THE POLAR FLIGHT.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1925, Page 3

THE POLAR FLIGHT.

[Australia A X.Z. Cable Association.j AMUNDSEN'S PLANS. OSLO. June 21. With reference to the- rumours in foreign newspapers the Norwegian Aeronautic Association states that Amundsen has made no statement about his future plans. A number of prominent | eoplc, including tlie Premier, the President of tlie Storthing, and Dr. Nansen, have issued an appeal for subscriptions for nil Amundsen Norwegian Oeographi.cul Research Fund. PLANE N 25 BROUGHT TO KING'S BAY. LONDON. June 21. A copyright radio message from Spitzliergeu states: Aeroplane N2-o cn which Amundsen flew back from the Polar regions, has reached King's Bay after a .successful flight. All are '.'ell. AMUNDSEN'S STORY. (Received this day al 1.0 p.m.) LONDON. June 22. A copyright wireless from King’s Bay gives Amundsen's thrilling personal narrative. D describes how soon alter setting out on 2.1.5 i ■ June, the party traversed lor two hours, the sunlit expanse of gleaming ice. probable over the S3r(l. degree, a ircsli north-easter ciiriailing speed. \\ e came down in line calm weather and noticed the ice most uninviting, even for a. forced landing. Hard snow filled I lie crevices of the ice packs, therefore we recognise! the trip was more hazardous than we had thought. We had gone over far to the westward, so we turned: eastward and . still there was no sign of a suitable landing. Eeuelit, at one o'clock in the morning of May 22ud. reported half an inch of his petrol had gone, and it was decided to land and verify our position. The plane went down to the hundred metres level. 'I he ice Hoe seems a- most attractive landing, but (Riser Larsen’s engine back tires and we are compelled to alight on a branch of an ice lane, between loltv walls, the machine pressing down the ice blocks and with its wings overlapping the walls comes to a stoppage at the extreme end and we land with her nose against the ice floe but undamaged.” The story proceeds--“We landed and South reversed to move the machine

to the main ice lane. It was most fatiguing, and the walls coming together like lobster’s daws, caught us ill. Dietrich sen meanwhile had thought Riiser and ibnrsen had gone mad tc attempt a descent in such a terrible snot. Dictrichscn alighted on the main lane unknown to us. We feared the pack ice would screw ill) and destroy l’lane N 25. Observations taken during tlii> night showed the position ut ST-13 north, 10-19 west.