FOR ANTARCTICA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 59, 19 December 1940, Page 9

FOR ANTARCTICA

BEAR OF OAKLAND AT DUNEDIN.

GOING TO PICK UP SCIENTISTS.

(Per Press Association). DUNEDIN, December* 18. Bound for the Antarctic to pick up members of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition, left there to carry on the scientific work of the expedition, the United States ship Bear better known. as the Bear of Oakland; arrived at Dunedin shortly after noon to take on board, supplies. Commanded by Lieutenant-Com-mander R. H. Cruzen, of the United States Navy, and manned entirely by 'naval officers and men, the Bear presented a very different appearance ftrom that with which Dunedin became familiar when she paid twoi_ visits to this port in 1934. She is now spick and span in every way, and her lines have been improved by a new funnel which was shipped when the vessel was converted something more than a year ago to a ’Diesel-driven ship. She is still barquentine-rigged, and the modern motor equipment lias done little to detract from the romantic appearance of a tall-masted sailing ship The Bear .reached Otago Heads early this morning, after an uneventful voyage from Philadelphia. Her only call was at Panama. She will remain here until December 28; but it is possible that she may be here a few days longer. From Dunedin it is intended to sail to Little America to pick up there, and at the other base on Palmer Land,- the men who have spent the winter in the Antarctic, together with a quantity of equipment, t and convey this hack to America, where the affairs of the expedition will be wound up. It is not possible to say how long the Bear will he in nolar waters, the duration of the stay depending on the time involved in packing and shipping the equipment. It is not intended to take away the huge snow cruiser, which was shipped down a year ago on the North Star, and it is proposed to leave two aeroplanes .behind.