ADMIRAL BYRD

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1932, Page 6

ADMIRAL BYRD

PREPARATIONS FOR POLAR TRIP,

BASE AT LITTLE! AMERICA,

SAN FRANCISCO, June 14

Admiral Richard E. Byrd, who has defied death by flying over the treacherous ice wastes of the North and South Poles, intends making a second dash over the South Pole—and perhaps beyond. He revealed this when in Boston discussing preparations for his return to Little America, which is 2300 miles from the nearest habitation. Besides the continuation of the scientific work started before, there is one thing in particular which Byrd wants to prove —whether the south polar region is a continent- or two continents.

“It is land down there, covered with many feet of solid ice. Of that lam sure,” he said. “Flying over the mountains we could see the jagged rock and barren, frozen soil. We plan to go back -to Little- America, and to the biggest piece of unexplored territory left in the world. It is within striking distance of Little America.” The explorer is anxious to be off, but lie admitted that just how soon that would be he did not know himself. This second venture will be made on what Americans succinctly describe as a- “shoestring,” or practically at no expense to himself. He said his second expedition would cost “almost nothing compared to the previous expedition.” At the time of writing he was busily, engaged in sending hundreds of letters to manufacturers of clothing, food and all the hundreds of other accessories which go to make up a well-planned expedition, requesting donations of the products.

“All those able to donate are asked to do so, with their remuneration consisting of what their advertisement will be worth,” he said. “All my outfitting is being done from Boston, and already I have 100 tons of supplies at the Charles worth navy yard. We are experimenting to determine the best way of preventing scurvy by including enough vitamin Cl foods. We are investigating powdered citrus fruits ro see if this product retains the vitamin content in sufficient quantity to prevent the disease. There is no fear of contagion of disease down there, because no bugs could live in that extreme temperature. Cold weather seemed to make us immune to colds. I love it. The air is so pure that it invigorates you. Just how long we shall stay there is problematical. ' We may be able fo complete our work in one year, or in eighteen months, but we have to plan on staying two years.”