BYRD’S NEXT ENTERPRISE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1928, Page 2

BYRD’S NEXT ENTERPRISE

FLIGHT TO SOUTH POLE. | [“Sydney Sun” Cables.] fJioccivo<J this day at 8.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, March 6. Commander Richard Byrd in an interview, pictured the time he would be camped oil a stationary iceberg 2301) miles from the neares human dwelling, on his projected exploration trip to the Antarctic. He said the expedition will sail south in September next and he expects to return in June, 1930, though there is a possibility we might he delayed. New Zealand will he left oil Ist September. AVe then voyage across Ross Ice Harrier. The main base of the expedition will bo the Bay of Whales where Amundsen had his headquarters. This is 2300 miles from the nearest human dwelling, the farthest people have ever lived from civilisation. There we shall establish a small village. After making the camp we shall establish several sub-liases one hundred miles apart- on the way to the South Pole. These are necessary in the event of a forced landing. The final flight will be most hazardous. Besides radio, we shall use a kite to keep touch with the last base. The landing will be difficult as the South Pole is on the last plateau one thousand feel high in the air and at 2000 feet height the air has lost so much of its denseness that it< requires a great deal of power to take the plane of the ground. AVo shall land with 12,000 gallons of gasolene and a thousand pounds of emergency equipment. For the flight a big monoplane with three engines and wings with a spread of seventy-six feet will probably he used. In addition the expedition will carry two single engine monoplanes of the type used by Chamberlain on bis transAtlantic flight, an ice ship with bored hull, and two projecting timbers to push aside floes is being constructed. Fifty-four men will: make the trip. Flovd Bennett the companion of Byrd in ill's North Pole trip will be second in command. Alans will made, photographs taken and scientific data bo brought back to civilisation. The forzen area to bo explored is larger than United States and Mexico combined. The trip is primarily for a scientific purpose.” Byrd added:—“l regal'd whatever hazard is encountered is justified by the increase of man’s knowledge that the expedition will make possible.”