BYRD EXPEDITION

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 September 1929, Page 5

BYRD EXPEDITION

BLIZZARD STOPS WORK. By Russel Owen, Copyrighted, 1929, by the “New York Times” Company, and “St. Louis Despatch.” All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. Wireless to “New York Times.”) (Australian Press Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn—Copyright.)

BAY OF WHALES, September 25. All work here has been stopped by a blizzard. It is now forty-one below zero. Last night it was 50. The men on house duty have difficulty in keeping the windows clear of snow, the windows being at the bottom of deep holes in the drift over the houses. It is uncertain how long the blizzard will last. EX-MANAGER’S DEATH. WELLINGTON, September 25. Many people in New Zealand who met Mr Richard G. Brophy, shore manager in the Dominion for the Byrd Expedition, will be interested to read the following New York telegram which appeared in the “Springfield Republican” of August 27: “Clothes containing cablegrams from Commander Richard E. Byrd, and business cards bearing the name of Richard Gale Brophy, former second in command to Byrd on the latter’s expedition to the Antarctic, were found in a locker room at the Washington Baths at Coney Island to-day. The clothes had been checked there yesterday. The police learned that Brophy had been living at the Hotel Belvedere, but had been missing for two weeks. His wife and child were said to be visiting friends at Toronto.” One of the cablegrams signed by Byrd in Little America, and dated April 2nd, read: “Much obliged for your message. There was some delay in it reaching me. Remember that no matter what hard luck you may have had we can work things out if -you will continue to have faith in me. Best of good wishes, your friend, Byrd.” The second message, dated April 22nd, read: “How are you feeling? Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you. Cheerio, old fellow. Byrd.”

Brophy was active at Byrd’s headquarters here during the months of preparation for the Antarctic expedition, and shortly before the party sailed last year Commander Byrd named him second in command, a post previously Held by Floyd Bennett, who went to the North Pole with Byrd, and who died while going to the aid of the Bremen Atlantic flyers stranded on Greenly Island some months ago. Brophy returned from the Antarctic saying that he was going into private business.