ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

Otago Witness, Issue 2522, 16 July 1902, Page 15

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION

THE RELIEF SHIP SAILS

LONDON, July 10. The Antarctic relief ship Morning baa sailed with supplies for the expedition.

At the annual meeting of the Royal Geographical Society (writes our London correspondent) Sir Clements Markham, the president, referring to the Antarctic expedition; said the main objects of tlic Discovery's expendiUon were to determine, to far as pobsiblc, tic nature ami extent of that portion of the South Polar lands which the bl.jp was able to reach, and to conduct a magnetic survey. In performing that difficult service much i\a> k-ft to Captain Scott'<s d'srrttiou. But tho importance uas dwelt upon of examining th^ ;co mass which ended in the remarkable line of iliffs, and of prosecuting discoveries to the eastward of the farthest point reached by Sir James Ross in 18*2. The question of wintering w.v-, left to Captam ScoH's discretion, and he was instructed to use Ins utmost endeavour to exnlore the region within reach of his A', inter quarters by sledge-travelling in the spring. He relied upon a relief ship being despatched, and he intpndecl to endeavour 10 reach and forcu through the ice-pack on the 175 th inciidian, and on reaching the open water to make for Cape Adare. If all had sjone v.oll the Discovery would lia\e reached the pj . \ i>n tho sth January last, have forced her way through in six days, aud bpeu off Cape Adare on or about the 12th. Captain Scott then intended to follow the coast southwards to M'Murdo Bay, where he should have been, or off Cape Crozier. on the 28th. From Cape Crozier his plan was to advance along the ice-wall to its eastern extremity, which he might have hoped to reach about February 9, leaving him over three weeks more of r.avigable season. Beyond that point the movements of the Discovery would be quite uncertain. It >vaa possible that after wintering in the unknown region she might succeed in forcing her way northward to safety in the ensuing navigable season with the drifting pack without returning to the coast of Victoria Land. The relief ship would have no difficulty in. finding tho Discovery ant} supplying her with the stores and provisions which she would need if tho winter quarters were in Wood Bay or on any part of the coast between that position and Cape Crozier.

It was quite clear from these details that the despatch of relief to any ship wintering in the Polar regions was a necessity. In February last he had said ho was convinced that if the Government refused to help the people of the country would never allow their explorers- to be abandoned to their fate* H« wa* right* and they nuaUt hssa

confidence that the funds would eventually be adequate. The sum of £20,000 had been subscribed, but at least £22,000. would be needed. The Morgen, or Morning, had been purchased for £3800, and Captain William Golbeck had been appointed commander. He had already had experience in the packiro of the Southern Ocean. It wa3 hoped that by December the ship would be off tbe pack-ice, and that Captain Colbeck would be able to force his way through and reach the open water to the south earlier than any other vessel. He expressed the hope that they might fiud their friends in the Discovery well in health and spirits after having achieved great success, and that they might all return safe and sound to their , native country covered with renown.