INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE NORTHERN PARTY
The Northern Party, which consisted of Professor David, Douglas Mawson,
and Alistair Mackay, was under the command of the Professor, and the
tale of their adventures will be related by himself. But before the
party set out upon this important expedition I gave final instructions
to them, an extract from which is given.
[Illustration: The Motor hauling Stores for a Depot. (_See page 188_)]
"Dear Sir," I wrote to the Professor, "you will leave winter
quarters on or about October 1, 1908. The main objects of your
journey to be as follows:
"(1) To take magnetic observations at every suitable point, in
order to determine the dip and position of the Magnetic Pole; and
if time, equipment, and supplies are sufficient, you will try to
reach the Magnetic Pole.
"(2) To make a general geological survey of the coast of Victoria
Land; this work, however, is not to interfere with your attempt to
reach the Pole.
"(3) I particularly wish you to be able, to work at the geology of
the Western Mountains, and for Mawson to spend at least a fortnight
at Dry Valley to prospect for minerals of economic value on your
return from the north. I do not wish to limit you to an exact date
for return to Dry Valley, if you think that by lengthening your
stay up north you can reach the Magnetic Pole; but I consider that
the thorough investigation of this valley is of supreme importance.
"(4) The _Nimrod_ is expected in the Sound about January 15, 1909.
If the ship is not in, or if she does not see your signals, you
will take into account your supply of provisions, and proceed
either to Glacier Tongue or Hut Point to replenish, if you have not
sufficient provisions at Butter Point.
"(5) At Butter Point a depot of at least fourteen days' food and
oil will be laid for you.
"(6) I shall leave instructions for the master of the Nimrod to
proceed to the most accessible point at the west coast and there
ship all your specimens.
"(7) If by February 1, after the arrival of the _Nimrod_, there is
no evidence that your party has returned, the Nimrod will proceed
north along the coast, looking out for your signals.
"(8) Should any accident happen to you, Mawson is to be in charge
of the party.
"(9) Trusting that you will have a successful journey and a safe
return,
"I am, yours faithfully,
"(Signed) Ernest H. Shackleton.
"_Commander._"
In addition to these instructions, I also wrote to the Professor:
"Dear Sir,--If you reach the Magnetic Pole, you will hoist the
Union Jack on the spot, and take possession of it on behalf of the
above expedition for the British nation.
"When you are in the Western Mountains, please do the same at one
place, taking possession of Victoria Land as part of the British
Empire.
"If economic minerals are found, take possession of the area in the
same way on my behalf as commander of this expedition.
"Yours faithfully,
"(Signed) Ernest H. Shackleton.
"_Commander._"
This letter was dated September 20, 1908, and on that same night we
gave a farewell dinner to the Northern Party.