RETURN OF THE AURORA

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1913, Page 5

RETURN OF THE AURORA

KEWS OF MAWSON'S EXPEDITION

LOW TEMPERATURES RECORDED,

ADVENTURES OF SHORE PARTIES (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) HOBART, March 15. The exploring ship Aurora arrived yesterday at Esperance Bay, and Mr. EitJel, the secretary of the expedition, who landed, furnishes an account of the expedition. The Aurora, which left Hobart on Boxing Day and embarked at Tarooma 21 Greenland dogs, . donated by Captain Amundsen. The Aurora was unable to secure wireless communication with Dr. Mawson's base at Adelieland until two days before reaching there. " At the request of the Federal Government, ,, says Mr. Eitel, "we took ■Captain James Davis with us to test the whaling potentialities of the Antarctic, but not a single right whale was observed on the voyage. " No new land was discovered, deepite a keen watch. We found that forty miles of the ice barrier charted last year sixty miles westward of Adelieland had disappeared. The Aurora passed less than thirty hours in the pack ice before reaching the main base, thus confirming Dr. Mawsoirs assertion that it is possible to visit the base in an iron steamer." Dr Mawson's base at Adelie Land was sighted on January 13. It was observed that one of the wireless masts had been erected, but the other was lying on the rocks, this explaining the sudden stoppage of wireless messages. The nine occupants of the camp were overjoyed to see the relieving party. The marks -of hardships were very noticeable, though all were in robust condition. Dr Mawson was then absent on a sledge journey, but was expected back in two days. The other two parties were also shortly due. Terrific Gales. The most interesting scientific rest Its undoubtedly consist of the meteorological data gathered in the winter quarters at Commonwealth Bay, which is absolutely the windiest corner of the world. An idea of the wind's force may be obtained by remembering that a velocity of fifty miles an hour constitutes a full gale. The records show an average velocity for ten months of fifty-two. A maximum of 202 was actually registered on the gust recorder. The highest average for any sjngle hour was between ninety and a hundred. Some of the gales lasted several months. Mr Correll during a blizzard was lost for two hours while traversing ten yards from the camp to the meteorological screen. Mr Hodgeman was lost for ,two hours and a half, returning from the magnetic hut under two hundred yards away. "We had to crawl about on hands and knees," says Mr Eitel. "Adelie Land has well earned its title as a 'hell hqle of wind.' " The keynote of the scientific results is undoubtedly the velocity and continuance of the wind, though much other striking scientific work was achieved. Terrible winds and low temperatures were recorded, the mercery descending at times to minus twenty-nine deg. Fahrenheit. Tlie Sledging Parties. Five sledging parties had been despatched from the base. Webb and Thurley returned three days before the Aurora arrived. Their objective had been to reach the Magnetic Pole from the North. They arrived within fifty miles of their goal, but unsufficiency of food compelled them to retreat.' Hurley's resolution to abandon search for a* lost depot and proceed foodless to the next saved the party from disaster. Madigan, Dr Mac-Lean and Correll traversed 550 miles eastwards and n-fide .interesting geological discoveries. They also failed to locate one oi the food depots and spent two days i;- their sleeping bags without food. "If ever blame is laid on the captain's door for deserting the main bese every member will stand shoulder to shoulder with him," says Mr Eitel. "Volunteers offered to row whaleboats ashore, but the captain ■ refused to allow the men to risk their ] lives. There is little doubt the boats would have* ba*cn swamped in the his-h seas. The Aurora was pushed on at full speed and sighted the barrier thirty miles from Wild's base on February 23rd and found the party, eight in all, safe. We took them aboard with their specimens and instruments and a few stores."