Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-03-16

so celsius, but there was very little
snow and actually open water was
close at hand. The coolest day was
Aug. 49, when minus SO celsius was
registered. Contrary to expectation
there were only two storms through
out the five months. both moderate
Thanks to the excellent living arrange
|ments, the whole party was in splen-
did health when the sun reappeared
Aug. "a and all were eager for the
southward dash.
Early in September the temperature
rose rapidly and on the Sth a party
started, consisting Of eight men. seven
sledges and ninety dogs. carrying four
months provisions. The expedition
Inc sooner started than there was a
sudden cold spell, the thermometer
showing well below minus SO. This
told terribly on the dogs, but the men
were well protected by furs. At depot
1870 degrees it was decided to return.
and a long stay was made waiting for
spring, which arrived in the middle OF
October.
The party has spent the time mostly
| In their hut, only a few dogs got lost
and some frozen feet of the men being
the losses,
Spring temperature, between 20 and
30 degrees celsius, seals and birds seen
again, and a change Of plan was now
made. Five men were to go south and
the other three to go east to King
Edward land, as the English had not
been able to get there during the pre-
vious summer. On Oct. 20 the party
set out for the south with five men,
four sledges and fifty-two dogs.
Provisions were taken for four
months. The temperature remained
steady and the party took 1t easy.
The fog was thick, but the men were
guided by the depot flags. The plan
was twenty to thirty kilometers per
day, but the dogs. fed up plentifully
with seal fish. could not be kept within
built snow pillars, six to seven feet
high, to mark the return route
Getting Close to Pole.
From So degrees 25 minutes onward
the slope of the plateau commenced to
gradually decline. enabling steady
progress to be made during the next
five days. Thus "A. II, 10, '15 and Is
December 10. SO degrees IS minutes
being reached. the party reckoned
they ought to reach the pole the next
day. Then, observations and dead
having agreed, as s& as
beautiful weather and perfect 4ins
having marked December. at , p.
m. that day the party halted. reckon
Then, each member taking hold Of
their silken flag, they planted 1t, NAM
ing the plateau which is seemingly
endless plan. after King Haakon. Fine
weather continued next day. enabling
them to take thirteen hours observa-
tons, which gave as the result SO de-
grees IS minutes.
The party therefore travelled the
nine kilometers as nearly |
u 20
IN December Is in the bright sunshine
Four members Of the party then took
every hour Of the twenty |
our. Amundsen says:
THE exact result will be a matter |
or expert examination. This much Is !
observed the position Of |
he pole as close as it Is In human
power to do with the instruments we
had. namely sextant and an artif-
:ial horizon. The place circles within |
/ radius Of eight kilometers.
On December II a ceremony was
performed, small tent being erected.
,ennant fastened to the tent top. This
lome on the south pole was appro-
,riately. named Polhetm.
Return Journey Begun.
The 1,400 kilometer journey was
On the onward march |
he average progress was twenty-five
,ilometers per day. but fine weather
enabled us to average thirty-six kilo-
meters when returning. Winter quar-
ers were reached January Is. All the
,arty were well, with two sledges and
eleven dogs, afted experiencing the |
oWest temperature of minus 81 celsius
md the highest of minus celsius.
Amundsen says the chief results, be-
ides reaching the pole, are the de-
Of the extent and char
Lcter Of Ross barrier, the discovery
II the connection Of South Victoria
and and probably King Edward land,
With their continuation in mighty
Mountains running toward the south
asst, which were observed as far az
g degrees south, but in all prob
lbility continuous across the antarctic
ointment.
1.-The entire length of the newly dis
covered mountains is about $50 kilo-
meters We gave them the name Of
Queen Maud's ranges.
The expedition to King Edward
and under command of Lieutenant
7restud achieved excellent results.
,cott's discoveries are confirmed and
he party's survey of the Bay Of
Nhiles and Barrier surface are Of
great interest. A good geological col
ection from King Edward land and
south Victoria land has been brought"
The Fran arrived at the Bay of
Whales on January 9, after delay by
asterly winds.
On January Is the Japanese expedi-
ion arrived and landed near Amund-
ems winter quarters. The Fran left
he Bay of Whales January 30, ex-
long voyage owing to
contrary winds.