U.S. PLANE FLIES OVER SOUTH POLE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27859, 6 January 1956, Page 10

U.S. PLANE FLIES OVER SOUTH POLE

(N.Z. Press Association —Copyright)

WASHINGTON, January 4.

The Navy Antarctic expedition reported to Washington today that one of its transport planes flew over the South Pole yesterday—the third time an American aircraft has been there. The flight over the Pole, where the plane circled for about 30 minutes, was not planned. The four-engined transport had taken off from the base camp at McMurdo Sound for a. survey flight into the area of Wilkies Land.

A “white-out” (a condition in which visibility becomes zero) forced the plane to change its initial course, and it headed for the Pole.

The crew reported that “the Pole is perfectly flat with gentle, elongated snow drifts appearing almost as a white stationary sea with moderate swells up to about 3ft in height.” The pilot descended to about 500 ft and the crew threw out two smoke bombs which failed to ignite, a dye marker and a large piece of cardboard. All of these disappeared into the snow, suggesting that the snow was powdery and very light in density. Lieutenant-Commander Kolp. a Marine Corps pilot, was the commander of the transport. The other two Polar flights were made by Rear-Admiral Richard Byrd, the first in 1929 and the other in 1946. U.S. Base Dedicated An American Asspciated Press correspondent reported today that Little

America V was formally dedicated today on a gently rolling desert of endless snow four miles south of Kainan Bay and some 30 miles east of Admiral Byrd’s four previous Antarctic camps x For the brief commissioning ceremony only three tents and assorted orange-coloured tractor vehicles were on the scene, says the correspondent. It looked like the last tiny outpost of civilisation lost in white infinity. But within two months will have completed a small modern village of 17 buildings spread over five acres which for .the next three years will be the main base for “Operation Deep Freeze.”

Scientists during the 1957-58 International Geophysical Year, will probe the mysterious phenomena of Antarctic skies, winds, ice and waters. All that can be seen from the base site to the east, south and west is the snow-covered Ross Sea ice shelf, a bigger area than California. But to the north on a clear day can be seen Kainan Bay, which is one reason the site was chosen. A view of something more than snow is expected to have a helpful psychological effect on the 76 Seabees who have volunteered to spend the winter in the area. The view will not make any difference after April when the sun goes down and the Antarctic is enveloped- in total darkness for six months. Before long the entire base is likely to be covered with snow. Men will have to travel between the buildings in tunnels. But they will have comfortable quarters with carpeted floors, films, radio, high fidelity phonographs and a well stocked library.

Shortly before the commissioning ceremony, the site was enveloped in a mild white-out, cutting visibility to 100 yards. But as the yellow-suited Seabees lined up in formation the sky cleared, the sun came out and the Antarctic heat wave hit—3B degrees and very hot when you are wearing gear intended for 60 below. Rear-Admiral Byrd, director of the United States Antarctic programme, and Rear-Admiral George Dufek, commanding officer of the Navy Task Force, briefly congratulated the Seabees on laying the trail from the expedition’s ships to the site, and wished them well for the winter. “Little America V is now in commission,” said Commander Herbert Whitney, who will command the winter base. Then the flag was raised and the main base was in business. Admiral a Dufek observed that the entire operation both at Little America and 400 miles west at McMurdo Sound, is now a week ahead of schedule.

“We have been lucky in getting good ice weather and base sites.” he said.

Shortly after the ceremony the icebreaker U.S.S. Glacier headed for McMurdo Sound, where air operations are expected to begin soon.