ASHORE AT, LAST

Evening Star, Issue 20060, 28 December 1928, Page 6

ASHORE AT, LAST

BYRD ill DISCOVERY INLET THE MAJESTIC BARRIER [Special to Press Association.] [Copyright.] WELLINGTON, December 28. A copyright message from the Byrd Expedition, dated from Discovery Inlet, the Antarctic, December 2G, states: “We have been ashore at last, if one can call a floating sheet of ice shore; but, as tho entire Barrier is supposed to be afloat, wc have at least been on its doorstep. “ Wo reached the Barrier yesterday, at longitude 77.25 W. Wc cruised along it all last night, and this morning it rose 80ft or 90ft, majestic, forbidding, beautiful, and terrible. As we moved eastward Frank Davies (physicist) and Quin A. Blackburn (topographer) sketched the face of tho Barrier, and I soundings were taken every hour. They showed depths ranging from 250 to 800 fathoms at distances from a mile to three miles off shore. “ About 8 o’clock in the morning Commander Byrd had predicted that we should seo tho beginning of Discovery Inlet, and just about that time we sighted what was at first believed to be a distant ice iloo or berg. Three hours later, however, we were well inside the inlet, where it narrows to a width of from one to three miles.” TUSSLE WITH PENGUIN “ A short run brought ns to tho bay, where the ice was about halfway down the narrowest part of the inlet, and hero wq came alongside the ice, threw out two ice anchors, and made them fast. A moment later the ice near the ship was covered with men running to stretch their legs, and pelting each other with snowballs. Wo arc now lying not more than 100yds from the Barrier, which here is about 100 ft high. As soon as wo hud made fast, Commander Byrd, with Brent, Balchen, and others, went inland to try to locate a landing field at the edge of tho Barrier. Such a field could bo used as a base for exploring the . Barrier, and also there has always been the possibility that Discovery Inlet rvould make a better base than the Bay of Whales, although the latter would bo much nearer the area which Commander Byrd wishes to explore. They are travelling on skis, and when they reach the Barrier will be tied together with an alpine rope. “Another party, composed of Captain Parker (pilot), Vaughan, and Jacob Bnrsey, both dog drivers, have gone some distance in to get seals, which arc lying there in the sun. We need them for food for ourselves and it is necessary to lay in as large a store as possible, also, for the dogs. Dean Smith started oF to hunt seals, but on the way he found tuo penguins, which interested him so much that he stopped to play with them. They regarded him with friendly, curious eyes until he Tried to pick one’ of them up. Then ho found that the little fellow could fight with his flippers and bite with his beak. Ho brought two back finally, with many bruises on his arms and legs, and posed them in front of the cameras. But the real fun began when an Emperor penguin walked up to welcome us—the official greeter of the Antarctic, resplendent in white shirt front, frock coat, long, brilliant black beak (coloured purple on the sides), and with bright yellow spots on each side of his neck. 'He was a most imposing bird, and regarded ns with just the proper touch of scbrnl'ul toleration. Ho was at least 3]ft high, weighed about GOlb, and with his powerful flippers made an antagonist not to be laughed at. Harold June (navy pilot) regarded the Emperor for a time, and made up his mind tiiat it should be his, or at least should be photographed in a proper state of subjection. So he walked up and, after being unmercifully nipped, dived at the bird and both rolled over in the snow to the sound of grunts. Wrapping both arms round tlic_ flippers, and then lying on His Majesty, he found he could held him. June then roped the penguin and brought him in front of the camera, the prisoner protesting every inch of the way.” ELEANOR BOLING HAPPY CHRISTMAS SPENT TO LOAD ON MONDAY. Her new propeller having been fitted, the Antarctic steamer Eleanor Boling was floated out of dry dock yesterday and brought to a berthage at the Victoria wharf Aeroplanes and stores ior the party now on the Ice Barrier are to be taken aboard the Eleanor Bolmg. Captain G. L. Brown said this morning that the loading would commence in earnest on Monday and tho ship would sail for the Bay of Whales on either January 5 or 6. While the whole of the ship s company were seated in the saloon of the Boling on Christinas Day enjoying a real American Christmas dinner and opening up parcels from friends in many parts of the world, the sister ship the City of New York, with Commander Bichard Byrd and his party, was at an anchorage under the great mysterious Ice Barrier, which towered mast high above the barque. The American flag was flying from the City of New York, which earned the distinction of being the first ship to carry the flag so far south. Another record has also been set by tho barque Now 2,400 miles south of Dunedin she has taken an aeroplane furthest south A truly happy Christmas was spent aboard the Boling at Port Chalmers. A Christmas tree was placed in the saloon and it held a present for every man. The gifts included a patent cigarette lighter for every man from the wife of Commander Byrd, while lady friends of the expedition also sent gifts. Of Christmas cheer there was plenty. “ Everybody was happy,” said Captain Brown. '* And they had every reason to be.” Seaman Eddie Rous pronounced the festivities, with the popular captain as Santa Claus, a tremendous success, due to the efforts of the cook. “We could hardly shift from our chairs at the table,’” he said, and that aptly describes the contentment of the men after their dinner thousands of miles a wav from their homes. Since the Boling returned from the Ross Sea, the men have been having an excellent time socially. Captain Brown declared that not in any part of the world had be met people so friendly and genial as the people of

Dunedin. From all quarters a kindly interest in the expedition was shown, and many offers of assistance and entertainment had been received. “ They are a great people,” he said. The mail leaves for America to-mor-row, and several sacks are being sent from the Boling. Captain Brown was busy this morning sending cards to bis friends in the United States and in New Zealand. In bis cabin lie lias a big mail to take down to the City of New York. Praise is given by Captain Brown to P. James Wallis, the Sawyers Bay youth who is on the Ice Barrier as a sailniaker. Wallis went down on the Boling, the intention being that he would return to Dunedin. However, he showed high proficiency at sail making and tailoring, and on the captain’s recommendation Wallis was accepted by Commanded Byrd as a member of the ice party.