DEEP-SEA RESEARCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20208, 19 March 1929, Page 8

DEEP-SEA RESEARCH.

AMERICAN EXPEDITION.

VOYAGE OF THE ILLYRIA. [from our own SUVA, March 14. Tho auxiliary brigantine Illyria, conveying the Cornelius Crane deep sea research expedition, started out from Boston, Massachusetts, on November 21, and arrived at Suva on March 10. She will remain here for a week or ten days, and then sail on to other islands.

The expedition was planned over two years ago, when Mr. Crane decided that he would make it possible by providing the means and the finance. The voyage is under the auspices of the Chicago Field M tiseum. The vessel carries a crew of 19.

She is a trim 400-ton brigantine, 147 ft. overall, and 32ft. beam, and is fitted with a 300 horse power Diesel engine, which drives her along at a good nine knots. In order to save time she has been sailing under power for half her time at sea. Sturdily built, she has not shipped one really heavy sea since she put out from Boston. Wireless keeps her in constant touch with San trancisco. The expedition is going from Fiji to the New Hebrides, tho Solomons, Komode Island (Dutch East Indies), Batavia, Bangkok, Canton and Yokohama, with a call at any incidental islands in between. All except the crew will leave the ship at Yokohama, and go home by fast liner. When something new is brought to the EUi face after a charge of dynamite has been exploded, or by one of the party after a diving excursion, it is photo- £ rap lied either still or moving, according io its nature. Before it dies and loses its natural colours, a lightning sketch is made of it, and also a cast, unless the body is preserved in the laboratory.