Ellsworth Turns Back

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 276, 22 November 1935, Page 6

Ellsworth Turns Back

Mishap Five Hours Out ON ANTARCTIC POLAR FLIGHT United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copy riaht. MONTREAL, Nov. 20. A North American Newspaper Association message from tho Wyatt Earp at Dundee Island states that Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth and Mr. Hallick-Kcnyon took off from Dundeo Island at 5.50 on Wednesday morning, Sydney time, for an attempted llight across tho Antarctic to Admiral Byrd’s former base at Little America in the aeroplane Polar Star. At 11 o’clock on Wednesday night the aeroplane wirelessed, ‘ * Back tluel flow gauge broke." This message is interpreted here as meaning that Mr. Ellsworth was turning back. 1 he aeroplane had sent only one previous wireless message, 48 minutes alter the start, reporting that it had progressively passed over snow and James and Ross Islands, and was then flying at a speed- of 170 miles au hour. The Polar tjlar after passing Ross Island had left the open water behind it and was flying affing the eastern edge of Graham Lui.d when it reported the broken gauge. Polar Star Lifts 7Goolbs. “IT WAS HEARTBREAKING" Received Thursday, 9 p.m. 'NEW YORK, Nov. 20. A N.A.N.A. message from Dundeo Island Irom Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth states: “We are back at ,lko Wyatt Earp despite ideal weather and a favourable take-off from the field. Bad luck seems to dog us. Everything seemed iu our favour when we took off. The Polar Star did remarkably well despite the gritty snow surfaeo and lifted a gross load of over 7000 pounds in loss than a half-mile run. It was a great moment and a thrill to feel that at last after three years’ effort we were off with, apparently every prospect of success. “But less than an hour after the start thir-s began to go badly iu the pilot’s cockpit, and in less than two hours Kenyon with a sad look on his faije handed me a note: ‘Afraid we will have to go back. Blight leak in fuel line and might get worse.'

“I hardly had -time to adjust my mind to the disappointment when another note came stating that tho fuel flow gauge had broken. I knew that only a thin celluloid shield hold tho petrol in and with-that giving way the pilot would have been drenched with fuel and the pressure would be released in which case the engine would stop, oo I reluctantly decided to turn back. It was heartbreaking. “We landed with our heavy load near tho starting point feeling very sorry for ourseives at having lost a splendid opportunity. If it is still lino to-morrow morning we will make an other try." Polar Star Gets Away Again Received Thursday, 11 p.m. DUNDEE ISLAND, Nov. 21. Ellsworth and Kenyon again departed in the Polar Star at 8.30 a.m. G.M.T.