Flight Across Antarctica

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 101, 2 May 1935, Page 7

Flight Across Antarctica

Plans of Ellsworth and Wilkins

PRIOR ATTEMPT RECALLED United Press Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. Received Wednesday, 8.50 p.m. TORONTO, April 30. Sir Hubert Wilkins has interviewed air pilots hero and will interview others in Western Canada with a view to finding two to accompany him and Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth on what may be the first non-stop 2900-mile flight across Antarctica. Sir Hubert Wilkins favoured Canadian pilots as being the only ones, with the possible exception of Russians, as having sufficient experience of similar climatic conditions.

Only two pilots travel with tho expedition, which, it is stated, will leave the United States early in October with plans practically the same as on the first attempt in 1933 when the plane was crushed in an ice -fissure. Prom the Weddell Sea base the flight will be across tlic South Pole to tho extreme side of the continent, the purpose being tlie determining of whether Antarctica is one continent. ~

By Submarine to the Arctic FORECASTING OF THE SEASONS TORONTO, April 30. Sir Hubert Wilkins, the well-known explorer, interviewed on route to Winnipeg, said he intends to establish a submarine station at the pole of inaccessibility 400 miles from the North Polo and one of tho key spots on the world’s meteorological map. After some 27 stations in the Arctic and 12 in the Antarctic have been established tho meteorological map will bo complete enough to forecast the character of the seasons with a degreeof accuracy hitherto unknown.

Sir Hubert declared that the submarine method of exploration was chosen for this particular spot because it was most convenient for sending' in supplies, and the water under the iec was warmer than the air above, making it possible to live under the sea in comparative comfort, noting the currents and the conduct of the water beneath and coming up on top to see liow tho wind was blowing.