BYRD PUZZLED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21698, 13 January 1934, Page 11

BYRD PUZZLED

ANTARCTIC VOYAGE OPEN PASSAGE FOUND BARBED IN THE PAST ICE PACK DISAPPEARS MYSTERY AS TO CAUSE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received January 12, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. Jan. 11 A wireless message has been received from Rear-Admiral Byrd's Antarctic Expedition on the Jacob Ruppart as follows: —

At 4 p.m. to-day we were 300 miles south of Cook's record southing on 152 meridian and the ship was driving at full speed toward Little America on a track heretofore supposed to be barred to navigation by the most formidable ice-pack in the Antarctic. Our noon position was latitude 69 degrees 02 minutes, longitude 152 degrees 20 minutes, or approximately 700 miles north-east of Little America.

Three weeks ago the Jacob Ruppert first encountered the pack at latitude 65 degrees 55 minutes south. To-day the ship was 187 miles south and 60 miles west of that point, and was driving through open waters which extended southward as far as the eyes could see.

A few icebergs and occasional patches of loose ice were visible. The members of the expedition are -wondering whether they have accidentally discovered an open back passage into the Ross Sea.

Rear-Admiral Byrd remarked: "It is one of the most puzzling mysteries I have ever encountered.. On our flight along 150 meridian, just 60 miles east of the Jacob Ruppert's present course, we saw a considerable stretch of open water, but the pack was dominant ancl we saw nothing to suggest a corridor as wide as this.

"At that time I suggested the possibility of a back passage into Little America, but it was more theory than conviction. I am not sure even now. The next few hours may bring us hard up against the pack. "I am puzzled why this passage exists. Perhaps strong currents have carried the pack away. The next 24 hours will tell." The weather is clear and the sun is shining. The sea is boisterous under a fresh south-south-west breeze.