CAPTAIN SCOTT'S EXPEDITION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13337, 28 March 1911, Page 5

CAPTAIN SCOTT'S EXPEDITION.

THE TERRA NOVA’S RETURN. Arrival at Stewart Island. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. March 27. Mr d. J. Kinsey, representative here for Captain Scott’s A ill arctic expedition, today received the following telegram from Half Moon May, .Stewart Island;—“ Just arrivcl. All well. Hope to arrive at Lyttelton on 31st. —Pennell,” Lieutenant Pennell, by whom the message was sent, was with Lieutenant Powers, entrusted with the duty of surveying—or re-survey-ing—any lands that were seen during the Terra Neva’s cruise in the Southern Seas after landing the eastern party and returning to McMnrdo Sound, According to Captain Scott’s plans, he was hopeful that the Terra Nova would leave on this cruise about the third week in February. The intention was that the Terra Nova should investigate the paek in the frozen region of the Bellamy Islands and proceed to the westward through, or to the south of, these islands. “My hope is,” wrote Captain Scott, “that by again steering south she may throw some light upon the coastline between Cape North and Adilicland. and reconnoitre the coast, with a view to lauding parties upon it on a future occasion. These objects will occupy the ship during March, after which she will be directed to return to New Zealand.” It is understood that the Terra Nova comes direct to Lyttelton. CAPTAIN SCOTT’S REPORT. An Interesting Narrative. WELLINGTON. March 27. The Terra Nova arrived at Paterson’* Inlet. Stewart Island, this evening. The following is the first? portion <>f the official report supplied by Captain Scott: “Three davs out from New Zealand, the ship, deeply laden, encountered a heavy south-westerly gale, and shipped much water. Part of the uiilworks was washed away, and some deck cargo started. The pumps were choked. There was water in the engine-room, and wo were forced to put (ho fires out and compelled to bail many hours with buckets. The position was serious, when, fortunately, the weather moderated, and the pumps were cleared. We lost two ponies and ouo dog, and a small amount of deck cargo. The remaining animals suffered badly, hut have since recovered. Wo proceeded south on meridian 179 west, and entered the pack ice on the 9th December. In latitude (13 we encountered phenomenally heavy ice, and spent 21 days in pushing through, with great difficulty traversing 2811 miles It was the greatest extent of pack ice yet recorded. We obtained ;n----f'-rcsting soundings and a serial of sea temperatures off the edge of the continental shelf. We entered the open water of Ross Sea on the 2(!lh December, but were foieed west by a southerly gale. Wo sighted the Admiralty Mountains on Victoria Land and reached Cape Crozier on 3rd .Linnary. A bcavyi swell prevented a landing. After forcing our way through the pack, we found McMnrdo Sound exceptionally open, and decided to make our winter quarters at Gape Evans, It miles north of Discovery Station, and eight miles south of Cape Royds. Wo commenced landing our stores and tho western party. There was a mile anil a half of sea ice, and the ponira, motor sledges, dogs, and men were employed in transporting all the stores, which wc?e landed in a week. We had the misfortune to lose one of the motor slcdg-s, which fell through a hole in the iec. 'Jlie house was built and occupied, and the station put in order. Fifteen ponies, thirty dogs, and ono rabbit wef'e left there. Di a fortnight everything wan comfortable. Tho situation is very convenient for scientific work, and already we have obtained a rich biological collection. The weather is very'changeable, with strong winds, and there is considerable difficulty in keeping the ship anchored to the iec. She wim once driven on a shoal, but was refloated without damage. She is now departing fo: tho depot. On the sledgo journey south the twelve men, with eight ponies and two dog teams, expect to lie cut off from Cape Evans for two months, but hope to return over the new ice early iff April. The ship proceeds west to land tho geological party, and then east in accordance with the programme. The men and animals are in excellent health.”

FURTHER PARTICULARS. WELLINGTON. March 28. On the 251 hj January the ship proceeded oast, surveying the ice harrier id lTObvest. The harrier to ibis point appears to,have clianged little .since. Iho 391)2 expedition. A south-easterly gale forced us to head for (lane Co!beck, arriving there on, Uni 2nd Fenruary, where a heavy pack stopped progress east. A high ice cliff prevented tile eastern party landing in the vidinity of Cape Colbeck. Returned along the barrier, searching for a landing, but no place was possible until the Hay of Whales, 174 west, was reached. Balloon Bight was found to have broken away and entirely merged into the Bay of Whales. Arrived at the Hay of Whales on the 4th February. 'ihe Fram, under Captain Amundsen, is wintering here with eight men, 3ld Greclaml dogs, and a full equipment for the journey to the Pole. A hut was erected and stores lauded two miles from the ship. Reports as to the health of the expedition were excellent. The Fram is proceeding to Buenos Ayres, and is lo return the following season to embark Captain Amundsen. The Terra Nova left for McMurdo Sound, and found a message at the Discovery lint depot, “All well." Proceeded north, and encountered a heavy southerly gale off Cape Adare; was blown over 100 miles north; made land cast of Smith’s Inlet. Followed the coast a distance of two miles to Robertson’s Ray. A landing being impossible, owing to the precipitous and heavily glaciated coast, the eastern party is wintering at Cape Adare. The ship proceeded to explore east of Cape North, finding no pack south of .the llalleny Islands. In 08-40 encountered strong winds till the 22ud of February, when mountainous land was discovered about (3.50, longitude 1(38.20 east. Hampered by cloudy and foggy went her, we were fort ed away from the land by the hehvy pack, finding the roast line again at fit).2o. longitude 309 east, on the 25th February. The ship was unable to approach nearer than 32 miles, and was caught in an exceptionally heavy pack, but was released the next day by the wind shifting. Followed the coast line north-westward 30 miles, but, was unable •to approach closer than 10 miles, owipg. to the Hack. The-whole coast was hilly_ and rugged, with numerous glaciers. The higher land was mostly obscured by low clouds the whole time. 'Die ship was prevented from getting further west than (58.30, longitude 13,15 egst, and was forced eastward, skirting the nack till in the vicinity of the Ballehys. She was frequently stopped entirely by the pack, once for three days. Cleared the pack on Bth March, 04.-,j, longitude 363.39. Interesting soundings; were taken, and the biologist obtained excellent trawls in 200 fathoms. The health of the company is excellent.