THE POLAR FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 May 1925, Page 3

THE POLAR FLIGHT

FLANKS HOP OFF. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION piteueived this day at 9 a.m.) NE W YORK, .May 21. A despatch from King's Hay. Spitzborgen, states two flying boats of the Amundsen-Kllsworth expediLion hopped off at 0.1. j this afternoon, the conditions being ideal. (Copyright) LON'IHf.N, Mav 21.

The King's Ray meteorologists today report a high pressure over the Polar basin and, stnhlg '.observation balloons indicate lig'nL ea.st-.sonth-east-crly winds to a height of fifteen luindred metres and light north-easterly winds, thence to a height of three thousand metres. These have swept away focal storms so we can depend on clear weather north of S; itzhergon over the polar ice. \Ye (armot exfeet to start under better conditions. Amundsen therefore, decided to start this afternoon from Frozen Fiord, King’s Hay. LONDON, ihiv 22.

A representative of t'apt Amundsen wirelessed from King's Ray. Spitsbergen, saying: ‘'Alter the recent, had weather, a tlet i-tinn I > start has surprised everybody, except the meteorologists. Nobody expected a start before the end of the* mmdb. As a matter of fail., Ilu* .-dart, took place at 5.1 d o’eleek yesterday afternoon.

The went her (hiring the hist three dii,vs has steadily improved. The journalists, however, were rc<|u'-vt eil not to announce the departure until the aeroplanes were well away, so that when this appears in print, ('apt. Amundsen and lire <d" Ins comrades will prahahly have landed at the North, and will ho engaged in making observations, or jierhaps they already are returning.” “Ideal conditions favoured the start on the fjord ice, which is smooth, with ■n adequate layer of new sonw. There were tense moments as the motors had not keen started during the last few days. All four of the aeroplanes shot forward over the snow, and then they disappeared in a snowy haze, whilst the air rush nearly howled over the assembled crowd. Prior to the start Capt . Amundsen said: “Fourteen years ago I reached the South Polo on foot, driving a dog sledge before me. ts it not natural that to-day in an aeroplane cockpit, with a 700 horse-power engine, I lee! confident of sucoss?" LONDON. May 22. A message from King’s liny stated: “liefore the start, on the Thursday, the sun was sinning brightly in the morning, so that without wailing foi the meteorologists, we instinctively realised that the great clay had arrived. The airman gave the last touches to the planes, hut there was not much to do, beyond bringing the last, few personal belongings aboard. The meteorologists eon tinned to receive weather reports trom all snt.ions. while a multitude of coloured observation balloons showed the direction of the wind. The mechanics received orders to start their engines on trial at four o’clock. At four o'clock the entire three hundred population of King's P.ay assembled to witness the start. The meteorologists continued to forecast good weather, with perhaps a slight head wie.d towards the Pole.” “Reports from Alaska indicate that a wind is forming, which, if the stay at the pole is prolonged, will give the airman a following wind for their return, which will be advantageous, in view of the petrol supply. All arcin good spirits at the proximity of the start.” LONDON. May 21. Captain Amundsen says:—The Hobby goes into open water beyond the ice, in case we are compelled to descend in the sea. Me shall continue along the coast to Danes Island, and Amsterdam Island. If all goes well during hours of flight, «‘e then will start away from the Pole. I regard the flight, along the north coast as a trial, and. if everything is not satisfactory, we shall return to King s Hay, or to Danes Island, and wait the arrival of the ship there.

A further wireless states: —“Captain Amundsen has given Dietriehsen. the pilot of the Second Aeroplane. No 24, instructions that, in the event of the planes losing contact, he is authorised in the name of the King of Norway, to take possession of any land eventually discovered.