BYRD'S SHIPS SOME DISSATISFACTION

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 13

BYRD'S SHIPS

SOME DISSATISFACTION

SEVEN MEN r RETURNING TO

U.S.A.

(By Telegraph), (Special to the "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, May 30,

"We're fed up with the expedition and with our treatment." Dissatisfaction among a small element on board" the Byrd Expedition ships Jacob Ruppert and Bear of Oakland was expressed today in no uncertain terms by two of seven men who are to leave Dunedin tomorrow en route for their homes in the United States, but Lieutenant English, who is in charge of the ships, declared in reply that the morale of those remaining could not be higher, while their loyalty was. beyond question.

Since the ships returnecl; from the Bay of Whales and tied up for the winter months in Otago Harbour, .rumours of discontent and dissension have been current, and they have culminated in the resignation .of six men, while Captain Vertigler, of the Jacob Ruppert, has resigned: oh account of ill health.

The trouble-has been caused, particularly on the Jacob Ruppert, by the gradual depletion of a quantity of the ships' stores. One man is now serving a term of imprisonment for pilfering, and he will be further dealt with, by the expedition on his release. Another man who was found not guilty on » theft charge is among those who will take their departure tomorrow.

"Admiral Byrd told us that we "would be treated as o.ne man, but we have been given a dog's life," said the two men. "On the Jacob Ruppert all the men , mess together, but the 'after-guard' on the Bear keep :to themselves and treat us as dogs."

Lieutenant English denied any suggestion of autocracy in the expedition. He said that a test had been applied and some of the men had failed to como up to it through lack of what he politely referred to as "intestinal fortitude," The men .had .resigned for personal .reasons. They desired to return home, andas their were voluntary they were being allowed to do so. ~-...