RYMILL EXPEDITION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22620, 7 January 1937, Page 10

RYMILL EXPEDITION

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION CHRISTMAS IN FALKLANDS LONDON, Jan. 5 After spending Christmas in tho Falkland Islands, an Antarctic exploring expedition led by the South Australian explorer Mr. W. J. Bymill sailed in the Penola southwards to pick up a shore party at Southern Base, in Marguerite Bay, states the Times in a world copyright message. The Penola will wait at her old anchorage in the Argentine Islands until the ice permits her continuance to Southern Base. Seven of her complement of the shore party spent Christmas at the base. Mr. Bvmill and Surgeon-Commander Bingham are still away sledging and are not expected to return for some weeks. Depots have been laid for them in case the sea-ice breaks up and obliges them to wait until fetched by boat. The ice has thawed to such an extent that it is no longer possible for an aeroplane to take off. Further flying is impossible until there is sufficient open water to use the floats. The Penola. a three-masted topsail schooner, equipped with two 50 horsepower Diesel engines, left England in September, 1934, and was manned by the members of the expedition. The object of the expedition was to explore

as much territory as possible between Luitpold Land and Charcot Land, working from a base as far south on the west coast of South Graham Land as ice conditions allow. The scientific staff has been engaged on many investigations, including important meteorological work and research into tho sociology of penguins.