AMONG THE ICEBERGS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 22 December 1933, Page 5

AMONG THE ICEBERGS

JACOB RUPPERT’S PROGRESS EDGE OF UNKNOWN WATERS (Special to Press Association.) (From the Byrd Expedition) JACOB RUPPERT (at sea), 21st Dec. At noon to-day the Jacob Ruppert was barely a day s steaming from the edge of the unknown waters encircling the Paci.ic quadrant of the Antarctic. Our course is still south-east, and we are apparently getting into the greatest iceberg-pro-ducing area in the world. Since one was first sighted this morning, over 80U have come within our vision. A "eet of a score or more, exactly like ships under way., are strung across the vessel s path. The nearest is less Gian three miles distant. The sheer sides of the largest are close to 250 feet above water. The sea is strewn with o-ently rocking ice debris, through which the Ruppert is warily feeling her way. Admiral Byrd and other Antarctic veterans said they had never seen such quantities of icebergs. Admiral Lyrd remarked : “Only an undulating and extensive barrier coast could produce bergs in such large numbers. Some where hereabouts is a barrier which may be considerably larger than • the great Ross ice barrier.” Admiral Byrd’s present objective is a point ifi tlie south Pacific where the 150 meridian cuts the Antarctic circle. From there be hopes to work the vessel past the record tracks of Captain Cook in 1773, and tl,ien explore 2000 miles of undiscovered coastline to the right and left of the position. If the ice pack and storms prevent navigation, an aeroplane flight'over the area might be attempted.