IN ANTARCTICA

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1929, Page 6

IN ANTARCTICA

“By Russell Owen, copyrighted 1928 by New York Times Company and St. Louis Post Dispatch. All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. Wireless to ‘New. York Times.’ ” ICE TOPPLES SHIPS. BYRD’S LUCK HOLDS. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) BAY Oh' WHALES, Feb. 1. hi the ward room of the “City of New York ” the men of the expedition were writing their last letters home, and in a few hours the steamship “ Eleanor Bolling,” which was tied between us and the harrier edge, was to start hack for New Zealand. Nearly four hundred tons ol supplies lmd been put ashore, in four days. It had been dangerous work. Finally, there was a •nisliimr jar. which shook the ship. The “City of New York” heeled lo in-rt. and, as the ship reeled under them, those below leaped lor the companion way. They could not sec what had happened, or how serious was the break. The men rushed on dock am: saw that the Eleanor Bulling was listed far to starboard, as if she were about o turn over under the crushing she had received. Both ships, heeling in opposite directions were being thrust out into the hay by a blow which tore the lee anchor loose as if it were ol straw. A mail hung on a rope from the edge of the broken cliff, swinging helplessly under the snow overhead. The head of another mail bobbed up above the snow. A large cake ol ice swept past the stern. By clutching at '((> cakes, which slipped over iror’ him. and turned over, Ben Roth, who was in the greatest danger, was able to •splutter a cry for help, and Command I *'- Byrd, who answered, jumped, hut the ice floated between him and RollThe ships settled hack to an oven keel, and it was seen that they were not sinking. Captain Brown, captain of the Eleanor Bolling, rushed aboard his ship that, lie might manoeuvre both vessels. The men wore watching Byrd as lie tried to force his way through the ice. Both men could he soeistniggling desperately. Finally Roth’s clothing froze to the. ice, and so held him. A lilehoat was lowered and it picked up both men. Byrd had been ten minutes in the water. Roth is an aeroplane mechanic. Later, they rescued Henry Harrison, the aerologist, who had clung to the rope for a quarter of an hour. Byrd, hv a roll call, then assured that all of the crew were safe. He quickly recovered Iron) the shock of the icy water, and in a short time the* Commander was on deck giving directions for the unloading of the remaining small materials on tiie City ol New York, hut which lie had ordered to fie done out in the hay. From the time the ice broke until the last man was aboard was less than half an hour, hut it seemed hours to those who watched helplessly. Byrd had taken a chance, which had been forced on him by necessity, to get the heavy material ashore and lie had won.