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Hokitika Guardian, 15 June 1928, Page 2

It is greatly to lie feared that the Italian aviator-explorer, General Nobili, with his crew of seventeen are ir danger of extreme disaster before succour can reach them. The airship, which was the pride of Italy when it set out on its perilous voyage of exploration, attempted the first reoonnaisanee flight over the North Pole on May 12th. When the airship returned one of her gondolas was damaged, and she was delayed until May loth, when Nobili left Spitsbergen, bound for Franz Joseph Land. On this flight the explorers were hampered by having to fly through a heavy fog, although they arrived at their destination the following day. From here Nobili endeavoured to find Lenin Land and Nicholas 11. Land, but failed I to do so, thus confirming the opinion of geographical experts that these did j

not exist. On May 22nd. General Nohili set out for the Pole in spite othe fact that the weather was unfavourable. The explorer intended to Ix 3 the first to alight at the Pole if the conditions permitted of a landing being made, but this was impossible, although the Italia flew across tho Pole. Nobili then decided to return to Spitzbergen, or, if ho was unable to make that point, to Vadso, on the northern extremity of Norway. It.was then reported that the Italia had returned to Spitzbergen, But this was incorrect. The dirigibilo’s wireless was silent, and fears wore entertained for the safety of the crew, owing to the danger of having :to make a forced landing. The last message received from t.io Italia did not state her position, thongh it was thought she was drifting to Siberia. Later it was rumoured that the airship had landed in Alaska, and relief expeditions were quickly organised. However, until the message, very faint by wireless, was received, thore was no definite nows from the lost explorers. The subsequpent particulars leave little doubt as to the extreme seriousness of the plight of the party now hopelessly divided by distance following the accident to the airship. Strenuous efforts are being made to afford relief and the l>est can only' he hoped for. It is fortunate wireless lias been able to convey' something of the situation for the nature of tho messages will ho a spur to the efforts to rescue the unfortunates.