Preface

After the conquest of the South Pole by Amundsen, who, by a narrow margin of days only, was in advance of the British Expedition under Scott, there remained but one great main object of Antarctic journeyings—the crossing of the South Polar continent from sea to sea.

Amundsen reached the South Pole only a few days ahead of the British Expedition under Scott. After his conquest, only one great goal remained for Antarctic exploration: crossing the South Polar continent from sea to sea.

When I returned from the Nimrod Expedition on which we had to turn back from our attempt to plant the British flag on the South Pole, being beaten by stress of circumstances within ninety-seven miles of our goal, my mind turned to the crossing of the continent, for I was morally certain that either Amundsen or Scott would reach the Pole on our own route or a parallel one. After hearing of the Norwegian success I began to make preparations to start a last great journey—so that the first crossing of the last continent should be achieved by a British Expedition.

When I returned from the Nimrod Expedition, I began thinking about crossing the continent. We had been forced to abandon our attempt to plant the British flag at the South Pole. Circumstances had defeated us within ninety-seven miles of our goal. I was almost certain that either Amundsen or Scott would reach the Pole by our route or a parallel one. After hearing of the Norwegian success, I began preparing for one last great journey. I wanted a British Expedition to make the first crossing of the last continent.

We failed in this object, but the story of our attempt is the subject for the following pages, and I think that though failure in the actual accomplishment must be recorded, there are chapters in this book of high adventure, strenuous days, lonely nights, unique experiences, and, above all, records of unflinching determination, supreme loyalty, and generous self-sacrifice on the part of my men which, even in these days that have witnessed the sacrifices of nations and regardlessness of self on the part of individuals, still will be of interest to readers who now turn gladly from the red horror of war and the strain of the last five years to read, perhaps with more understanding minds, the tale of the White Warfare of the South. The struggles, the disappointments, and the endurance of this small party of Britishers, hidden away for nearly two years in the fastnesses of the Polar ice, striving to carry out the ordained task and ignorant of the crises through which the world was passing, make a story which is unique in the history of Antarctic exploration.

We failed in this aim, but the following pages tell the story of our attempt. Although we must record that we failed to achieve our goal, I think this book contains chapters of great adventure. They tell of strenuous days, lonely nights, and unique experiences. Above all, they record my men's unwavering determination, supreme loyalty, and generous self-sacrifice. Our times have witnessed the sacrifices of nations and the selflessness of individuals. Even so, I believe readers will still find my men's story interesting. They now gladly turn from the red horror of war and the strain of the last five years. They may read the tale of the White Warfare of the South with greater understanding. Our small British party spent nearly two years hidden away in the strongholds of the Polar ice. We struggled, suffered disappointments, and endured as we tried to carry out our assigned task. All the while, we knew nothing of the crises the world was passing through. Our story is unique in the history of Antarctic exploration.

Owing to the loss of the Endurance and the disaster to the Aurora, certain documents relating mainly to the organization and preparation of the Expedition have been lost; but, anyhow, I had no intention of presenting a detailed account of the scheme of preparation, storing, and other necessary but, to the general reader, unimportant affairs, as since the beginning of this century, every book on Antarctic exploration has dealt fully with this matter. I therefore briefly place before you the inception and organization of the Expedition, and insert here the copy of the programme which I prepared in order to arouse the interest of the general public in the Expedition.

Because the Endurance was lost and the Aurora suffered a disaster, certain documents have been lost. These related mainly to the organization and preparation of the Expedition. But I had not intended to give a detailed account of the preparations, supplies, and other necessary arrangements anyway. Such matters are unimportant to the general reader, and every book on Antarctic exploration since the beginning of this century has covered them fully. I therefore briefly describe how the Expedition began and was organized. I also include a copy of the programme I prepared to arouse public interest in the Expedition.

“The Trans-continental Party.

“The Transcontinental Party.

“The first crossing of the Antarctic continent, from sea to sea via the Pole, apart from its historic value, will be a journey of great scientific importance.

“The first crossing of Antarctica from sea to sea via the Pole will be historic. It will also be a journey of great scientific importance.

“The distance will be roughly 1800 miles, and the first half of this, from the Weddell Sea to the Pole, will be over unknown ground. Every step will be an advance in geographical science. It will be learned whether the great Victoria chain of mountains, which has been traced from the Ross Sea to the Pole, extends across the continent and thus links up (except for the ocean break) with the Andes of South America, and whether the great plateau around the Pole dips gradually towards the Weddell Sea.

“The distance will be roughly 1,800 miles. The first half, from the Weddell Sea to the Pole, will cross unexplored ground. Every step will advance geographical science. The journey will reveal whether the great Victoria chain of mountains extends across the continent. The chain has been traced from the Ross Sea to the Pole. If it crosses the continent, it connects with the Andes of South America, except for the ocean between them. The journey will also reveal whether the great plateau around the Pole slopes gradually toward the Weddell Sea.

“Continuous magnetic observations will be taken on the journey. The route will lead towards the Magnetic Pole, and the determination of the dip of the magnetic needle will be of importance in practical magnetism. The meteorological conditions will be carefully noted, and this should help to solve many of our weather problems.

“We will take continuous magnetic observations during the journey. Our route will lead toward the Magnetic Pole. Measuring the dip of the magnetic needle will be important for practical magnetism. We will carefully record the weather conditions. These records should help solve many of our weather problems.

“The glaciologist and geologist will study ice formations and the nature of the mountains, and this report will prove of great scientific interest.

“The glaciologist and geologist will study ice formations and the nature of the mountains. This report will be of great scientific interest.

“Scientific Work by Other Parties.

“Scientific Work by Other Groups.

“While the Trans-continental party is carrying out, for the British Flag, the greatest Polar journey ever attempted, the other parties will be engaged in important scientific work.

“While the Trans-continental party undertakes the greatest Polar journey ever attempted for the British Flag, the other parties will carry out important scientific work.

“Two sledging parties will operate from the base on the Weddell Sea. One will travel westwards towards Graham Land, making observations, collecting geological specimens, and proving whether there are mountains in that region linked up with those found on the other side of the Pole.

“Two sledging parties will work from the base on the Weddell Sea. One will travel west toward Graham Land, making observations and collecting geological specimens. It will also determine whether the mountains in that region are connected to those found on the other side of the Pole.

“Another party will travel eastward toward Enderby Land, carrying out a similar programme, and a third, remaining at the base, will study the fauna of the land and sea, and the meteorological conditions.

“Another party will travel east toward Enderby Land and carry out a similar program. A third party will stay at the base and study land and sea animals and weather conditions.

“From the Ross Sea base, on the other side of the Pole, another party will push southward and will probably await the arrival of the Trans-continental party at the top of the Beardmore Glacier, near Mount Buckley, where the first seams of coal were discovered in the Antarctic. This region is of great importance to the geologist, who will be enabled to read much of the history of the Antarctic in the rocks.

“Another party will travel south from the Ross Sea base, on the other side of the Pole. They will probably wait for the Trans-continental party at the top of the Beardmore Glacier, near Mount Buckley. The first seams of coal in the Antarctic were discovered there. This region is very important to geologists, who will be able to read much of the Antarctic’s history in the rocks.

“Both the ships of the Expedition will be equipped for dredging, sounding, and every variety of hydrographical work. The Weddell Sea ship will endeavour to trace the unknown coast-line of Graham Land, and from both the vessels, with their scientific staffs, important results may be expected.

“Both ships of the Expedition will be equipped for dredging, depth measurements, and every kind of hydrographic work. The Weddell Sea ship will try to trace the unknown coastline of Graham Land. Important results may be expected from both ships and their scientific teams.

“The several shore parties and the two ships will thus carry out geographical and scientific work on a scale and over an area never before attempted by any one Polar expedition.

“The shore parties and the two ships will carry out geographical and scientific work across a vast area. No single polar expedition has ever attempted work on this scale or over such a large area.

“This will be the first use of the Weddell Sea as a base for exploration, and all the parties will open up vast stretches of unknown land. It is appropriate that this work should be carried out under the British Flag, since the whole of the area southward to the Pole is British territory. In July 1908, Letters Patent were issued under the Great Seal declaring that the Governor of the Falkland Islands should be the Governor of Graham Land (which forms the western side of the Weddell Sea), and another section of the same proclamation defines the area of British territory as ‘situated in the South Atlantic Ocean to the south of the 50th parallel of south latitude, and lying between 20 degrees and 80 degrees west longitude.’ Reference to a map will show that this includes the area in which the present Expedition will work.

“This will be the first time the Weddell Sea has been used as a base for exploration. All the parties will open up vast stretches of unknown land. It is fitting that this work should be carried out under the British Flag, since the entire area southward to the Pole is British territory. In July 1908, Letters Patent were issued under the Great Seal. They declared that the Governor of the Falkland Islands should also be the Governor of Graham Land. Graham Land forms the western side of the Weddell Sea. Another section of the same proclamation defines the area of British territory as ‘situated in the South Atlantic Ocean to the south of the 50th parallel of south latitude, and lying between 20 degrees and 80 degrees west longitude.’ A map shows that this includes the area where the present Expedition will work.

“How the Continent will be crossed.

“How the Continent will be crossed.

“The Weddell Sea ship, with all the members of the Expedition operating from that base, will leave Buenos Ayres in October 1914, and endeavour to land in November in latitude 78 degrees south.

“The Weddell Sea ship will leave Buenos Ayres in October 1914. It will carry all the Expedition members operating from that base. The ship will try to land at 78 degrees south in November.

“Should this be done, the Trans-continental party will set out on their 1800-mile journey at once, in the hope of accomplishing the march across the Pole and reaching the Ross Sea base in five months. Should the landing be made too late in the season, the party will go into winter quarters, lay out depots during the autumn and the following spring, and as early as possible in 1915 set out on the journey.

“If this is done, the Trans-continental party will set out at once on their 1,800-mile journey. They hope to march across the Pole and reach the Ross Sea base in five months. If the landing is made too late in the season, the party will settle into winter quarters. They will lay out supply depots during the autumn and the following spring. They will then set out on the journey as early as possible in 1915.

“The Trans-continental party will be led by Sir Ernest Shackleton, and will consist of six men. It will take 100 dogs with sledges, and two motor-sledges with aerial propellers. The equipment will embody everything that the experience of the leader and his expert advisers can suggest. When this party has reached the area of the Pole, after covering 800 miles of unknown ground, it will strike due north towards the head of the Beardmore Glacier, and there it is hoped to meet the outcoming party from the Ross Sea. Both will join up and make for the Ross Sea base, where the previous Expedition had its winter quarters.

“The Trans-continental party will be led by Sir Ernest Shackleton and will consist of six men. It will take 100 dogs with sledges and two motor-sledges with aerial propellers. Its equipment will include everything the leader and his expert advisers can suggest from their experience. After crossing 800 miles of unknown ground, the party will reach the area of the Pole. It will then head due north toward the head of the Beardmore Glacier. There, it is hoped, the party will meet the party coming from the Ross Sea. The two parties will join and head for the Ross Sea base, where the previous Expedition spent the winter.

“In all, fourteen men will be landed by the Endurance on the Weddell Sea. Six will set out on the Trans-continental journey, three will go westward, three eastward, and two remain at the base carrying on the work already outlined.

“In all, the Endurance will land fourteen men on the Weddell Sea. Six will set out on the Trans-continental journey. Three will go west, three will go east, and two will stay at the base to continue the work already outlined.

“The Aurora will land six men at the Ross Sea base. They will lay down depots on the route of the Trans-continental party, and make a march south to assist that party, and to make geological and other observations as already described.

“The Aurora will land six men at the Ross Sea base. They will place supply depots along the Trans-continental party’s route. They will also march south to help the party and make geological and other observations, as already described.

“Should the Trans-continental party succeed, as is hoped, in crossing during the first season, its return to civilization may be expected about April 1915. The other sections in April 1916.

“If the Trans-continental party succeeds in crossing during the first season, as hoped, it may return to civilization around April 1915. The other sections may return around April 1916.

“The Ships of the Expedition.

“The Expedition’s Ships.

“The two ships for the Expedition have now been selected.

“The two ships for the Expedition have now been chosen.

“The Endurance, the ship which will take the Trans-continental party to the Weddell Sea, and will afterwards explore along an unknown coast-line, is a new vessel, specially constructed for Polar work under the supervision of a committee of Polar explorers. She was built by Christensen, the famous Norwegian constructor of sealing vessels, at Sandefjord. She is barquentine rigged, and has triple-expansion engines giving her a speed under steam of nine to ten knots. To enable her to stay longer at sea, she will carry oil fuel as well as coal. She is of about 350 tons, and built of selected pine, oak, and greenheart. This fine vessel, equipped, has cost the Expedition £14,000.

“The Endurance will take the Trans-continental party to the Weddell Sea. Afterwards, the ship will explore an unknown coastline. She is a new vessel, specially built for Polar work under the supervision of a committee of Polar explorers. Christensen, the famous Norwegian builder of sealing vessels, built her at Sandefjord. She is barquentine rigged and has triple-expansion engines that give her a speed of nine to ten knots under steam. She will carry oil fuel as well as coal, so she can stay at sea longer. She is about 350 tons and is built of selected pine, oak, and greenheart. This fine vessel, fully equipped, has cost the Expedition £14,000.

“The Aurora, the ship which will take out the Ross Sea party, has been bought from Dr. Mawson. She is similar in all respects to the Terra Nova, of Captain Scott’s last Expedition. She had extensive alterations made by the Government authorities in Australia to fit her for Dr. Mawson’s Expedition, and is now at Hobart, Tasmania, where the Ross Sea party will join her in October next.”

“The Aurora, the ship that will take the Ross Sea party, has been bought from Dr. Mawson. She is similar in all respects to the Terra Nova, from Captain Scott’s last Expedition. The Australian Government made extensive alterations to the Aurora to prepare her for Dr. Mawson’s Expedition. She is now in Hobart, Tasmania, where the Ross Sea party will join her next October.”

I started the preparations in the middle of 1913, but no public announcement was made until January 13, 1914. For the last six months of 1913 I was engaged in the necessary preliminaries, solid mule work, showing nothing particular to interest the public, but essential for an Expedition that had to have a ship on each side of the Continent, with a land journey of eighteen hundred miles to be made, the first nine hundred miles to be across an absolutely unknown land mass.

I began preparing in mid-1913, but made no public announcement until January 13, 1914. During the last six months of 1913, I worked on the necessary groundwork. It was hard, unglamorous work, with little to interest the public. But it was essential for an expedition that needed a ship on each side of the Continent. The expedition also involved an 1,800-mile land journey, with the first 900 miles crossing completely unknown land.

On January 1, 1914, having received a promised financial support sufficient to warrant the announcement of the Expedition, I made it public.

On January 1, 1914, I received enough promised financial support to announce the Expedition, so I made it public.

The first result of this was a flood of applications from all classes of the community to join the adventure. I received nearly five thousand applications, and out of these were picked fifty-six men.

The first result was a flood of applications from people from all walks of life who wanted to join the adventure. I received nearly five thousand applications, and fifty-six men were chosen from among them.

In March, to my great disappointment and anxiety, the promised financial help did not materialize, and I was now faced with the fact that I had contracted for a ship and stores, and had engaged the staff, and I was not in possession of funds to meet these liabilities. I immediately set about appealing for help, and met with generous response from all sides. I cannot here give the names of all who supported my application, but whilst taking this opportunity of thanking every one for their support, which came from parts as far apart as the interior of China, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia, I must particularly refer to the munificent donation of £24,000 from the late Sir James Caird, and to one of £10,000 from the British Government. I must also thank Mr. Dudley Docker, who enabled me to complete the purchase of the Endurance, and Miss Elizabeth Dawson Lambton, who since 1901 has always been a firm friend to Antarctic exploration, and who again, on this occasion, assisted largely. The Royal Geographical Society made a grant of £1000; and last, but by no means least, I take this opportunity of tendering my grateful thanks to Dame Janet Stancomb Wills, whose generosity enabled me to equip the Endurance efficiently, especially as regards boats (which boats were the means of our ultimate safety), and who not only, at the inception of the Expedition, gave financial help, but also continued it through the dark days when we were overdue, and funds were required to meet the need of the dependents of the Expedition.

In March, to my great disappointment and anxiety, the promised financial help did not arrive. I had contracted for a ship and supplies and hired the staff, but I lacked the money to pay for them. I immediately began appealing for help and received a generous response from all sides. I cannot name everyone who supported my appeal here, but I would like to thank them all. Their support came from places as far apart as the interior of China, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. I must particularly mention the generous donations of £24,000 from the late Sir James Caird and £10,000 from the British Government. I must also thank Mr. Dudley Docker, who enabled me to complete the purchase of the Endurance. I also thank Miss Elizabeth Dawson Lambton, who has been a firm friend to Antarctic exploration since 1901. She once again gave substantial help. The Royal Geographical Society gave £1000. Last, but by no means least, I offer my grateful thanks to Dame Janet Stancomb Wills. Her generosity enabled me to equip the Endurance properly, especially with boats. Those boats were the means of our eventual safety. She gave financial help at the start of the Expedition and continued to help during the dark days when we were overdue. Funds were then needed to support the Expedition members' dependents.

The only return and privilege an explorer has in the way of acknowledgment for the help accorded him is to record on the discovered lands the names of those to whom the Expedition owes its being.

The only way an explorer can acknowledge the help he has received is to name the lands he discovers after those who made the Expedition possible. This is his only reward and privilege.

Owing to the exigencies of the war the publication of this book has been long delayed, and the detailed maps must come with the scientific monographs. I have the honour to place on the new land the names of the above and other generous donors to the Expedition. The two hundred miles of new coast-line I have called Caird Coast. Also, as a more personal note, I named the three ship’s boats, in which we ultimately escaped from the grip of the ice, after the three principal donors to the Expedition—the James Caird, the Stancomb Wills and the Dudley Docker. The two last-named are still on the desolate sandy spit of Elephant Island, where under their shelter twenty-two of my comrades eked out a bare existence for four and a half months.

Because of the demands of the war, publication of this book has been delayed for a long time. The detailed maps will have to appear with the scientific monographs. I have the honour of naming places on the new land after the people mentioned above and other generous donors to the Expedition. I have called the two hundred miles of new coastline Caird Coast. On a more personal note, I named the three ship’s boats after the Expedition’s three principal donors. The boats, in which we finally escaped from the grip of the ice, were the James Caird, the Stancomb Wills and the Dudley Docker. The last two are still on the desolate sandy spit of Elephant Island. There, twenty-two of my comrades survived with little under their shelter for four and a half months.

The James Caird is now in Liverpool, having been brought home from South Georgia after her adventurous voyage across the sub-Antarctic ocean.

The James Caird is now in Liverpool. It was brought home from South Georgia after its adventurous voyage across the sub-Antarctic ocean.

Most of the Public Schools of England and Scotland helped the Expedition to purchase the dog teams, and I named a dog after each school that helped. But apart from these particular donations I again thank the many people who assisted us.

Most of the public schools in England and Scotland helped the Expedition buy the dog teams. I named a dog after each school that helped. But beyond these donations, I thank again the many people who helped us.

So the equipment and organization went on. I purchased the Aurora from Sir Douglas Mawson, and arranged for Mackintosh to go to Australia and take charge of her, there sending sledges, equipment and most of the stores from this side, but depending somewhat on the sympathy and help of Australia and New Zealand for coal and certain other necessities, knowing that previously these two countries had always generously supported the exploration of what one might call their hinterland.

So the preparations and organization continued. I bought the Aurora from Sir Douglas Mawson and arranged for Mackintosh to go to Australia and take charge of her. I sent sledges, equipment, and most of the supplies from here. But I relied partly on the goodwill and help of Australia and New Zealand for coal and certain other necessities. I knew that both countries had always generously supported the exploration of what one might call their hinterland.

Towards the end of July all was ready, when suddenly the war clouds darkened over Europe.

By late July, everything was ready. Then, suddenly, war clouds darkened over Europe.

It had been arranged for the Endurance to proceed to Cowes, to be inspected by His Majesty on the Monday of Cowes week. But on Friday I received a message to say that the King would not be able to go to Cowes. My readers will remember how suddenly came the menace of war. Naturally, both my comrades and I were greatly exercised as to the probable outcome of the danger threatening the peace of the world.

The Endurance was scheduled to sail to Cowes, where the King would inspect her on Monday of Cowes week. But on Friday, I received a message saying that the King could not go to Cowes. My readers will remember how suddenly the threat of war arose. Naturally, my comrades and I were deeply concerned about how the threat to world peace might unfold.

We sailed from London on Friday, August 1, 1914, and anchored off Southend all Saturday. On Sunday afternoon I took the ship off Margate, growing hourly more anxious as the ever-increasing rumours spread; and on Monday morning I went ashore and read in the morning paper the order for general mobilization.

We sailed from London on Friday, August 1, 1914, and stayed anchored off Southend all Saturday. On Sunday afternoon, I took the ship off Margate. As more and more rumors spread, I grew more anxious by the hour. On Monday morning, I went ashore and read the order for general mobilization in the morning paper.

I immediately went on board and mustered all hands and told them that I proposed to send a telegram to the Admiralty offering the ships, stores, and, if they agreed, our own services to the country in the event of war breaking out. All hands immediately agreed, and I sent off a telegram in which everything was placed at the disposal of the Admiralty. We only asked that, in the event of the declaration of war, the Expedition might be considered as a single unit, so as to preserve its homogeneity. There were enough trained and experienced men amongst us to man a destroyer. Within an hour I received a laconic wire from the Admiralty saying “Proceed.” Within two hours a longer wire came from Mr. Winston Churchill, in which we were thanked for our offer, and saying that the authorities desired that the Expedition, which had the full sanction and support of the Scientific and Geographical Societies, should go on.

I immediately went aboard and gathered the whole crew. I told them I planned to send a telegram to the Admiralty. I would offer the ships and supplies, and, if the crew agreed, our own services to the country if war broke out. Everyone agreed at once. I sent a telegram placing everything at the Admiralty's disposal. We asked only that, if war was declared, the Expedition be kept together as a single unit. We wanted to preserve its unity. We had enough trained and experienced men to crew a destroyer. Within an hour, I received a brief telegram from the Admiralty saying “Proceed.” Within two hours, a longer telegram arrived from Mr. Winston Churchill. He thanked us for our offer and said that the authorities wanted the Expedition to continue. The Expedition had the full approval and support of the Scientific and Geographical Societies.

So, according to these definite instructions, the Endurance sailed to Plymouth. On Tuesday the King sent for me and handed me the Union Jack to carry on the Expedition. That night, at midnight, war broke out. On the following Saturday, August 8, the Endurance sailed from Plymouth, obeying the direct order of the Admiralty. I make particular reference to this phase of the Expedition as I am aware that there was a certain amount of criticism of the Expedition having left the country, and regarding this I wish further to add that the preparation of the Expedition had been proceeding for over a year, and large sums of money had been spent. We offered to give the Expedition up without even consulting the donors of this money, and but few thought that the war would last through these five years and involve the whole world. The Expedition was not going on a peaceful cruise to the South Sea Islands, but to a most dangerous, difficult, and strenuous work that has nearly always involved a certain percentage of loss of life. Finally, when the Expedition did return, practically the whole of those members who had come unscathed through the dangers of the Antarctic took their places in the wider field of battle, and the percentage of casualties amongst the members of this Expedition is high.

So, following these clear instructions, the Endurance sailed to Plymouth. On Tuesday the King sent for me and gave me the Union Jack to carry on the Expedition. At midnight that night, war broke out. The following Saturday, August 8, the Endurance sailed from Plymouth, on the direct orders of the Admiralty. I mention this part of the Expedition in particular because I know some people criticized us for leaving the country. I would also point out that preparations had been under way for over a year, and large sums had been spent. We offered to give up the Expedition without even consulting the people who had donated this money. And few thought that the war would last for five years and involve the whole world. The Expedition was not setting out on a peaceful cruise to the South Sea Islands. We were going to do dangerous, difficult, and demanding work that has nearly always involved some loss of life. Finally, when the Expedition returned, almost all the members who had survived the dangers of the Antarctic unharmed took their places in the wider field of battle. The proportion of casualties among the Expedition’s members is high.

The voyage out to Buenos Ayres was uneventful, and on October 26 we sailed from that port for South Georgia, the most southerly outpost of the British Empire. Here, for a month, we were engaged in final preparation. The last we heard of the war was when we left Buenos Ayres. Then the Russian Steam-Roller was advancing. According to many the war would be over within six months. And so we left, not without regret that we could not take our place there, but secure in the knowledge that we were taking part in a strenuous campaign for the credit of our country.

The voyage to Buenos Ayres was uneventful. On October 26, we sailed from the port to South Georgia, the southernmost outpost of the British Empire. We spent a month there making our final preparations. We last heard news of the war when we left Buenos Ayres. At the time, the Russian Steam-Roller was advancing. Many believed the war would be over within six months. So we left, regretting that we could not take our place in the war. But we were confident that we were taking part in a demanding campaign that would bring credit to our country.

Apart from private individuals and societies I here acknowledge most gratefully the assistance rendered by the Dominion Government of New Zealand and the Commonwealth Government of Australia at the start of the Ross Sea section of the Expedition; and to the people of New Zealand and the Dominion Government I tender my most grateful thanks for their continued help, which was invaluable during the dark days before the relief of the Ross Sea Party.

Besides the help from private individuals and societies, I gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Dominion Government of New Zealand and the Commonwealth Government of Australia. They helped at the start of the Ross Sea section of the Expedition. I also offer my deepest thanks to the people of New Zealand and the Dominion Government for their continued help. Their help was invaluable during the dark days before the relief of the Ross Sea Party.

Mr. James Allen (acting Premier), the late Mr. McNab (Minister of Marine), Mr. Leonard Tripp, Mr. Mabin, and Mr. Toogood, and many others have laid me under a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.

I owe a debt of gratitude I can never repay to Mr. James Allen (acting Premier) and the late Mr. McNab (Minister of Marine). I owe the same to Mr. Leonard Tripp, Mr. Mabin, Mr. Toogood, and many others.

This is also the opportunity for me to thank the Uruguayan Government for their generous assistance in placing the government trawler, Instituto de Pesca, for the second attempt at the relief of my men on Elephant Island.

I also want to thank the Uruguayan Government for their generous help. They provided the government trawler, Instituto de Pesca, for the second attempt to rescue my men on Elephant Island.

Finally, it was the Chilian Government that was directly responsible for the rescue of my comrades. This southern Republic was unwearied in its efforts to make a successful rescue, and the gratitude of our whole party is due to them. I especially mention the sympathetic attitude of Admiral Muñoz Hurtado, head of the Chilian Navy, and Captain Luis Pardo, who commanded the Yelcho on our last and successful venture.

In the end, the Chilean Government was directly responsible for rescuing my comrades. This southern republic worked tirelessly to make the rescue succeed, and our whole party owes it our gratitude. I especially want to mention the sympathetic support of Admiral Muñoz Hurtado, head of the Chilean Navy. I also want to mention Captain Luis Pardo, who commanded the Yelcho on our final, successful rescue attempt.

Sir Daniel Gooch came with us as far as South Georgia. I owe him my special thanks for his help with the dogs, and we all regretted losing his cheery presence, when we sailed for the South.

Sir Daniel Gooch came with us as far as South Georgia. I am especially grateful for his help with the dogs. We all missed his cheerful presence when we sailed south.