CHAPTER XVIII 
THE FINAL PHASE 
The foregoing chapters of this book represent the general 
narrative of our Expedition. That we failed in accomplishing 
the object we set out for was due, I venture to assert, not to 
any neglect or lack of organization, but to the overwhelming 
natural obstacles, especially the unprecedented severe summer 
conditions on the Weddell Sea side. But though the Ex- 
pedition was a failure in one respect, I think it was successful 
in many others. A large amount of important scientific work 
was carried out. The meteorological observations in particular 
have an economic bearing. The hydrographical work in the 
Weddell Sea has done much to clear up the mystery of this, the 
least known of all the seas. I have appended a short scientific 
memorandum to this volume, but the more detailed scientific 
results must wait until a more suitable time arrives, when more 
stable conditions prevail. Then results will be worked out. 
To the credit side of the Expedition one can safely say that 
the comradeship and resource of the members of the Expedition 
was worthy of the highest traditions of Polar service ; and it 
was a privilege to me to have had under my command men 
who, through dark days and the stress and strain of continuous 
danger, kept up their spirits and carried out their work regard- 
less of themselves and heedless of the limelight. The same 
energy and endurance that they showed in the Antarctic 
they brought to the greater war in the Old World. And having 
followed our fortunes in the South you may be interested to 
know that practically every member of the Expedition was 
employed in one or other branches of the active fighting 
forces during the war. Several are still abroad, and for this 
very reason it has been impossible for me to obtain certain 
details for this book, 
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