ITALIA RESCUE COST

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 414, 24 July 1928, Page 1

ITALIA RESCUE COST

Russia Loses Heavily

AMUNDSEN GIVEN UP AS DEAD

(United P.A.—By Telegrapli-^CopvriOh*) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association*}

Times Cable. Received noon. LONDON, Monday. THE Moscow correspondent of “The Times” states that the Italia relief expedition cost Russia 5E50,000 that was lost in freights alone, owing- to shipping being deprived of the services of the ice-breakers Krassin and Malygin. This does not include heavy running expenses and repairs.

It now appears to be certain that Captain Roald Amundsen and Major Gilbaud have been lost in a vain attempt to rescue the crew of the airship Italia. Sweden has completely withdrawn from the Spitzbergen rescue work. A Norwegian cruiser has also abandoned the search and is returning to Northern Norway. The commander of the vessel says the waters between Tromso and Bear Island, as well as the east coast of Spitzbergen, have been minutely searched. There was not the least sign of the lost French seaplane or its crew. It is believed

that further search would be useless. The opinion is gaining that the seaplane was forced to descend on the sea owing either to fog or engine trouble, and’ that it there met its fate. Arctic sea captains, who were in the region of the flight when it was begun on June 18, say the sea was very rough. They consider it is certain that the seaplane nose-dived, was swamped, and sank with all on board. MARIANO DEAD? A message from Kings Bay reports a death on board the Citta di Milano. The name of the deceased is being kept secret, but it is believed that Commandant Mariano has succumbed.