The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-01-19
WORK IN THE ANTARCTIC.
BRITISH EXPLORING SHIP DIS
COVERY SAILS SOUTS WARD.
Leaked q Coos Deal on the Trip From
England TO the Cape. but Is Now Said
TO De I'm Good Condition -ENpedi-
lions First Work Was the Discovery
Of New Varieties OF seaweed.

W. uhs - I
exploring ship Discovery has now fairly
started upon the serious part Of her enter
prise. Since she left London last July
the news that has come from the various
ports at which she touched has been to q
certain extent rather disquieting inasmuch
as she was constantly undergoing repairs
for leakage. A correspondent OF the Pat
Mall Gazette. however. writing on the au-
thority Of Capt. Scott, who Is In command
Of the expedition, says that the ship pleases
her captain immensely. One or two minor
disappointments have been encountered.
Her steaming capacity has not come up
to the expectations OF Mr.. Shelton, the
chief engineer, and IL il true that she has
been suffering practically ever since she
left London from leakages. These. how
ever, 1t seems, are not 20 be put down TO
defective shipbuilding, but must be re-
garded as an almost necessary accompani-
ment Of the first voyage OF a ship whose
hull II entirely Of wood,
TIT Discovery has, moreover. already
justified her name. The scientific stan
have added TO the known varieties OF sea-
weed two new species, which have been
christened the Discovery" and the Scott. y
They were obtained by trawling a net from
the ship. and are duly certified as new
specimens Of marine botany by the ex-
perts on board. Mr.. George Murray, the
chief organizer Of the scientific side OF the
expedition, who accompanied the vessel
as far as the Cape. has come home laden
with valuable and interesting specimens.
"A to the Discovery's scheme for work
whom the Antarctic regions are reached,
the captains plans and methods Of opera
ton have, within certain limits, been care
fully described for him beforehand. and
he must, except in emergency, conduct
the expedition according TO prescribed
rule. In only one important particular
is the course Of events In the Antarctic
left entirely to his judgment. That IL as
20 whether ne shall winter In the ice or not.
Owing 10 the very imperfect knowledge
possessed by those al home Of the con-
ditions which prevail in the Antarctic seas.
it Ia impossible for them to pronounce
definitely whether II will he necessary for
the ship to make her way out Of the ice
before the winter sets in, OF whether she
should winter in the Antarctic regions.
Capt. Scott will decide after a careful
examination Of local conditions
II his choice is for remaining mons the
ice he has a special SCI Of instructions which
he must then abide by. In the first place
his efforts. as regards geographical ex-
ploration. must be directed with the help
Of depots to three o~biects-namely. an
advance into the western mountains. an
advance to the south. and the exploration
- the volcanic region. II should be ex-
planned that Capt. Scot Is at the present
moment proceeding TO the edge Of the pack
ice with the object Of forcing his vessel
through Il TO the open water to the south
He is especially ~enioined that II he winters
here the scientific stan shall be allowed all
facilities for the prosecution OF their re-
searches. due regard being had always 10
the safety and requirements 81 the eIpedi-
ton az n whole Sir Leopold McClintock
and DR. Nansen have provided the captain
with full Information and instructions con-
cerning sledge work both by men and dogs.
and he has himself superintendent all the
preparations connected with the food.
clothing and equipment. Besides tbs,
IAeut Arinitage, secoud In command and
navigator "a the expedition. has had eH-
penenoe In tho work Of taking astronomi-
cal, magnetic and meteorological obser-
yations during three Polar winters. and has
alsO acquired experience In sledge travel
ling, and IN the driving and management
~ dogs. 80 his knowledge will b. valuable
Fairly In 1908 the Discovery should be free
from the ic- - her winter quarters, and
Capt Scott Will then devote 90 further
by reA 80 much ~ he uAvi-
gnhle saason a. viii certainly leave time for
he ship 10 rrtuu 90 tho norh Il the pari
ioe Having recruited ~ Iyttelton. he
haze station. ne ~ill then prboc"d With his
mAgnetic survey across the Pacific ami come
h0ma g. England All the h. whAt should
n tap' SCOTT Ntntsrs iu the iu.
But N b., should De ia- against slrh a
onlrss tla iWpprtauor uf MAINTAINING
icntiho pie.r,atluus uu land throughout
tho stnt"f haa. r-y'rhslass t,~n I'm
urr--rd upon hiW, a.I therefor. ~ be- 10
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