BIRD'S ADVENTURE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21765, 3 April 1934, Page 9

BIRD'S ADVENTURE

j VIGIL IN ANTARCTIC I ' j HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING LONG WINTER ALONE j FIGHT FOR LIFE FACED By Telejrrnph—Press Association— Copyright (Received April 2. 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK. April 1 A wireless message from the Byrd Expedition in Little America, Antarctica, states: From his shack set up on the Ross ice barrier Rear-Admiral Byrd informed the party in the camp that the tractor crews were prepared for the return trip. They will leave him to a solitary seven months' vigil nfc the nearest point to the South Pole at which any person has ever spent the Antarctic winter. The tractor party started at once, but engine trouble caused delay. The temperature was 5-1 degrees below zero. The winter night is rapidly setting in. The sun set at 2.30 p.m. to-day. <n spite of the elaborate preparations made, the adventure facing Admiral Byrd undoubtedly is the most hazardous of his colourful career. It will bo a continual fight, for existence against the elements, with temperatures 70, 80 and 90 degiees below zero, and raging winds, in a comparatively flimsy abode which he mist, single-handed, keep heated and vherc he must cook his own meals. He will note and compile weather observations in a scientific manner. The shack is equipped with radio, but Admiral Bvrd's rescue in tho event of illness or other dangers during the winter months would be extremely difficult, if it Mould be possible. A later message says: Rear-Admiral Byrd reported this morning by radio from the advance base that the tractor party left him yesterday en route to Little America and that the isolation of the world's southernmost weather observatory was complete. He reported a temperaturo of 60 degrees below zero. The tractcr party is expected at Little America to-day. The main southern party, under Captain Taylor, is also on the way to Little America. The chiel activities of the party in the main tamp are being directed to making the place secure for the winter night. Tunnels are being dug between the various buildings and tho buried stores of the last expedition are being excavated. Admiral Byrd left specific instructions covering tie preparations to bo made during the winter night for the major exploratory and scientific journeys next spring. The party here is to be governed by a system of republic during the leader's absence. MEDAL FOR EXPLORER SERVICES TO BROADCASTING PRESENTATION BY PROXY NEW YORK, April I The feat ire of last evening's weekly two-way broadcast between Little America and the Columbia broadcasting system was a. presentation to RearAdmiral Byrd, by proxy, of a medal for his outstanding service to radio broadcasting. This was accepted by Captain Ashley McKinley, third in command cf the first- Antarctic expedition, on behalf of his associate. An especially invited audience witnessed the presentation and listened to a broadcast from Little America. Storms in the Southern Hemisphere, however, made t lie reception poor.