POLAR EXPLORATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 40, 15 January 1935, Page 7

POLAR EXPLORATION.

SLEDGE PARTY’S DISCOVERIES. JOURNEY OF HARDSHIPS. LITTLE AMERICA, Jan. 13. The geological party, under the command of Messrs Quinn and Blackburn, has returned to camp after 88 days in the field, completing the journey of 1226 nautical miles which carried them within 180 miles of the South Pole.

This deepest sledging penetration into the Antarctic since the polar journeys of Scott and Amundsen was more important from the geological than the exploration standpoint. Rear-Admiral Byrd, after a short conference with Mr Blackburn, reported that they had found extensive deposits of coal and fossilised plants, leaves and sections of prehistoric tree trunks, some a foot to 18 inches in diameter.

The journey was one of hardships throughout. At the start the temperature dropped 40 to 50 degrees below zero, but later averaged from five to 10 degrees below', but sharp cutting winds made it seem much colder. On several occasions the party almost met disaster. Dogs went over cliffs and were held dangling in the air until pulled back. On the return trip sails were rigged on the sledges and winds used to good advantage, the return being made at an average speed of over 28 miles daily. A message from the Bear of Oakland states that she is steaming southward through an area in which heavy ice packs are usually found, but the crew was surprised to find open sea. The ice has apparently been broken up by gales and drifted into the Ross Sea. Her noon position on Saturday was 69 degrees 24 minutes south latitude, 179 degrees 48 minutes west longitude. Her average speed was 6.4 knots.

PROGRESS OF VESSEL,

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN. Jan. 15

The Byrd Expedition steamer Jacob Ruppert has received wireless advice from the Bear of Oakland that the vessel has entered McMurdo Sound. The ice pack is reported to be quite open.