FOR THE ANTARCTIC

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 34, 3 November 1933, Page 10

FOR THE ANTARCTIC

Lincoln Ellsworth Expedition ALL WELL WITH SHIP Probably the happiest man in Christchurch on Tuesday was Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth, the explorer, Since his ship the Wyatt Earp left Cape Town, he has made several attempts to get in touch with her, through both Australian and American stations, but for some reason she did n °t answer signals. Mr. Ellsworth, though confident that the ship was not in any difficulties, was very anxious to hear from her, and op Tuesday he received a message that told film that all aboard were well, and that she would probably arrive at Port Chalmers on November 10, the scheduled date. said Mr. Ellsworth to a reporter, “I should say I api pleasedTfiis means that the waiting is almbst over.” His long stay in Christchurch, filled in with walks on the hills and beaches, and occasional air. excursions to the West Coast or Hamper, has been something of a strain to the explorer, who is anxious to leave for bis goal as soon as possible.- He will go to Dunedin next Tuesday to await the Wyatt Earp, and will supervise the work that has to be done there. , As early in December as possible the ship will leave for the Ross Sea. Captain Baard Holt, her master, is an old Antarctic whaler, and Mr, Ellsworth has every confidence that he will take her through the ice as early as a passage is possible. The ship will make for the Great Ice Barrier, and bn thb first day on which the weather is suitable the Northrop aeroplane will be landed by a special boom which has been fitted to the ship, and Mr. Ellsworth and Mr. BerntK. Balchen will take off for their non-stop flight to the Weddell Sea and back—3ooo miles, The flight, if successful, will solve the last great geographical riddle —whether the Antarctic is one continent or two. Mr. Balcben was operated on for appendicitis in Cape Town, but as his case was not acute Mr. Ellsworth expects him to have made a complete recovery before the flight begins. Sir Hubert Wilkins, who will act as a newspaper correspondent, is also on the Wyatt Earp.