ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3523, 20 September 1921, Page 18

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

SIR ERNEST SHACKELTON’S EXPEDITION. LONDON, September 16. Sir Ernest Sliackleton’s ship, the Quest, will sail to-morrow on the expedition to the Antarctic. Sir Ernest Shackelton made an eleventh-hour alteration in his plans. For the first time in the history of Antarctic exploration lie has decided to use Capetown as a base. Stores will be deposited there on arrival in December to enable the vessel to take in more coal for the voyage to the Antarctic ice. On emerging from the ice, after exploring the limits of the Antarctic Continent, the expedition will go to South Georgia, and will then proceed via Bouvet Island back to Capetown to replenish the stores and to coal the ship. The Quest will proceed to the Sub Antarctic, Ocean Islands (Orozet, M‘Donald, and Heard) on the way to New Zealand. Sir Ernest Shaekleton, in a farewell message, recalled Australasia’s enthusiasm concerning the Endurance, Nimrod, and Discovery expeditions, adding: “ Meantime the prospects are as bright as possible. We hope to make the dominions proud of this expedition. There could not be a-better aueury for British science and

navigation than in the fact that the dominions are always interested in the work of exploration. r lhe march of mankind depends on unity, courage, knowledge, and organisation. I believe that the present expedition is actuated by all these aims.” DEPARTURE OF THE QUEST. LONDON, September 17. Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ship the Quest leaves the Thames at midday. Never was Polar expedition better eauipped. She has the finest instruments known to modern science installed, everything being done by electricity'. Sir Ernest Shackelton estimates that he thus gets work to the value of 36 men out of a crew of 18. The bridge contains a wireless telephone, enabling explorers on land to keep up conversations with the Quest. The hold contains hundreds of cases of tinned food, soup, pork, beans, fruit, also rum for the Saturday night ration, when the ship’s company will toast their Wives and sweetheart.:. Men who do not drink will be allowed to eat chocolates during the honouring of the toast. Directly the Quest has swung compasses at Plymouth she will make for the Cape, whence ehe departs for the unknown. There* were enthusiastic scenes at the departure of the Quest. Thousands lined the Thames wharves.