WINTER BASE

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 83, 2 January 1929, Page 9

WINTER BASE

FOR BYRD EXPEDITION NEAR AMUNDSEN’S FORMER QUARTERS EXPERIENCE WITH KILLER WHALES Commander Byrd has found a winter base for the expedition somewhat east of Amundsen’s former quarters. Mr. Russell Owen describes the movements of a school of bloodthirsty Killer whales. •United Press Association.— By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (By Russell Owen.—Wireless to “New York Times.”) (Rec. December 31, 9.55 p.m.) Bay of Wliales, December 29. Far in on the ice barrier near Fraiaheim, the site of Amundsen’s camp, Commander Byrd to-night is looking for a place to establish the winter base, and also for the best approach to the Barrier for freight sleds, which will take the expedition’s supplies ashore. The shore party camped last night somewhere near Framhelm, although they could not find the hut, which had been covered with snow, after hours of struggling over pressure ridges and cracks in the bay ice filled with water and over heavy pressure ridges and crevasses on the barrier. They left the ship at 8.30 o’clock last night and camped at an early hour this morning.

Message From Most Southerly Radio Station.

After a march of several hours this afternoon, Carl Petersen, radio operator, sent in a few details of the trip from the most southerly radio station in the world, using a tiny portable set, on which he could not only send perfectly but on which he could himself . pick up stations all over the world. His message was as follows: —“At out camp December 29. It is 2 o’clock, and the whole party is sound asleep after the strenuous march yesterday over heavy pressure ridges on bay ice and on the barrier. The crossing of pressure ridges and water-filled crevasses at times was very difficult. Walden and his team went in one for half an hour, and Walden, assisted by the commander and myself, worked in water over our knees until the dogs got the sledge out, and we started on our way again. We got up on the barrier on a place where the barrier sloped down to the bay ice.’ One sledge at a time was hauled up and we all pushed. Once on the- barrier we were roped together, and we all took turns at leading. The commander was leading on a long stretch ahead, alone, with Christopher Braathen at the other end'of the rope. After an hour and a half’s sledging on the barrier in a southerly direction we had a light lunch somewhere around the site of Framhelm. After lunch we camped for the day in a well-sheltered place. From an opening in my tent I can see Cape. Man’s Head with its remarkable likeness to Amundsen. The dogs'were splendid, and Walden and Vaughan, after starting the sledges, had to run nearly the whole of the twelve miles. Bernt Balchen shot a seal for supper, and we had seal steak —as good as a dinner in New York or Dunedin.” Attempts at Ski-ing. The ice shows no signs of moving (out of the bay immediately, and it promises to be a difficult and tedious job moving supplies ashore over - such a long distance unless a break comes soon. Usually the bay is clear of ice by the middle of January, but there is no intention of remaining idle meanwhile. While Commander Byrd is away a little necessary work on the ship’s engine is being done. The scientists are getting their instruments and gear together, so that they may be rea.dy for work as soon as they land. Nearly everyone on board is taking turns trying to ski, and although there are some who are expert in the use of these implements of fast travel on snow, most of us are rank amateurs, and there are numerous dents in the snow where the men have tumbled. Killer Whales Looking For a Meat Just at present we are interested in a large school of killer whales, which have been playing along the edge of the ice ever since we arrived, apparently in the hope of picking up a meal. So far we have disappointed them, and after an experience yesterday everyone is inclined to leave them severely alone. They are the 'meanest-looking animals any of us have ever seen. Just before Commander Byrd started off about half the ship’s crew were on the ice alongside the ship. There were dogs running round barking, tents standing which had been set up to test them, men on skiis, and two teams of dogs bitched to their sleds, every dbg straining with impatience. Willard Van der Veer, one of the moving picture photographers, was getting ready to take a picture of the start, while his associate. Joseph Rucker, with his camera, was further out on the route. A small boat, in which Ralph Shropshire. assistant to the scientific staff, had. been after a small fish, which had been seen floating on the water, had been pulled up only a moment before on the edge of the ice. There was a swish and a puff near the edge, and a huge black snout, in which there were two . little pig-like eyes, stuck out of the water and looked over at us. One after another at least ten of these wicked-looking killers rolled slowly and deliberately to the surface and blew, the farthest not more than twenty yards away. A Lucky Snapshot. Joe de Ganehl, the mate, was standing with a camera about ten feet from the edge when he saw a killer rise. He was so startled that he jumped a foot in the air, involuntarily took a picture, and when he realised bis good luck began to yell in even greater excitement. We had all read of killer whales, but did not think they would call on us at once. Apparently the barking of the dogs, and many persons standing near the edge of the ice. which was fortunately thick, and the small boat had attracted them. While we were all watching them, there was a roar from behind, and Van der Veer came lumbering up with his movie camera, slipping in the soft snow and using violent language. The whales blew around us for some time, rising and spouting with a soft puffing sound, then rolling slowly oyer until their fins appeared, and slid out of sight again. Their deliberate movement was even more suggestive of what they would do to anyone who fell m.

The one which had first stuck his head up looked again aud again, not more than two or three yards frc»i the edge of the ice, as if wonderiug how he could get one of us or a dog. Needless to say the small boat will not be used again. From the midships boat on the ship one could see them sliding under the water, about ten feet below the surface.

Whales Shot At.

In the evening they came back again, appearing some distance astern and moving towards the ship. There \seie two of the crew near the water, and one after another the' whales lifted up their heads and stared at them. There is a rectangular .patch of yellowish white on their bellies, just behind the jaws, and each time they rose this thing gleamed at us like a butcher s apron. Several men took shots at them with a ride, and Erickson, a seaman, apparently killed one, for it rolled over and went down, leaving a trail of bubbles. But to-day they are back in greater numbers. At least twenty-f}ve were counted in an open lead of water between the bay ice and the drifting pack. If they keep on bringing up reinforcements this will be an unhealthy place on thin ice. Just now it is about five or six feet thick.

Commander Byrd expects to be back in a day or two. Then plans will be made for getting ashore, as he is looking for a path most free from crevasses and cracks, and will mark it on the way out. The Killer whales have been playing around in greater numbers than ever. Two have been shot, and the moment one is wounded the entire pack tears him to pieces, the whale frequently leaping from the water in a smother of foam to escape the bites of his companions. They are a bloodthirsty lot. Even a slight wound is sufficient to set the entire pack on a. wounded whale. .This ferocity will make us cautious how we approach the edge of the ice when they are round. Everyone is now giving a wide berth to those veritable tigers of the sea. There are no seals here, as the Killers make short work of them. Site for Base. December 30. Commander Byrd has found a base for the winter, somewhat east, of/ Amundsen's former quarters. There is a good landing field. The spot is reached through a small valley to the eastward, with a good passage up from the bay ice. It is expected that a few days after Byrd returns we will begin to get some of the supplies ashore, at least enough to make a base for the dog teams, which we wish to get on the ice as soon as possible. The weather continues good, although we were forced to shift our position last night slightly to the westward, because of pack ice which drifted down and surrounded the ship. We are moored to the edge of the pack, about the middle of the bay. [Copyrighted 1928 by “New York Times’* Company and “St. Louis Post-Dispatch.’’ All rights for publication reserved throughout the world.] MESSAGE FROM WILKINS SUITABLE WEATHER • AWAITED (Australian Press Assn.—United Service' • (Rec. January 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 31. A copyright message from Sir Hubert Wilkins states: "We are marking time, awaiting suitable weather- for further exploration. Snow is necessary to furnish surfaces suitable for skiis for the ’planes, as further flights on wheels are not of much value. MAWSON GOING TO ENGLAND PLANS FOR EXPEDITION TO ANTARCTIC (Rec. January 1, 5.5 p.m.) Adelaide, January 1. Sir Douglas Mawsou is going to Melbourne immediately, en route to England. It is understood his object is lo complete arrangements for an expedition he intends to lead to the Antarctic towards the end of the year.