IN THE FAR SOUTH

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 8

IN THE FAR SOUTH

DISCOVERY INLET BIGGER THAN SUPPOSED SHIP HEADING FOR BAY OF WHALES [Special, to Press Association.] [Copyright.] NEW YORK, December 28. (Received December 29, at 11 a.in.) Mr Russell Owen, on board the barque City of New York, on December 27, states: — “ The size of Discovery Inlet has been greatly extended as a result of a trip ashore on skis by Commander Byrd. He found that at a point about ten • miles from tho entrance to tho inlet, where it has been supposed that it ended, it turns south, and forms an inner narrow ba t v, filled with old ice. This inlet is about ten miles longer than is shown on the maps. It turns to the right, and narrows to a width of about a mile. Just at this narrow point on tho west side are two large ice hills about 40ft or 50ft above the barrier, and from 150 ft to 200 ft above the bay. The ice between them is a narrow valley running to the south-west. Tho ico around the hills is fissured into small cracks, which are filled with snow. Beyond this point the bay opened up and continued for several miles to a point where it narrowed and ended against a largo ice boulder beyond which could be seen a line of crevasses extending for many, miles. “ It has been believed for some tune that there was land under the barrier at Discovery Inlet, because this bay has retained its formation ever since it was first charted. The presence of hills at the point in tho barrier where it bent south are believed by Commander Byrd to he a good indication there is land at this point anchoring the harrier. “An aeroplane flight over this region, during which a photographic map will he made of it, will give accurately its outlines and probably .do much to prove that there is land under the ice near the inlet. It is difficult to explain how otherwise it has retained its peculiar formation. “It is intensely cold on the Barrier, and it was impossible for the travellers, who were clad for speed rather than for warmth, to stand still for more than a few moments despite the summer sun. “ Altogether they covered thirty-five miles on skis, and were ready to turn in when they reached the ship and had something to eat. Before they returned tho ice to which the ship was moored began to break under the swell from outside the hay, where a stiff breeze was blowing, and the ice anchors had to be shifted several tinus, “ When Commander Byrd arrived the ship was being bumped by some very largo cakes, which were at least Cft thick, so tho dog teams were taken aboard, and we put out to sea again, heading for the Bay of Whales. Today wc are coasting along the face of the Barrier towards the east, sailing with a light breeze to save coal, and wo hope to arrive at bay late tonight.”