L. McLean and S. N.
Jeffryes (wireless operator). The remaining ten members of the Main Base
Party returned to Australia: J. H. Close, P. E. Correll, W. H.
Hannam, J. G. Hunter, J. F. Hurley, C. F. Laseron, H. D. Murphy, F. L.
Stillwell, E. N. Webb and Dr. L. A. Whetter.

Throughout the afternoon we steered north-west and at 8.30 P.M. were
approaching heavy pack. Just then Hannam received a wireless message
from the Main Base informing us that Dr. Mawson had reached the Hut
alone, his two comrades having perished, and instructing me to return
at once and pick up all hands. We turned round and steered back
immediately.

At 8 A.M. on February 9 the ship entered Commonwealth Bay steaming
against a strong southerly breeze with some snow. We were right up near
the anchorage about noon and the Pilot Jack could be seen flying from
the wireless mast. Instructions were signalled for, but our efforts were
unobserved. We then steamed to and fro across the bay. At 6 P.M. it was
blowing a hard gale and showed signs of becoming worse.

At 6 P.M. the wind was growing in strength and the barometer was
falling. Not having received any reply to my signal for instructions, I
felt it was necessary to decide whether I was justified in remaining any
longer.

After considering the position in all its bearings I decided to sail
westward without further delay and for the following reasons:

1. Dr. Mawson and his companions were in safety, comfortably housed and
fully equipped for another winter.

2. Any further delay was seriously endangering our chance of being able
to relieve Wild's party that year. The navigation of the fifteen hundred
miles to the Shackleton Ice-Shelf was becoming, daily, more dangerous on
account of the shortness of daylight and the conditions of the ice.

3. The only vessel which had wintered in the vicinity of the Western
Base (the 'Gauss') had been frozen in as early in the season as February
22, spending more than twelve months in the ice. The 'Aurora' was not
provisioned for a winter in the ice.

4. It had been ascertained from the records at the Main Base that gales
were often protracted at the close of the short summer season. We had
just experienced one such gale, lasting seven days.

5. As a seaman, I had realized the difficulties encountered in
approaching and getting away from the Western Base in 1912. It was then
three weeks later in the year.

I felt convinced that in leaving the Main Base, withou