TRAPPED SHIP

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32235, 2 March 1970, Page 1

TRAPPED SHIP

i Help From Russians A Russian ice-breaker is reported to be going to the aid of the Japanese icebreaker Fuji, which is trapped in thick ice In Lutzow Holm Bay on the Prince Harald Coast of Queen Maud Land. 70 miles from the open sea. The 7760-ton Fuji, with 223 men aboard, has lost all four blades of her right propeller. ! Two United States Coast (Guard ice-breakers, the Glac(ier and the Edisto, have been • alerted to stand by in readiIness to go to the aid of the Fuji. But a United States (NaVy spokesman in Christchurch said at the W’eek-end (that the United States had • not yet received a formal request from the Japanese Gov eminent to help the Fuji. i The role the Antarctic sup(port force might play would (depend on any request the (Japanese might make. Last Friday the Japanese (Government advised all treaty (nations using ice-breakers in (the Antarctic of the Fuji’s plight. Satellite information •of ice conditions in the area (where the ship is held has (been sent from McMurdo (Station, and also the position of the two American icebreakers. I The Glacier, which is in the Weddell Sea. is about 2000 miles from the Fuji. The Ediisto is in the Ross Sea somewhere between Hallett Station and McMurdo Station. Because of earlier hull damage to the Glacier it is unlikely she will be able to give much I assistance in heavy ice.