BYRD EXPEDITION

Northern Advocate, 8 November 1934, Page 6

BYRD EXPEDITION

SHIPS FOR ANTARCTICA. RETURN OF EXPLORERS. [Per Press Association. — Copyright.l DUNEDIN, This Day. Preparations are being made for the departure of the Byrd supply ships Bear of Oakland and the Jacob Ruppert to the Antarctic within the next seven or eight weeks, » The Bear of Oakland has been extensively overhauled and has had a new foremast fitted. She is at Port Chalmers and will return to her former berth at Dunedin after the departure of H.M.S. Dunedin on November 17. The Jacob Ruppert is also in first-class seagoing order. Lieutenant English stated yesterday that the Bear of Oakland would leave Dunedin on December 26, and the Jacob Ruppert would leave Port Chalmers about January 12. The Bear of Oakland would reach the pack ice about a week after her departure. The Jacob Ruppert would then be advised of the condition of the ice pack, and that report would determine the date of the departure of the latter vessel; If the ice conditions are favourable the Jacob Ruppert will probably sail before January 12. The ships will then proceed to the ice barrier, where RearAdmiral Byrd and the members of his expedition will be embarked, with their equipment for their return voyage to New Zealand and America. Lieutenant English' said the personnel of the Bear of Oakland and the Jacob Ruppert was being selected for the coming voyage to the Antarctic. He was anxious to secure the service of New Zealanders to make'up the shortI age of the crew.