PREFACE 
make a story wliicli is unique in the history of Antarctic 
exploration. 
Owing to the loss of the Endurance and the disaster to the 
Aurora, certain documents relating mainly to the organization 
and preparation of the Expedition have been lost ; but, anyhow, 
I had no intention of presenting a detailed account of the scheme 
of preparation, storing, and other necessary but, to the general 
reader, unimportant affairs, as since the beginning of this 
century every book on Antarctic exploration has dealt fully 
with this matter. I therefore briefly place before you the in- 
ception and organization of the Expedition, and insert here 
the copy of the programme which I prepared in order to arouse 
the interest of the general public in the Expedition. 
" The Trans-continental Party. 
" The first crossing of the Antarctic continent, from sea to 
sea via the Pole, apart from its historic value, will be a journey 
of great scientific importance. 
" The distance will be roughly 1800 miles, and the first half 
of this, from the Weddell Sea to the Pole, will be over unknown 
ground. Every step will be an advance in geographical science. 
It will be learned whether the great Victoria chain of mountains, 
which has been traced from the Ross Sea to the Pole, extends 
across the continent and thus links up (except for the ocean 
break) with the Andes of South America, and whether the great 
plateau around the Pole dips gradually towards the Weddell 
Sea. 
" Continuous magnetic observations will be taken on the 
journey. The route will lead towards the Magnetic Pole, and 
the determination of the dip of the magnetic needle will be of 
importance in practical magnetism. The meteorological con- 
ditions will be carefully noted, and this should help to solve 
many of our weather problems. 
''The glaciologist and geologist will study ice-formations 
and the nature of the mountains, and this report will prove 
of great scientific interest. 
''Scientific Work hy Other Parties. 
"While the Transcontinental party is carrying out, for 
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