Evening star., 1913-02-14
By Commander E. R. G. R. Evans.R.N.

By Commander E. R. G.. R. Evans. r N.
Second in Command Of the Scott Expedition
| On January 4. 1912. Commander Evans
| left Capt. Scott and his four compan-
ions to continue the journey to the pole
Capt. Scott's party marched an average
of twelve miles day all the way to the
pole, and they reached the pole January
II. about 156 statute miles from the spot
where Commander Evans turned, in 81
degrees 81 minutes
The first day at the pole was cloudy,
with a mock sun. The second day. Jan
uary is, was clear. and the sun was
visible. Sights We're taken, for which
purpose Capt. Scott used a four-inch
theodolite. Capt. Amundsen used SEX
tant with an artificial horizon. The fix
ing of the pole by the two explorers de-
fered by only half mile. practically To-
eating the same spot. Scott's observa-
tons gave latitude 50 degrees so min
utes.
The party marched the extra half mile.
taking with them their motor sledge, and
there planted the Union Jack
Follow Dog Tracks.
Near the pole they had previously pick
ed up Norwegian dog tracks, and they
followed these to the Norwegian camp
which was situated within three miles
of the pole. The track of the Norwegian
doggs were obliterated by drifts at inter-
walls The party found all the records and
the gear left by Capt. Amundsen.
Sastrugi from two directions, marked
at the pole. gave evidence of a slight
blizzard since Amundsen erected his tent.
! The temperature at the pole was about
- below zero The surface. unlike that
| of the Barrier. was soft, with no crust.
| 1t was found that snow collected from
| any depth on melting was also unlike
| the Barrier snow and gave very little
water.
Took Photographs at Pole.
| Ten photographs of Capt. Scott and his
| party were taken at the pole. The films
| were recovered and developed at Cape
| Evans, together with two photographs OF
| the Norwegian tent as Capt. Scott's party
| found it,
The return journey over the plateau
was marked by series OF good marches
| in medium weather. The temperature
and the marches varied up to eighteen
miles daily to the top Of the Beardmore
glacier. Both the depots on the plateau,
one so degrees south and the other under
south, were secured.
Before descending the Beardmore
glacier DIR. Wilson and Lieut.. Bowers
visited Buckley Island and climbed to a
large nunatak at the top of the glacier
Here they spent some time making a
| large collection of fossil-bearing sand
| stone and coal in quantities. The fossils
| should finally settle the age of the latest
| sedmentary deposits yet found in Vic
| toria Land, and certainly are the best
4 nbt ina6 i'm this
| Pass Mount Kinsey.
Leaving Buckley Island and going down
the glacier. they passed Mount Kinsey. a
magnificent dolomite peak having an. alti-
] tude of IL, 900 feet and forming an admir-
able steering point. When they reached
| a small depot under Cloudmaker noun
tain they made another halt for geological
| Investigations. From the side of Cloud
! maker mountain fossils of much greater
| age were found in the limestone, and a
| total of thirty-five pounds of geological
! specimens were carefully packed.
| These specimens We're taken forward by
| the party 10 their last camp, and are
| now in the possession of the expedition.
| From Cloudmaker mountain to the foot
| of Beardmore glacier the surfaces en-
| countered by the party consisted of the
same deep snow as on the way up, and
this fact, together with bad weather,
severely hampered their march. The
weather was abnormally thick, with
snow crystals falling. the surrounding
land being only occasionally visible.
Death of Edgar Evans.
Capt Scott dates the beginning of the
failure of Petty Officer Edgar Evans
from the time of reaching the pole He
was a great anxiety to them on the pla-
teau. and I'm the descent of Beardmore
glacier. when the party got among very
rough ice. Evans fell, injuring his head
and sustaining serious conclusion. During
the whole of the descent his condition de-
lIayed the party. and their surplus food
gradually diminished.
February IL, while on the march
Evans foot worked out of his ski and he
was compelled To fall out to readjust it,
The party moved along. and. seeing he
was not following they camped and
cooked a meal anticipating that Evans
would soon reach the tent. When the
meal was ready, and he had not arrived
the party went back and found him in a
state of collapse. He bravely tried to &C
forward, but had to he placed on a Sledge
and died a natural death within two
hours of reaching the tent. This delay,
as Capt. Scott stated in his diary, greatly
| weakened the party and made an inroad
into their surplus provisions. which was
serious in view of the fact that the sea
son was unduly advanced.
Surface Grows Sandlike.
Owing to the latenesS of the season and
the consequent fall in temperature, the
| surface became sandlike, as is well
known in polar climates. Ice crystals
i which melt under the friction caused by
sledge running over them at higher
temperatures cease to do so when the
thermometer falls to so below zero, and