Byrd Awaits Rescue

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 619, 22 March 1929, Page 9

Byrd Awaits Rescue

Dogs Already Under Way

Weather Delays Aid by Air

BY RUSSELL OWES Copyrighted, 1 >2S, by the “New York Times** , • mpa y and S Lov “Post-Dispatch.” All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. Wireles to the “New York Times.” Received 9.5 a.m. BAY OF WHALES. Thursday. BYRD is isolated under the peaks of the mountains which he discovered on his first flight. He flew there to rescue the party which was held up on the frozen uplands, and stayed there, letting two of the others fly back.

He is only 12S miles away, but it He had to walk home it would take him three weeks, because of the weather. Before that becomes necessary, the remaining plane in commission should be able to make a flight to bring him and Hanson and Gould back to the base. Although it is necessary to reach them as soon as possible, because of the lateness of the season, we are not so worried about the present situation, as we were about the others, for we have radio communication with them, two or three times a day. It is a serious matter being so far from the base without dogs at this time of the year, because the hours of daylight are getting rapidly shorter, and in a month the sun will disappear altogether. So the pilots and weather men are watching for a break in the clouds and the wind, which will enable Dean Smith to make another rescue trip. In the meantime, the dog teams are making their way eastward, having started yesterday, so if Byrd and the others have to start back on foot, pulling their sled, they may be met

by faster teams, and relieved of that heart-breaking labour. It is man- hauling which wears meu down in the Antarctic. With dogs it is possible to travel fast, and without dangerous exertions. If in a few days the plane is able to make a flight, the dog teams will be called back. Word was received from Byrd this morning that all was well. Hanson sent me the following message: "Sad to see Fokker so cracked up. Byrd, Larry, and I are very contented, getting ready to prepare for bad weather by gathering equipment and food, which must he left behind when we leave. We are moving the radio station out of the wrecked plane 300yds down the hill, and setting it up in the tent, so that the weather will not interfere with communications.” The plane will not go until there is some assurance that it will be able to make the round trip, as Byrd and the other pilots do not want to risk leaving it there to be exposed to another storm such as wrecked the Fokker. But it is ready, and Haines and Balchen are up at three o’clock in the morning to take advantage of the first break in the weather.