SHACKLETON'S EXPEDITION

Southland Times, Issue 17830, 6 September 1916, Page 5

SHACKLETON'S EXPEDITION

KUDOS FOR WILD. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) 1/ONDOX, September I. Shackleton telegraphs that he reached Wild's camp on August 30. He is telegraphing Wild's full report. Sir IC. Shackleton informed the King of the rescue, under Divine Providence, of his comrades. He thanked his Majesty for his gracious message and kindly interest, and added that the party's safety was primarily due to Wild’s leadership, tact, and force of character. SMACKLETON’S MESSAGE. LONDON, Sept. 4. Received Sept. 3, 7 p.m. Sir E. Shackleton, in a despatch to the Daily Chronicle, dated Punta Arenas, 3rd September, says : The fourth attempt to rescue our comrades on Elephant Island succeeded, and all have, arrived safe and well. On this occasion we set a course which enabled the Telcho to approach the island from the north-west, the ice having worked towards the north-east. We reached Wild's camp on 30th August, after steering in a fog through numerous stranded icebergs. We immediately started on the return journey. With Wild lies the credit. He kept his party together in strength and safety under the most trying and difficult conditions. I cannot speak too highly of Crean and Worsly, who have seen things through witli me. The following is WILD’S REPORT ; On 25th April, the day after the departure of Sir E. Shackleton, the island was beset witli dense pack ice. The. party was confined to a narrow spit of land, two hundred and fifty by forty yards, surrounded by inaccessible cliffs and ice-laden seas. We were forced to abandon the ice bouse, the snow making it untenable. We made a dwelling out of the two boats, supported by rocks, as far as practicable from the sea. The WEATHER CONTINUED APPALLING, and the vitality of the whole party was lowered by the exposure. Blackboro, Hudson, Greenstreet, and Dickinson were ill, and several others were frost bitten. A blizzard in May swept away much of our valuable gear, and we wore in danger of being swept away by the heavy seas resulting from the blizzard, which was blowing at seventy miles an hour. Fortunately ice formed on the sea shore, and this protection meant the saving of us from total destruction. The adjacent glacier caved in on several occasions, causing heavy waves, and blocks) of ice were once hurled within •fifteen feet of our dwelling. Wo drastically ECONOMISED OUR FOOD, and had only one-hot meal daily until we strengthened our reserve of blubber. Our valuable stock of bovril rations was used for two meals weekly. The season was late so we were kept in anxiety regarding meat supply, but we periodically replenished it with small penguins. Seals were unable to land owing to the ice foot. There/ was less wind from June onward, but we were under a constant PALL. OF FOG AND SNOW. Blackboro’s toes were amputated. The three previous attempts at relief synchronised witli the time that the Island was beset with ice. We were able to collect seaweed and limpets in the beginning of August, affording a valuable change of diet. Heavy seas and ice prevented fishing. A gale on the 28th drove the pack from the Island, and through the lifting fog on the 30th we saw the Yelcho approaching. I wish to place on record the good morale of the entire party. KING’S CONGRATULATIONS. LONDON, Sept. 4. Received Sept. 5, 6.15 p.m. The King replied to Sir B. Shackleton: —“I most heartily rejoice in the rescue of your comrades, and congratulate you on the result of your determined efforts. 1 greatly admire the conduct of Wild, which was so instrumental in maintaining their courage and hope. 1 trust you will soon bring all safely home.”