U.S. ANTARCTIC SHIPS

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28434, 14 November 1957, Page 7

U.S. ANTARCTIC SHIPS

Lyttelton Departure On November 22

The United States icebreakers Glacier and Atka and the supply ship Greenville Victory, are to sail from Lyttelton on the morning of November 22 for Little America. The Greenville Victory is due at Lyttelton after calling a Wellington on Saturday. The Atka is expected to arrive on Monday.

The later departure of the ships was attributable to the more favourable condition of the pack ice. Commander Bernard J. Lauff, captain of the Glacier, said yesterday It was reported that the pack was a little lighter than it was at this time last year, he said.

“We should be able to go south at a pretty good clip.” he said.

“I estimate that we will do the run from Lyttelton to Little America in 10 days, possibly a little less.”

The longer stay in port was pleasing to all hands, he said. The Glacier was ready for sea now and, should an emergency rise, could sail at four to five hours notice, said Commander Lauff.

Fresh provisions, milk, bread and water will be taken aboard The Glacier filled her bunkers with 700,000 gallons of fuel oil on her arrival at Lyttelton.

About 30 passengers, including journalists and personnel from other services, will travel south in the Glacier. Most of them arrived in Christchurch this week, to find all the hotels fully booked for race week. They are being accommodated aboard the icebreaker until the accommodation is available.

The Greenville Victory is a dav behind schedule because she had to wait at Panama for high priority cargo. Yesterday the Glacier unloaded 350 large gas cylinders which had contained helium, used for balloons used in the rackoon project.