The Elbert County tribune., 1912-04-12


weather conditions are not wholly un-
favorable.
or the ten remaining ponies one is
unreliable and one doubtful. the re-
mainder being In very fine form. OF
ficers and men are In splendid health,
and eager to go forward. Owing to
my decision to postpone there is an
obvious chance that the most nd-
vanced southerly party will be unable
to catch the Terra Nova before she Is
forced to quit the sound. Under these
conditions. having regard to important
scientific work done and facilities
offered for further work. have de-
cided to maintain the station for n
second year. The majority OF the
shore party will probably remain but
details depend upon the date of our
returning from our journey on home
news, and the extent OF fresh trans
port provided. l shall greatly regret
the departure of any member. as we
have lived in the happiest social ac-
cord Pointing probably returns with
a large batch OF photograph material
to which second year might add lit
tie OF Importance. Owing to Pointing,
the Photographic results of the expedi-
ton are a most remarkable series OF
cinematographic pictures. giving
comprehensive record of our polar
life. The plans arranged for the
scientific work of the expedition have
succeeded SO far almost in their en-
tirety.
November "a. latitude S1.i5 S-We
left Hut Point on the eve OF Novem-
ber 2, having decided to march by
night and rest during the day to give
the ponies the benefit of warm day
temperatures. We reached Corner
Camp this morning. Travelling south
for so miles we followed the tracks
of the motors. then we found the ma
chimes abandoned. The party had
proceeded onward as directed, were
delayed by blizzard on the eighth,
but reached One Ton Camp on the
morning o. the 10th. The dog teams
had caught us up some days earlier
and the whole party proceeded in
company. A days rest was given the
animals at One Ton Camp which we
left on the 18th. Having regard to
the weight OF the loads, the heavy
surfaces and limited number OF sni-
mails, ! decided to march Is miles
only every night this distance has
has been maintained on bright nights
and SO far as we can forsee, 1t should
be continued.
The ponies are going very steadily
and keeping in condition remarkably
well. The first pony has been shot
for expediency but could have trav-
elled further. The animals have ten
pounds OF oats and three pounds OF
oil cake daily. We are hopeful of
getting the mems food supply to the
glacier. according to program, without
great difficulty but shall be day or
two later than anticipated. We found
S0h. Two of their number now
leave us. The sole cause of the aban-
donment of the motors was the over
heating of the air cooled engines
Time did not permit of the defects be-
ing taken in hand. The system OF
propulsion of the motors proved en-
tirely satisfactory. The machines
dragged their heavy loads over the
worst part OF the barrier service and
crossed several crevasses. Consider
ing inadequate trial, their success has
been remarkable.
With the experience now gained a
reliable tractor could be constructed
which could travel anywhere in this
region and save the sacrifice of ami
mails. We are building snow cairns
at intervals of four miles to guide the
homeward parties and leaving a
weeks provisions at every degree OF
latitude to the barrier. The surface
was extremely bad and trying to the
ponies up to One Ton Camp, but has
been comparatively good since The
greater number of the ponies have
been dragging over $50 pounds.
December 10. latitude SO degrees Is
minutes-After the return of the
motor party from latitude 81 degrees
Is minutes we pushed steadily south
hopeful for better weather conditions
A second pony was destroyed at lati-
tude 80 degrees 10 minutes. A third
at latitude so degrees As minutes and
two more near the S3rd parallel. None
of these animals were exhausted but
were sacrificed on account of aght-
ening loads and as food for dogs.
AS we approached the weather grew
worse. snow storms were frequent,
the sky continually overcast and
land very rarely visible.
Under these conditions 1t was most
difficult to keep a straight course and
maintain steady marches. The ponies
continued to pull splendidly. The ex-
cellent condition they retained under
severe work l attribute entirely to
the management of Captain Oates. In
spite of delays we rei.ched la itude SO
degrees "a minutes, within twelve
miles of Mount Hone. on December A.