TRANSPORT FINALISED

Evening Star, Issue 20034, 27 November 1928, Page 5

TRANSPORT FINALISED

APPORTIONMENT OF STORES LEADERS HOLD CONFERENCE Tho transportation of tho expedition to the ice and the determination of the btores and aeroplanes to be earned on tho ships was discussed at a conference of tho executive officers last night. Mr Brophy said hundreds of these conferences had already been held. It had always been known, ho said, that the Eleanor Boling would have to make two trips to tho ice, but whether the trips could be made in the one year before the dark winter set in in the Antarctic had been a matter of conjecture. In any circumstances the steamer would have to return tho following year with supplies. if tho plans did not later appear to bo foolhardy, the Eleanor Boling would make two trips to tho ico tins summer. , Uu Friday it wvas proposed to despatch the City of New York, a slow sailing vessel, with Commander Byrd aboard, She has quarters for fifty of tho personnel, and on ono trip can take a great deal of supplies. On tho City of .New York it is proposed to ship most of tho dogs, at least ono aeroplane (either tbo Eokker or tho Fairchild), ouo of tho portable houses lor the base, and an emergency supply to be dumped at the sub-bases by tho dog teams and for the geological survey parties. Supplies of foodstuffs, _ etc., lor fifty men for three mouths will bo taken on tho City of New York, which on her return voyage to Dunedin will carry only twenty men. Most of the scientific and radio equipment will also bo shipped on tho City of New York. She will carry from 250 to 300 tons of coal, and Mr Brophy is desirous that at least seventy-five tons of coal should bo landed on the ice. Unless a favourable report on the ice floo is received from the whaling ship C. A. Larsen, the_ City of New York will not sail on Friday. “ There is no uso in tho ship going down to the ieo and wasting coal," ho said. “ Wo aro hopeful that she will bo able to get through tho ieo under sail without using tho auxiliary engines.” The llrst trip of the Eleanor Boling, which is planned to leave Dunedin for the Bay of 'Whales about Christmas, is designed to complete the expedition’s unit. Tho Eleanor Boling will carry ono of tho tractors, all the tractor sleds, and tho equipment necessary lor smoothing tho ico for good runways'for the aeroplanes and for making excavations for tho houses.

Supplies lor a. personnel of twcnlyfivo to thirty will bo carried by tho Eleanor Boling, and in her holds will bo tho remainder of the supplies lor tho expedition on tho ice. One or two of tho six portable houses will bo shipped on tho Boling, if the vessel is. unable to roach the harrier on her second trip, tho expedition will bo provided with tho necessities, but not tbo ideal, of housing. Two planes will also ho taken south, ono being tho all-metal Ford _threcongined plane, which is 100 big jor tho dock space on the City of New York.

For the past month, said ..Mr Brophy, tho polar dogs had been pub through their paces on the grass at Quarantine Island, and Mi; Walden and his assistants had been able to select Iho good dogs. Probably about eighty would be taken south, tho majority going on the City of New York.