HOMEWARD TRIP OF THE NIMROD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2625, 6 October 1909, Page 6

HOMEWARD TRIP OF THE NIMROD.

VISIT TO MACQUARIE GROUP.

A MODERN ROBINSON CRUSOE

A private letter received in Sydney from one of the officers of the British Antarctic Exoedition ship Nimrod — the staunch Tittle craft that brought Lieutenant Shackleton, Professor David, and other members of the party back from the Antarctic —gives an interesting account of the homeward voyage of the vessel from Sydney. The letter was written at sea, in latitude 57deg. south, longitude 169.2 deg. east. The writer says:— “We sailed and steamed over the position where the Royal Company Islands were charted, but saw no signs of any land. We spent a day looking for them, and took soundings, but got no bottom at 2500 fathoms, so we set our course for Macquarie Islands. We ran into some very bad weather from 21st May, until we sighted the Macquarie Islands on the night of the 25th, at 11.30, in a howling gale. The ship was hove-to until daylight next morning. In these latitudes it is daylight about 8 a.m. and dark at 4 p.m., so that you may guess it is pretty dangerous work looking for the islands in the dark. Next morning, the 26th, we steamed to an anchorage marked on the chart Lusitania Bay, situated about half a mile from the shore, where we had a good view of the huts used by the people who come her© from New Zealand every season for penguin and sea elephants’ oil. There were thousands of king penguins on the beach; and lots of elephants. “Next day, about 12.30 p.m., we managed to get on shore all right, but had to take a little risk. The boat was made snug, and Mr. Harbord and I made a bee-line towards hut No. 1. It contained the boiling-down plant, consisting of three vertical boilers, two of which are for cooking the penguin, and the other for making tho j?team necessary for cooking. Everything about looked as if it had not been used for ages, and I would not like to be standing near the boiler when there is steam in°it. The hut itself is in an advanced state of dilapidation. We had a good look round for curios, but had no luck, so we came out, and went to hut No. 2, which is about a quarter of a mile further north. Mr Harbord found an egg. We nailed up an official record of our visit and came out to join the others. There was a- stream running down to the sea from the hills close to the hut, so I went up to its bed, for about three-quarters of a mile, to get specimens d? rock, and perhaps; find gold, but the further inland I went the stream got deeper. It was running six to seven knots per hour. “Sea elephants were plentiful all over the island. It was exciting work killing them. We shot three very large ones, about 13 feet long. As you get close to them they rear up on the tail, and threaten to attack you. We were all a bit nervous at first, and kept a

reasonable distance away, but eventually shot three through the roof of the mouth into the brain as they .opened their mouths to roar, death in each case being instantaneous. We got 33 penguins, two giant petrels, two welia, and lots of sample of rock. Next day we again went on shore, and skinned our sea elephants. It took six men to drag each skin down to our boat, and I can assure you it was heavy work. By noon we were back on board and steaming north towards Nugget Point, which is the head or chief station. As we approached the anchorage we saw an old wreck, lying high and dry well up on the beach, it was the remains of the Gratitude, the ship that first surveyed this island a year ago. “Suddenly our attention was diverted to the huts; someone had reported smoke coming out of one of the chimneys, and sure enough, wo saw a long thin column of smoke coming out. This caused great excitement, as no one has ever been known to stay here except during the season betwen August and March. By-and-by a man came out of the hut, had a good look at us, and then disappeared inside again. After we anchored we got the boat and went off to interview the strange person. Upon nearing the beach, which was soft, fine shingle, our friend ‘Crusoe,’ with two little dogs, came out to meet us. As we got into the surf he coolly and calmly walked into it up to the waist, took hold of our painter, and pulled us up on the beach, so that we landed almost dry-footed. We soon got into conversation with him. His name was M‘Gibbon, from Carrick-on-Shan-non, Ireland. He had done over 15 year s in the British Navy, and some time in the American Navy, but, it being no class, he ‘jumped it.’ He came down to Macquarie Islands last trip with the Jessie Nicbol, as one of the oil men, and when she was loaded and ready to sail lie refused to go on board, as lie had made all preparations to stay on the island until next year. Someone in Napier (New Zelaand) had offered him a sum of money for a collection of all the beasts, etc., found on the island. This was his reason for staying. We went up to inspect his house. We explained who and what we were, and that we had called at the island to collect specimens for scientific purposes. We examined his specimens, and asked him if he could spare us any. We noticed a Westport Coal Company’s almanac hanging on liis bunk, which was two day ? behind. He could not understand this, as he had ticked every day off as soon as he turned out every morning. The explanation, however, was that he had been up in the hills for two days held up by a fog. “Next day our skipper and second officer went off in the boat. They got hack about 11.30 a.m., with ‘Crusoe’ and his two dog s with him. He arranged to pilot us to another station six miles north, called North Point. We got under way, and went into lunch, ‘Crusoe’ being our guest. He told us all about the island and himself. One visitor last trip* bad found gold, and had pegged out his claim on the top of one of the hills. He had taken his samples home, and if they were good he was going to Tasmania to take out liis miner’s rights, coming down this year with the necessary gear to work it. Another man had found a large piece of pure amber on the beach. Probably there is more there. The trouble is that it is too far away from anywhere. The Macquarie Islands are leased for five years by Mr Hatch, of Bluff, New Zealand.

“We had to finish lunch quickly, and as soon as we were anchored our boat was again lowered, and we pushed off with ‘Crusoe’ as pilot. Near the spot where we landed half a dozen white-top penguins were assembled to give us a civic reception. To show our appreciation, and* in the interests of science, we surrounded them and slew them, these being the first of this species, There are two little huts here similar to the others. This plant is used only for the sea elephants. ‘Crusoe’ led the way along the beach to where there were lots'" of sea elephants’ skeletons, some of which were about 25ft long. We collected a lot of tusks, and brought them away, also a large skull with teeth and tusks complete. This part of the island is about half a mile broad. We walked across to the west side. It is simply alive with elephants, and once or twice we almost trod on them lying in the. long grass. The west side is almost impossible for shipping, as long lines of high reefs run out for miles. ‘Crusoe’ w*as going to walk hack to his home at Nugget Point, so we launched our boat, and got safely on. board with our load. “Next morning we steamed back along the eastern side of the island, taking a line of soundings all along the coast. By 11.45 a.m. we were on our way for the Emerald Islands, about 200 miles distant. Next day, at 8.30 p.m., we passed over their supposed position (clear, bright, moonlight night) but saw no land. We then shaped our course for the Nimrod Group. Passed over their supposed position at 1.15 p.m.,. June 9. We also passed over the two positions of Dougherty Islands given by Dougherty and Keates on June 18, but saw no signs of any land. We are now hound for Monte Video.