THE YAWNING ABYSS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 50, 28 February 1914, Page 5

THE YAWNING ABYSS.

Trials of the Antarctic.

Mawson’s Awful Experience on Return Journey

Companions Die in their Trasks.

[Per Press Association.]

London, February 27. Dr. Mawson’s personal narrative is published in the Daily Mail. It states :

where the conditions wore practically unknown, resulting in the discovery of new lands and an island Secondly, the establishment on lands never before sighted of two Antarctic wintering stations separated by an air line of 1000 miles. The scientific programmes had been constructed in one case for a year and in the other for over two years. Thirdly, the journeys made over sea ice and plateau in regions never before sledged over at the main base aggregated 2400 miles, and at the western base 800 miles, not including depot journeys, supporting parties or relay work. Land had been followed through 83 degees of longitude, 27 of which were sledged over. Fourthly, the establishment by the party at Macquarie island of wireless, and the connecting link with the Antarctic main base and communicating weather conditions to the meteorological office for immediate use in forecasts.

“December 14 was a beautiful day, and Ninnis, Mortz and myself were in the highest spirits owing to our arrival on an unbroken plateau. Our trouble seemed ended. Mertz, acting as trial breaker, was a quarter of a mile ahead, myself with tlie first dog team next, then came Ninnis with the sledge carrying most of the vital necessities. This plan was adopted in order that the first sledge would suffer if a crevasse were unexpectedly found. Iu crossing the crevasse—we had already negotiated scores—with my team, I called out ‘Crevasse!’ This put Ninnis on guard. Looking back soon after crossing one crevasse, nothing met my eye excepting an expanse of snow and ice. Then the possibility of Ninnis having fallen into a crevasse dawned upon me. Hastening back we came

to the yawning abyss. When out eyes became accustomed to the dark blue light, we heard a dog moaning and saw it lying on a ledge 170 feet below.

Fifthly, the oceanographic investigations, chiefly in the nature of soundings and trawling between Australia and the Antarctic, continental shelf trawdings being successfully conducted to a depth of two miles, and by sounding the continental shelf had been indicated through 55 degrees longitude. “MAJESTY, LOVE AND DEATH.” SH AGKLETON'S APPRECIATION. London, .February 2/. The Daily Mail says Dr. Mawson’s story is touched with majesty, love and death, and reveals the sacrifices tin* men of our race are prepared to make in the pursuit of scientific knowledge, and their readiness to face death in an unselfish cause. The impression made by Scott’s story is confirmed by Dr. Mawson’s moving narrative. Nothing in the whole story of Antarctic exploration can be compared to ITis solitary journey in the unutterably savage waste. Sir Ernest Shackleton, interviewed, said Dr. Mawsoii was a born leader of Polar expeditions. He had every quality of a great loader. The manner in which the ship negotiated the pack was due to Davis’ splendid seamanship. He was capable of caution when caution was needed, but also going boldly ahead if the occasion demanded. ENGLISHMEN’S APPRECIATION OF MAWSON. (Received 8.0 a.m.) London, February 27. The Times’ leader says of Mawson’s first expedition on Antarctic research, [ which had a strictly Australasian, origin: “Australia may well he proud |of Mawson and his companions, and Englishmen join in appreciation of | achievements.” NEWS SUPPLY CUT OFF. ! (Received 10.25 a.m.) ! Adelaide, February 28. i Dr. Mawson has made no further in--1 formation available.

There was no Trace of Ninnis,

We called for hours without receiving an answer. Meantime the dog ceased moaning and erie •stillness shrouded the depths. The remaining sledge contained only one man’s food for one and a-half weeks and none for the six dogs. AVe improvised a tent from the tent cover by utilising a pair of ski and a theodilite. Nine hours after the accident we read a burial service over the crevasse where Xiunis had disappeared, and started on the return journey. MAWSON AND MERTZ. “Two dogs gave out daily for want of nutriment. AVe were one hundred miles from the hut on New Year’s Day. There was a dense snowfall daily and Mertz had become very weak, but continued very cheerful. I could not have wished for a better companion. On January (3th, Mertz was unable to walk. I dragged the sledge with much toil only two and a-half miles with tile help of the sail. Mertz Died at Midnight on the 7th. My own condition afforded little hope, but 1 decided to push on and did not need the reminder that the following month the snow would be experienced daily.i Several times I fell into crevasses to the length of the sledge pole, and was scarcely able to crawl out. My skin and nails came off owing to the intense cold. The discovery of a food cache finally enabled me to reach the hut.” SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED. Adelaide, February 27. Dr. Mawson to-da.r gave the following statement, a portion of which was cabled to London, describing it as a terse account of the work of the expedition. Firstly there was the successful negotiation by a ship 'of the Antarctic pack-ice in a fresh sphere of action,