VOYAGE ON RAFT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22316, 29 April 1947, Page 5

VOYAGE ON RAFT

CROSSINGJPACIFIC EXPEDITION DEPARTS NORWEGIAN SCIENTISTS CALLAO, April 26. C.. The six Norwegian scientists who intend to drift across the Pacific Ocean '*On a balsa-wood raft, in an attempt to ‘ show how the ancient Peruvians could : " have crossed 4000 miles of water to ; reach the South Sea Islands, left Callao " < • on Monday. M. Thor Heyerdahl, leader of the expedition, believes that the islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago were first j-fpopulated by Peruvians who drifted across in rafts, and he is determined to -.■ prove it. -i C -. He expects the expedition’s voyage to take four months. Its raft, like the * ; rafts of the ancient Peruvians, is lashed together with ropes, has a bamboo deck, bamboo cabin and primitive square sail, , rudder and oars. Modern conveniences '■?/ include iron rations, sun cream, antiJ exposure suits and radio, iwth which daily weather reports will be broadcast. M. Heyerdahl will test life-saving and communications equipment developed during the war and will collect oceanographic data. For entertainment during the drift the Norwegians are taking with them one guitar.