The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-02-15
FOUND POLE; LOST LIFE.
LONDON GETS TIDINGS OF ANT
ARCTIC TRAGEDY.
Dispatch From Lieut.. Evans of ROYAL
Navy Conveys News Of SCOTS Dis
astcr.

London. Feb. 1O.--Only meagre de-
tails are yet available OF the Scott
polar tragedy, ranking I'm disastrous
results with the ill-fated Franklin ex-
pedition.
News OF the death OF Capt. Robert
II. Scott and his four brave COM
panions who succeeded by a final dash
In reaching the Soth pole, only to
nnd proofs that Amundsen had fore
stalled them. came in a brief dispatch
from Lieut.. G.. r.. Evans of the royal
navy. who was second in command
when the expedition started. and who
now signs as Commander" of the ex-
peditlon.
The message was signalled from the
Terra Nova, returning from the Ant
arctic regions while passing Oamaru,
New Zealand.
The staggering effects of the news
on the public mind is all the greater,
as II was believed that modern
science and recent experience had
completely divested polar explora-
ton OF its former terrors. No great
surprise would have been felt had
Capt. Scott failed to reach the pole,
but that he should perish in his hour
OF triumph ,yas the very last thing
that could be anticipated. and in view
OF the terrible dangers which still
exist the fate OF Capt. Scott and his
companions Is likely to discourage
further attempts to reach the poles,
now that both have been attained and
the circumstances OF hurried dash
prevent valuable scientific results
from being obtained.
No detailed facts are yet known, but
IL Is believed the records of the scien-
tific material collected. together with
the explorers bodies, have been re-
covered.
~ also Is understood that gallant
attempts were made by other mem
bers OF the expedition to succor the
Scott party but these were defeated
by severe weather conditions and lack
OF food. II seems practically certain
that the explorers starved to death.
The fact that Capt. Amundsen
reached his base from the pole in
80 days while the Scott party had
been travelling more than two months
when disaster overlook them Is be-
lieved 90 show that Scott must either
bRve met some misfortune. possibly
m q crcyasse. or encountered sue
cession Q. bIiz-ards. The fact that
Petty oficer Evans died from con-
cussion of the brain as early as Febru-
ary II seems TO indicate some such
accident possibly involving the loss
OF n portion OF the equipment.
Capt. oats died March II. which
clearly shows that the party was in
dire straits and must have under
gone terrible suffering during the re-
naming 12 days.
No news has been received as TO
how tho fate of Capt. Scott and his
companions was discovered. but 1t Is
assumed that rescue party was dis
patched from the base.
At the meeting OF the Royal
Geographical society this evening
announcement was made OF the
disaster which has overtaken Capt |
Robert f. Scotts Antarctic expedi-
tlon. resulting in the death OF Capt.
Scott. Dr. f. 4. Wilson. Lieut.. III. II.
Bowers. Capt. L. f. c.. Oates and Pet
~ Officer T.. Evans.
Capt Scott's party. said Douglas W.
Freshheld. vice president of the Geo
graphical society. in making the an
nouncoment, found Capt Roald
AmunGsen's hut and records at the
South pole. on the return trip. about
March 20. 1912, IL miles from One
Ton depot. a blizzard overwhelmed
them. They had suffered greatly
from hunger and exposure. and the
death OF Scott. Bowers and Wilson,
was due 20 that. They died soon af-
ter the blizzard swept down on the
party.