ARCTIC EXPLORERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19498, 5 June 1925, Page 9

ARCTIC EXPLORERS

FATE OF CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN. DU NANSEN RFASSURIXG. Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright, LONDON, June 3. The Geneva correspondent of the Daily Express interviewed Dr Nansen, who said: ‘T cannot understand all this fuss concerning Captain Amundsen’s fate. Ho is experienced and courageous. Even 'f months elapse without news there is no need for anxiety. Probably Captain Amundsen as a result of the favourable weather has decided to remain for a year in the Polar regions, and to continue scientific investigations, which other *;x-, plorers failed in because of lack of time. For example, in 1893 and in 1896 I was forced to hurry back to my base. “I believe that Captain Amundsen landed near the magnetic Pole, and alter arranging his instruments proceeded to the real Pole. Even if there has been an accident to the aeroplanes, there are food and sledges enough to reach an Eskimo village, where the explorers would bo safe. “1 have no fears for Amundsen, but personally 1 prefer airships lo aeroplanes in the Polar regions, as more men and food can be carried.” —A. and N Z Gable. COMMANDER WORSLEY’S VIEW. AMUNDSEN’S CHANCES BAD. LONDON, Juno 3 In announcing the abandonment of the Algerrson Polar expedition from Liverpool, Commander Frank Worslcy (who captained Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance and Quest) states that he is trying to get an aeroplane as quickly as possible to search for Captain Amundsen, but he thinks that Amundsen’s chances are bad. —A. and N.Z. Cable. NANSEN EXPEDITION. GIANT ZEPPELIN BUILDING. BERLIN, June 5. (Received Juno 4, at 5.5 p.m.) Herr Walter limns, who is organising a Nansen expedition to the North Pole in January next, announces that a huge Zeppelin is being built at Kchuttelanz, In order to avoid the summer fogs tho airship will leave the base at Murmansk in April or May, flying over Franz Joseph Land to the Pole, and afterwards over the unexplored spot known as the “White Spot.” The Zeppelin will have a speed of 120 kilometres an hour and will carry enough fuel for a flight of 100 hours.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ORGANISING A SEARCH. SYSTEMATIC PREPARATION S. OSLO, June 3. (Received Juno 4, at 9 p.m.) Systematic plans have been drawn up for the search for Capt. Amundsen. Two Norwegian naval aeroplanes are being equipped with wireless to operate from Spitsbergen towards East Greenland. The French explorer Dr Charcot will probably be requested to search the cast coast of Greenland. The Macmillan expedition will work from Capo Columbia to Etah.—Reuter. PATRON OF EXPEDITION. ANXIETY CAUSES DEATH. ROME, June 3. (Received Juno 4, at 9 p.m.) The American coal magnate Mr J. WEllsworth, who financed the - Amundsen flight, has died at Florence. It ia believed that his death was largely duo to anxietv as a result of the disappearance of his son, who accompanied Captain Amundsen. —Reuter.