FROM THE ANTARCTIC.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3184, 1 April 1911, Page 7

FROM THE ANTARCTIC.

THE TERRA NOVA’S RETURN.

ARRIVAL AT LYTTELTON.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME.

CPEB PRESS ASSOCIATION-! CHRISTCHURCH, March 31. The Terra Nova, fresh from the Antarctic, was expected to arrive at Lyttelton from Stewart Island between 9 a.m. and noon to-day. The winds along the coast during the past two or three days had been reported as light southerly, so that the vessel should have made good progress. At daybreak yesterday morning, however, a thick fog hung over Lyttelton Harbour, and long after noon heavy banks of clouds veiled many of the hills and the entrance to the harbour. As the Hours sped on and the exploring chip had not been signalled, it was thought that, as in the case when she last came to Lyttelton, her commander was waiting till the_fog should lift in order to show his whereabouts, but it afterwards transpired that the Terra Nova was not in the fog at all, but was engaged in making compass adjustments. At 3 in the afternoon the Terra Nova was signalled five miles outside the heads, and the tug Canterbury, with Captain Thorpe, the harbourmaster, and a number of pressmen and others aboard steamed out to meet the expected arrival. The Terra Nova was soon sighted coming up under easy steam just outside the heads. The coastalsteamer Cygnet was the first to pass her, hearty cheers being given by those aboard the Cygnet for the explorers. Then a rakish-looking motor launch shot the old whaler’s bows, and at the same time a welcome signal fluttered at tho masthead of the tug. Approaching the Terra Nova, just inside the head's, those aboard the tug, led by Captain Thorpe, gave three hearty cheers for the Terra Nova, the explorers giving three in return for Lyttelton, and then, until the two boats met, a perfect fusilade of cheers and counter-cheers was volleyed forth and back. Captain Thorpe then took command of the Terra Nova and piloted her to hep berth, the tug towing her to the corner of the breastwork. Coming through the moles, the Terra Nova was greeted with a perfect babel _of sound from the syrens of the shipping in the harbour, the Wagnerian welcome continuing right up to the berthing of the new arrival at the wharf at 0 o’clock. At the Terra Nova’s berthing place was drawn up a large assemblage of the public, an<f the tooting of the syrens was supplemented by hearty cheers.

A STORM-BATTERED VESSEL. "THE WORST STORM EVER EXPERIENCED.” The effects of the storm experienced on the way down to the Antarctic are easily apparent. The bulwarks are smashed in in several places, and a large part of them is missing. Members of the crew say that it was the worst storm they had ever experienced, and if it had lasted three hours more the ship must have gone- under. The engines were immersed in water, and the crew had 1 to bail it out overboard. The ship’s appearance to-day was eloquent testimony of the rough handling she must have received. On the hottest day the expedition experienced 4 degrees of frost were- registered, yet- the sun wa.s strong enough during the su minor months to brown the. faces of the members of tbe expedition .

Nigger, the coal-black kitten who accompanied the expedition south, is. his many friends and admirers will be pleased to learn, quite well and happy and comfortably installed aboard the vessel.

The tug Canterbury brought a large mail for the members of the Terra Nova. When the vessel drew near the wharf many were the queries from feminine lips as to different ones among those left had been left behind. Christmas Day was celebrated in the Antarctic in time-honoured.fashion. The proverbial, turkey was missing from the Yuletide dinner, but an excellent substitute was found in roast beef, and there was plenty of good old plum duff.

This is how one of the crew of the Terra Nova graphically described the meeting with the Imam (Captain Amundsen’s ship) to a “Press” reporter:. “'Early one morning the Terra Nova dropped into a small inlet. Balloon Inlet, I think it is called. Those of us asleep were suddenly awakened 1 from our slumbers by the cry of ‘A ship! A ship!” We thought it was someone .inking. We, however, turned out,' and,' to our great surprise, saw a ship lashed to the ice. We had to rub our eves two or three times before we could believe our senses. It proved to be the Fram. .Only one or two of the Fram’s crew were tip at the time, hut soon her decks were crowded, and .greetings were exchanged between us.”