CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21049, 28 December 1933, Page 7

CHRISTMAS IN ANTARCTICA

Celebrations on Jacob Ruppert SHIP MOVING AGAIN [Special (o United Press Association, copyright. By radio from the Byrd Expedition, aboard the Jacob Ruppert. 1 (Received December 27, 8.5 p.m.) December 2(3. Christmas was celebrated aboard the Jacob Ruppert in the traditional manner. The 95 members of the expedition feasted on turkey and all that goes with it. Moving pictures and the Dog Mushers' Glee Club provided entertainment, gifts were exchanged and Rear-Admiral Byrd visited all parts of the ship, wishing each man a merry Christmas. Even the elements released a gift to the expedition, for early in the morning the troublesome fog lifted and Commander Gjcrtsen ordered full speed ahead. The position at noon was latitude (ifi.MO south, longitude 1.20 west, extending the easting far beyond the original longitude. The course is now duo east. In soundings on Saturday 10,500 feet of line was dropped without touching bottom. Allowing for drift, the official report was that there was no bottom at 9000 fool. Hocks found embedded in passing icebergs have been of varyiir; colours, brown, green, and blue. The expedition's geologists studied them and declared that they 1 iad been carried from the continent. This is interesting, as no coast in this vicinity has yet been discovered. These icebergs are fragments of fresh-water glaciers. Other Ship's Progress. A message from the Bear of Oakland states that until Christmas morning, about 350 miles from Now Zealand, she was bucking in to a strong south-west, gale and mountainous seas with all masts bare except for a double-reefed mainsail. At dawn on Christmas Day the sea moderated. The morning watch found the forecastle and wardroom quarters decorated in holiday style. and stockings filled with delicacies wore distributed to each man. Christmas dinner was oaten at .midday, and toasts were offered to the success of the expedition.