SHACKLETON EXPEDITION

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 30

SHACKLETON EXPEDITION

*s?>~ THE ISLAND PARTY. LEADER FAILS TO REACH THEM. LONDON", June 26. Sir Ernest Shackleton has been unable to reach. Elephant Island owing to the ice pack. Sir Ernest Shackleton telegraphs from Port Stanley: -i I returned here from an attempt to reach Elephant Island in the vessel winch the Uruguayan Government kindly lent. I greatly regret to report that I was unable to effect the rescue of the comrades I' left there in an ice-hole. We encountered much heavier ice conditions than on the previous attempt in May in Captain Thomas's South Georgian whaler. "We encountered stream ice 60 miles northward of Elephant Island. We passed through this successfully, and readied within 20 miles of Elephant Island, but, owing to heavy, impenetrable pack-ice, interspersed by numerous icebergs, also a high north-westerly swell, it was impossible to proceed. The ice stretched in crescent form from west-north-west through south to north-east, the two horns being 60 miles from Elephant Island. This winter's ice conditions are so bad that ultimate rescue will only be possible with a wooden steam vessel or an ice-breaker.

"We .saw Gen too "penguins on the edge of the ice, and these should supplement Wild's. party's food, which was mainly bovril and rations of a high calorific value. Wild, seeing the ice conditions, would early and drastically economise his stores by going on half-rations, supplemented by penguins. We left 12 cases of sledging rations seven miles northward of Ocean Camp, which we formed when the Endurance foundered, but I cannot say whether Wild's party can reach them. Though they are hard ; essed, hope must not be given up of •■ ;r ultimate rescue." June 27. The Daly Chronicle says:—" Sir Ernest Shackleton's message has evoked universal regret. It makes the position of the marooned party most serious. Another attempt must be made. Apparently there is no suitable vessel in South American waters, and the question is how long a time is required to find, equip, and despatch a ship. Mr Frank Houjder has cabled to. South Africa, hoping to mid a suitable Dundee whaler at the Cape whaling stations. The Aurora would be entirely suitable if it were possible to repair and send her from New Zealand in time. Even if the ice were surrounding the island a strong gale might at any moment disperse it, leaving free access." BUENOS AIRES, June 27. Sir Ernest Shaekleton telegraphed asking for the despatch o? the Argentine steamer Uruguay, rescuer of the Swedish 1903 expedition, to the relief of the party marooned on Elephant Island, but the Government replied that the Uruguay is unserviceable. MONTEVIDEO, June 29. Tiie Uruguayan Government has ordered the relief expedition at Punta Arenas to await a favourable opportunity to repeat its efforts to reach Elephant Island. CAPETOWN, June 23. Steps are being taken here regarding the Dundee whaler concerning which Mr Frank Houlder cabled yesterday. MELBOURNE, Jane 30. A committee has been appointed to act in conjunction with New Zealand to supervise the fitting out cf the Aurora. REFITTING THE AURORA. LONDON, July 1. Sir Douglas Mawsou state* that arrangements are being made for another attempt to rescue the Elephant Island party by a steel vessel, which is the only type available until the Aurora has been repaired but her chance of success is small. Sir Douglas Mawson add::.- "Everything depends upon the rapid refitting of the Aurora and her despatch to Punta Arenas, where she- could pick up Sir E. Shackle-

' ton. Li that case rescue would be practioally certain. The Aurora could conj tinue the voyage and pick up the Ross | Sea party in January." Sir E. Shackleton announces his inteni tion of personally proceeding to Ross Sea. | It is understood that a suitable wooden I whaler apart from the Aurora cannot be ! obtained. It would cost £35,000 to purj chase and refit a wooden vessel in England, : but the Aurora could be fitted out much I e.iriier than this. The use of the Aurora may mean the saving of the castaways.