ICE RUNWAY AT McMURDO

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28514, 18 February 1958, Page 14

ICE RUNWAY AT McMURDO

“Still Breaking But Plenty Left”

There has been no improvement in the ice runway at McMurdo Sound since it Was damaged by ice cracking off only 200 yards from the field during the weekend, according to the latest report received by the United States Antarctic Expedition headquarters in Christchurch.

"The ice is still breaking off, but there is still plenty left,” said the senior Navy staff officer in Christchurch (Captain W. M. Hawkes) yesterday. “We are not worried, as there are enough supplies down there to last until March, 1958, and we were ready to finish our Globemaster flights from Christchurch last December. "Should the runway be completely washed away we would be able to build another in about 10 days,” said Captain Hawkes. The United States Navy icebreaker, Glacier, left McMurdo Sound on Sunday for Cape Hallett and Little America. It will remain at each station for about six hours and then proceed north to Lyttelton, and should berth next week.

It will then return to Antarctica, first to Little America, and then to McMurdo Sound to await further orders. Should no more Globemaster flights be made south this season, the Glacier will bring out the remaining members of the summer party. The United States Navy ship, Brough, which has been stationed between Campbell Island and Dunedin in case of emergency during the Globemaster flights, will now return to Dunedin.