DR. MAWSON'S EQUIPMENT.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13421, 19 March 1914, Page 3

DR. MAWSON'S EQUIPMENT.

_It was Dr. Ma.wsonVintention to use a monoplane during *fhe Antarctic exploration from "which he has just returned. Dr Mawson arranged'for th< construction of a combined aeroplane and motor-sledge, convertible from one to the other in half-an-hov.r, and the services of Lieutenant Watkins, an expert airman, were engaged. An untoward accident, however, prevented tho idea being carried out. The monoplane was wrecked beyond repair at Cheltenham, near Port Adelaide, and Lieutenant Watkins and MiFrank Wild, who were in it at the time had a narrow escape from serious injury. The idea of doing any monoplaning in tlfe Antarctic regions had consequently to be abandoned. It was decided to leave the wings in Sydney and use the machine solely for sledging purpose. Two huts used by the expedition were constructed on jjovel minciples. Each really consisted of three rooms, one within the other. The innermost room was used for the storage of delicate instruments; the second room surounding it provided sleeping accommodation for the men ; and the remaining room was used for a variety of purposes. Another novel featured was the shipment of 45 tons of compressed coal, as used in tho British submarines. It> was shipped in the form of briquettes, the idea being that when the party landed in Antarctica it should build a house of these briquettes and demolish it as the fuel was required. A motor-boat, specially designed to resist ice-pressure and heavy seas, was used. From Sydney came tho two wireless outfits, each having four masts 150 ft high.