New-York tribune., 1909-03-24
sH4cKLET0y's ACHIEVEMENT.

A new and brilliant record has been made in
polar exploration. While Lieutenant Shacke-
ton was obliged TO stop short Of his goal by II
miles the achievement is a notable one in geo
graphic history and in adventure Captain
Scott who led the British expedition of 1901 o4.
turned back In his quest of the South Pole al
latitude 81 II. but surpassed all other feats of
the same character up to that time Lieutenant
Shackleton seems to have gone nearly or quite
four hundred miles further. and yet he returned
In safety. Comparison with the closest ap-
proach vet made to the North Pole must also
he fattering to the pride of Lieutenant Shackle-
tons countrymen and hackers For reasons to
which reference will be made presently the
Englishman's task was somewhat easier than
Commander Peary's, but the American. who
distanced both Nansen and the Duke Of the
Abrlzzi failed to reach his objective point by
IA geographical miles
Lieutenant Shackleton enjoyed several con
spicuous advantages in his undertaking. The
North Pole Is apparently surrounded on all sides
by water and must he approached over floating
ice full of creviceS and subject 10 the influence
of winds and marine currents For every mile
that he advanced To the nOrthWard after leav-
ing the shore of Grant Land Commander Peary
was obliged TO travel five or six. The South
Pole Is near the centre Of a vast continent. Its
surface is probably covered with ice. Green
lands is. hut 1t is stable, and can he traverSed
in a almost direct line. Lieutenant ShaCketOn
left his ship for the land near Mount Erehus, in
latitude IS, 720 miles in an air line from tie
pole Commander Peary's last point of depart
ure over the Arctic Sea. Cape Hecla. n
little to the northward Of the eishty-thrd par
alel. or only four hundred miles from his desti-
nation; but that distance ought to he multiplied
by FIVE or six and IN addition should be made
for the perils Of a yielding surface 10 form an
adequate estimate of his work.
To the success of this latest effort 10 reach
the South Pole another important contribution
was made by the improved methods adopted for
the transportation Of the explorer and his sup
plies after n landing was effected Lieutenant
Shackleton made the first use Of an automobile
sled which. while ii failed on the ice. was use
ful in preliminary expeditions He also substi-
tuted Siberian ponies for dogs in hauling his
freight. If we are not mistaken. Evelyn Bald
win leader of the first Ziegler expedition. reCog
nized the advantage OF employing for such
vice animals whose food consumption was rela-
lively smaller than that of dogs. Still, if
Lieutenant Shackleton was not the original dis
coverer Of the value Of these auxiliaries. no
certainly gave the world fine demonstration
of it. He taught other explorers many useful
lessons.
Finally. Lieutenant Shackleton was greatly
helped by experience. Captain Scott whose
record has now been surpassed. IS an officer OF
the English navy. but had done practically moth,
ing of this sort before he put in charge of
an expedition. Lieutenant ShaCkletOn accom-
panied him at that time and assisted in plant
ing the Union Jack at the point where they
started on their return. In such work there is
nothing like an intimate acquaintance with the
scene of operations.