To Find the South Pole.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 21, 18 November 1908, Page 2

To Find the South Pole.

Dr. Jean Charcot, the well-known explorer and scientist, who recently' left Havre on board the PouraixT Pas (Why Not) for the South’ Polar regions is making his second Antarctic expedition, and it. is noteworthy th t the day he left was the anniversary of the day on which he started on bis first expedition. The Pourquoi Pas is a three-masted sailing vessel, with an auxiliary engine of 500-h.p., and has a speed of about eight knots. Dr. Charcot ,is accompanied by a scientific staff of eight and a crew of twenty-two men. The expedition is expected to last two years, and large stores of food have been laid in, of • which the following are a few items: — 12 tons preserved yneat. 22.000 bottles of wine. 5 tons of dessieated vegetables. (> toils of flour. I ton of dried fruit. 1* tons of chocolate and jam. Among other things which the Ponrouoi Pas carries are several motor sledges, a large number of books, and a phonograph. The expedition will head for a part, of the Antarctic continent south of Cape Horn, and will attempt to make its way along the coast as far as Alexander I. Land, where the vessel will take up its winter quarters. Exwill then be made towards the Pole by' means of the motor sledges.