FROZEN SOUTH

Evening Star, Issue 20998, 12 January 1932, Page 10

FROZEN SOUTH

REGENT RESEARCH FIVE EXPEDITIONS Within the past two years there have been five important expeditions to the Southern Polar regions which have accomplished a vast amount of marine biological research in the waters round the Pole, and have charted the white spaces which hitherto were a closed book to mankind, says a writer in the ‘ Cape Times.’ The Royal Research Discovery 11. confined her 1930 activities to tho region south of Africa to South Georgia, and tho hundreds of islands lying to the south-east of Cape Horn. The scientists under tho leadership of Dr Stanley Kemp were not out to make any spectacular discoveries of new land, but to investigate tho whaling grounds, make fresh charts of the Sandwich Islands, complete biological and hydrological observations at all depths, and to carry out tho thousand and one investigations connected with the science of oceanography. All of this and ranch more was accomplished during tho seven and a-half months that the vessel was below the 50th parallel of latitude. Tho Discovery 11., of course, is tho best equipped vessel of her type afloat, and is built of steel throughout, with specially strengthened bows to withstand ice pressure. MAWSON’S EXPEDITION. The expedition in the old wooden ship Discovery under >Sir Douglas Mawson set out from Hobart towards the end of 1930 to investigate the immense sweep of the Antarctic west of New Zeadand’s Ross Sea Dependency and extending as far as Macßobertson, Kemp, and Enderby Lauds, which were the scene of the previous year’s discoveries. A brief call was made at Macquarie Island on the way south, where the wireless station and hut established in 1911 by the Australian Antarctic expedition were found to be wrecked. But time allowed important scientific observations to be made, and the opportunity was taken to investigate the vast and varied population of subAntarctic life which abounds on this wonder spot of the South. After passing the Balleny Islands, where landing was found to ho impossible on account of ice, the vessel reached Cape Denizen on January 4, where magnetic determinations showed that the South Magnetic Pole had steadily moved to the north-west. After a ceremonious hoisting of the flag on King George V. Land the voyage was continued to the westward along the coast of Adelio Land, where ascents were made in tho aeroplane to examine the coastline, KNOX ISLAND. Further along, and at some distance to the south, was seen what appeared to be ice-covered land slopes which corroborated Wilke’s report of Knox Land. Westward of the 105th meridian an ice-capped island over I,oooft in height was discovered which was named Bowman Island. A further portion of land was named Princess Elizabeth Land, while several landings were made on the coast of Macßobertson Land. Other important discoveries were made, and finally in the middle of February preparations were made to return on account of the shortage of coal. Sir Hubert Wilkins charted a huge tract of country around Graham’s Land in 1929-30, and solved the riddle that has puzzled geographers for centuries by learning that Graham’s Land is itself an island with an icefield channel separating it from _ tho Polar Continent. Sir H. Wilkins had the use of the Falklands Islands research _ ship William Scoresby, which had previously seen much service in the Antarctic waters. Among the numerous islands charted by Sir Hubert was one discovered by Captain Shannon, of _ the William Scoresby, who is now in command of the South African Government research ship Africana. THE NORVEGIA. One of the most interesting Polar voyages during the present century was made by the small Norwegian steamer Norvegia which circumnavigated the Southern Continent towards tho end of 1930. This expedition was equipped at the sole expense of Consul Lars Christensen, of Oslo, the owner of a largo whaling fleet. During the season tho little wooden vessel, which is only 127 ft in length, covered a distance of 17,500 miles before she arrived at Cape Town in March, 1931. Commander Riiser Larsen, the Norwegian flying ace, flow from the vessel on several occasions and charted over 300 miles of coast, which he named Princess Ragnhild Land. In 1930, 600 miles of unexplored land were mapped when Riiser Larsen was accompanied by Commander Lntzow Holm. These two explorers hoped to return this season with sledges and dogs in order to carry out a detailed examination of the new land, but as the Norvegia has been sold, and the Norwegian whaling fleet will _ not resume operations this year, it is doubtful if any investigations will take place. . The main object of the expedition was to seek new whaling grounds and in this way they were eminently successful. Whales were reported all round the Polar regions, but where the most prolific grounds are situated has naturally not been disclosed for obvious reasons. BYRD’S FLIGHT. Towards the end of 1929 Commander Byrd made his astonishing flight across the Pole and hack—-a distance of 1,800 miles—in his big three-engined aeroplane. He claimed to have discovered a mountain range with peaks between B,oooft and 10,000 ft high, in what he named Marie Byrd Land, between the Ross Sea and Graham’s Land. In all, about 40,000 square miles of the Anarctio were explored by tho expedition. There are still wide gaps in the coast line which will no doubt be filled in before many years ar3 past, but tho spectacular interest has somewhat worn off, especially as there are not likely to bo many more vastly important discoveries to thrill the world. Before leaving the subject, a word should bo said on behalf of the whaling factories and tho wonderful seamen who command them. _ _ Without their help the special expeditions of the last two years would have been well-nigh impossible. They supplied research ships with coal, food, and transport in many instances. In fact, whaling men were the real pioneers of Polar exploration both in the Antarctic and in the Arctic. The Discovery 11. stands in a class alone. She is in no need of help from anyone, but carries on her good work unobtrusively in the _ interests of science. The discoveries _ that the scientists aboard her make cither in the sea or land, or in the air, aro not broadcast to the world, but future expeditions will derive great benefit from their observations, and the seed that is being sown will produce a thousandfold in years to come.