BYRD EXPEDITION SHIPS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 293, 8 November 1934, Page 4

BYRD EXPEDITION SHIPS.

PREPARATIONS FOR RETURN,

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, Nov. 7.

Preparations are now being made for the departure of the Byrd supply ships Bear of Oakland and Jacob Ruppert to the Antarctic within the next seven or eight weeks. The Bear of Oakland has just completed an extensive overhaul and repairs, and has also had a new foremast fitted. The vessel is now at Port Chalmers, and will return to her fonner berth at Dunedin after the departure of H.M.S. Dunedin on November 17. The Jacob Ruppert is also in first-class sea-going order. Lieutenant English stated to-day that the Bear of Oakland will leave Dunedin on December 26, and the Jacob Ruppert will leave Port Chalmers about January 12 for the Antarctic. The Bear of Oakland should reach the ice pack about a week after i her departure. The Jacob Ruppert will then be advised of the condition of the ice pack, and that report will determine the date of the departure of tho latter vessel. If ice conditions are favourable, the Jacob Ruppert will probably sail before January 12. The ships will then proceed to the ice barrier, where Rear-Admiral Byrd and members of his expendition will be embarked, and also the equipment for the return voyage to New Zealand and America.