TRANSPORT OF FUEL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29466, 18 March 1961, Page 13

TRANSPORT OF FUEL

Roili-Tankers In Antarctic Roili-tankers —huge fuelfilled rubber tyres—may partly replace air-drops of fuel to inland American Antarctic stations in the future. There was a possibility that a tractor train hauling several of these tyres may make an experimental trip from Little America to Byrd station next summer, RearAdmiral D. M. Tyree, commander of the United States Antarctic expedition, said in Christchurch. Fuel for heating, lighting, machinery, and aircraft was needed in ever-increas-ing quantities at Byrd’s and an alternative means of carting it to the station would relieve a considerable burden from the aircraft, he said. The Navy Department in Washington had been asked to consider the fuel train as a part of next year’s operation; but unless tractors, fuel, and the necessary equipment could be assembled and landed at Little America early next season it would be too late. The haul would be “very expensive—about a million dollars,” said Rear-Admiral Tyree. “Time is running out and the money has not been forthcoming. Roili-tankers were used on the McMurdo Sound to South Pole and Byrd station to Eights Coast traverses this season.