Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-04
DASH TO SOUTH POLE
British Expedition Announces
Plans for Next Year.
WILL TRY A new ROUTE
QUITE PROMINENT MEN TO SPEAK
Base to Be Established on King
Edward VII Land.
MOTOR sLEDGEs TO BE USED
Dogs and Ponies Also to Be En-
ployed on Part Of Trip-scientifc
Objects Set Forth.
preisn corresnondence Of The Star.

Foreign Correspondence Of The Star.
LONDON. September 25-Capt. Scott
has issued his itinerary for his pro-
posed dash for the south pole next
year. The following Is the official pro-
gram:
The main object of this expedition is
| to reach the south pole and to secure
for the British empire the honor Of
that achievement
The base hitherto used is in McMurdo
sound. and it might at first appea r
natural to conf1ne a fresh effort to this
region. But the cause OF science and
the tradition of British exploration
make it desirable that every fresh eff
fort should be directed to breaking
new ground. For this reason 1t is pro-
posed to endeavor to establish second
base on King Edward VII Land. 400
miles to the east of McMurdo sound.
The new base may be difficult to es-
tablish. and it will certainly be ex-
posed to the full rigor of the antarctic
climate but, on the other hand. its dis
lance from the pole will be no greater
than that of the McMurdo sound base.
and the region about it is entirely un-
known. The attack on the pole will be
made from one or other of these bases
according to circumstances.
The problem of reaching the south
pole from wintering station Is q prob
lem of transport The distance to be
covered there and back is about 1900
miles: the time at disposal in a single
season Is about $50 travelling days.
An average Of ten miles a day can be
easily maintained by men. provided
that adequate transport arrangements
are made.
Three Means Of Travel.
There are three means by which the
traction for heavy sledga loads can be
provided, viz. ponies. dogs and motors:
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 by pony
traction on the barrier surface. but he has
also shown their unsuitability for work
on glaciers.
Dogs. If not overladen. could be used
for glacier work, and might travel the
whole distance to the pole II properly hus-
banded by being lightly laden and we'll
fed on the lower plateau.
The motor sledge is new development
and bids fair to become the most prornts-
ing means of polar transport
AS result of two years experiment. a
undergone satisfactory trial on the SHOWS
of Norway.
Advantage Of Motor sledge.
The motor sledge's advantages may be
briefly stated as follows:
First. 1t is capable of accomplishing
more work for the fuel expended than
either the pony or the dog.
Second 1t expends no fuel when not
actually in use.
Third 1t Is sufficiently long to bridge
The plan of the journey to the south
pole from King Edward VII Land In
cludes the use of the three means OF
sledge traction described-ponies will be
taken in sufficient numbers to insure a
thoroughly adequate amount Of food be-
ing taken to the base of the glacier. A
dog team, with relay Of men. will trans
port the loads over the glacier surface
and picked party of men and dogs will
make the final dash across the island ice
sheet
Motor sledges will, according to their
proved capacity. be a main agent or use
full auxiliary to the transport plan. If
they reach the foot Of the glacier there
and greatly simplify the difficulties of the
further journey. If they fail to reach the
glacier. they will, at least. as far as they
can be taken. relieve the ponies and dogs
Of weights. and increase the safety of the
return journey.
The Scientific Objects.
The scientific objects Of the expedition
may be briefly stated as follows:
Geographically explore King Edward
VII Land, to throw further light on the
nature and extent of the Great Barrier
ice formation and to continue the survey
of the high mountainous region of Vic
toria Land.
Geological-To examine the entirely un-
known region of King Edward VII Land
and to coAtinue the survey of the rocks
of Victoria Land
Meteorological-To obtain synehronous
observations at two fixed stations. as we'll
as the weather records of sledge journeys.
BALD ADVERTISING SCHEME.