BYRD IN ANTARCTIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 9

BYRD IN ANTARCTIC.

ELEANOR BOLLING LEAVES.

UNLOADING FEAT COMPLETED

United Service. NEW YORK, Feb. 3. [By Mr. Russell Owen. Copyrighted 1928 by the New York Times Company, and ihe St. I.ouis Post Dispatch. All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. "Wireless to the New York Times.] BAY OF WHALES, Feb. 3.

The Eleanor Polling has now passed out of sight on the horizon on her way back to Dunedin. She was unloaded in five and a-half days, which is probably a record for tho -Antarctic, because so much heavy and bulky, material was taken from her. After tho Barrier broke the remainder of the load was put aboard the City of New York. Our decks are piled high again with airplane parts, drums of gasoline, coal and crates of eggs and meats. We even have 20 cases of oranges and grape fruit in a room below. It is odd to see the men eating an orange in this climate, but the fruit never tasted so good. The City of New York is tied alongside the bay ice again, miles nearer the camp than before. This makes the haul much easier. The ice appears to lie firm close to tho shore, but the men use a rope, tying themselves together when there is any doubt about a footing. Commander Bvrd's insistence on the men using ropes was driven home by the breaking of the Barrier. If the men on top of the Barrier had been roped together. as he instructed, none would have gone overboard.

The unloading of the City of New York can go on slowly and carefully now as the necessity for liasto has to some degree passed. Unloading at the Barrier was forced upon Commander Byrd by circumstances. lie had anticipated such a contingency before leaving New York, and had determined to attempt it if the bay ice became too thin.

When the Eleanor Boiling arrived and tho heavy airplane motors, tho huge Ford, the fuselage, the heavy radio transmitter and other large crates had to be unloaded, the Barrier offered the only opportunity of getting them safely off the ship. It was risky, but by fast work all this material was shifted over tho Barrier and run far back from the edge in two days.

Now that the Eleanor Boiling is on her way back to New Zealand with a possibility that she may make another trip, the work can go on more slowly and with safety. It has been an accomplishment of which everyone who lias had a part in the expedition is proud.