| Description | Markham reports that the news from the Antarctic Expedition shows that it will be necessary to raise more funds and stresses the importance of not losing any time on deciding the course to be pursued. The information recieved by telegram shows that the most important scientific results have already been attained. Well sheltered winter quarters were discovered in McMurdo Bay, 360 miles further south than anyone had wintered before. Valuable collections have been made here.
Captain Scott's journey to the south places him in the very first rank of polar explorers. He comes next to McClintock and Mecham with his journey of 94 days, covering 835 miles with no food. Captain Scott was desirous of returning to Lyttelton this season but is detained by the ice round his winter quarters. He plans to seek new winter quarters and continue scientific work if the ice breaks up too late for a return north. He called for volunteers, and now has 36. Scott and his volunteers are now fully aware, by experience, of the nature of the hardships, risks and dangers they must encounter.
Captain Colbeck and his crew have done fantastic work to find the 'Morning'. The necessity of a relief ship has been clearly shown and 'Morning' has been kept for a similar voyage next year. Captain Scott has been ordered to return to Lyttelton with both ships in March and April of this year. The Joint Finance Committee have gathered £3800 to bring the ships home. The fact that Captain Scott has to stay out for another year necessitates further expenditure in terms of salaries and wages for the 'Discovery'. A total of about £20,000. As neither the two societies nor Captain Scott are responsible for what has happened, they just share the duty to secure the safety and welfare of the explorers.
If it does not appear that the Government can help, an appeal will have to be made to the public. |