ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

Evening Star, Issue 20061, 29 December 1928, Page 2

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

REPORTS FROM BYRD PARTY [Peis United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 28. _ Close touch with the Byrd expedition is being maintained by the second in command, Mr R. Brophy, who is still in Wellington. He received a radio message from _ Commander Byrd this morning reporting the arrival of the expedition at Discovery-Inlet, and from tliis he concluded that the Bay of Whales, where it has been proposed to establish the expedition’s base, had been found full of ice. Commander Byrd reported that Discovery Inlet still contained a great deal of ice, “but evidently,” remarked Mr Brophy, “it is going to be clear much earlier than is the Bay of Whales.” This possibility had been foreseen by Commander Byrd, whose plan provided for establishing a base at Discovery Inlet should the ship be unable to get into the Bay of Whales. Mr . Brophy said that Commander Byrd would probably get an aeroplane ashore as soon as possible in order to make observation flights. He would also put the dogs ashore to exercise them after their confinement on the ship. It had been proposed, added Mr Brophy, to take a further supply of fresh meat south in the Eleanor Boling next trip, but Commander Byrd had reported getting an adequate supply of seal meat, so this would not be necessary. Mr Brophy will leave Wellington tonight for Dunedin to supervise the loading of stores and equipment into the Eleanor Boling, which is to leave for the Ross Sea between January 5 and 10.