The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-09
DASH TO SOUTH POLE BY ENG
LISH PARTY.
Plans Are Well Arranged-Problcm
or Winter Transportation is Diff
cult of Solution and This Important
Feature Receives Much Attention
Objects OF Expedition.

| London, Oct. 5.-Capt. Scott has is
sued his itinerary for his proposed
dash for the South Pole next year.
The main object of this expedition is
to reach the South Pole, and to secure
for the British empire the honor OF
that achievement. Base hitherto used
is in McMurdo sound, and it might at
first appear natural to confine a fresh
effort to this region. But the cause
of science and the tradition of British
exploration make it desirable that cv-
cry fresh effort should be directed to
breaking new ground. For this rea-
son 1t is proposed to endeavor to es-
tablish a second base on King Ed
ward VII Land, 400 miles to the east
| Of McMurdo sound.
The new base may be difficult to es-
tablish second base on King Ed
ward VII Land exposed to the full
rigor of the Antarctic climate, but, on
the other hand, it's distance from the
Pole will be no greater than that of
the McMurdo sound base and the re-
gion about it is entirely unknown.
The attack on the Pole will be made
from one or other Of these bases, ac-
crding to circumstances.
| The problem of reaching the South
Pole from wintering station is
i n tron IA
to be covered, there and back is about
$500 miles; the time at disposal in q
single season is about $50 travelling
days. An average Of ten miles a day
can be easily maintained by men.
provided that adequate transport ar.
rangements are made.
There are three means by which
the traction for heavy sledge loads
can be provided, ponies, dogs and mo-
tors; and each must be considered,
not only with regard to capacity of
work, but also with respect to the
changes in the nature of the track to
which reference has been made. Mr..
ShackletOn has shown the brilliant
results. which may be achieved 10y
pony traction on the Parrier surface.
but he has also shown their insult
ability for work on glaciers. Dogs. if
not overladen, could be used for gla-
cier work, and might travel the whole
distance to the Pole if properly nus
banded by being lightly laden anc
we'll fed on the lower plateau.
| The motor sledge is new develop.
ment. and bids fair to become the
most promising means of Polar trans
port. AS result of two years exper-
ir-;ent, motor sledge has been evol-
| we'd which has undergone satisfactory
trial on the SHOWS of Norway. The
motor sledge's advantages may be
briefly stated as follows: First, il is
capable of accomplishing more work
for the fuel expended than either thu
pony or the dog. Second it expends
no fuel when not actually in use
| Third, it is sufficiently long to bridge
| dangerous CreNaSSeS.
| The plan of the journey to tht
| south Pole from King Edward VI.
Land includes the use of the thre,
means of sledge traction described
ponies will be taken in sufficient mum
hers to ensure a thoroughly adequate
amount of food being taken to the
base of the glacier. a dog team, with
| a relay of men, will transport the
| loads over the glacier surface, and a
picked party Of men and dogs vii,
make the final dash across the inland
| Ice sheet.
Motor sledges will. according t,
their proved capacity, be mali
agent or useful auxiliary to the trans
port plan. If they reach the foot Of
the glacier there can be little doubt
they VIII ascend it, and greatly sim
plyfy the difficulties of the furthe,
Journey. If they fail to reach the
glacier, they will, at least as far as
they can be taken, relieve the ponics
ana dOSs or weights, and increase the
safety of the return journey.
The scientific objects of the expe-
dition may be briefly stated as fol-
lows:
GeOgraphical-To explore King E;x-
ward VII Land, to throw further
| light on the nature and extent of the
Great Barrier ice formation, and tC
continue the survey of the higl
| mountainous region Of Victoria Land
Georgraphical-To examine the en-
tirely unkOnwn region of King Ed
ward VII Land and to continue the
| survey of the rocks Of Victoria Land