BYRD PARTY EMBARKS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 114, 7 February 1935, Page 9

BYRD PARTY EMBARKS

Jacob Ruppert Brought Alongside Ice FEVERISH ACTIVITY (Received February 6, 5.5 p.m.) Aboard Jacob Ruppert, February 5. Little America has been evacuated, and within 24 hours, unless mishaps occur, Rear-Admiral Byrd expects to give up command of his second Antarctic expedition and start, the homeward trip. The past 4S hours have seen feverish activity as the long-awaited break in the weather came on Sunday, and the Jacob Ruppert was able to berth alongside the ice pack and take aboard the aeroplanes and other heavy gear. Even with the Bay of Wales relatively calm it was perilous work, and most of the men have been on (heir feet two days without rest. The planes were brought to the side of the bay, and by the use of poles an improvised runway was made on which the planes were dragged aboard the vessel. Lighter gear was swung aboard in cargo nets. The expedition’s two cows and bull were crated and safely embarked.

The last to leave the group of buildings which has twice housed Rear-Ad-miral Byrd was a small group under Mr. G. O. Neville, one of Roar-Ad-miral Byrd’s staff officers. Aboard the Jacob Ruppert to-day he reported that the farewell took place with a minimum of ceremony. He said he cleaned up his shack, left a brief note for possible visitors, then closed the door and left. \ In the administration building a cooking fire was left burning and a few oddments of food and discarded clothing were left untouched.