The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1931. THE NAUTILUS.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1931. THE NAUTILUS.

The fact that the submarine Nautilus has been so unfortunate as to encounter difficulties before the voyage to North Polar regions was well commenced emphasises the difference there must always be between exploits in fiction, exemplified as to submarine adventure in those of Captain Nemo, and those in a world in which rue fortune of explorers is governed by practical concerns that trouble' me novelist only so far as he chooses to allow them. The serious engine trouble which the Nautilus bad experienced may be repaired, no doubt, but the fact that it has occurred serves to recall the apprehensions expressed by certain eminent scientists and explorers as to the suitability of the craft for the undertaking. Of the capacity of Sir Herbert Wilkins as a leader of the expedition, and of the practicability of Iris project, few, if any, doubts have been expressed, comments the Otago Times. Neither has it been suggested that the expedition is in any way more reckless than many polar ventures of the' past which proved successful. The Nautilus is equipped with apparatus that can crown tirejourney with success as to its scientific side, and it is fitted with every ingenious contrivance that man could devise to ensure that the practical problems which may lie expected to confront the voyager under the ice cap can be met. Provided that the' conjecture of the scientists who have interested themselves in the expedition is reliable, and that the equipment proves equal to the demands made upon it, it would seen that there is no danger of the crew.of the Nautilus being starved or suffocated, or imprisoned" under the ice. But with preparations so thorough as to be almost foolproof, save, of course, for the

contingencies ol' such an undertaking that cannot be foreseen but may nevertheless ■ arise, there remains one point in doubt, and tliat a- question which the disablement of the Nautilus in, the Atlantic emphasises. It is briefly., whether the submarine ,;s itself of sufficient reliability for an adventure that must depend for its accomplishment upon the performance of the craft, more than on all other factors. The Nautilus, which lms been lent to Sir Hubert Wilkins by the United States, ii.s obsolete to the' extent that she is destined shortly to be scrapped. As she was constructed some thirteen years ago. it is possible that she is also obsolete in her actual mechanical and .structural parts. This, at least, has been suggested by experienced men who wish the expedition well and have every confidence in Sir Hubert Wilkins. Jt is.scarcely necessary to remark that, since the war, construction of all types of sea craft has greatly advanced, and the Nautilus is no longer an up-to-date vessel. No demands have ever been made of her comparable with those she is Ipins; asked to meet on the polar expedition, and it is possible that she is not capable- of meeting them. The trouble which has left the Nautilus with all engines disabled in mid-Atlan-tic at least suggests* that, when such a niisadventuri? ocourrs upon the first and easiest stage of her voyage, there is a considerable danger of worse befall,tog her when the/ polar project is well under way and relief cannot bo obtained.