Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-02-19
CAPTAIN SCOTS
FAREWELL MESSAGE
TO WAITING WORLD

LONDON, FeD. 3lO.-AmOH8 IeCoruS
found on Captain Scott was the fol-
lowing, written at the time he real
ICED his mission must end in disaster.
1t Is his last message to the world,
completed while the pangs of hunger
and suffering from cold were slowly
but surely killing him and his COM
panions: sa. In
"The causes Of this disaster are not
due to faulty organization but to mis-
fortune in all the risks which had to
be undertaken. ,
zone. the loss of pony transport in
March, 1911, obliged me to start later
than l. had intended. and obliged the
limits OF stun transported to be mar
row. The weather throughout the out
ward Journey. and especially the long
gale In SO degrees south. stopped US.
The soft snow in the lower reaches OF
the glacier again reduced the pace.
1--WE fought these untoward events
with will and conquered. but 1t ate IN
to our reserve provisions. Every detail
of our food supplies, clothing and
depots made on the interior ice sheet
and on that long stretch Of 700 miles
to the pole and back worked out to
perfection.
1.-THE advance party would have re-
turned to the glacier in fine form and
with a surplus of food but for the as
tonishing failure of the man whom we
had least expected to fail. III
Seaman Edgar Evans was thought
to be the strongest man Of the party
and Beardmore glacier is not difficult
in fine weather. But on our return we
did not get single completely fine
day. This, with sick companion.
enormously increased our anxieties.
1--WE got into frightfully rough Ice.
and Edgar Evans received a concus-
sion of the brain. He died natural
death, but left US shaken party, with
the season unduly advanced.
But all these facts enumerated
were as nothing to the surprise which
awaited us on the barrier. I main
tain that our arrangements for return
ing were quite adequate and that no
one in the world would have done bet
ter in the weather which we encoun.
tered at this time OF the year.
ION the summit in latitude IS de-
grees to SO degrees we had minus 20
to minus 80. On the barrier. in lati-
tude 50 degrees. 10000 feet lower. we
had minus go On the barrier, In lati-
tude 81 degrees. we had minus 80 In
the day and minus 81 at night pretty
regularly, with q continuous head
wind during our day marches.
These circumstances came on very
suddenly and our wreck is certainly
due to this sudden advent SOf severe
weather. which does not seem to have
any satisfactory cause.
II do not think human beings ever
came through such month as we
have come through, and we should
have got through in spite Of the
weather but for the sickening of q
second companion, Captain Oates, and
q shortage Of fuel in our depots, for
which I cannot account, and finally,
but for. the storm which had fallen on
us within eleven miles Of the depot
at which we hoped to secure the final
supplies.
"Surely misfortune could scarcely
have exceeded this last blow"
I'VE arrived within eleven miles OF
our old One Ton camp with fuel for
one hot meal and food for two days.
For four days we have been unable to
leave the tent, the gale blowing about
US; we are weak.
Writing Is difacult. KS
"For my own sake do not regret
this journey. which has shown that
Englishmen can endure hardships,
help one another and meet death with
as great fortitude as ever in the
past.
I'VE took risks. We knew we took
them. Things have come out against
us and therefore we have no cause
for complaint. but bow to the will OF
Providence, determined still to do our
best to the last.
but II we have been willing to give
our lives to this enterprise, which Is
for the honor! Of our country, I ap-
peal to our countrymen to see that
those who depend on us are properly
cared for.
Had we lived should have had .
tale to tell Of the hardihoOd, endur-
ance and courage Of my companions
which would have stirred the heart OF
every Englishman.
These rough notes and our dead
bodies must tell the tale. but surely,
surely great. rich country like oers
will see that those who are dependent
on US are properly provided for.