THE NIMROD EXPEDITION.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12498, 26 March 1909, Page 2

THE NIMROD EXPEDITION.

LIEUTENANT SHACKLETON'S REPORT. FURTHER DISCOVERIES. [Press Association — Ccpyiugiit. ] London, March 21. Lieutenant Shackleton continues his report thus t— "Steering a south-south-east course from the depot after shooting the : snowblind ponies, we approached a high range of new mountains tending south-east, and found on December 2nd that the Barrier, influenced by pressure and ridges of snow and ice, had turned into land. "We discovered a south-westerly glacier 120 miles by 40 miles on the sth, and started in latitude' B3' 33" south and longitude 172' to ascend the glazier, which was so creviced that we spent the whole day fighting our way up 600 yards. A pony disappeared into a crevice, owing to a swingletree of the vehicle snapping, but we saved the load. We were now hauling 2501bs each. ' 'New mountains were Biscovered on the Bth to the south-south-west. Many rescues were effected with the help of Alpine ropes, and we reached on the 18th ah altitude of 6800 feet. A depot was made in latitude 85. We left everything except food, instrunents and equipment, and reduced rations to' 20ozs daily. On the 2Gth we reached a plateau 10,000 feet in height, and experienced many hard--ships, owing -to the shortage of food and the rarefied air. We made a depot on the plateau, and took a tent, utilising the poles of the second tent as guiding marks for return. The surface was soft.. We encountered a blizzard lasting 60 hours, and suffered fiom frequent frost bites. "We then left camp on the 9th January, and reached latitude SB' 23" S. longitude 162" E., the most southerly point hitherto touched, and hoisted, the Queen's Union Jack. No mountains were visible, and the plain stretched south. "Fresh and severe hardships were undergone, and also, dysentery, on the slow return journey. Mr Marshall especially suffering ; but with relief from the ship,' all reached the hut, Point Fourth. The total .journey was 1708 statute miles. "Coal measures were found in limestone, etc., and upwards of a, hundred mountains, ranging from 3000 feet to 12,000 feet, were seen in eight ranges. We discovered glaciers, and photographed signs of a former greater glaciation. "The south '^ole is doubtless on a plateau 10,000 feet to 11,00 feet above the sea level "Judging by the violent blizzards in latitude 88, if a polar calm exists, is is of small area, and not coincident with the geographical pole." Good zoological and geological discoveries were made." Lieut. Shackleton, when aboard the Nimrod, after encountering: pack ice, discovered from a position in latitude 69' 48" S., and longitude 166' 11" E., a range of coast mountains trending .south-west for. 45 miles beyond Cape North. ;