FLIGHT TO POLE STARTED

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 199, 23 May 1925, Page 7

FLIGHT TO POLE STARTED

AMUNDSEN'S AEROPLANES LEAVE KING’S BAY WEATHER CONDITIONS REPORTED TO BE FAVOURABLE AUTHORITY TO TAKE POSSESSION OF ANY LAND DISCOVERED Captain Amundsen commenced his flight to the North Pole at 5.15 p.m. on Thursday, under ideal weather conditions. He said he felt confident of success. The steamer Hobby was returning to the open water beyond the ice in case any of the aeroplanes were compelled to descend at sea. The expedition is authorised in the name of the King of Norway to take possession of any land discovered. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright.

London, May 21. A copyright message from Captain Amundsen at King’s Bay states: “The meteorologists to-day report high pressure over the polar basin, and stable observation' balloons indicate light east-south-easterly winds to a height of fifteen hundred metres and light north-easterly winds thence to a height of three thousand metres. These have swept away local storms, so the party can depend on clear weather north of Spitzbergen and the polar ice. 'You cannot expect tp start under better conditions than are now prevailing, so we advise you to start to-day,’ added the meteorologists. I therefore decided to attempt to start to-day at 3 o’clock in the afternoon from the frozen fjord at King’s Bay. > “The Hobby goes into the open water beyond the ice, in case we are compelled to descend at sea. We shall continue along the coast to Danes Island and Amsterdam Island. If all goes well during the hours of flight, we shall then turn away for the Pole. I regard the flight along the north coast as a trial, and if everything is not satisfactory, I shall return to King’s Bay or land at Danes Island and await the arrival of the ships.” A further wireless message states that Captain Amundsen has given Dietrichsen, pilot of the second aeroplane, No. 24, instructions that in the event of the aeroplanes losing contact he is authorised in the name of the King of Norway to take possession of any land eventually discovered.” Authority to take possession of any land discovered is derived from a telegram from the Norwegian Prime Minister, M. Mowinckel, who at the same time wishes Captain Amundsen God •peed in the name of the entire Norwegian nation.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN WEATHER SOME TENSE MOMENTS (Rec. May 22, 8.5 p.tn.) ‘ London, May 22. A representative of Captain Amundsen sent a wireless message from King’s Bay, Spitzbergen, saying that after the recent bad weather the decision to start surprised everybody, except the meteorologists. Nobody expected to start before tho end of the month. As a matter of fact, tho start took place at 5.15

vesterdav afternoon. The weather during the last three days has steadily improved. Journalists were requested not to announce their departure until the aeroplanes were well away, so that when this appears in print Amundsen and his five comrades will probably have landed at the North Pole, and be engaged in making observations, or perhaps already returning. Ideal conditions favoured the start on the fjord ice, which is smooth, with an adequate layer of new snow. There were tense moments, as the motors had not been started for the last few days. All four aeroplanes' shot forward over the snow and disappeared in a snowy haze, whilst the air rush nearly bowled over the assembled crowd. Prior to the start Captain Amundsen said: “Fourteen years ago I reached the South Pole on foot, driving a dog sledge before me. Is it not natural that to-day, in an aeroplane cockpit, with a 760 horse-power engine, I feel confident of success ?’ Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

ARRIVAL OF THE GREAT DAY ALL IN GOOD SPIRITS (Rec. May 22, 7.5 p.m.) London, May 22. , A copyright message from King’s Bay states that before the start on Thursday the sun was shining brightly in the morning, so without waiting for the meteorologists all instinctively realised that the great day had arrived. The airmen gave the last touches io the aeroplanes, but there was not much to dp beyond 'bringing the last few personal belongings oh board. _ The meteorologists continued to receive weather reports from all stations, while the multitude of coloured observation balloons showed the direction of the wind. The mechanics received orders to start the engines on a trial run at 2 o’clock. At 4 o’clock the entire 300 population of King’s Bay assembled to witness the start. The meteorologists continued to forecast good yveather, with perhaps a slight head wind towards the pole. Reports from Alaska indicate that a wind is forming which, if the stay at the pole is prolonged, will give the airmen a following wind for their return, which will be advantageous in view of the petrol supply. All are in good spirits at the proximity of the start.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.