ANTARCTICA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9521, 20 April 1909, Page 2

ANTARCTICA.

;• ♦ . — . DR CHARCOITS EXPEDITION. United Presi Association— By Electric 1 Telegraph— Copyxighi. ■ ' (Received April 20, 9.10 a.m.) V, LONDON, April 19. Letters brought by -whalers report that Dr Charcbt's Antarctic expeditionary vessel, Pqurqupi Pas, passed Christmas at Deception Island, and will winter at Alexander I. Land. (The Antarctic exploring ship which, conveyed Dr Charcot's French expedition was specially built at St Malo. The following description of her was published in Home papers : — " She. will b© 135 ft in length, 30ft in beam, barquentine rigged, fitted with compound engines of 550 horse-power, and will, carry 230 tons of coal in addition to provisions. The latter will amount to * about 100 tons, which wfll be sufficient for three years, or one year longer than the expedition, with ordinary luck, will occupy. The crew will consist of twenty-twb menj ten of iwhom were employed in the last French expedition. There will be a scientific staff of three 1 naval officers, two zoologists, one geologist,, and one expert in magnetic and ; photographic work, besides the leader himself." The expedition, (said an "Age" correspondent before the vessel sailed) will devot© itself primarily to scientific work. "Of course/ Dr Charcot explained, "we shall try to get as near to the Pole as possible, but if we fail we shall do everything possible to cover as much as we can of the Antarctic Continent, and to bring back with us as much information as we can acquire. There can be no doubt that the best route to the Pole is by way of the Ross Barrier*, but this we regard as belonging to the English explorers, and I do not propose- to trespass on o^her people's ground. Much better and more important work can be done in a^matter of this- kind by friendly k cooperation, and I am happy to be able to say that I have received valuable advice and assistance from Captain Soott and Dr Bruce in, making my pre.parations. On reaching the Antarctic it is my plan to' return to' our old grounds in Graham Land, and endeavour to reach Alexander Land, where we hope to find- a barrier similar to I Ross's. We should then endeavour to go as far south, as possible, or to follow as near as practicable to Bang Edward's Land." • On the land journeys use was to be made of motor sledges, which were manufactured by the Marquis De Dion, and were presented by him to Dr Charco.t. These were tested on ice stretches of the Alps before being shipped. The French Parliament made two votes to the expedition, amounting to £24,000, and public subscriptions brought the total up ito about £30,000. The Academy of Sciences drew up the scientific programme, and a permanent commission connected with the Ministry of Public Instruction reported very favourably on the. general scheme of the expedition. Dr Charcot received assistance also from the' Oceanographical Institute of Paris, and from the Marine Department, the latter giving a supply of coal and the use of a valuable collection of scientific instruments.) . . .