Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/252

248 Valdivia, Belgica, Scotia and Pourquoi-pas?. Only the last three vessels have done serious biological and physical work south of the Antarctic Circle, and the Scotia alone in the great depths in very high southern latitudes.

More than anything that is required is a new expedition on the same lines as the Scotia, and the author is ready to organise such an expedition as soon as funds are provided. Such an expedition should be provided with one ship of about 250 to 300 tons register, and should carry a complement of about thirty-six men, including six men of science. The vessel must be provided with all the most modern oceanographical equipment, and must be prepared to work in depths exceeding 3,000 fathoms. A definite area must be selected, and I should choose for the new Scottish Expedition, which hopes to set sail in 1912, the region south of 40° S. in the South Atlantic Ocean, avoiding the tracks of the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition in 1902–04, but complementing and supplementing the Scotia explorations. A suitable base from which to commence operations is Buenos Aires. A start from there should be made in the early spring—say not later than August 1st—a zigzag course under sail could then be steered between latitudes 40° S. and 55° S., a visit to Gough Island and the other islands of the Tristan d'Acunha