WILD’S STRANGE STORY

Evening Star, Issue 18173, 13 January 1923, Page 14

WILD’S STRANGE STORY

now RITACKLETON ABANDONED ARCTIC TRIP. Tho London correspondent of the Auckland ‘Star’ forwards tho following:— A st-rango story was that told to tho Royal Geographical Society by Commander Wild when, ho gave them an account, of Ida experiences on tho Quest. It wad nob of Antarctica but the Arctic regions ho revealed a hitherto unknown fact. Commander Wild said that when Shaekletou first conceived tho idea of another expedition, it was tho Arctic, and not tho Antarctic, that ho had in mind. His aim was tho of a largo area, known ns tho Beaufort Sea. Tho scheme in I crested tho Canadian Government, as fears wore entertained that tho Danes might cross the narrow straits from Greenland and take possession of Ellesmere Land, and Canada was ■anxious formally to annex Ellesmere Land before this could take place. Sir Ernest received definite promises of support from that side of the water, and work for tho expedition was in lull swing, a suitable ship had been bought, and a number of personnel collected, when the Canadian support was withdrawn. Shackleton consequently (continued Commander Wild) found liiinsolf in great financial difficulties, but Air John Q. Ttowott generously undertook full _ financial responsibility. By this time it was too late to catch tho open Arctic season, and so Sir Ernest made plans for an expedition into tho Antarctic and sub-Ant-arctic areas.

lie realised, however, that the Quest, which had been eminently suitable for the northern expedition,, was not suitable for the cruise in southern waters, as she was too small and the engines wore of too low power. Tho strike of ship workers prerented tho installation of new engines, and engine troubles later led to tho Joss of valuable time.

Commander Wild described the Quest’s equipment, and gave a detailed narrative o c tho voyage of the Quest, which, ho said, reached its farthest south on February 11. Describing the Quest’s visit to Tristan da Cuniha, he said tho islanders were destitute, and very grateful for the stores and equipment given thorn. Reports of their degeneration were incorrect; they were remarkable for their longevity. Caves from which poisonous fumes issued, on. the volcanic island of Tarovskii. were among the exciting scenes of (■he expedition. Commander Wild denied tho report that they slaughtered all the ee» elephants on Elephant Island, saying only nine were killed cut of hundreds seen.

I/ord "Ronaldshay, the president, was in the chair. He expressed the society’s admiration for the courage, enterprise, uni services to the science of geography nf Sir Ernest ShacJdeton, and offered hearty congratulations to Commander Wild and his party on their safe return, and tho accomplishment of a not inconsiderable volume of work of no small value to the cause of science.