THE POLAR FLIGHT

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1925, Page 5

THE POLAR FLIGHT

-— I GREAT RISKS y I On Return Trip leader most knocked up, HARDSHIPS WORST THAN expected. (Received June 20 nt 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. A . copyright message from the “Heimdal,’' at Spitzbergen, dated to•iay (Friday) states that of the sixmen who participated ia the Polar flight. Amundsen shows the most traces of the hardships the partv underwent, ,bu the others says that is because Amundson worked the hardest of all. Amundsen says that on his expedition to the South Pole, he met nothing which could be compared with what he has just undergone. He would not have believed that such experiences as he had undergone in the last three weeks could ever have befallen him, and he hopes that nobody ,dsc will ever have them, adding:—* 1 We were literally like rats in a trap. Manv times the .situation was ugly. We were tempted to throw up the sponge. When finally we started for home everyone realised that it was a case of life or death.” ELLSWORTH LEAST AFFECTED. OTHERS LOSE WEIGHT. LONDON, .Tune 19. A message from the “Heimdal” states that Ellsworth is the least changed of the party. Risser Larsen, Dietrichsen. Omdal, and Feucht have all lost many pounds in weight, but. they are otherwise quite well. THE HOMEWARD FLIGHT. SULENDID NA VIGATTON. (Received June 20 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 20. A copyright message has been received from the “Heimdal” relating how the start was made homeward. The Polar airmen said that the course was laid to Verlegenhook, and when the North coast of Spitzbergen came into sight, it was evident that Riiser Lar son’s piloting and Deitrichens navigating had both been perfect. Owing to there being a strong wind, the course was made towards North Cape. As the stablisation rudders became immovable however, making it impossible to stablise the plane. Riiser Larsen determined to descend into the sea about forty kilometres north of the Cape. After skimming tin* water for an hour, tin' plane was moored to an iceberg in Fugle Bay. Captain Amundsen, during the flight back sat next to Omdal and Feucht, on. the petrol tank, with a view to lightening the plane. WHAT WAS LEFT BEHIND. Scientific instruments, valued at eight hundred sterling, had to be left behind. These, together with the surplus equipment and stores were placed .in the other plan, N 24, though it is most unlikely that the plane N 24 will ever been seen again. A bundle of letters was deposited in its petrol tank which is very light, and it may be discovered some years hence. The explorers relate that they saw a bearded seal, and also saw auks awl two geese, which is a most interesting fact, as it lias hitherto been assumed that no animal life existed north of Latitude 'eighty-five degrees. WORSE HARDSHIPS. THAN IN CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN'S ANTARCTIC TREK. (Received .lune 20 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. Captain Amundsen says that there was nothing in his South Polar Expodi tion to be compared with the hardships of the flying of this expedition party. They were caught like rats in a trap. When they started for home, they realised that it was :i case of life or death. the most thrilling moment. WHEN PLANE STARTED BACK. (Reeeived .lune 20 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. A. copvright wireless message from the “Heimdal,” on Friday stated we are slowly getting to know the full factß O f the returned airmen’s three weeks adventure. When the whole expedition once again met last they declared that the most thrilling momen. was when their start was made on the homeward flight- « was a very anxious time, as, if their maehmes damaged in starting, they would find , themselves in a most critical srtuatron I with a minimum of equipment. WHY THEY DID NOT GO TO

CAPE COLUMBIA. (Received February 21 at LONDON, June 19A Spitzbergen message states that when it was mentioned to Captm Amundsen that the Whol world -s would have

meant certain death.” A TREK TO LANDWAY HOPELESS. It would have been practically hopeless to reach land across the ice. The airmen refuse to admit that they are disappointed at not reaching the Pole. I hey said:—“Although we all hoped to reach the Pole as the crown to our efforts, still we are satisfied with the scientific result. We have observed IGO thousand square kilometres ot the hitherto unexplored section of the Norwegian part of the Arctic. Wo took complete observations at our land ing place. ’ ’ Captain Amundsen states that h<* fully concurs with this view. WHEN THE SEALER WAS SPOTTED. While their meal on their return was being prepared, the airmen suddenly espied the sealer “Sjoelio. ” As a matter of fact, the “Hobby” had been at the same spot only twenty-eight hours previously. THE PLANE STOOD TO THEM. AU were prepared to find the plane N 25 in bad condition as it had suffered seriously while locked in the ice, but it was quite fitted for flying. GOO PHOTO NEGATIVES SECURED. Omdal has bought with him from the “Sjoelio a biscuit tin with six hundred ‘negatives, which will show the superhuman work carried out by the explorers in trying to clear their starting place. They used the most primitive tools, such as tiny anchors, ice anchors and knives at the e nd of ski staves. SCIENTIFIC GAINS. OSLO, June 19. Apart from Amundsen, the other members of the Expedition have expressed the opinion that important scientific results have been achieved. THE ABSENC? OF LAND. OSLO, June 20. The Premier of Norway has received a telegram from Amundsen saying that he surveyed IGO 000 square kilometers, adding: “We did not discover any indication of land. The casting of the lead at our northernmost latit’ue gave 3750 metres, leading to the supposition that no land exists in the Norwegian section of the Polar basin. The British Minister here as cabled to Amundsen as follows: “Well done Old Norway! ’ ’ NORWEGIAN CAPITAL JUBILANT. PARLIAMENT’S FELICITATIONS. (Received June 20 at 5.5 p.m., OSLO, June 19. At the opening of the Norwegian Storthing, the President said that he wished to express the sentiments of all on the occasion of the safe return of Captain Amundsen and his brave comrades from their daring journey wherein they had staked their lives. A telegram was accordingly sent to Captain Amundsen, welcoming him and his courageous comrades home, and thanking him for the courage and energy they had shown for the benefit of research as for the honour of their country. The whole of Oslo is beflagged to celebrate the occasion. Numerous authorities, institutions and associations have sent Captain Amundsen congratulatory telegrams. HEROINES OF THE DAW ‘ WIVES OF TWO OF THE EXPLORERS. OSLO, June 19. The wives of the aviators Ruser-Lnr-sen and Deitrichsen are the heroines of the <lay. The former said that her husband, before his departure, stated that when he returned he would wire the one word “Sunshine.” “Yesterday ” she added, “Captain Amundsen’s representative telephoned asking me to come down town.” ‘‘Good news?” I asked. “Sun-

shine,” he replied. A ROYAL COMPLIMENT OSLO, June 19. King Haakon, of Norway, has sent a message to Captain Amundsen, as follows: “I welcome you and your comrades and thank you for what yon are achieving, adding further honours t) your country’s name. The King, in a special address to the Cabinet, said that he regarded the achievement as one of the greatest in history.' going back again AMUNDSEN WANTS TO ET THERE. OSLO, June 19. Captain Amundsen is determined to resume his attempt to reach the North Pole. He declared that the experience he has gained would enable him to attain his goal. THE AMERICAN MEMBER. WILL BACK AMUNDSEN WITH MORE MONEY. OSLO, June 19.. Lincoln Ellsworth, the American member of the expedition, whose father largely helped to finance the expedition was grieved to hear that his father had died in Italy while the expeditic.i was in the Arctic. Ellsworth said that his money in future would be at Amundsen’s disposal. ** BEST WAY TO GET THERE. LONDON, Juno 20. Brest rud who accompanied Amundsen to the’ South Pole in 1911, m ot the opinion that the best means of reaching the North Polo is by an airship of a sort whidh could be anchored to avoid the risk of being Dozen m. SHORT ROUTE TO ASIA. LONDON, June 20. T he “Daily Telegraph” says:—

“Amundsen’s adventures suggest th"’, tile time may come when men , .ng ()A‘r the North Pole, will reach Japan ill’a little over a. couple of hours. abandoned plane sent for. OSLO, June 19. Che sloop Heimdal has left King’s BaV for Lady Franklin’s Bay to fetch Aiiundsen’s abandoned aeroplane.