TERRA NOVA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15581, 3 April 1911, Page 7

TERRA NOVA.

NOTES FROM THE SOUTHERN VOYAGE. AN ADVENTURE WITH PONIES. When the Terra Nova returned to M'Murdo Sound to inform Captain Scott that it had proved impossible to land the eastern party at King Edward Vn. Land it was plain that the two ponies which had been retained for the use of the eastern party would not be needed by Lieutenant Campbell, and it was resolved to land them at Cape Evans. The only Avay to get them ashore was to make them swim, giving them a lead with a rope, and holding their heads up with a halter. The icy-cold water had a paralysing effect upon one of the ponies, aud the beast apparently reconciled itself to death, passively permitting itself to be hauled to land through the water, but the other swam vigorously. Both landed quite safely, and half a bottle of Scotch whisky was administered to each of them as soon as they were out of the water, while they were briskly rubbed to restore their circulation". One of the ponies became quite intoxicated, and behaved in a very laughable and eccentric manner, but ne soon shook off the effects of his debauch. THE DECEPTIVE ICE-PACK. Lieutenant Pennell had considerable experience of the deceptive appearance of the pack ice, aud of its constantly changing character. On more than one occasion, he said, there were indications that beyond or inside the belt of ice-pack was clear water, the white reflection on the clouds caused by the pack, and known as the "ice blink," being succeeded further away towards the horizon by the bluer darker tinge which indicated open water below. Attempts to force a way through the pack seem to have been mostly unsuccessful, and accurate observation of the extent of tho pack was very difficult. If the observation was made from the crow'snest, which commanded a view of about twelve miles to the horizon, the level natjiro of the pack-ice, which showed only three, or four feet above the water, made the horizon appear as straight as if there was open sea. THE ICE ISLAND. An incident which showed the necessity for making the most careful aud exhaustive observations before concluding that land had been picked up, occurred during the Terra Nova's cruise along tho edge of the ice-pack, in the attempt to reach Cape Hudson. They had come about thirty miles without taking a sounding, and then found that they had run from a depth of 1200 fathoms to a sounding ot 278 fathoms. They then went away about fifteen miles along the pack, and the next sounding registered 950 fathoms. This rapid undulation of the sea-bed was mysterious. Then they saw what appeared to be a small island. Lieutenant Rennick. was sure it was land, and Lieutenant Pennell held to the theory that it was only a gigantic iceberg. The matter became one of much controversy. Of course it was only a tiny reck even if it wag land, aud its absence on the chart did not signify greatly. Still it was determined to clear the matter up. On approaching nearer to the island the soundings shallowed to 215 fathoms, which certainly seemed conclusive proof of the near presence of land, but oa getting still closer no doubt was left that tho supposed island was only a great iceberg. THE SHIP'S ICE CHEST. Lieutenant Pennell said that the refrigerator aboard the Terra Nova prpved of great service. They had! fresh food up to within four days of sighting Stewart Island. Tho refrigerator was kept going every day oh, the way down south if the temperature rose above 28dog. Tho New Zealand butter was much appreciated, especially the fresh butter. The Cape Evans party had enough butter to last till winter. THE LAST DAYS OF THE VOYAGE. The last few days of the voyage a south-west galo blew, carrying the ship right up to Stewart Island, and making a regular running record fqr the ship. After that exceptionally fine weather was met with. After making the Snares the ship waited till daylight to enter Patersou's Inlet. After lea-fr-ig Stewart Island the weather wa* fine. Akaroa Light was passed at midnight on Thursday. It was then necessary to swing the ship for magnetic work, and a halt was made off Lytteltcu Heads to get the sun. They had to wait from 6 a.m. till 2.30, and the sun then came out and observation! were completed. ANIMALS IN THE SEA. INTERESTING INVESTIGATIONS. Mr D. G. Lillie, the biologist, has had remarkably rich "catches" of the small animals of the sea, which were brought up in the dredges. He has not had time to work out the results, but when he has done this he expects that a great deal of light will be thrown on the theory that marine animals, as well as land'animals, originated in the north, and gradually migrated south. Mr E. R. Waite, Curator of Canterburv Museum, has given Mr Lillie arooiii for dealing with his specimens in. the building at the back of the Museum, and also a room in the Museum itself, and Dr C. Chilton has also kindly helped him, especially by supplying books of reference. It will be about'two weeks, probably, before Mr Lillie works out his results. THE NORWEGIAN EXPEDITION. The following cablegram was tent on Friday to the Central News Agency, London:—" When following the Barrier from King Edward \ 11. Land, with a view to landing the Eastern Party in the vicinity of Balloon Bight, the Fram was found at thct Bav of Whales. We visited the Fram, and learned that Amundsen, Jchannsen, and a party of seven were establishing winter quarters'two miles from tho edge of the ice. Amundsen returned" in the early morning and invited the English officers to breakfast. They visited the hut. which had erery appearance of comfort. The men were in excellent health and condition. The stores were, being landed and. transported to the quarters. Seals were abundant. Amundsen and his officers lunched on the Terra Nova, after which the shic's company visited the Fram. The role object of Amundsen is to rc-ach tho Polo, travelling via the Beardmore Glacier, after which he intends to carry out his original programme of Arctic exploration. Meantime tho Fram proceeds to Buenos Avrcs, returning to tho Barrier in 1912. Their couipment is 116 Greenland dogs, sufficient sledges and skis. Dogs work thirteen in n team, there being two teams to each r djK» " n « working on alternate days. Th? lead is 1001 b each working dog. Tho party ski alongside the sledges. The m?m are clothed in seal furs, nnd west no wind clothing. The- doses' food is dried fish. The Terra Nova loft the message announcino; tlie mot-ting of \mundsen at the Discovery but. which Captain Scott will find on his return from th« depot journey." NOTES.. About cloven o'clock en Saturday morning the Lyttelton Harbour Board's tug Canterbury removed the Terra Novo. f""m her berth at the Gledste-.ie Pier to the lower breastwork near the dock. As the Terra Nova is likely to make a*. star of three month:-, bore the harboflS authorities, in view of tho heavy /des mond tor wharfage accommodation. dv-emed it neccsso-ry to remove her to

the new berth, which was specially deepened recently for that purpose. It is understood that the majority of the crew will be given fourteen "lays' leave from about Wednesday. No, arrangements have been madovet ia regard to the time the Terra Nova will remain in Lyttelton before starting out upon her voyage again.