BACK TO ANTARCTICA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21878, 14 August 1934, Page 8

BACK TO ANTARCTICA

The brief visit to Auckland of the Wyatt Earp, the ship of the Ellsworth Antarctic Expedition, is tangible evidence of the dogged spirit of Mr. Ellsworth and his companions. Adventure is still for the adventurous. The glamour of romance encircles this stout little craft. Last year she pushed her way through the pack ice to Ross Sea. "Berthed" alongside the ice shelf, her people with great expedition set about landing the monoplane Polar Star and their equipment. But when all seemed to be going well nature intervened. The ice began to collapse. The ship broke from her moorings. The monoplane, which had been assembled and made partly ready for the flight to Weddell Sea and back, was damaged beyond repair on the spot and was recovered with the greatest difficulty from a floe. The expedition had perforce to return. A few hours of adverse natural conditions had destroyed the preparations of years. But,, true to the spirit that is behind all polar exploration, the leader set about making good the damage. The monoplane was sent back to America. There it has been made new again, with the addition of floats as an extra precaution. To-day it is aboard the Wyatt Earp and many friendly eyes will watch the vessel move out on the first section of her southward track. For the impending flight plans have been altered. The expedition will go to Deception Island, south of Cape Horn, and Ellsworth and Balchen will attempt to fly by way of Weddell Sea to Ross Sea, where, if they are successful, they will have the hospitality of Little America until their ship arrives. Any further plans that may be in view have not been disclosed, but it would be surprising if an initial success in a machine that has been well tried is not followed by further adventures within the limited time available. The Polar Star and her crew may earn a high place in the record of Antarctic exploration. New Zealand wishes the expedition God-speed. There is admiration throughout the country for the courage and determination of the fliers and full appreciation of the scientific value of the whole venture.