BROPHY DISCOVERED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20430, 5 December 1929, Page 11

BROPHY DISCOVERED.

BYRD'S FORMER ASSISTANT.

A PRETENDED SUICIDE. NEW YORK, Dec. 3. Richard Brophy, the former second-in-command of the Byrd expedition, pretended to commit suicide on Coney Island, last August, with the object of getting out of sight. Ho disappeared from sight until the editor of the Omaha Bee, looking over Byrd expedition pictures last week, recognised a man working on his staff as Brophy. Upon this discovery, Brophy agreed to return to his sick wife in New York, but that night again disappeared. It was alleged that his friendship with a Broadway actress and a New Zealand girl caused complications with Commander Byrd and led to his dismissal in Dunedin.

Nine months ago R. G. Brophy announced in Dunedin that he was severing his association with the Byrd expedition to produce scenic films in New Zealand. This was after his return from a trip in the Eleanor Boiling, and Brophy expressed disappointment that unexpectedly early ice had prevented him from reaching Commander Byrd's base, where he was to take over as second in command of the expedition. Brophy gave this failure to reach the Antarctic as the reason for his resignation. Commander Byrd arrived in New Zealand on November' 5, 1928, with Brophy as business manager. On December 2 Commander Byrd left Dunedin in the barque City of New York for the Bay of Whales, and on January 14 last the Eleanor Boiling left with stores for the party at the Antarctic base. Brophy was in Auckland early in February, and final arrangements were being made for the shipment to the Atretic of an aeroplane, motor-cars, tractors, hutments and stores. At that time Brophy stated that he was urging in his wireless communications that the Eleanor Boiling should make Dunedin at full speed, as an immediate despatch was essential. When the vessel returned she was expeditiously loaded, and Brophy announced that he was to sail to confer with Commander Byrd at the base. He stated at that lime he would work in the stokehold for the purpose of getting himself physically fit. The vessel left Dunedin on February 19, and after a few days at sea wireless reports were received to the effect that the ice was freezing over the Bay of Whales and that the City of New York had been driven out. On the return of the Eleanor Boiling to Dunedin in the first week in March Brophy stated he had sent a radio message to Commander Byrd asking to be relieved of his position. He said Commander Byrd had replied advising him to accept the indefinite leave of absence offered before the Eleanor Boiling left Dunedin on February 19. A few days later Commander Byrd issued the following statement by radio:— "Mr. Brophy is desirous of re-entering private business in New Zealand, and the expedition being at its base and equipped, his duties are ended after the conclusion of his present vacation, which he very much deserves. At that time I will accept his resignation from the expedition. The fact that we are so well equipped in tho Antarctic is due largely to the energy, efficiency and loyalty of Mr. Brophy as business manager during the long and trying period of preparation in New York."

Brophy remarked thut he intended to tour New Zealand by motor-car. Brophy returned to the United States and created a sensation by disappearing under circumstances which suggested drowning. The following appeared in the Springfield Republican newspaper of August 27: "Clothes, containing cablegrams from Commander Byrd and business cards bearing tho r:amo of Richard Gale Brophy, formerly second in command on the expedition to tho Antarctic, were found in a locker room at tho Washington Baths, Coney Island, to-day. The clothes had been checked there yesterday. The polico learned that Brophy had been living at tho Hotel Belvedere, but had been missing for two weeks. His wife and child are said to bo visiting friends at Toronto. *

"One of the cablegrams signed by Commander Byrd, and dated April 2, read as follows: —'Much obliged for your message. Rcmembor that no matter what hard luck you may have had we can work things out if you continue to have faith in mo. Best of good wishes.' The other message, dated April 22, read: —'Please let mo know if there is anything I can do for you. Cheerio, old fellow.- "