ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

Evening Star, Issue 14491, 16 February 1911, Page 3

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

A NOVEL SfiHKMK. [Fkom Out. Special Correspondent.] LONDON, January 6. Proposals for a new Antarctic expedition have been submitt :.'I to the Royal Geographical Society by l)r Alister Forbes Mackav, a member of Sir Ernest Shackleton's expedition in 1908-09. Dr Mackav, who joined tiie expedition as a medical man, was selected by Sir Ernest Shackleton to form one of the landing party, and took part both in tho ascent of Mount Erebus and ill the journey to tho South Magnetic Polo. The expedition for which he has now formulated proposals does not aim at reaching the South Bole, but at the exploration oE the shores of the Antarctic Continent to tho south of the Pacific Ocean. The coast line is supposed to run from Graham Land, south of Capo Horn, westwards to King Edward VII. Land, at tho eastern end of Ross's Great Ice Barrier. The distance is estimated at about 2,000 miles, and over practically tho whole of that distance the, shores of the Antarctic Continent have not even been sighted. Ships are prevented from getting near by vast fields of ice, and Dr Maekay believes that the only way of exploring tho co-'wst lino—a work needed it) order to cstabbsb the geography of the Antarctic regions—is to land a ps.rty from a ship at somo point in Graham Land, and let this party work its way round tho ice which fringes tho coast. Some of Dr Mackay's proposals m connection with this trip are rather startling. He thinks that tho party should consist of si* men, wdth three sledges and twentyfour dogs, carrying a minimum of stores and provisions. They would rely on the Wftddell seal for most of their food and all of their fuel. Theso seals, says Dr Mackav, aro found in swarms all round the Antarctic coasts for tho greater part of tho year, and sometimes even in the depth of winter. Their llesh, liver, and blood form excellent palatable food, and the blubber can be used tor cooking purpose?:, so that no cooking oil need be taken. It would bo sufficient, Dr Maekay believes, to carry enough biscuits, tea., and sugar to allow a daily ration of lib per man. No food need bo taken for the dogs, since theso could bo fed on the seal meat not required for the explorers' own iLs«. Even at an average rate of progress of ten miles a day it would take 200 days to complete tiie distance from Graham I Land to King Edward VII. Land, and as the party would have to lie up for the winter, a full year must lie allowed lor tho journey. Dr Mackay's calculations only allow for a light tent of 501b weight, which would probably be worn out before the end of the year, so the explorer.-, would have to make themselves adepts in the construction of snow huts If thev were landed on Graham Land in December they would try to explore from 600 to 700 miles of new coast before going into winter quarters, which need not be before the end of March. Camp would be broken again at latest by tho middle of September, and King Edward VII. Land ought to be reached by the end of December. Past experience goes to show that it is doubtful whether a ship could get near enough to tho land to take off the explorcrs. so a rendezvous would be fixed on the edgo of Ross's Ice Barrier. If for any reason tho ship should fail to put in an appearance, tho journey would be continued across tho barrier to Sir Ernest Shackle-ton's old winter quarters, where shelter could bo found. Dr Maekay estimates tho cost of such an expedition at £20,000. and ho thinks that it might be earned out in connection wioi the Antarctic expedition projected by Dr W. S. ; Brace.