News of Captain Scott's expdition causes dismay

The ss Ripple lying off the landing stage at Chatham Island. - Otago Witness, 12.2.1913. Copies of picture available from ODT front office, Lower Stuart St, or www.otagoimages.co.nz

London (February 10): News has been received that Captain Scott and some of his party perished in a blizzard after reaching the Pole on January 18. The publication of the sad news caused a sensation here.

Wellington (February 11): The Terra Nova arrived at Cape Evans on January 18 this year, and obtained the following information from the shore party. Captain Scott reached the South Pole on January 18, 1912, and found Captain Amundsen's tent and his records. On the return journey the whole of the southern party perished. Captain Scott, Dr Wilson, and Lieut. Bowers died from exposure during a blizzard about March 29, 1912, at the last camp, 11 miles south of the one ton depot, or 155 miles from the hut at Cape Evans. Captain Oates died from exposure on March 17, and a seaman named Edgar Evans died from concussion of the brain on February 17. The health of the remainder of the expedition is excellent, including Lieut. Campbell's party, who wintered in Terra Nova Bay.

The following extract from Captain Scott's diary is the explorer's final message: ''We arrived within 11 miles of our old One-ton Camp, with fuel for one hot meal and food for two days. For four days we have been unable to leave the tent, owing to the gale howling about us. We are weak, and writing is difficult, but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another, and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks. We knew we took them. Things have come out against us, and therefore we have no cause for complaint, but bow to the will of Providence, determined still to do our best to the last.

"But if we have been willing to give our lives to this enterprise, which is for the honour of our country, I appeal to our countrymen to see that those that depend on us are properly cared for. Had we lived I should have had a tale to tell of the hardihood, endurance, and courage of my companions which would have stirred the heart of every Englishman. These rough notes and our dead bodies must tell the tale, but surely, surely, a great rich country like ours will see that those who are dependent on us are properly provided for.'' R. SCOTT, 25th March, 1912.

The wholly unexpected news of the dreadful disaster that overwhelmed gallant Captain Scott and the chosen band that accompanied him caused a profound sensation in the city yesterday morning. A very pathetic sidelight on the tragedy lies in the fact that Mrs Wilson left Dunedin yesterday morning by the first express for Christchurch in the anticipation of meeting her husband, who she fully expected would be on the Terra Nova. - ODT, 12.2.1913.