A NORWEGIAN VENTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 October 1923, Page 1

A NORWEGIAN VENTURE

AUCKLAND. Oct. 1.2. A i orrespomlent at Sea tile, writing to the New Zealand “Herald" under date. Sept. 17t1i.. says lie is ready to take part in a whaling venture in the Ross Sea. that will rank a> one of the most dangerous and spectacular veu- | 1 1 ires of the kind. The steam steel I whalers. Star 1., Star 11.. and the Star I 111., of Seattle will leave that port in ! a low days ami begin a 7()3!.l-mile voyage to Auckland. New Zealand, which port is ro he their base of operation fui the next seven years. The three whalers wore purchased recently by the Ilvalfangst Rosshavet Company of Sandcfjord. Norway, from the (’idled States Whaling Company. That whales exist in the Ross Sea in abundance was reported years ago bv Captain Roald Amundsen and by (’apt. Robert. Falconer Scott, the British Naval explorer who lost his life while seeking the South Pole. The Norwegian venture will utilise the knowledge gained by these two great, explorers during their cruises inside the Antarctic ice harrier. Two steel steam whalers and a 12.8P0 ton steamship equipped as a huge floating whaling plant are going from Norway to the Res- Sea. There they will meet ihe Star 1.. Star 11.. and Star 111. The steamship will serve both as a floating whaling plant and as a mothership of the five whalers. In charge of putting the Star.. Star TI. and Star 111. into commission, and representing the Ilvalfangst Rosshavet Company of Samlefjord is Captain Gustav Petersen, a veteran, a Norwegian whaler of many years’ experience. He is commodore of the little fleet of three ships. The three whaling steamers were built in Seattle about ten years ago. Captain I’etorsen is to command the Star I. the largest of three vessels, as well as to have charge of the party until Auckland is reached. In command of the Star IT. is Captain 010 - Iverson, another hardy Norse whaler, but a younger man than ins chief, while Captain Xols Tlardw ickson is to command tlie Star 111. The three little vesols will sail in convoy formation, the Star 1., which is equipped with wireless, acting as the mother ship on the long voyage. Each

vessel will carry ;i total of twelve men } in the trow, whn comprise some of the j hardiest of Norwegian whalers accustomed to the rigours of the Xorth Sen ; all their lives. j The vessel' were conditioned in Eagle ! Harbour, across Puget Sound from ; Seattle at the plant of the Winslow .Marine Hailway and Shipbuilding Company. and came to Seattle to-day to load stores and as mneh coal as eaeh can < arry, including deck loads for fuel. Supply will form one of the biggest problems for the little vessels. Captain Petersen announces that the voyage will he via Honolulu, where the ships will refuel, and thence to Tahiti or Pago Pago. before Auckland is reached. Captain Pettcrson says ho expects to complete the 7000 miles' voyage in 4,0 days.