DIFFICULT WORK

Evening Star, Issue 21631, 29 January 1934, Page 9

DIFFICULT WORK

THE BYRD EXPEDITION PARTY OF MEH MAROONED JPrew Association —By Tehsgraphr—Copyright. NEW YORK, January 26. High winds, a strong swell, and the complete disintegration of her berth alongside the Bay of Whales ice front again drove the Jacob Ruppert from her moorings on Thursday. At 1.30 on .Friday afternoon the flagship had been fruitlessly cruising and drifting in the hay for thirty-two hours with fortythree men marooned at Pressure Camp, the temporary supply base four and a half miles south of the edge of the ice. Four more are at Little America, but they have already broken into the cached stores, as there is no immediate prospect of relieving them. The Jacob Ruppert is unable to find ,a' safe mooring, on the whole front t-f the bay. The flooring, eight miles across, is crumbling. Admiral Byrd 'estimated that over 1,000,000 square ■yard* have broken off since Thursday morning. If the wind increases Admiral Byrd will order Captain Gjertsen to put out for the open waters of the Ross Sea, as the risks of a collision with the ioe endanger navigation within the bay. The problem of establishing a winter camp is reaching a critical point. The Jacob Ruppert must be unloaded by February 10, otherwise she faces the danger of' new ice and the prospect of tba fuel running short. Harold June made a flight on Thursday ■ seeking a better trail to Little America than is now used. His efforts were unsuccessful, but what he saw convinced Admiral Byrd that there is grave danger to the whole flooring of the bay. On landing Admiral Byrd immediately ordered that a cache of hay,’ food, and gasolene stored 100yds -from the ship be transferred to Pressure Camp at midnight. A stinging east wind came up, and the swell jarred the Jacob Ruppert’s side against submerged ice. Admiral Byrd ordered the vessel away from her berth, and, then th* ice began to crumble along the leight-mile front. A severe squall hid the scene. When it cleared Admiral Byrd and Captain Gjertsen, looking through their glasses, were appalled to .see that where a few hours before 100yds of seemingly solid ice stood between the cache and the ship now the edge of the ioe was at the cache itself. A few men were observed loading sledges at the cache, but we were unable to bring the ship close enough to determine whether anyone was hurt. Admiral Byrd wirelessed to Captain Taylor, who is in command of Pressure Camp, and the latter despatched a dog team to check up the cache personnel. Later he reported that all hands were safe. ’