POLAR EXPLORATION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 88, 8 January 1935, Page 11

POLAR EXPLORATION

Expense of Expediitons

RETURN OF BYRD’S SHIPS Admiral Byrd's ships would probably arrive at Wellington toward the end of February before returning to the United States, stated Commodore 11. J. F. Gjertson, who arrived from Norway b.v the Maunganui yesterday, on his return to rejoin the Byrd expedition ship Jacob Ruppert, at Dunedin. He left Dunedin for Norway in March last. When lie arrived at Dunedin, Commodore Gjertson said, he would get in touch with Admiral Byrd, and until then he was unable to say definitely what the plans would be for the expedition’s return to Dunedin. He added that he did not think there would be any new expedition for some years owing to their expense. The Ross Sea now was “pretty well worked out.” and some other starting- point would have to be found b.v future expeditions. Exploration more to the eastward, between Graham’s Land and the Ross Sea, might prove a profitable field. Probably next Saturday Commodore Gjertson will take the Jacob Ruppert from Dunedin to Little America, following the Bear of Oakland, which has already left, to pick up the winter party, the scientific research men, the aeroplanes and other equipment. To save the cost of coal the Bear of Oakland will probably be towed most of the way to New York by the Jacob Ruppert. That will depend on the weather, however, and the Bear of Oakland may have to sail her own course.

ON ITS WAY SOUTH

Bear of Oakland’s Progress Aboard the Bear of Oakland, January 6. At noon on Sunday the Bear had reached a position 53deg. 47min. south and 17-sdeg. lOmin. east, half-way across the “screaming fifties” with full sails, making a speed of 6.7 knots before moderate south-westerly winds. The heavily-loaded boat is rolling badly, and many of the crew are seasick. Cold rains, added to the discomfort of low temperatures, indicate that the vessel will soon reach the iceberg fields.