SCOTT'S JOURNEY

Northern Advocate, 22 August 1913, Page 5

SCOTT'S JOURNEY

EXTRACTS FROM HIS DIARIES. CONTINUED BAD WEATHER. "IF WE CAN MARCH WITH A PULL LOAD." (By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 21. The " Strand Magazine " to-day publishes a further instalment of the records left by Captain Scott and discovered in his diaries by the relief party. With the breakdown of the motorsledges, ponies received a full load early, and responded splendidly. The weather was improving as the party left the windy, higher regions. One Ton Camp was reached on November 15. After this the weather became bad, a fine day being exceptional. The ponies grew very tired by December 1, when the weakest was killed. Their task was to draw supplies across the barrier as long as they lasted, and finally to provide food for the dogs. " Our luck in the weather," writes Scott, " is preposterous. It is really time the luck changed. One has a horrid feeling that this is to be a real bad season. From the gateway of the glacier came ominous wind puffs, followed by a howling, raining blizzard for four days, until December 8. The temperature meanwhile was so high that the snow melted as it fell, and soaked tents, clothes, and sleeping bags." At Twelve Miles Glacier the party had to use rations calculated to carry them forward from a more advanced depot. The margin for bad weather had been ample, according to calculations, v but this stormy December was a thing the most cautious organiser might be unprepared to encounter. " Petty Officer Evans," writes Scott, " managed to save the situation by fitting a pony with snowshoes, thus enabling it to form a track for the others, so that we could move forward through the soft snow. The forage was, however, already spent, and at Shambles Camp, a mile below the Glacier's gateway, the beasts were shot. It was hard to have to kill them so early." On December 10 the first stage— 424 miles—over the barrier ice ended, and on the fortieth day out, a week behind schedule time, the second stage in the ascent of the glacier began. This occupied twelve days of strenuous exertion. The surface was appalling. " vVe sank in places to our knees. Commander Evans's party found a difficulty in keeping up, but I was never fitter, and my party was easily able to hod their own. Petty Officer Evans is a tower of strength. Wilson and Oates are doing splendidly. Hereabouts Shackleton found hard blue ice. It seems an extraordinary difference of fortune, and Shackleton's luck becomes more evident." Wilson suffered considerably from bad eyes. On December zl the party took an affecting farewell of Dr. Atkinson's party. The rugged surface on the plateau created great difficulties, but after passing the summit of the glacier Scott says " I feel very cheerful. The goal seems really in sight. 1 only pray for a fair share of good weather." Extra rations were distributed on Christmas Day. On January 3 they were 150 miles from the goal, and Scott here farewelled Commander Evans and party, who were very disappointed at having to return. Scott writing on that day says: — " A month's provisions should see us through. If we can march well with a full load we will be practically safe." The valance of the article describes Commander Evans's journey back with the Seamen Crean and Lashley, during which i«e nearly died of scurvy.