The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-02-01

been a member of several, he ought to
know.
Sir Ernest ShackIeton is now in the
prime of life. a splendid man physically
possessing an inspiring presence. He is
a born leader. He makes all about him
enthusiastic, especially when the fire of
memories of the frozen South moves him.
He is forty years old-pictures taken of
his antarctic trips before he has had a
shave make him appear siXty-five, while
in his street clothes on the Strand he
appears a virile thirty.
To the Iayman IL may be surprising to
learn that there are 100000 square miles
of unknown territory on the continent of
Antarctica. This gives an idea of the
possibilities of discovery open to Sir
Ernest. More than half his journey is
said to be laid along a new route and, IL
things go right. almost all will traverse
virgin fields. It is no overstatement to
call it the biggest polar journey ever at
tempted.
Briefly stated. it will cross the dead
continent of snow, mountain ranges, VOL
canoes, and frightful storms from the
side of the western hemisphere to the
side Of the eastern hemisphere.
The main party will leave civilization
at Buenos Ayres and reach it again in
Christchurch, or some other New Zealand
city.
To Have Two ships.
The start will be from Argentina in oc-
tober of this year and if a good landing
is made on the shore of Weddell Sea by
the beginning of November, short party
will proceed Immediately across In this
case the expedition should reach Ross
Sea; on the other side. by March. 1915.
But if the shore party has hard luck,
i will content itself with laying a series
of caches and will then return to the
weddell Sea shore, starting out again a
year later.
The expedition will have two ships.
The first. which carries Shackleton to the
Antarctic Continent. will do work in trac-
ing the shore OF the continent to the
west. and will go back to South America
before the close of navigation, returning
the next year to take up a party which
will winter OF the shore Of Weddell Sea
and carry out scientific work in the So
called "Weddell quadrant" Long sledge
journeys will be taken east and west OF
the base by this party.
The second ship will approach the con-
tinent from the other. or Ross Sea- side
and take back Shackleton, according to
his plans. II Shackleton crosses the first
season, he will reach civilization again
by the middle of April, 1915. Otherwise,
il will be n year later.
This second vessel will sail from New
Zealand about the same time as the We'd
cell Sea ship sails south. On landing
a. a prearralged base, the second party
will send q sledging expedition as far
south as possible, to latitude s., IL prac-
ticable. but this expedition will return
in time to go north again before the close
OF navigation The expedition will en-
deavor to lay a series of depots along
what may be the last stages of Shack
Ieton's route. But Shackleton will not
depend on them in any way. They may
not be laid at ALL II Shackleton doesn't
arrive this season. the second ship will
return south the next year.
Aeroplanes to Help.
Five months is the time Shackleton es-
Inmates as necessary for this crossing
of the south polar continent He allows
ten days for delays by blizzards. The
minimum distance from sea TO sea Is
1.7oo miles. but il is. probable that Sir
Edward will try to cover new ground
Throughout, and so go much farther.
The ..transarctic party. as Sir Err
nest calls IL, will begin its journey
with 1s0 dogs. two sledges driven by
aeroplane propellers with aeroplane
engines. and an aeroplane with clipped
wings to taxi" over the ice. But a
large part Of the work of Transports
ton will be by dogs. Dogs will eat
not.
Motor sledges have been found to be
practically useless in the antarctic. as