BYRD EXPEDITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 149, 26 June 1934, Page 9

BYRD EXPEDITION.

SHIP CAPTAIN'S ILLNESS.

"MUCH WORRIED" ABOUT LEADER.

After several months' illness as the result of contracting pneumonia in the Antarctic, Captain W. F. Vertleger, of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition ship Jacob Ruppert, left for his home in New Canaan, Connecticut, by the Aoraugi this morning. In an interview before he left, the captain expressed himself as being "much worried" about Admiral Byrd isolating himself alone in a hut so far from the base camp for such a long period. "If he comes out of it all right," said Captain Vertlegcr, "he will deserve a lot of credit. He ie 150 miles from the base camp, and in this weather it would be a good many days' dangerous sledge ride to him."

The captain contracted hie illness on the way from the base camp to the Jacob Ruppert last February. He was placed on board the vessel and brought to Port Chalmers. During the voyage he was attended by Dr. Shirey, who, he believes, saved his life. After some months at Port Chalmers and Dunedin Captain Vertleger ie at last convalescent and looking forward to the warmth of his native town, where, he eays, he will soon thaw out the Antarctic cold. He is most appreciative of the kindness shown him in the South.

Captain Vertleger proposes to return to New Zealand in December to take the Jacob Ruppert to Little America and bring back the expedition.