FAILED.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1925, Page 3

FAILED.

TO REACH THE POLE. OTHERWISE VERY SUCCESSFUL [''Sydney Sun ” Cables.] n Received this day at 11.‘’A a.m.) VANCOI’VKR,.'J une IS. Amundsen failed to reach the Pole hut it was a most .successful expedition.

100 MILES FROM POLE. RETURNED ON FOOT. VANCOUVER, June IS. Amundsen flew north what lie believed to he the proper distance, and descended into the water amongst hummocks. The planes were quickly frozen tight. He estimates hi* was one hundred miles from the Pole. The expedition returned afoot and saw no land. ARRIVAL AT KING’S BAY. THE PARTY’S MESSAGE. LONDON. June 18. News of Captain Amundsen's safety came by radiogram from the Heimdal, dated Spitsbergen 18th June, stating: “ We arrived at King’s Bay all right at one o'clock this morning. (Signed) Amundsen, Dieprichsnn, Ellsworth, Feticht, Omrla] and Ruserlarsen.” THE EXPEDITION. Captain Roald Amundsen and his partner in the flight, Mr Lincoln Ellsworth, of America, left Tronwi. Norway, on April 11th on the Fram for King’s Rav. Spilzher'.:"!!. They were accompanied by a party which included Flight-Lieutenants Larson ami Dictrichsen. Lieutenant Omdahl and M. Schulte, .'light director. The two airplanes were taken to Spitzhergeii in the Hobby. Alter n period of testing mid waiting for. suitable weather, the planes set out for the "Pole on Thursday. May 21st. In a. message shortly heiore the start. Captain Amundsen said: “The distance from our base to the Pole is (187 miles. This, if it ho calm, should he traversed in eight hours. We shall attempt lo llv in the early stages at a speed of 93 miles an hour. But it" a head wind arises which endangers our petrol supply we shell iilu. turn hack, using only one engine, or transfer the petrol from one machine to the other. In that case we shall all return to our base in the airplane. If we land some distance from the Pole tho iournev will he completed on skis. We may he absent for several days, ns wo shall make perfectly sure of our observations.”

The airmen were prepared for emergencies, carrying rations lor six weeks and gear sufficient to make the journey on foot to Cape Columbia. 137 miles distant.