CHAPTER II 



THE GEOLOGICAL EXPEDITION TO GRANITE 



HARBOUR 



DURING January, February, and March 1911 the Western 

 Geological Party had investigated the coast and hinterland south 

 of Cape Bernacchi to Mt. Discovery. Captain Scott decided 

 that this survey should be continued northward to Granite Har- 

 bour and that special attention should be given to the hinterland 

 at this locality, if we could find a track up the ice falls of the 

 Mackay Glacier. 



His sledging instructions to me commence as follows : 4 The 

 objects of your journey have been discussed and need not here 

 be particularised. In general they comprise the geological ex- 

 ploration of the coast of Victoria Land. 



'Your party will consist of Debenham, Gran, and Forde; 

 and you will cross the Sound on or about October . [Date 



not filled in G. T.] 



You will depart from Butter Point with provision as under : 

 1 1 weeks' pemmican, 

 10 gallons oil, 



1 8 weeks' remainder food articles, 

 25 Ibs. cooking fat, 

 and make along the coast to Granite Harbour. You will leave 

 at Butter Point 2 weeks' provision for your party for use in 

 case you are forced to retreat along the coast late in the season, 

 and for the same eventuality you will depot a week's provision 

 at Cape Bernacchi. 



4 On arrival in Granite Harbour you will choose a suitable 

 place to depot the main bulk of your provision. 



' As the commanding officer of the Terra Nova has been 

 referred to the Bluff Headland shown in the photograph on 

 page 154 " Voyage of the Discovery " as the place near which 

 you are likely to be found, it is obviously desirable that your 

 depot should be in this vicinity. 



