POLAR JOURNEYS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21878, 14 August 1934, Page 10

POLAR JOURNEYS

SIR HUBERT WILKINS antarctic exploration PLANS FOR THE FUTURE METEOROLOGICAL RESEARCH [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday The noted explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins, who will accompany Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth's coming expedition to the Antarctic, stated in an interview in Christohurch that Mr. Ellsworth was expected to reach New Zealand from the United States on September 7, and the expedition would leave about the middle of September. The Wyatt Earp would go to Deception Island, whence the expedition's aeroplane, Polar Star, would fly from the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea, remaining there until the Wyatt Earp arrived to pick it up for the return journey to New Zealand. Much of this route had not been explored before and the journey would enable more new territory to be covered than would have been the case with the plans drawn up last year. Detailed plans for the expedition would he determined when Mr. Ellsworth arrived in New Zealand.

Submarine, as Base Sir Hubert said his own plans for the future after the Ellsworth Expedition had returned would depend upon the result of the present venture. He had planned to build a new submarine for Arctic exploration, the submarine to serve as permanent base in 'the Arctic for observation in connection with the general study of north and south polar regions. Sir Hubert has for years advocated a close study of weather both in the Antarctic circle and in sub-Antarctic islands, mainly with a view to discovering whether it would be possible to make advance forecasts of weather in countries of the southern hemisphere based on Antarctic conditions. He said his plans were so far advanced that if they could be completed it would be possible to fulfil tnem in a year or so. Twelve Permanent Stations The plans discussed, were for extensive meteorological research in the Antarctic, the scheme to include the establishment and maintenance of 12 permanent stations along the Antarctic circle and in the The plans were not yet ready for submission to the various scientific institutions for consideration, but after his return from the Ellsworth Expedition, and after his projected submarine trip to the Arctic was completed, he would have the scheme brought under the notice of scientific organisations in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, South America, India and the United States.

Sir Hubert was entertained at dinner this evening by the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe.

In a recent statement in Australia Sir Hubert Wilkins said that scientific institutions that were backing his meteorological studies had assured him that the cost of maintaining the proposed twelve meteorological stations for ten years would be provided up to 20,000,000 dollars (nominally £4,000,000) if the countries that could expect to benefit would bear the cost of the establishments. He said that 19 years ago he estimated that the twelve stations would cost between £250,000 and £300,000. Economic conditions had changed and the estimate now needed to be revised. Prediction of seasonal conditions would bo of immense value to Australia and other countries. In Australia it would enable a conservation of primary products in anticipation of lean years. Even the secondary industries would benefit, fo* seasonal conditions vitally affected such manufactures as motor tyres. Exactly what would be the value of this meteorological service could only be established after years of study. Although a station in the Orkney Islands, south of the Falklands, at the foot of South America, had been of substantial value to Argentina, said Sir Hubert, he thought it would bo an unwise policy to proceed with the establishment of only one or two moro. The chain of twelve stations, which he proposed, would correlate their results with meteorological stations in countries to the north.

Sir Hubert said he had discussed the matter with scientists in all countries which would be concerned. They had thought that the project was too vast. That was 19 years ago. They regarded it favourably now. It had been shown that conditions that prevailed in the Antarctic had a considerable effect on seasons even in China, apart from their effects on countries in the Southern* Hemisphere.

WYATT EARP IN PORT A STURDY LITTLE VESSEL MONOPLANE STOWED IN HOLD A sturdily built little vessel, of no greater size than many of the coastal steamers that trade in New Zealand waters, the Ellsworth Antarctic Expedition's ship Wyatt Earp made her first visit to Auckland yesterday morning to load the Northrop monoplane Polar Star, with which it is proposed to fly over the South Pole. In spite of her stout hull of Baltic pine and bows reinforced with hardwood, the vessel seems absurdly small to make the long and stormy journey to the Antarctic and through the ice pack. Nevertheless, after her long stay at Dunedin, the Wyatt Earp is very spick and span and, having had a complete overhaul, is well prepared to repeat the Southern journey she made last year. She is 136 ft. Ion":, with a beam of 29ft. and is fitted with a 450 h.p. Diesel engine, set aft. The accommodation is little more commodious than on many of Auckland's excursion steamers. The messroom will seat, only five, while the cabins usod by the officers are very small. Accommodation for ten of the crew is provided forward. A cabin used as the expedition's office houses a library* containing volumes of widely differing kinds. The vessel is at present manned by a crew of nine, all except one of whom are Norwegians. All are picked men. The master of the vessel is Captain B. Holth. One New Zealander, Mr. C. Hutchinson, an engineer from Dunedin, made the trip to Auckland on the vessel, and it is probable that one man will bo taken from the Dominion to the Antarctic.

The expedition's monoplane was loaded on to the vessel yesterday afternoon and the proceedings attracted a considerable crowd of interested spectators. The machine, with its wings and tail removed, was lifted from the wharf with the ship's derrick and slings and was carefully lowered into the forward hold, where it fits very neatly. The monoplane will be removed in Dunedin and overhauled.

The Wyatt Earp will leave for Dunedin this afternoon, and a call will be made at Wellington, where Sir Hubert TVilkins will join the vessel. The final preparations for departure will be made in Dunedin and the vessel is expected to sail for the Antarctic toward the end of next month.