The Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume XII, No. 2 [‎303r] (108/154)

OBITUARY.
195
Mr. Borchgrevink on his Expedition to the Antarctic.— At the closing
meeting of the session Mr. Borchgrevink spoke a few valedictory words on the eve
of his departure for the Antarctic, and gave some details as to the composition and
objects of his expedition, the funds for which, as is well known, have been provided
by Sir George Newnes. Mr. Borchgrevink is accompanied by a strong scientific
staff, including Captain Kolbeck and Mr. Louis Bernacchi as magnetic observers,
the latter being also an expert photographer; Herr H. Klovstad, m.d., m.a., of
Christiania University, as medical officer; and Messrs. N. Hansen and Hugh Evans
as zoologists. His ship, the Southern Cross, is commanded by Captain Bernherd
Jensen, who has already sailed in the antarctic seas, and there are two mates and
a crew of twenty-four. Mr. Borchgrevink expressed his sense of the honour which
has devolved upon >him in being permitted to continue the work of the illustrious
Sir James Clark Ross, and his satisfaction that any prospective results will be
achieved under the British flag. He expects to return in 1900.
OBITUARY.
Major-General R. G. Woodthorpe, C.B., R.E.
By Colonel Sir Thomas Hungerford Holdich, r.e., k.c.i.e., c.b.
Robert Gosset Woodthorpe, second son of Captain John Bolton Woodthorpe,
r.n., was born at Purfleet, in Essex, on September 22, 1844, and was educated at
Mr. John Taylor’s school at Woolwich, preparatory to entering the Royal Military
Academy as a cadet. He obtained his commission in the Royal Engineers on
June 22, 1865, and very early in his career he elected for service in India. He
“ heard the East a-calliug,” as many others have done, and he responded to that
call with the service of a lifetime, finishing his career as Deputy Surveyor-General
at Calcutta, and taking his last long leave on May 26.
Nature intended Robert Woodthorpe to be one of the world’s explorers. He
was gifted with a short, square figure and sturdy frame, immense capacity for
endurance, and a courage that no combination of difficulties and dangers could
depress. Thus, when the Indian Survey Department pointed the way to geographical
distinction, he accepted the chance with alacrity, and was speedily drafted off to
some of the wildest and most inaccessible districts of the Indian borderland on
survey duty.
His first surveys were carried through the Khasia and Naga highlands, and it
was here that he found himself face to face with a people so exceptional in their
physical characteristics, and so entirely aboriginal in their manners and customs,
that he at once fell into the habit, which never after left him, of illustrating his
wanderings with his pencil. As an amateur artist he was of far above average
capacity, and his pictorial records of the Eastern frontier must be considered
unique in value, not only for the extent of them, but for their minute accuracy,
and the patient, painstaking care with which comparatively small ethnographical
traits and distinctions are preserved in them. It was a life of adventure and
danger that he led, even in those early days. He was with Butler when that
intrepid officer was killed by a spear launched from the jungle, which was appar
ently intended for Woodthorpe himself. Indeed, his records of the Khasia survey
alone would fill a book with stories of adventure; but survey officers in India
have little time for book-writing, and the world hears little about them. In
1871-72 he was called to accompany the Lushai expedition, which was carried
through districts much akin to those of the Khasia community. Here again his
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