344 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 



beautiful library in miniature was presented to us by Mr. Regi- 

 nald Smith. 



When we left London at 5 P.M. on June i probably the most 

 strenuous part of the Expedition was over. This may sound 

 strange, but the fitting out was carried on under such extraordi- 

 nary conditions that we never knew whether the most trivial alter- 

 ation could be permitted owing to the state of our finances. 



During the year of preparation the personnel was chosen. 

 We had something like eight thousand volunteers to select from, 

 and, as one of the leading daily papers * stated, ''All sorts and 

 conditions of men seem to have been imbued with a desire to earn 

 Polar glory.' One man wrote that although he was a foreigner 

 he was quite willing to become a British subject if Captain Scott 

 would find him a berth. Of the fortunate men who were finally 

 selected one may read elsewhere in this book, but there were natu- 

 rally very many crowded out who were fit persons to have accom- 

 panied the Expedition. 



One of these was Captain Ninnis, an enthusiast who would 

 have been selected had not Captain L. E. G. Oates already been 

 chosen. It will be remembered that he lost his life in the Maw- 

 son Expedition after proving himself to be eminently suitable for 

 Polar work. 



But even the eight thousand volunteers were disposed of 

 eventually and the appointments made. The final selection was 

 a happy one, and a vast amount of trouble was taken over this 

 important matter. 



The outward voyage of the Terra Nova hardened the men 

 and taught them a good deal. Lifelong friendships were com- 

 menced, and the ship routine gave great opportunities for learn- 

 ing the characters and abilities of the members and for appreci- 

 ating talents peculiar to various individuals. The different 

 parties were selected from observation made on the long out- 

 ward voyage. 



It only remains to acknowledge the unbounded hospitality of 

 the Cardiff citizens, with Mr. Dan Radcliffe at their head, who 

 docked and coaled the ship for us, gave freely in money and 

 kind, and made their generosity so felt that Captain Scott prom- 

 ised that Cardiff should be the home port of the Terra Nova. 



* The Standard, Sept. 17, 1909. 



