Royal Society Expedition Lands In Antarctica

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27875, 25 January 1956, Page 11

Royal Society Expedition Lands In Antarctica

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

LONDON, January 23. The motor ship Tottan (540 tons) left Antarctica yesterday, after landing the advance party of the Royal Society’s Antarctic expedition on the shores of Coats Land. The Tottan headed for South Georgia, Britain’s South Atlantic base. The Royal Society said in London today: “The bay in which the stores have been landed is formed by two ice headlands, two miles apart. “A slope between them gives easy access to the ice sheet. From the top

of the slope the ice level continues in a gentle rise to the east, and in the far distance about 35 miles away the main continental plateau is visible.” The job of the advance party is to prepare for scientific observations to be made in the 1957-58 International Geophysical Year. The leader of the Royal Society expedition, Surgeon Lieutenant-Com-mander David Dalgleish, has reported to the society that the base is one mile and a half from the ice slope. It is being built on stable ice because no 'exposed rock can be found. All the stores were landed at the foot of the slope by January 16. A hut 120 ft long is being built upon a metal carpet which has already been laid. All the members of the party are well, says Commander Dalgleish. The expedition has been organised with the idea that it may link up later with the British transantarctic expedition led by Dr Vivian Fuchs.

. The advance party of this expedition is now battling Its way through thick pack ice in the Weddell Sea on board the sealer, Theron. Helicopter Aids Theron The Admiralty reported today that a helicopter from the naval frigate Protector has located the Theron and is giving her an ice reconnaissance. 4 ‘lce conditions north of the Theron are improving rapidly,” says a message to the Admiralty. Two helicopter flights were made from the Protector today. The first, flown to a distance of 50 miles, failed

to find the expedition ship, but the second, made soon after noon, located her. The Protector earlier signalled the Theron that she was proceeding at 17 knots and was then about 55 miles away. The Theron was asked to fire rockets or make smoke so that the helicopters could find her. The Theron replied that she was moving northwaras at two or three knots with ice conditions improving and it was possible that she would soon break out of the ice which encircled her. Aboard the Theron are the men who will build a first base at Vahsel Bay from which the British explorers will next year survey uncharted areas of Antarctica. The Theron has been held up by ice for more than three weeks. The ship must reach Vahsel Bay on the coast of Antarctica within six weeks to land stores and escape before the winter freeze begins.