WILKINS’ DISCOVERIES

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1930, Page 5

WILKINS’ DISCOVERIES

A SUCCESSFUL ELY. (United Press Association—By Electrio telegraph—Copyright.). (Received this day at LI a.m./ LONDON, January 5. Copyright from Wilkins at Deception Island, dated January 3rd.— "I am now able to give details of the flight which permitted us tip explore and chart three hundred additional miles of coast line at ilearstland. On 31st December the temperature was twenty-nine below zero when we set out. We headed southward and soon saw tiie dim outline of Alexander Island. Fifty minutes Hying brought to horizon black peaks of charcoal, and which we found to be an island. This island is roughly ham shaped, forking westward. It is 2 miles east and west and 40 miles north and south. At its greatest height it is 2000 ft. We could see Mount Rnnck towards the coast and Finley Island on the horizon. We saw low level sea ice interspersed with icebergs continuing through the straits showing as last year’s discoveries indicated, that there was a channel between Grahamsland and the main body of the polar continent. We named it Stefansson strait. Wo circled Charcoal Island south and westward to 80 degrees west longitude. There low coast, which is undoubtedly a continuation of Henrstiand. It is partly broken mountains sloping to a snow covered coast, which was indistinct in the distance. We cruised here about for two hours charting and phoographing and then returned to the ship, aided by tail wind. We were hack 241 minutes after the take off, and *'ie petrol was practically exhausted. We have made the longest possible flight in this location, 67 degrees 47 minutes south, latitude 75 degrees 21 minutes west longtitude.

The need for fuel for the steamer prevents a further westward search. We must turn hack to Deception Island. Efforts will be concentrated on a search for flat ice, when we shall take off for the great adventure .in Ross Sea. a flight over the entire Antarctic continent, and visit Admiral Byrd’s Little America. The plane’s wing pit was sihaslied as it lifted aboard. The damage is not serious.”