CHAPTER LXIII 
CAPTAIN SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION 
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The ideal of Captain Scott was completeness, and he 
put it into practice in his second expedition. This is the 
reason that the areas discovered from his chosen M'Murdo 
base are far more exhaustively explored, as regards every 
branch of science, than any other area within either the 
Arctic or Antarctic Circles. 
After four years of naval service Scott entered upon 
the organisation of his final expedition. In September 
1908 he was happily married to Miss Kathleen Bruce, 
who gave signal encouragement and help to her husband 
in all his work connected with the expedition. With such 
help the labour of preparation was much lightened, and 
the work of collecting the funds, a tedious and wearisome 
business, was fairly successful. Sir Edgar Speyer con- 
sented to act as treasurer, Mr George Wyatt was business 
manager, and Mr Drake, R.N., secretary. In September, 
1909, the Terra Nova, the largest of the Dundee whalers, 
was purchased from Messrs Bowring of Liverpool, and 
handed over in the West India Docks on November 8th. 
She was barque-rigged, built in 1884, was of 744 tons 
gross and 450 net register; with a length of 187 ft., 
beam 31 ft., depth 19 ft. Scott had been elected to the 
Royal Yacht Squadron, so the Terra Nova flew the white 
ensign. Most of the interior re-fitting was entrusted to 
Lieut. Evans, who was to be captain on the way out, 
but to land when the station for wintering was reached. 
The provisions were most carefully selected and packed. 
Special 4-inch theodolites were constructed for sledge 
travelling, and there were 8 chronometers and 12 deck 
watches. Ponies and good teams of dogs were obtained 
from Siberia by Mr Meares, Commander Wilfred Bruce 
meeting him at Vladivostock. They were brought to 
New Zealand with two Russian drivers. 
