The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-06-16
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THE SOUTH POLE.
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BY II. n. Hudson
Now comes the extraordinary story
Of the discovery of the South Pole.
The crew of an exploring party ran
across the hero of this sketch in the
South Pacific, about 500 miles south
of New Zealand, on small island
which is the home Of penguins, sea
blrGs and seals.
AS the ship drew near the island, q
hut was seen. A boat was lowered,
and man came to the beach accom-.
panied by two dogs. 1t was learned
that he had been a member of an ex-
pedition which sailed south several
years ago, but had never been heard
from. His expedience, which surpass.
es the widest fancy Is here given in
his own words:
"Our boat was wrecked off Sabrina,
a body of land lying far to the south
of Australia and beyond the Antarctic
ocean. Only myself and two dogs es-
capped. knew that would never be
picked up. and resolved to give my
life to the cause of science by making
a dash for the South Pole. II fail
ed the world would never know Of
the difference. If I succeeded my
claims would be rewarded with suspi-
cion. My own satisfaction was the
only incentive which spurred me on.
81 constructed a sledge and loaded
it with provisions. l was provided
with sextant. pan Of mercury, q
piece of silvered glass and @ spirit
level.
81 had read Of the terrors of the
North Pcle. but was not prepared for
the horrors which awaited me as l
approached the bottom of the world
realized that terrible struggle lay
before me, and that had no support
ing parties, but 1 had the physique of
an athlete, and was in perfect trim.
My. two dogs were powerful and were
in excellent spirits.
81 frightened my belt a few notches
and casting farewell glance at the
wreckage, set my teeth, and faced the
unknown and what 1 considered GER
tain death. AS l proceeded, my jour-
ney was considerably delayed by wa
ter leads, and / was compelled to
thread the narrow channels for miles.
Great masses Of ice and pressure
ridges, 25 to 100 feet high, blocked my
way. I observed that the sun was at
the same altitude all day and that
was slowly approaching my destina.
tion l did not realize that l was on
a drifting field of ice.
Il had now worked South to the
eighty-fifth parallel and proposed to
take a rest. I unwittingly did that
which saved my life. I tunnelled into
an iceberg and constructed chamber
within. The approach could easily be
closed by block of ice, and my apart
ment rendered impervious to water.
I entered this chamber with my dogs
and provisions. A previous sounding
had given a depth Of 400 fathoms. The
temperature was So below zero. The
atmosphere was hazy, with dense fog,
the winds violent, often with drifting
snow. The sun shone like red ball
Of fire and was eliptical in shape.
"Soon came spell Of better wealth
er ana tue wind suDsided. The ice lay
like white pail, being crisp and dry.
l took some tea and lay down with
my dogs and slept.
II was awakened by the rocking OF
the iceberg. Ali had changed. The
ice foes were surging together, then
opening out, groaning and grinding.
was in an open, swift-running cur
rent, which belched black smoke. I
was being drawn into whirlpool. I
cast a look at the red sun scarcely
discernable on the black horizon. TAX
ing hasty observations, found that I
was at the South Pole. Then plugging
up the passage to the chamber and
gathering the whimpering dogs under
my arms awaited the inevitable.
"My sensations as the huge iceberg
took its final plunge can scarcely be
imagined. My great regret was that
had not been able to plant my flag.
How long was born by the undercur-
rent I cannot tell. 1 was suddenly
brought to my consciousness by the
light of day. Inc mountain of lee
had risen to the surface, and what
was more to my delight soon grounded
on an island. and my dogs were
saved Numb and fatigueu, have
done little since but sleep. If you care
to make a report and geodatic sur
vey, you may. AS said before, my
claim will be regarded with suspi.
cion.'