BYRD EXPEDITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 67, 29 December 1928, Page 6

BYRD EXPEDITION

CHANGE OF PLAN MADE.

DISCOVERY INLET AS BASE. (Per Press Association.^ WELLINGTON December 28. Close touch with the Byrd expedition is being maintained by the second-in-command, Mr R. Brophy, who is still in Wellington. He received a radio ifiessage from Commander Byrd yesterday morning, reporting the arrival at Discovery Inlet, and from this he concluded that the Bay of Whales, where it had been proposed to establish the expedition’s base, had been found to. be full of ice. “Commander Byrd reported that Discovery' Inlet still contained a great deal of ice, but evidently,” remarked Mr Brophy, “it is going to he clear much earlier than the Bay of AVliales. This possibility had been foreseen by Commander Byrd, whose plan provided for establishing the base at Discovery Inlet should the ship be unable to get into the Bay of Whales.” • Mr Brophy said that Commander Byrd would probably get an aeroplane ashore as soon as possible, in order to make observation flights. He would also put the dogs ashore to exercise them after their confinement on the ship. It had been proposed, added Mr Brophy,' to take a further supply of fresh meat south in the Eleanor Bolling on her next trip, but Commander Bvrd had reported getting an- adequate supply of seal meat, so this would not be necessary. Mr Brophy will leave Wellington tonight for Dunedin to supervise the loading of stores and equipment into the Eleanor Bolling, which is to leave for the Ross Sea between January . 5 and 10.

SHIP’S SECOND TRIP.

DUNEDIN, December 28. A full shipment of stores and equipment will be carried by the Antarctic expedition ship Eleanor Bolling from Dunedin to the Bay of Whales (Ross Sea). Loading operations are now being carried out at the Victoria wharf. About 260 tons of Westport coal will also be shipped by the Eleanor Bolling from the steamer Opihi. The expedition ship will leave Dunedin between January 5 and 8, and if she has a clear passage through the ice-pack should reach the base at the Barrier about January 20.