BYRD'S RELIEF SHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20491, 17 February 1930, Page 9

BYRD'S RELIEF SHIP.

HER PROGRESS IMPEDED.

ICE INVASION ON BOARD.

SITUATION CAUSES ANXIETY,

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. [By Mr. Russell Owen. Copyrighted 195:8 by the New York Times Company and the St. Louis Tost Dispatch. All rights for publication reserved throughout the world, Wireless to the New York Times.] (Received February 15, 6.5 p.m.) BAY OF WHALES', Feb.l4. The City of New York has made little headway in the last 24 hours, but the gale is subsiding somewhat. The ship's greatest difficulty is the ice which is coating her.

As the seas roll over the vessel the spray freezes on the masts, yards, and rigging as well as on the decks and sides. Every man on board has been chopping the ice away. This ice invasion is the greatest source of anxiety now that winter is approaching rapidly and gales are sure to continue intermittently. The velfccity of the wind has decreased and the shifting air current may help the ship. . However, at her present rate of progress the situation is far from reassuring.

FIGHTING THE GALE.

200 MILES STILL' TO fOO.

TRYING TO GET SHELTER.

(Received February 16, 11.25 p.m.) BAY OF WHALES, Feb. -5,

The City of New York is still 200 miles away. Captain Melville is apparently trying to get into the lee of the Barrier, where the seas will be less severe and he can make more headway against the wind, which'still holds from the east here and is south-east at the ship. Then he can turn to the east and skirting the Barrier reach the Bay of "Whales.

Ho reports choppy seas, which confirm the impression among sailors here that he is getting under the lee of the Barrier. A blizzard is blowing, however, and visibility is very poor. He does not mention the formation of ice on the ship today, so apparently that condition is not getting worse. He winds up his message by saying " All ■well."-. The ship's crew must be worn out, however, as they have had a continual gale and battla with the high seas and ice since leaving the pack ice.. If all goes well they should reach here in a few days. "We certainly hope so, as a calm spell now will bring freezing weather.