The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-02-25


the age of fourteen. AS a cadet on
board the training ship Britannia he
gained some distinction as one Of the
cadet captains. When Scott's course on
the Britannia was completed he was
sent to the Cape of Good Hope naval
station. He served for two years as a
lieutenant on the Rover, which was in
the British Pacific service.
The character of his service qualified
MIN TO take a special course Of train
Ing, and as four, one and two man in
his examinations he had the privilege
of choosing the subject in which he
wished to specialize. He decided to
take up torpedo work, and after quail
flying in this he received assignments
to one ship after another for eight
years. After gaining an extra stripe
Lieutenant Scott was appointed as
torpedo lieutenant to II. NJ. S. Majestic,
a battleship Of the first class and flag
ship Of the channel squadron. His as
signment to the Majestic marked the
turning point of his career, for his
commanders were Sir II. Stephenson
and Prince Louis of Battenberg, two
arctic enthusiasts who had served un-
der Sir Leopold McClintock on North
west passage expedition.
Had to Help Support Family.
About this time it became necessary
for Scott to help with the support of
his family, and to see what possibilities
there were for adding to his lieuten-
ants salary he went to London. There
he met by chance Sir Clements Mark
ham, chairman Of the Royal Geograph-
ical society, who had previously shown
interest in Scott. He suggested to the
young lieutenant that he apply for the
command Of the Discovery, which was
then being fitted out to explore the lit
tie known antarctic continent.
Scott was chosen from a long list of
applicants. He was then twenty nine
years old, healthy, strong and well
built. For year he worked over the
provisioning and equipping of his ship
and over the selection of his crew and
scientific staff. On July %, 1900, the
W iulCi bloNoNCly iClI Tic w I'LL
forty men, prepared for an expedition
to last three years if necessary. The
ship reached New Zealand after a
rough time in the roaring forties" and
thence sailed for the antarctic regions.
Two years of hardship resulted in the
conquering of 500 miles more of ant
arctic snow and ice than any of his
predecessors covered.
Upon his return to England many
honors were bestowed upon him. The
admiralty raised him to the rank of
captain, making him the youngest cap
tain in the navy, and the late King Ed
ward made him commander of the Vic
torian Order. Medals were given him
by the Royal Geographical society,
Royal Scottish Geographical society
and American, Swedish, Danish, Phila
delphia and Antwerp Geographical So
cieties. The story Of the expedition
was published by Captain Scott in ''The
Voyage Of the Discovery" and the two
volumes We're widely read.
Gets High Post.
The admiralty allowed him three
months in which to give lectures, the
hardest task he ever undertook, so
Captain Scott said. Returning to serv-
Ice in the navy, he was assigned to the
intelligence department of the admi-
ralty.
For six years he continued at his
desk, but finally "the call of the ice"
could no longer be resisted, and he set
out to raise funds for fitting out an
other expedition. After surmounting
many difficulties Captain Scott secured
the necessary financial assistance and
had his expedition ready to start for
his ultimate goal, the south pole.
When Captain Scott sailed he left be.
hind wife, whom he had married two
years before, and an eight-months-old
son, Peter, "the image of his father"
The little fellows baby idea of his
father was a photograph, which he
would hug and cover up, saying, "Keep
daddy warm"
When word was received by Mrs.
Scott last April that her husband in
tended to remain longer than at first
expected she said: 81 am not worried
about the captains safety. On the 9th,
er hand, I am very glad that he availed
himself of the opportunity to remain in
the south until the objects of his expe.
dition, which was one of scientific re-
search, are accomplished" Only last
week Mrs. Scott sailed with her baby
from San Francisco for New Zealand.
expecting to greet her husband on his
arrival there.
Mrs. Scott is a sculptress, and short.
ly before the start of the fatal expedi-
ton she modelled the captains clean
cut features, his broad shoulders and
deep chest. His whole bearing bespoke
man Of indomitable energy and cour.
age