AMONG THE ICEBERGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 302, 22 December 1933, Page 7

AMONG THE ICEBERGS.

Byrd Expedition Entering New Waters. UNDISCOVERED COASTLINE. NEW YORK, December 21. A message received yesterday from the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, on board the Jacob Ruppert, states: — "At noon to-day the Jacob Ruppert was barely a day's steaming from the edge of the unknown waters encircling the Pacific quadrant of the Antarctic. The course is still south-east. Apparently we are getting into the greatest icebergproducing area in the world. Since the first one sighted this morning over 800 have come within vision. "A fleet of a score or more, exactly like ships under way, are strung across the vessel's path, the nearest less than three miles distant. "The sheer sides of the largest tower almost 200 feet above the water. The sea is strewn with gently-rocking ice debris through which the Jacob Ruppert is warily feeling her way. "Admiral Byrd and other Antarctic veterans said they had never before, seen such quantities of icebergs. Admiral Byrd remarked: 'Only an undulating and extensive barrier coast could produce icebergs in such large numbers. Somewhere hereabouts is a barrier coast which may be considerably larger than the great Ross ice barrier.' "Admiral Byrd's present objective is the point in the South Pacific Ocean where the 150 th meridian cuts the Antarctic Circle. Thence he Hopes to work the vessel past the recorded course of Captain Cook in 1773 and then explore '2000 miles of undiscovered coastline to the right and left of the objective position. If storms in the ice pack prevent navigation, an aeroplane flight over the area might be . attempted. "The birth of Klondike's calf took place this morning. Her caretakers are disappointed that the event did not occur within the Antarctic Circle as ex- ) pected, but 247 miles away. Nevertheless, they consider the mother has .made a record of some sort."