ANTARCTIC CARGO

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 7

ANTARCTIC CARGO

Discharge At Lyttelton

Rough weather was experienced in the Pacific, according to passengers and crew in t'he United States Line's 8380 ton cargo-passenger freighter, Pioneer Isle, which berthed at ‘Lyttelton yesterday morning to discharge 392 tons of cargo for the season's Antarctic operation. The Pioneer Isle, a member of the large merchant fleet which is headed by the 53,329 ton. Atlantic blue riband holder, United States, is commanded by Captain William L. Handler, of New York. She left DavisviUe, Rhode Island on July 15. About half the cargo being discharged ait Lyttelton will be used for the Antarctic air drop. Besides this there is a quantity of heavy mobile machinery and also some general cargo for the Harewood base.

The 12 passengers, Australians and Americans, are bound for Australia. One American, a retired business executive, and,his Australian, born wife will retire in Sydney after spending many years in Indonesia. An American family will go to Canberra on behalf of the United States Government. Others are just visiting or returning home. The 18-year-old Pioneer Isle, formerly a naval troop carrier, is expected to complete discharge of her Lyttelton cargo today, and will sail for Brisbane this afternoon. Another vessel, the Pioneer Gem, of tihe same company, is expected about the middle of next month.