DEPARTURE OF THE NIMROD. A SPLENDID SEND-OFF. LIEUTENANT SHACKLETON'S FAREWELL MESSAGES. .

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 34

DEPARTURE OF THE NIMROD. A SPLENDID SEND-OFF. LIEUTENANT SHACKLETON'S FAREWELL MESSAGES. .

CHRISTCHUROH, January 2. The departure of the Nimrod formed the principal event at the Lyttelton regatta yesterday, an many thousands of people attended the regatta simply for the sake of seeing the vessel leave. All day long final preparations were' being made, and punctually at 4 o'clock the lines were cast off, and the vessel left the wharf to the farewell, cheering of immense crowds of people. " The different vessels in port blew their sirens simultaneously, and for some 'minutes the noise was deafening. . The Nimrod proceeded down the harbour under her own power, and was accompanied • by the . tug, several excursion steamers. -crowded with' passengers, and a. fleet of small craft. " Salutes were fired, from "the fort "guns, and three -thunderous oh'eer s * .were" 'given -by .-the men'-p-'-warsmen on the Pyramus_-and_ Powerful, -which were lying at anchor near 'the Heads. .The 'towing 'ropes from the .Koonya, whioh is to tow -the Niinrod down the pack ice, --were adjusted when the Heads were reached, and ■ after a final farewell cheer from those on the escorting steamer and an' "exchange of maritime courtesies, the Koonya, with' the Nimrod -itf tow," headed for the south, and the other vessels returned to Lyttelton. > The send-off ie. claimed to hcthe greatest yet accorded to any vessel leaving a New Zealand povt. ■ The following farewell message was dictated by Lieutenant Shackleton, "the leader of the expedition:— ,- • Now, at the very moment of departure, I wish, through the medium of the press, to address a farewell meesage to the people of the Dominion of New -Zealand. In the -same breath. I thank .the press for the public spirit shown by* it, for it has been unanimous, -no- matter • what the shade of political feelings' held, in recognising the importance of the work that the expedition • hope to do in the domain of pure science _ and in the domain of the highest sentiment of all— the love of having" one's own country in the van of- progress. . Though the ship is - small, though the quarters are cramped, and .difficulties inseparable from a ; small ship have to be encountered, I here to the people of the Dominion say," on behalf of the staff, officers, and crew of the Nimrod, that, we" will do our utmost,. to merit the ', confidence that has been . placed in ue, the generosity' that ' has been bestowed, upon us, and the desire that has been co apparent to help us; and whether we win to our heart's desire or whether we fall short of the goal, we hope to bring back, some work that will have its value not only in abstract science, 'but in science that directly tends" to economic values. We .leave -this port of I/yttelton to-day strengthened, helped, and encouraged by the sympathy of. the " people of New Zealand. The ( Government has assisted us,- and during the Christmas holidays — a time mostly devoted to pleasure, — Sir Joseph Ward never neglected our earnest requests. _ I coultl number by the hundreds individuals who have offered and given support in the 'matter of goods for the expedition. Lastly,' but not least, there is the Union Company, which bears to a large extent the cosb of the towage of this vessel, which shows that those connected with the company are interested not only, in matters of mere commerce, but also* in matters on the higher lines of scientific achievements. I wish, therefore, through the medium of the press, to convey my warmest thanks to the Dominion of New Zealand, where we have found not only help, but a second home. Lieutenant Shackleton added that it was his intention to send a soniewhab similar message to the Commonwealth of Australia, which had so generously assisted the expedition. The Nimrod would reach the shores of Australia during the coming year. . • ftegarding the work to be done by the Nimrod after' the scentific ,staff and the shore party have been landed on King Edward Seventh Land, Lieutenant Shaokleton said that it is intended, to prosecute magnetic survey work' in the seas adjacent to Australia* and New- Zealand. It is also intended to run lines of soundings between New Zealand and ' the Antarctic mainland, and from New Zealand to Australia. This work, he hopes, will produce results of high scientific value, as well as of economic value. It is possible^ that a maernetic observer and biologist will be taken from New Zeal land and .other observers from Australia 1 during the Nimrod's magnetic survey, thus

giving the southern lands that assisted the expedition a chance to play their part in its scientific work. The regatta played second fiddle at Lyttelton yesterday. Bedecked plenteously with ,a brave show of bunting, and looking as trim and neat as a vessel of her build can look, the Nimrod was the centre of interest to the large crowds of holidaymakers. At her fore peak fluttered the Union Jack given by Queen Alexandra to Lieutenant Shackleton. to plant on the farthest southern point reached by the expedition. About noon Admiral Fawkes and his staff visited _ the Nixnrod and bade farewell to Lieutenant Shackleton and the members of the expedition. Afterwards many other visitors arrived, and remained on board till taken off by the Harbour Board's tug Canterbury. One_ of these — a lady — nailed a. threepenny piece ( to the mizzenmaet to ensure good luck to the Nimrod and all aboard her; • Shortly before 4 b'olock the tug Canterbury went alongside the Nimrod and .took a line from that vessel. Meanwhile, the crowd on the wharf were expressing their farewells, and cheers were being given for Lieutenant Shackleton, Cagtain England, and all on board. The strains of " Auld lang syne" were heard as the tug towed the Nimrod from the berth. The tow line was. dropped .and the Nimrod' s_ engines began to revolve, and the expedition waa under -way. She steamed slowly past the Carnegie Institution's * magnetic survey ship' Galilee,-' the deck of which was 'crowded with people, who cheered tha little vessel as she passed. The deck of the vessel aiT the next berth — the auxiliary schooner Huia — was similarly orowded, and from those on board, as well as from those who were lining the wharf, ■ cheer upon "cheer arose. Approaching the Dominion training ship Amokura the Nimrod dipped her ensign. Then from the hill a gun boomed out, to be followed by the blowing of the whistles and ringjjajr of the bells* of all the shipping. The rigging and yards of the warships Prometheus and Pegasus were manned by the bluejackets, who gave a rousing British: cheer as the Nimrod passed out between the moles. In close attendance on the Antarctio vessel was the tug Canterbury, and ,as further escorts -came — the Union Company's steamers Manuka and Waikare (one on each side), "the ' John Anderson, the Cygnet, 'and other craft— this procession made an exceedingly striking picture, and the bright sunshine and lovely surroundings of the harbour made it one that will long live in the memories of "those who witnessed it. Shortly after the moles were cleared a somewhat exciting . incident occurred: - A man on a, small vessel was vainly endea; vourinjj to convey to someone on board the Nimrod a handkerchief, which f suddenly fell out of his hand. " Almost simultaneously the man plunged into _the_ sea, fully clothed, and set off in pursuit of the piece of linen, which was soon lost to view. The man could swim, and was soon ppicketd t up by. his companions. * About half-way down' the' harbour the tug, in response to, a request from Lieutenant Shackleton, returned to .port -to get a. cable - message that had arrived for the commander of the expedition. Fortunately the tug was- also able to hring-'off a large 'mail whioh had come to nand by the Pateena from ' lington' for those on" board the Nimiod. When the tug got alongside again the 1 Koonya's tow line was attached to _ the Antarctio vessel, and all was in readiness for the- long tow. The a/wjnmanvinor ' steamers were lying off the Nynrod, some distance away, whilst still further off was the massive bulk of H.M.S. Powerful «nd 1 alongside was H.M.S. Pyramus, whose 1 crews gave the Nimrod a splendid . cheer las she passed. Ite mails were quiokly , transferred to the Nimrod. and the visitors /who had .remained on board were trans- \ ferred 'to the tug, " which cast off about

5.20 p.m. . From- those on board the other vessels rose cheer upon cheer as the Nimrod, :10 • minutes later, answering to the pull of f the Koonya, commenced her long and ! adventurous passage. * - The steamers ' reI turned to port, and shortly after 6 o'clock, I when the wharves were reached, all that i could be seen of the Nimrod was hier j shadowy spars, which ' became less and less I distinct as she continued her easting.