TO THE NORTH POLE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10364, 1 April 1925, Page 5

TO THE NORTH POLE

AMUNDSEN STARTS. ATTEMPT BY SEAPLANES. CONFIDENT OF SUCCESS.

(sßer Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 9.30 a.m.) ONSLO, March 31. A salute to the adventurers was fired by the coast artillery when the Norwegian naval auxiliary vessel, Fram, left the ■ Horten Admiralty face for Spitzbergezr; with Captain Roald Amundsen, the famous Norwegian explorer, and his party, setting out to reach the North Pole. . Amundsen declares his success in reaching the South Pole 13 years ago was a trivial matter compared with the efforts he made on his ship's drift with the eurrent toward the North Pole. "Never again will, I attempt a, voyage by sea. This occasion means that I will get there by air." A copy of. the programme left with the Government authorities has been mideriined in red ink at the part in which he states he will land exactly at .the Pole within 10 hours of setting out from Dankseof Isle. Interviewed, Captain Amundsen said, ■"I. have all that can be desired in ferial, men. and money. My faith in success is of the deepest. My journey 1 may hold: in the rarefied atmosphere terrors of which the scientist and explorer are. not aware, and which may be insurmountable. But if I fail, something will be added to the sum of •human knowledge. If I succeed, a new vision may be opened to the world of a great new trade and passenger route laid round the neck of the earth." From Danskeof to the Pole is 708 miles. Although 10 hours are allowed, Captain Amundsen hopes to accomplish the flight in eight hours. The seaplanes to be used are built i throughout of aluminium. Captain Amundsen insisted on British engines and navigational and height instruments being in&t&Ued. The flight may be commenced on April 36.

SEARCH FOR AERODROME SITE

STAGE IN LONDON TO JAPAN. (Received This Dav, 11.45 a.m) ("Sun.'') LONDON, March 31. From the Pole Captain Amundsen intends to attempt to fly to Alaska. Ho will also explore the Polar region for an aerodrome 'site to enable cross-pole flights in connection with the service London to Japan <within"so hours.