ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16267, 28 June 1916, Page 6

ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS

ATTEMPT AT RELIEF FAILS MEN ON ELEPHANT ISLAND. - _ ICE PREVENTS APPROACH SHACKLETON STILL HOPEFUL. V Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. ' '■■ LONDON. JUNE 26. ," ' The following cable has been received " from Sir Ernest Shackleton, who is now « at Port Stanley, in the Falkland Islands- A —"I have returned here from an attempt ' - to reach Elephant Island in the vessel \ which the Uruguayan Government kindly ' lent. I greatly regret to report that I was unable to effect the rescue of m comrades left there in an ice-hole. W encountered much heavier ice conditions than on the previous attempt in May in Captain Thomas's South Georgian whaler We encountered a stream of ice 60 miles northward of Elephant Island,' passed through this successfully, and leached within 20 miles of the island, but owing to ~4 a heavy impenetrable pack, interspersed with numerous icebergs, and also to a"• ' high north-westerly swell, it was impossible to proceed. The ice stretched •in crescent form from the west through the south to north and north-east, the two ' horns being 60 miles from the island. This V winter the ice conditions are so bad that * ultimate rescue will only be possible with a wooden steam vessel or an ice-breaker. We saw gentoo penguins on the edge of the ice. These will supplement the party's food, which consists of rations of high calorific value. Lieutenant Wild whß is in charge of the party, seeing the ice conditions, would early and drastically economise stores, going on half rations supplemented by penguins. We left. 12 cases of sledging rations seven miles northward of the ocean camp, which we formed when the Endurance foundered. I cannot say whether the party can reach them. Though they are hard pressed hope must not be given up of iultimate rescue."

PLEA FOR ANOTHER EFFORT SEARCH FOR SUITABLE SHIP.; ; (Deceived June 27. 11.30 pan.) i.^,-. LONDON, JUNE ,26. '-.%■ The Daily Chronicle says that Sit Ernest? Shackleton's message has evoked universal regret and that it makes the position of ~ the marooned party most serious. :•; " Another attempt must he made I to 'H rescue them," the paper adds. "Apparently 1 there is no suitable vessel in South American waters and the question is how long will be required to find, equip, fid despatch a ship. Mr. Frank Houlder, shipowner, has cabled to South Africa, hoping v to find a suitable Dundee whaler at the Cape whaling station. The Aurora would be entirely suitable if it is possible to repair her and send her from New Zealand in tame. Even if there is ice surrounding Elephant Island, a strong gale might at any moment disperse it leaving free access." >.- ; 1 ""' "" 7T ~- ','

WEDDELL SEA PARTY. OVERHAUL OF AURORA. |? [BY TTLEGKAPH.PBESS ASSOCIATION.! . .. DtTNEDDf, Tuesday. The relief ship Aurora is. to go into Port Chalmers dock to-morrow. It is definitely settled that Captain Stenhouse will have charge of the party for the relief of Lieutenant Macintosh and his men in the Weddell Sea.