READY FOR THE ICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13583, 12 September 1908, Page 5

READY FOR THE ICE.

REFITTING THE NIMROD.

STORES FOR TWELVE MONTHS.

[BY TELEGBAPH.rKESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHniSTCHTTuen, Friday. It is understood that the British Antarctic expedition ship Nimrod will leave Lyttelton on December 1 on her second trip to the Antarctic regions. The vessel has now been in Lyttelton nearly seven months since her return from the South, and during that time her oflicors and the men who have stayed by her have not been idle.

A large amount of work has been done recently in connection with the overhauling and repairing of the vessel to fit her to cope successfully with the elements during her coming voyage. The wholo of the rigging has been thoroughly overhauled and repaired.

A reporter, who visited the Nimrod yesterday, found what an important work was in progress. This consists in the extension of the living quarters below in the after end of the vessel. The additional space is being obtained by extending the living quarters into the after hold, portion of which is now being partitioned, off by stout timber walls, newly lined inside. When the alterations are completed the living quarters below will be four times larger than before and will be immeasurably superior to and better ventilated and lighted than the small and dingy compartment formerly occupied by the shore party. A peep into the engineroom showed that the engineers have been doing solid work. The engines and pumps and other gear below have been overhauled and put in thorough repair. The engineroom presented a very spick and span appearance, having been thoroughly cleaned and repainted throughout. The Nimrod will ship a full year's supply of stores before storting for the South, and the whole of the remaining available space will be filled with coal.

Lieutenant 'F. P. Evans, 8.N.R., of the Union Company, is to take the command of the vessel for the next voyage South. The vessel will make the fullest possible use of her sails, but as she will not be towed South this time, and as a good deal of unfavourable wind will doubtless be met with, the ship will probably have to use her engines very often; hence the need for taking as large a supply of bunker coal as possible.

Mr. J. K. Da-vis, chief officer, who has been continually by the ship since her arrival from England last year, ie about to take a well-earned holiday, and will leave for Auckland in the Tongariro next week.