COASTAL SURVEYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15124, 15 October 1912, Page 8

COASTAL SURVEYS.

WORK OF TERRA NOVA'S PARTY. (BY. TEIiTOIUPIT.'— ASSOCIATION'.) i Christchuucb*, Monday. Tub survey party from Captain Scott's Antarctic expedition ship Terra Nova, which for the past four months has been working in Admiralty Bay, at the eastern approach to tho French Pass, completed its work on Thursday last, and the members are now returning to Lyltelton. Lieutenant Pennell, who returned to Lyttelton yesterday morning, informed a reporter, that the area which had been surveyed was about eight miles long and three miles wide. In that area over 10,000 soundings had been made. These showed that the general depth of the whole of Admiralty Bay was from 20 to 25 fathoms, the bottom being of mud, with a few sandy patches and no outlying dangers.

A party was sent out this morning, tho lieutenant stated, to locate the rock reported by Messrs. Hope, on tho Tasman Bay side of the French Pass. This rock, which is now known as Hope Rock, was fixed two miles off Okuri Bay, and the same distance from Tangi Point, D'Urville Island.

Two clays were spent in taking a few lines of soundings into Hamilton Bay. at the southern end of Admiralty Bay. It was found that there was a uniform depth of slightly over 20 fathoms, with mud bottom, devoid of rocks.

Lieutenant Pennell slated that the results of-the four months' survey had already been plotted out on new charts, which would be completed in about a month's time. A tracing would then bs sent to the Marine Department, and the fair charts forwarded to the Hydrographic Department of the Admiralty for publication.

Questioned .regarding the future movements of the expedition, Lieutenant Pennell stated that the members were going on leave until November 1. On returning, a start would be made to refit and equip the Terra Nova for her final voyage to the Antarctic. Commander Evans, R.N., and Mr. Francis Drake were on board the Wiltshire, which was due at Adelaide last Tuesday from Liverpool, and would reach Sydney in a few days. They would bo leaving Sydney on October 26th by the Maunganui for Lyttelton to rejoin the Terra Nova. The date of the ship's departure from Lyttelton was at present uncertain, but she would probably sail about the end of December.