march south to assist that party, and to make geological and other
observations as already described.

"Should the Trans-continental party succeed, as is hoped, in crossing
during the first season, its return to civilization may be expected
about April 1915. The other sections in April 1916.

"The Ships of the Expedition.

"The two ships for the Expedition have now been selected.

"The 'Endurance', the ship which will take the Trans-continental party
to the Weddell Sea, and will afterwards explore along an unknown coast-
line, is a new vessel, specially constructed for Polar work under the
supervision of a committee of Polar explorers. She was built by
Christensen, the famous Norwegian constructor of sealing vessels, at
Sandefjord. She is barquentine rigged, and has triple-expansion
engines giving her a speed under steam of nine to ten knots. To enable
her to stay longer at sea, she will carry oil fuel as well as coal.
She is of about 350 tons, and built of selected pine, oak, and
greenheart. This fine vessel, equipped, has cost the Expedition
£14,000.

"The 'Aurora', the ship which will take out the Ross Sea party, has
been bought from Dr. Mawson. She is similar in all respects to the
Terra Nova, of Captain Scott's last Expedition. She had extensive
alterations made by the Government authorities in Australia to fit her
for Dr. Mawson's Expedition, and is now at Hobart, Tasmania, where the
Ross Sea party will join her in October next."