THE POLAR FLIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 May 1925, Page 1

THE POLAR FLIGHT

AUSTRALIAN ANI) N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION 1.0X4)0X, May 22. An advice from Spitsbergen, on King’s Pay on Thursday evening, says: ” Captain Amundsen was first off and then K 1 Is worth left. .Despite a heavier load ot petrol than at first planned, both took off the snow perfectly and they were out of sight in seven minutes. The engine’s purring suggested they were working splendidly. "The planes have sufficient petrol for a flight of 1(115 miles.” LONDON, May 23. Anxietv naturally prevails in London, in view of the fact that the report of Amundsen’s success has remained unconfirmed.

The following report, however, received at 2 o’clock this morning makes the position, clear, hut further news i- eagerly awaited:—A copyright wireless from the "Fram,” at Danes’ Island. on Friday afternoon states: —"It all weed well Captain Amundsen and party should have landed at the Vole between 2 and 3 o’clock this morning, when they would make observations, and naturally would rest lielore returning. Wo reckon that the return journey would oeiupy from ten to twelve Lours. On the other hand their stay might he prolonged for several days, especially if had weather or fog is encountered. Captain Amundsen previously said that he preferred to wait rather than to risk the separation of the machines.”

‘•Reports from. Grceland. Siberia-, and Russia show that had weather is brewing, hut the conditions over the Polar basin are still stable, and there is no prosnoct of a change during thenext twelve hours.” the message concludes:—"Everyhotly here is intensely excited.” LOXDOX. May 23. A wireless message from Kpitzbergen stales :—‘'The "Fram.” and the “Hobby" have set out towards Danes’ Island. There are no signs so far of any mishap to the aeroplanes. The weather was still most favourable on Friday morning.” •We consider that, if all has gone well to the north, the ’planes have found a landing place at the Vole. Otherwise they would have returned before now.”

WORLD AWAITIXG NEWS. LOXDOX. May 2!

The world i- still invading the news of Captain Amundsen. Ihe latest, at three o'clock this morning, is the following by wireless h'oni the "Fram, Wellman’s Ray. Kpitzbergen. timed three o’clock. Saturday afternoon -The -sky is overclouded this morning with snow falling and fog observable far over ihe mountains. The sudden change in the weather caused sudden anxiety to all members of the expedition except the meteorologists who report- line weather prevailed over the Polar liiisin to the north-easi ot Spitsbergen. The had weather here is title to the warm south-westerly winds blowing over the cold land which inis given rise to tlie local clouds. I nder the circumstances Amundsen is not expected In return to-day. Ihe weiitho.,, experts consider it highly probable that ihe good weather over the Volar Rasin has induced the airmen to prolong their stay at the Pole with a view to making thorough observe! tons. It they started to return early this morning, then doubtless they would have discovered the had weather over the north western corner of Kpitzbergen and descended to await a change. The possibility of this was foreseen and according to Amundsen's instructions the “Hobby” at 0 o'clock this morning proceeded In search the iec edge with orders not to pi-in ccd beyond t erlegen Hook a lid to return lielore eight to-night. The opinion in London is tha't there

ivii l ground for :i iixiilv (ill Sunday night. Kveu then i illl <■ must be allowed lor i ho transmission of the Mown owing in llio relays. If lakes live hours in iniii-.ir.it from Spit’diergeu to Oslo. I'liforl nnalely, Amunsden carried no wi rclcss, Ini vi no dispensed \\lth siinte in order to carry more petrol.

Some reports indiiiite that Aiinms-ih-n intended to stay ul the Pole for oossihly forty-eight hours. Certainly, Ihe temptation to stny would lie great to n 111:111 of his temperament and i \‘- Inude 1 iee. (In the other hand he is well provided against Ilyina: mishaps, lie lias skis, sledges, fuel and food and eonld, if necessary, transfer his passen■fei s to one machine or run iwo 'machines 011 one engine. Uear-Admira! Skelton, one ul the late ('apt Scott’s companions, points out that in the event of Hying mishaps anywhere near the Pole affecting both machines, Amnnsilon’s companies may

spend months treking over the ire in man-drawn sledges. Admiral Skelton continues that il there is no appearance ol the northern party oil Sunday there will ho ample ground lor anxiety. The North Pole ice is lull of hummocks and this is a had lime of the year. If anything anything happens to the 'planes Auiimswilt find that a man pulling a -dodge is Inti’d work. The iee cracking and forming lanes oi water will probably necessitate freiptent recourse to canvas boats. |)r Hussey, who accompanied Shack-le-mi southwards said he could not ihink of Atminstlen being not prepared for the contingency of walking hack. Me iias boats, tents, stores and will find plenty of game. Amunsden is wmiderluilv ingenious and would have a sporting chance of walking through. It lie a< hieves success he will he the only explorer who has reached both the North and South Foies. A SOM URL OUTLOOK. XLAV YORK, May 2.1. Captain Hammer, the .Danish aviator who accompanied Amunsden two soars ago within four hundred miles of the Pole, declares that landing in the vicinitv oi the Polo must be suicidal, because of the rough ice. If they managed to descend how can they rise again? He thinks the expedition has not more than one chance in a hundred of returning. There are terrifying hammocks of iee all about. It anything happens to their ’planes, they are gone as water intervenes between the Polar region and any route of escape to Alaska or Siberia.