EXPLORERS RESCUED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16326, 5 September 1916, Page 6

EXPLORERS RESCUED.

SHAC'KLETON'K EXPEDITION. BACK FROM ELEPHANT ISLAND ALL THE PARTY WELL Br Telegraph—Press Association—Cop3^j»Vi Australian and N.Z. Cable AsMcialion (Received 7.10 p.m.) LONDON. Beptcmfey { The Daily Chronicle states that Sir Erw.i, | Sliackleton has saved all the member? of his expedition who \re? c left on Elephant Island. All are well The Endurance, carrying Sir Ernest Shacklcton and his party, was crushed in the ice in the Weddell Sea in October 1915. The party left the ship and drifted for 700 miles on the ire, until April 16 1916, when they landed on Elephant Island. Owing to the seriousness of the situation, the shortage of the inadequate protection against, the nj>s,, r , of an Antarctic winter, Shackleton decided to endeavour to reach Smith Georgia, which lies about 900 miles to tin north-east of Elephant Island. tie called for volunteers, and took the largest boat and, leaving Lieutenant Wilde in char's of Elephant Island, commenced nij hazardous journey on April 24. After encountering almost insuperable difficutties Sliackleton reached his destination on May 20. He received every assistance from a number of Norwegian whalers, and on May 26 started southward in the hops of rescuing those of his crew on Elephant Island. Repeated attempts to get to mo southward were frustrated by the ice, ami he had to desist. In June, tho Uruguayan Government placed i vessel si Shackle-ton's disposal, and a second at. tempt, was made, but without success. Early in August Sir Ernest Shackleton returned to the Falklands, after a third fruitless attempt, having been driven back bv heavy gales.

Elephant 'island is one of the South Shetland chain of islands, lying close on th« border of the Antarctic regions, close lo tfc« Weddell Sea and about 600 miles south-cast of Capo. Horn. It is snow-covered for the greater part of the year, and grows nothing but mosses, lichens, and tonic scanty grass.