THE FLAG HOISTED 



camera so as to focus the whole group, and arranged 

 a trigger which would be released by means of a string 

 held in our hands so as to make the exposure by means 

 of the focal plane shutter. Meanwhile, Mackay and I 

 fixed up the flag-pole. We then bared our heads and 

 hoisted the Union Jack at 3.30 p.m. with the words 

 uttered by myself in conformity with Lieutenant 

 Shackleton's instructions, " I hereby take possession 

 of this area now containing the Magnetic Pole for the 

 British Empire." At the same time I fired the trigger 

 of the camera by pulhng the string. Thus the group were 

 photographed in the manner shown on the plate. 

 The blurred line connected with m^^ right hand repre- 

 sents the part of the string in focus blown from side to 

 side by the wind. Then we gave three cheers for his 

 Majesty the King. 



There was a pretty sky at the time to the north 

 of us with low cumulus clouds, and we speculated at 

 the time as to whether it was possible that an arm 

 of the sea, such as would produce the moisture to form 

 the cumulus, might not be very far distant. In view 

 of our subsequent discovery of a deep indent in the 

 coast-line in a southerly direction beyond Cape North, 

 it is possible that the sea at this point is at no very con- 

 siderable distance. 



The temperature at the time we hoisted the flag 

 was exactly 0° Fahr. It was an intense satisfaction 

 and relief to all of us to feel that at last after so many 

 days of toil, hardship and danger we had been able 

 to carry out our leader's instructions, and to fulfil 

 the wish of Sir James Clarke Ross that the South 

 Magnetic Pole should be actually reached, as he had 

 already in 1831 reached the North Magnetic Pole. 

 At the same time we were too utterly weary to be 

 capable of any great amount of exultation. I am 



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