POLAR ADVENTURE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 219, 15 August 1934, Page 6

POLAR ADVENTURE.

Anxiety for the safety of Admiral Byrd has been relieved by the arrival at his advance post of the tractor party from Little America. They found their leader “thin and weak, but in good spirits,” after the privations he had endured since April last alone in his hut in the wastes of the Antarctic 120 miles south of the expedition’s headquarters. There had been real fear that a rescue might not be possible of accomplishment, and when a blizzard at the first attempt forced the tractor party to return to Little America, and subsequently it had been found impossible to pick up the trail to the cabin, anxiety for Admiral Byrd’s safety deepened, as it was known he was suffering' from the hazards of his self-imposed task and had met with an injury. A thrilling three days’ journey, on another effort being made, brought the rescuers through the Antarctic night to the tiny observation post amidst the snowy wastes, as they were guided by a light attached to the pole for measuring' the wind’s velocity. For four months Admiral Byrd has been isolated in the world’s southernmost weather observatory. Originally, he had planned to have the company of an experienced member of the expedition, but unfortunate delays in unloading the ships at the Bay of Whales caused a hitch in his plans. He therefore resolved to spend the Antarctic _ winter alone, midst tlie_ desolation of frozen wastes with its accompaniments of blizzards and icy winds, unrelieved even by the light of day. It was in darkness, too, that the rescue had to be made. Admiral Byrd’s only comforts were his scientific observations and his books and radio. At times he could leave his cabin and enjoy exercise, but the awful strain of the weeks told its tale, and it was hardly surprising that he could not continue until the end of the Antarctic winter. His rescue has been no less bravely accomplished than liis four months’ isolation, of which _ he made light before leaving Little America. But even so his friends were anxious on his behalf and hoped that he would not put into effect what were deemed to be foolhardy plans. Mr Jacob Ruppert, one of his principal financial supporters, urged Admiral Byrd before the winter night settled in its relentless manner over the Antarctic to return to Little America. But by then_ the party who had accompanied him had returned. No doubt the gallant explorer will be able from his observations to add to the total of man’s knowledge of Antarctic weather, but it may be questioned whether the result would have been worth the hazard had rescue been impossible.