THE LOST ITALIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20432, 12 June 1928, Page 9

THE LOST ITALIA

REPORT FROM RELIEF SHIP. GENUINE MESSAGES RECEIVED. ORGANISING RESCUE PARTIES. (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyr)f*»,) LONDON, June 10. A copyright wireless message from the Citta di Milano states; “At last we are sure that the Italia’s messages are genuine. Several came in purporting to emanate from the Italia. All were weak and undecipherable, but the Italian language was used. At last came * Italia speaking, 86,891,’ which is the operator’s (Sergeant Baigi) identification number.” A later message received by the Citta di Milano gave the amended position as longitude 28deg 40min, latitude Bdeg 30Amin. Several other messages were undecipherable, as the transmitter was evidently weakened, but one which was readable was: “Reply using 30 metres.” It is marvellous that the accumulators have still sufficient energy to send out even a few intelligible signals. The new position shows that the crew is stranded 28 miles north of Cape Leigh Smith. . , . Larssen left King’s Bay at midnight in order to join the Hobby. His fuel supply will enable him to remain in the air for only hours. If he gets clear water near enough to the Italia he will make a simple reconnaissance, and fix the castaways’ exact position. A requet has been sent to expedite the arrival of a large seaplane from Italy, which will drop supplies. Royce heads the first rescue partv, and will take two sleighs, each drawn by five dogs. The distance from Cape North to the Italia’s position is 100 miles. Royce estimates that it can be covered in four days, but much depends on the accuracy of existing maps, which locate the castaways’ position as only a few miles from land.—United Service. WORK OF RESCUE. POSSIBLE ONLY BY AEROPLANE. LONDON, June 10. Two wireless messages received from Rome announce that three of the Italia’s crew are making their way on foot towards the north coast of Spitzheryen, where they hope to locate the Hobby. The messages add that the crew are encamped on the ice, with fairly ample provisions. Sir George Wilkins, who has arrived in London from Paris, considers it is possible to carry on only by aeroplane, as the ice is too thick to allow a ship through, and not sufficiently firm to bear a sledge party. Aeroplanes in the first ■place should make a reconnaiss mce. and if it is found impossible to_ hnd, food could he dropped. The Italia’s crew in the meantime could prepare a landing place, and the aeroplanes could rescue them one by one.—Australian Press Association. CREW DRIFTING IN ELOES. DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTIES. OSLO, June 10. The Captain of the Citta di Milano states that two separate parties of tlie Italia’s crew are drifting on floes off North-east Land.—United Service. SEAPLANE FOR RESCUE. BEING HASTILY FITTED. LONDON, June 10. The Milan correspondent of The Times says that the seaplane for the rescue expedition which Royce heads is 555, which is being hastily fitted out at Lake Maggiore for King’s Bay, where it is expected on June 14, carrying Commander Maddalena and four officers.—Times Cable. FIRST OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. GONDOLA SNAPS FROM’ BEAM. ROME, June 11. (Received June 12, at 1.30 a.m.) The first official account shows that the Italia’s gondola snapped from the beam, and Colonel Nobile and seven others fell to the ground, two being injured. The remainder were then inside the bag or in the engine cabins, and adrift 30 kilometres eastward. Both groups are now apparently not far from North-east Land. The second group includes two scientists and journalists, three enginemen, and one fitter.—Australian Press Association. TWO MEMBERS OF CREW INJURED. LEGS TO BE AMPUTATED. OSLO, June 11. (Received June 12, at 0.15 a.m.) A wireless message from the Italia states that two members of the crew have been badly injured, and will have their legs amputated.—Australian Press Association.