AN EPIC RACE

Northland Age, Volume 3, Issue 12, 22 December 1933, Page 7

AN EPIC RACE

THE Ellsworth and the Byrd exploring expeditions to the Antarctic are now both well on their way south. Ellsworth’s final port of call was Dunedin. His ship is the Wyatt Earp, a motor vessel of 425 tons and only 135 feet long. Byrd’s ves-

sel is the Jacob Ruppert, a much larger ship than the Wyatt Earp. She left Wellington last week. Admiral Byrd stated in a press interview at Wellington that the aims of the two expeditions are entirely different, and there was no suggestion of rivalry except in the highest sense of the word. That is true. At the same time the spirit of contest does enter into both expeditions for they are taking part in what may prove a great exploration race, the goal being an unknown continent lying directly across the South Pole from what is known as Little America. Experience and skill is on both sides. The leaders of both expeditions are possessed of the necessary qualities of courage and endurance. An interesting development in the race is foreshadowed in the news radioed from the Jacob Ruppert last Saturday that the giant Condor seaplane had been completely reassembled and fitted with pontoons ready to be lowered. This looks as if Admiral Byrd will make the flight from the Ross Sea in an attempt to land in Little America while his ship and the ship of the Ellsworth expedition await the beginning of the breaking of the ice pack in order to fight their slow and dangerous way through. If the flight proves successful it would land Byrd and his flying companions at Little America at least a month in advance of the ships. The possibility of this spectacular feat has heightened public interest in the race.