ARCTIC EXPLORATION

Hokitika Guardian, 2 April 1929, Page 6

ARCTIC EXPLORATION

POSSIBLE SUBMARINE TRIP. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). NEW YORK, -March 20. Sir H. Wilkins lia.s informed the “New York Times” to-night that he is conducting active inquiries into the possibility of making a submarine trip across the Arctic Sea, but that he has no definite plans yet for doing so this year. Admitting that he would like to bore his way through the waters beneath the polar ice to study the clear depths and currents, Sir 11. Wilkins said: “I have had this trip in mind for (iftoon years. .1 believe that the journey could be made in a month, and July would be the most favourable, it would be possible to do it this summer, and be back in time to resume my Antarctic work in October next.” Sir H. Wilkins was non-committal when asked whether lie planned the expedition for the coming summer, but he admitted it would require the aid of some Government, and he had been making inquiries. He said that Stcfannson bad suggested the idea in 1913. U.S. NAVAL .MEN DISAPPROVE. WASHINGTON. March 30. The U.S.A. submarine experts regard Sir H. Wilkins’ plan ;n cross the Arctic in a submarine as being highly impracticable. It is learned that Sir H. Wilkins asked the Navy Department recently to provide a submarine for the venture, but the request “was not looked upon favourably.” The great depth of the Arctic icefield and the limited underwater cruising range of submarines were considered outstanding deterrents to the accomplishment of the plan. It is point, ed out that the Arctic icebergs are often to the extent of many hundreds of feet below the surface of the sea, while the greatest depth ever attained by American underwater craft is 318 feet. The underwater cruising range of the submarine is only 200 miles, and should Sir 11. Wilkins’ boat exhaust its batteries while beneath an ice flow, he would be trapped, unless he could blast his way out. It is seriously doubted that a depth bomb would be sufficiently powerful to work through lieavv sheet ice.