SCIENTISTS IN ANTARCTIC

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 46, 5 December 1949, Page 3

SCIENTISTS IN ANTARCTIC

RESCUE EFFORTS DELAYED SNOW AND ICE IN HARBOUR ' (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright). Rec. 10.20 a.m.) LONDON, Dec.‘4. . Snow and ice in the small harbours of Deception Island, in the Antarctic, are preventing unloading from the relief ship John Briscoe of the Norseman plane, which is to fly 400 miles nearer the South Pole to Stonington Island, to pick up 11 British scientists stranded there, says Reuter’s correspondent aboard the John Briscoe.

Everyone aboard the relief ship is watching every, tide, anxiously, because the rescue gear cannot be got ashore until the waters are freed.

When unloading operations begin, an accompanying tanker, Gold Ranger, drop 400 barrels of aviation and diesel fuel into the water and floa;t them to land. \ f, A Canadian Flying Officer Peter St, Louis, a “bush” pilot accustomed to flying in Arctic conditions, is to fly the Norseman to the rescue of the scientists, five of whom have been marooned for two years and six for three years. An attempt will, also, be made to bring off from Stonington Island husky dogs which have increased in numbers by breeding since they have been at the camp.