Soviet Scientists at North Pole

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 121, 24 May 1937, Page 7

Soviet Scientists at North Pole

Icefloe Makes Admirable ’Drome

LANDING BASE FOR MOSCOW-FRISCO SERVICE

United Press Association—By fllectric Telegraph.—Copyrijrh t. Received Sunday, 7.20 p.m. MOSCOW, May 22.

The Soviet air expedition headed by Dr. Otto Schmidt flew over the North Polo at 11.10 a.m. on May 21, and landed at 1J.35 a.m. on an icefloe 12J miles from the Pole west of the Rudolf Island meridian.

The expedition intends to remain there a year for scientific research, while the floe drifts. The object is to study the possibility of establishing a permanent polar landing base for the projected Moscow-San Francisco air route. Four scientists who will remain at the Pole will be provisioned for a year and a-half by ’plane. They will reside in a collapsible insulated hut. They hope to establish a permanent meteorological station. Caviare sausages, powdered eggs, milk and chicken, in addition to brandy and tea, will sustain the scientists. They will have a solitary dog to warn them of the approach of bears. Dr. Schmidt reports that the icefloe makes an admirable aerodrome. He has implanted at the Pole a flag bearing the hammer and Bickle and Stalin’s photograph.