SOYA MARU AT TOKYO

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28573, 30 April 1958, Page 18

SOYA MARU AT TOKYO

Japanese Return From Antarctic (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) TOKYO, April 27. Hundreds of Japanese tonight braved strong winds and high seas in Tokyo Bay to welcome back the Japanese Antarctic Expedition. As the expedition’s vessel, the 2610-ton icebreaker Soya Maru, came into sight she was illuminated by scores of searchlights. Harbour tugs, firefloats, and other vessels lying at anchor blew their sirens. At the stern of the vessel, two husky dogs tuggecf at their chains, wagged their tails, and howled. They are the sole survivors of the group of dogs taken to Ongul Island by the expedition. Some of the dogs died on the way to Japan. The others had to be left behind in the Antarctic. The Japanese Antarctic base was evacuated earlier this year when bad weather and thick pack ice made it impossible to land a second wintering team- to relieve the first team which established the base in January, 1957. Tomorrow, the Soya Maru’s crew and members of the scientific expedition will be given a civic welcome by officials of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government