Part 71 (1/2)

A. D. WATSON, twenty-four years of age, single, was a graduate in Science of Sydney University, New South Wales. A member of the Western Base Party (Queen Mary Land) he acted as Geologist. A. D.

Watson took part in several sledging journeys, accompanying F. Wild in his main eastern trip during the summer of 1912-1913.

E. N. WEBB, twenty-two years of age, single, was an a.s.sociate of Civil Engineering of Canterbury University College, and, for the five months previous to joining the Expedition, carried out magnetic observations under the Carnegie Inst.i.tute of Was.h.i.+ngton, U.S.A. At the Main Base (Adelie Land) E. N. Webb was Chief Magnetician, accompanying the Southern Sledging Party.

L. A. WHETTER, twenty-nine years of age, single. He graduated at Otago University, New Zealand, and joined the Expedition as Surgeon, acting in that capacity at the Main Base (Adelie Land) during 1912.

He accompanied a sledging party which explored to the westward of Winter Quarters.

F. WILD, thirty-eight years of age, single, was Leader of the Western Base Party (Queen Mary Land). He joined the Merchant Service in 1889 and the Navy in 1900, served on an extended sledge journey during the National Antarctic Expedition (Capt. R. F. Scott) of 1901-1904, and was one of the Southern Party of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Expedition from 1907-1909. During the Australasian Expedition he opened up a new tract of country--Queen Mary Land.

I desire to make special mention of the s.h.i.+p's Party who faced the rigorous conditions of Antarctica and the stormy Southern Ocean, during five separate voyages, with a cheerfulness and devotion to duty which will always stand to their lasting credit. In regions of heavy pack-ice and sudden blizzard winds, Captain Davis piloted the s.h.i.+p safely through many situations of extreme danger. In a report to me on the work of the s.h.i.+p he writes an appreciative note:--

”I wish to draw particular attention to the loyal way in which the officers and men of the 'Aurora' supported me. Messrs. Toucher, Fletcher, Blair, Gray, de la Motte, and Gillies, in their respective positions, carried out the duties a.s.signed to them with ability and cheerfulness, often under very trying conditions.

”Mr. Gillies not only looked after the engines but a.s.sisted materially in the deep-sea work by the invention of a new form of sounding driver which was used successfully during the various cruises of the 'Aurora'.

”The Chief Officer was in charge of the stores and equipment of the Expedition on board the vessel, in addition to his ordinary executive duties. Messrs. Toucher, Fletcher and Blair served in this capacity on different voyages.

”Mr. P. Gray, as Second and Navigating Officer, and Mr. C. P. de la Motte, as Third Officer, acted capably and thoroughly throughout the Expedition.”

APPENDIX II

Scientific Work

It should be remarked that there is no intention of furnis.h.i.+ng anything more than a suggestion of the general trend of the scientific observations of the Expedition. The brief statement made below indicates the broad lines on which the work was conducted and in some cases the ground which was actually covered. It may thus give the general reader a clue to the nature of the scientific volumes which will serve to record permanently the results ama.s.sed during a period of more than two years.

Terrestrial Magnetism

1. Field Work.

(a) Dip determinations were made at Macquarie Island, on the eastern and southern journeys from the Main Base (Adelie Land) and on a short journey from the Western Base (Queen Mary Land).

(b) Declination by theodolite observations was determined at Macquarie Island and at intervals on all sledging journeys in the Antarctic.

(c) Rough observations of magnetic variation were made daily on the 'Aurora' during her five cruises.

2. Station Work.

(a) Regular magnetograph records were kept at the Main Base (Adelie Land) for a period of eighteen months. A system of term days for quick runs was also followed; Melbourne, Christchurch, and other stations co operating. In connexion with the magnetograph work, Webb conducted regular, absolute observations throughout the year 1912. Bage continued the magnetograph records for a further six months in 1913, observed term days, and took absolute observations.

(b) At the Western Base (Queen Mary Land) Kennedy kept term days in the winter, using a magnetometer and dip-circle.

Biology

1. Station Collections.

(a) At Macquarie Island, Hamilton worked for two years amongst a rich fauna and a scanty but interesting flora. Amongst other discoveries a finch indigenous to Macquarie Island was found.