WILKINS'S PLUNGE

Northern Advocate, 5 January 1937, Page 5

WILKINS'S PLUNGE

j VOYAGE UNDER ICE I THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION WILL PUT MY LAST PENNY ON IT. {.United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright.'] (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, January 4. “I will put my last penny into a second Arctic expedition, which will cost £35,000. I have £25,000, and I hope to raise the remainder in England,” said Snr Hubert Wilkins on his arrival from the States.

‘‘The expedition' will start "in July, 1937, or July, 1938. I propose to cross' from Spitzbergen (Svalbard) in a submarine* under the North Pole to Behring Sea, a distance of 2200 miles. I

expect' the expedition to last two and a-half months. Although the submarine will be constructed to remain under the ice for five days at a time, I shall make short dashes of about 12 hours each of 50 miles. “My aim is to determine whether a submarine can be used as a permanent base for Arctic observations, also whether-Crocker Island, believed to lie to the north-west of Ellesmere Band, really exists. I shall have a crew of six. My wife wants to go with me.” Interviewed by the Australian Associated Press, Sir Hubert said he was uncertain when the expedition would begin owing to the difficulty of getting a submarine. It may not be until 1933. Already about 4000 applications have been received from men wishing to join the crew, many being New Zealanders and Australians. “I would prefer New Zealanders and Australians if it were possible, because they are wonderful comrades,” said the explorer. “I can’t afford to bring any to England, but intend seeking qualified New Zealanders and Australians here. Otherwise, I will use Englishmen and Norwegians.”