BYRD EXPEDITION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 November 1933, Page 5

BYRD EXPEDITION

TROUBLE IN STOR

THE RUPPERT AT EASTER ISLAN (Special to Press Association), WELLINGTON, November 21'. From' the Byrd expedition, a boar 3 the Ruppert:— ► Y f The Ruppert is once more at se , en route to Now Zealand’, after a visi to Easter Island, where the Exped - tion encountered a series of misad ventures that threatened the destrm tion of the Ruppert, and endangere tile life of Admiral Byrd and others. [ On Thursday last, the Ruppei . steamed into Cook Bay. A landin party, including Byrd, went. ashore E anj while they were there, a terrifi one-shore; wind blew. up. It require the full power of the Ruppert’s en gineis to prevent- her, foundering oi rue rocky coast. . It was impossible fo the shore party to return in the lif boat, and they remained on the islarn overnight without adequate A food o shelter and in considerable discom fort. Next morning the natives predicte< the .storm (would' last several days, which Admiral ‘Byrd felt he could no afford to waste In his haste to read the Antarctic.. Byrd • ordered tho ltup pert to sail some five vto eight mile to the other side of, the island, when an attempt, would be made to re-au bark. r A; erfew of experienced nati\< oarsmen wa s .gathered,..and, with. Byic in the heavy lifeboat, started to . row on a dangerous six miles passage, skirting * the. shore. The remainder of tlk party hiked across the island, with th £ Ruppert standing as near in a s possible in the .event of disaster. The lifeboat started, the, passage bui was swept by ' high' waves, and wai often jn danger of foundering' againsi the rocks! It was sodn apparent that i 1 would - be impossible to- reach 'the’-othei side of the island- nor could a returi be made to shore. Finally, Byrd directed the 'crew to row difectly to the ; Ruppert-into a’ seemingly impossible wind. After'a hard effort, in continual danger, - the- boat , reached -the vessel, which then steamed 'round to pick up tho land party. f ■ • - *' •• • \ . An experienced lifeboat crew * was recruited from the. < sailors;. and thej managed to make the shore and pi k up the remainder of the landing party, When on \the, {return trip, however, it was found ; that the natives ;liad stolen most of the rowlocks.- and they refused to .return them. Luckily, the wind was now with-them-,--and-the crew, using oars and-improvised sails, effected k return, but the mooring. at the Ruppert was a hazardous undertaking, requiring skilful; 'navigation bj Both 'tho lifcbdat’s crfeurnndfthe ship’s officers. Once thc.V Wofe aboard, the Ruppert immediately. started for New Zealand. .