men at. the regimental camp recently held at Waitati, tho branch wero able to make up this box. Tho staff of the expedition nraMully accepted this gift on behalf of the members of tho expedition. Yesterday the Row Canon W. CurznnSiggcrs (lion, chaplain to the. Guild), Meters C. J. Bush-King (lay reader), and W. A. Cur/on-Siggors (lion, secretary) spent a cgod deal of time on board the Terra Nova., and were kindly shown over tho vcfsel by Mr Drake, secretary to the expedition, 'and oilier officers. In tho overling several members of the Guild went on board by the. courtesy of Captain Seoit, and sponta pleasant hour with the. members of the expedition. A BRITISH FAREWELL. Xo more stimuhi-ling farewell could have, been given to a. British expedition than that to Captain Scott and his men thin afternoon, when tho Terra Nova 3<:it Port Chalmers in tov: of the Harbor Board's tug Plucky. Ringing dicers followed tho departing expedition, and there is nothing dearer to a Brilifh heart. In a word, the Terra Nov:-, and members of tho expedition received a moft enthusiastic send-off. There to n, great in-owd of people on the George street wharf, the Port was on holiday, flagn (lew on buildings and at mastheads, and thcro was in every mind "God-epoed a.nd success." Just before the Terra Nova moved away a ' Star' reporter approached Captain Scott, who sai i that he had nothing more to add to what had already appeared in the Press. Me remarked that everything iii connection with tho expedition was in older, lie knew of m detail that had not been attended to. On board the Pluckv were the Mavor of Duncdin (Mr T. Cole)", tho Mavor of Port Chalmers (Mr F. W. Plaits), Mr W. Barclay (chairman of the Harbor Board), and others She steamed alongside the Terra Nova, and made fast. As the exploring ship cast olf her lines and moved away from (he wharf tho crowd cheered and cheered again. Steamers whistled, rockets cracked —the spirit of encouragement wa.'i given full freedom. Tho Amokiira led the way, followed by the Terra Nova, with the Plucky alongside, (hen the Defence steamer Lady Roberts, with crowded ferry steamers and a long line of yachts and motor boats in the wake. And the procession innwd teaward on a tide of British cheeis. Canon ('ur/.on-Sic't'erp, representing the Priniato (who was hindered), went by (lie Lady Roberts, and her party also included Mr \V. A. Curzon-Siggeve and Mr C. Bush-King, who attended by invitation Irom Captain Scot!, on behalf of tho C.E.M.S., Seamen's Guild.