THE STAFF AND THE ROYAL VISIT
It was no easy matter for me to select the staff from the large
number (over 400) of applicants who wished to join the expedition.
After much consideration I selected eleven men for the shore-party,
only three of whom--Adams, Wild and Joyce--had been known to me
previously, while only Wild and Joyce, having been members of the
_Discovery_ expedition, had previous experience of polar work. Every
man, however, was highly recommended, and this was also the case with
the officers whom I chose for the _Nimrod_. Before leaving New Zealand
I was able to increase the number of the expedition, which ultimately
consisted of:
THE SHORE-PARTY
Ernest H. Shackleton, Commander.
Professor T. W. Edgeworth David, F.R.S., Director of the
scientific staff.
Lieutenant J. B. Adams, R.N.R., Meteorologist.
Sir Philip Brocklehurst, Bart., Assistant geologist.
Bernard Day, Motor expert.
Ernest Joyce, in charge of dogs, sledges, &c.
Dr. A. F. Mackay, Surgeon.
Douglas Mawson, D.Sc., B.E., Physicist.
Bertram Armytage, in charge of ponies.
Dr. E. Marshall, Surgeon, cartographer.
G. E. Marston, Artist.
J. Murray, Biologist.
Raymond Priestley, Geologist.
W. Roberts, Cook.
F. Wild, in charge of provisions.
THE SHIP'S STAFF
Lieutenant R. G. England, R.N.R., Captain.
John K. Davis, Chief officer, later captain.
A. L. A. Mackintosh, Second officer.
A. E. Harbord, Auxiliary second officer.
H. J. L. Dunlop, Chief engineer.
W. A. R. Michell, Surgeon.
Alfred Cheetham, Third officer and boatswain.
W. D. Ansell, Steward.
J. Montague, Cook.
E. Ellis }
H. Bull }
S. Riches } A.B.'s.
J. Paton }
W. Williams }
G. Bilsby, Carpenter.
[Lieutenant F. P. Evans, R.N.R., was appointed
captain for the second voyage to the Antarctic.]
The work of preparation progressed rapidly, and on July 30, 1907, the
_Nimrod_ sailed from the East India Docks on the first stage of the
long journey to New Zealand. On the following day Mr. Reid received a
telegram from the King's equerry, commanding the Nimrod to visit Cowes
in order that the King and Queen might inspect the ship on August 4,
and consequently we proceeded to the Solent, where we anchored.
[Illustration: The Towing Steamer "Koonya" as seen from the
"Nimrod" in a heavy sea. This particular wave came aboard the "Nimrod"
and did considerable damage. (_See page 31_)]
ROYAL VISIT TO THE NIMROD
Their Majesties King Edward and Queen Alexandra, their Royal Highnesses
the Prince of Wales, the Princess Victoria, Prince Edward and the Duke
of Connaught, came on board and inspected the ship, an honour which
was greatly appreciated by the members of the expedition. Her Majesty
graciously entrusted me with a Union Jack to be carried on the southern
journey, and His Majesty graciously conferred on me the Victorian Order.
* * * * *
On Wednesday August 7, the ship sailed for New Zealand, and arrived
at Lyttelton--from whence the final departure for the south was to be
made--on November 23. Mr. Reid reached Australian waters a month ahead
of the _Nimrod_, so that he might make necessary arrangements and meet
the Manchurian ponies.