Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-03-12


sion of bases upon which they could depend when
returning. Sir Ernest viii push straight onward
from sea to sea, not reckoning at all the pos
sibility that an expedition may little way
to meet him.
For several years Sir Ernest held the record of
approaching closer to the South pole than any
other man He feels keenly the dimming of Brit
ish fame by the exploits Of Amundsen and Peary.
With more poles to conquer, he might well sit
down and weep like Alexander the Great. But
instead he has set himself this unique feat
The news that Sir Ernest expects to come to
the United States before leaving for the south
seas has stirred great interest among Americans
over plans for the exploring expedition. Sir
Ernest is very popular here where he has lectured
extensively. It is probable that wealthy Amer
leans will add considerably to the funds Of his
petition.
He started his last expedition 100000 in
debt 1t took him two years after his return to
pay off this debt and it was hard work, too. This
time he has resolved not to run into debt again.
He has S25O000 guaranteed by a friend whose
name has not been made public. This sum he will
make do if necessary, but he will be able to
carry scientific work. much more extensively
If he obtain further of 100000
Sir Ernest has announced that he will expert
ment with aeToplane motors and prOpeers for
travel over the this winter his laboratories
to be in Canada Siberia. He hopes to perfect
this novel substitute for the Eskimo dog, which
ne VIII also use, ana the haruy shetland pony.
Besides aeroplanes and parts of aeTOplanes,
Shacketon will take advantage of wireless, the
movies, prepared foods and many other of the
newest inventions.
He believes he will have the most perfectly
planned expedition that ever set out, and as he
himself helped to equip many others expeditions
and has been member of several he ought to
know.
Sir Ernest Shacketon is now in the prime of
life, a splendid man physically and 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
him on his antarctic trips before he has had
shave make him appear sixty-fve, while in his
street clothes on the Strand he appears a virile
thirty.
To the Iayman it may be surprising to learn that
there are 100000 square miles of unknown terri
tory 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 new route and, if things go right al
most all of it will traverse virgin fields It is no
oyerstatement to call it the biggest polar journey
ever attempted.
Briefly stated, it will cross the dead continent
of snow mountain ranges. volcanoes 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.
The start will be from Argentina in October of
this year. and if good landing is made the
shore Of Weddell sea by the beginning of Novem-
Der a shore party will proceed Immediately
across. Ia this case the expedition should reach
Ross sea, on the other side. by March, 1915.
But if the shore party has hard luck it will
content itself with laying series of caches and
will then return to the Weddeu sea shore, start
ing out again year later.
The expedition will have two ships. The first,
which carries ShackIeton to the Antarctic conti-
nent Will do work in tracing the shore of the con-
tinent to the west and will go back to South
America before the close of navigation, return
ing the next year to take up a party which will
winter on the shore of Weddeu sea and carry out
scientific work in the so-called "Weddell quad
rant Long sledge journeys will be taken east
and west of the base by this party.
The second ship viii approach the continent
from the other, or Ross sea, side and take back
Shackieton according to his plans. If Shacketon