Glacier Breaks Path For N.Z. Supply Ship

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28169, 7 January 1957, Page 6

Glacier Breaks Path For N.Z. Supply Ship

(From the official correspondent aboard H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour)

McMURDO, January 4. Thick jumbled sea ice halted the Endeavour right at the entrance to McMurdo Sound early this morning during the last hours of her journey to Scott Base. The ship had attempted to enter the sound from the north-east be-

tween Cape Bird and Beaufort Island but could make no progress after about two miles.

The Endeavour was hampered in picking a rdute into the sound because the Auster floatplane carried specially for reconnaissance work was damaged when the ship was leaving Lyttelton. This morning Captain H. Kirkwood communi-

cated with the United States ics breaker Glacier at Hut Point.

The Americans offered to break a path for the Endeavour. By mid, day the Glacier had come into sight around Beaufort Island, steaming at 10 knots and making no effort at all in her way through the pack.

The Endeavour worked in astern of the Glacier and soon both ships were travelling through the ice at 10 knots. The Glacier led the way north of Beaufort Island well to the west and within five mileg* travelling both ships had broken clear into the calm deep green waters of the sound.

It was a warm, still afternoon and several members of the ex. pedition sunbathed on deck enjoy, ing their last day of 'rest. Ahead lie arduous weeks of work estab, lishing Scott Base. On board the Glacier were mod of the 16 New Zealanders who had been brought by American ships a fortnight ago, glad to see the main expedition and full of in. formation about the condition of the ice at New Harbour where the Endeavour hopes to tie up early this evening. The Glacier will escort the Endeavour into the bay ice in New’ Harbour around Butter point and transfer about 100 tom of fuel.

Dr. John Finlay, leader of the New Zealand group on the Glacier reported to Sir Edmund Hillary by radio-telephone that there is fractured ice in the seven miles between where the ship will tie up and Scott Base and that it may take some time to blaze a tractor trail. The first reconnaissance will probably begin this evening. No attempt will be made to unload the ship until the trail is made because of danger of leaving stores on the ice in the event of a storm blowing up.