464 THE NATIONAL ANTAKOTIC EXPEDITION. 



The meeting is acquainted -svith the history of the relief ship; how 

 she was bought, fitted out, ec^uipped, and dispatched last year by the 

 Geographical Society, with funds subscribed ahuost entirel}^ by our 

 fellows. We all know the great dangers of polar navigation, and that 

 a ship in those regions may be in need of succor after the first 

 winter. Consequently, annual comnumication has been the rule with 

 all government expeditions since the Franklin disaster. We were 

 bound to follow this example, and the necessitv for our action has 

 since been proved. 



The MoriuiKj, iitted up with provisions, including a good supply of 

 frozen meat, and coals for the Discovrry^ left Lyttelton, New Zealand, 

 on December (>, and crossed the Antarctic Circle on Christmas Day. 

 She is conunanded ])y Captain Colbeck, a very able and capable ice 

 navigator, who has under him zealous officers and a good crew. In 

 about ()7'-^ 40' S. an interesting discovery was made of a new island, 

 of which several excellent photographs were taken. A landing was 

 efiected and a survey was made; it was named Scott Island. 



Outside the pack the Morning encountered a heavy southeast gale, 

 bergs and heavy iioe pieces being a source of continual danger, and the 

 ship was subjected to a most severe straining. At one time she could 

 show no canvas. The season was very late and the navigation difh- 

 cult. But Captain Colbeck followed up his clew, found the record at 

 Cape Crozier, and finally sighted the Discoveries masts. 



It was found that several miles of ice intervened betw^een the two 

 ships, and it was not long before it became clear that the ice was not 

 likely to move during that season. All hands at once went to work 

 to transfer stores and provisions on sledges, and before it became 

 necessary to depart the Morning had supplied 14 tons of stores and 

 provisions and 20 ton^ of coal. But there was barely time. 



The arrival of the Morning was most providential, but she leaves 

 the Discovery with oidy provisions to last until next January, and 80 

 tons of coal. 



In returning, the Morning was in some danger of being detained. 

 She was beset, but was saved by her skillful ice navigation, aided by a 

 strong southwesterly gale. Her detention would have been a terrible 

 calamity. She, however, returned safely to L^^ttelton, New Zealand, 

 last March. 



Captain Colbeck deserves high commendation for the skill and ability 

 with which he conducted a very arduous and difficult voyage; for his 

 excellent judgment in finding the winter quarters of the J9/.sror</y, his 

 rapid transfer of stores, and the seamanlike qualities which enabled 

 him to work his vessel safely out of the ice under circumstances of no 

 ordinary difficulty. The officers worked under him with zeal and 

 intelligence, and the conduct of the men was excellent throughout the 

 voyage. 



