8 INTRODUCTION. 



is a Ions narrow liigh ridge running approximatply nortli and soutli (see figure 3). The 

 camp was formed on a beach on the west side of the promontory and the land rose very 

 rapidly behind the station to the ridge some 4,000 feet above sea-level. Thus the station 

 was shut out from all winds between south-east and north-west and its open hoiizon only 

 extended over Robertson Bay to the west and over the Antarctic Ocean to the north-west. 

 The situation was far from ideal from a meteorological point of view. 



History of the Stations. 



Cafe Evans. — The Terra Nova with the whole expedition on board arrived in McMurdo 

 Sound on .January 4, 1911. and the discharge of stores commenced at Cape Evans the 

 same dav. As soon as the general work of unloading allowed, the Stevenson screen for the 

 thermometers was erected and the first set of meteorological observations was taken on shore 

 on .January 13. During the next few weeks the various meteorological and magnetic 

 instruments were set up and put into working order. With few exceptions they were all 

 in use on the 1st March, 1911, from which date the full meteorological programme may be 

 considered to commence. While the Terra Nora was unloading at Cajje Evans the meteoro- 

 logical log was kept more or less completely on the shij) and these observations have been 

 found of much use in supplementing the shore observations during the first few weeks of 

 preparation. Until the end of February 1912 the writer remained in charge of the meteoro- 

 logical work at Cape Evans and the record of all the chief meteorological factors is neariy 

 unbroken. After the first year's work the ship returned to Cape Evans, to take off the 

 expedition, but owing to the non-return of Captain Scott from the South Pole, it was found 

 necessary to leave a party of men for another year. I had hoped to stay with this party, 

 but letters brought bv the ship necessitated my early return to India. I therefoie left Cape 

 Evans on the 4th March, 1912, and C. 8. Wright, assisted by T. Gran, took over the 

 meteorological work. 



The lar"e meteorological and magnetic programme which had needed all my time in 

 addition to considerable help from other members of the expedition was no longer possible. 

 Also as soon as the second winter was over all available strength was devoted to the search 

 for the Polar Paitv. In consequence the meteorological work was less complete during the 

 second vear, and there is an unbroken record for two years of only a few of the most 

 important meteorological elements. 



SledgitHj Journeys from Cajoe Evans. — Soon after the landing at Cape Evans a party was 

 sent to lay a depot as far south on the Barrier as pos.sible. This party left Cape Evans 

 on January 24, 1911, and reached 79° 30' S. on February 17th where they left one ton 

 of stores, giving the depot the name One Ton Camp. The party returned to Hut Point 

 and found the sea ice, which formed the road to Cape Evans, all gone out so they were 

 compelled to remain at Hut Point until the new ice had formed to a sufficient thickness 

 to allow of the journey back being completed. A valuable set of observations was made 

 on this journey. 



During the winter Wilson, Cherry-Garrard and Bowers made a wonderful sledge journey 

 to Cape Crozier. They encountered such weather as no other party of men has ever ex- 

 perienced when sledging. They left Cape Evans on June 27, 1911, and returned on August 

 1, 1911, thus being away during 36 days. Bowers kept a most complete meteorological 

 journal, which is of the greatest value as showing for the first time the conditions on the 

 Barrier at midwinter. On this journey the record low temperature for the Antarctic, - 70°!''.. 

 was observed. 



