Also, as a more
personal note, I named the three ship's boats, in which we ultimately
escaped from the grip of the ice, after the three principal donors to
the Expedition--the 'James Caird', the 'Stancomb Wills' and the 'Dudley
Docker'. The two last-named are still on the desolate sandy spit of
Elephant Island, where under their shelter twenty-two of my comrades
eked out a bare existence for four and a half months.
The 'James Caird' is now in Liverpool, having been brought home from
South Georgia after her adventurous voyage across the sub-Antarctic
ocean.
Most of the Public Schools of England and Scotland helped the
Expedition to purchase the dog teams, and I named a dog after each
school that helped. But apart from these particular donations I again
thank the many people who assisted us.
So the equipment and organization went on. I purchased the 'Aurora'
from Sir Douglas Mawson, and arranged for Mackintosh to go to Australia
and take charge of her, there sending sledges, equipment and most of
the stores from this side, but depending somewhat on the sympathy and
help of Australia and New Zealand for coal and certain other
necessities, knowing that previously these two countries had always
generously supported the exploration of what one might call their
hinterland.
Towards the end of July all was ready, when suddenly the war clouds
darkened over Europe.
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