THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8031, 8 June 1904, Page 3

THE ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

DEPARTURE OF THE VESSELS HOMEWARD BOUND. i A lai'ge number «f people assembled on the Gladstone Pier this afternoon to -witness ih© departure of the Discovery and Morning for England. The vessels were thronged ■with ladies and other friends saying good- , bye till a few minute-a before two o'^dock, ' when the ships -were cleared of all but thetir crews. Captain A. H. Thorpe, ihead pitot, t-ook ohaffie of the Discoveiy and Junior Pilot Captain A. Brown, R.'N.B., directed ; the Morning. The Discoverj- moved out from the wiharf at ten minutes to tovol The crowd on the wharf gavo throe cheers for Captain Scott and his crew. . A 'bugle sounded from H.'M.S. Tauranga, from which a gun boomed in salute, whilst the warship's bluejackete swarmed on the rigging and bulwarks, and farewell signals flew from her masts. The inan-of-warsmen roared three cheers for the Discovery, whose crew sent back a lusty response. Then, facing about, the Antarctic voyagers, at the call of their captain, gavo three hearty cheers for New Zealand. The Discovery waited outside the moles for a few minutes for her consort, and passed out at five minutes past two, amid another buist of cheering from her men. The Morning began to swing out from the wharf at two o'clock, while the men of H.M.S. Tauranga gave her three hearty cheers, which were vigorously returned by her crew. Belated members of her surrounded by friends and loaded with presents, were shoved aboard over her bulwarks as she cleared! the wharf. As she stood out towards the moles her men heartily cheered the colony tfoey were leaving, and she passed out-side afc ten minutes past two. Three of her crew, whose> adieus had delayed them too long, hurried up after she was clear of the wharf, and they were put on board l by the Government launch EUen Ballanoe. Ths tug Lyttelton, with the Mayors of Lyttelton and Ghristchurcih, the chairman and members of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, and the guests of the Board, followed the Morning, the Lyttelton Marine Band playing on her deck. The s.s. Purau also •want outside the moles in the wake of the departing ships. Flags were 'hoisted at a few places in town in honour of the occasion. The vessels jure to oall afithe Falkland Islands.