ACROSS ANTARCTICA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22455, 27 December 1934, Page 7

ACROSS ANTARCTICA

THE ELLSWORTH EXPEDITION SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT REPORTED Private advice received in Dunedin last night indicated that the flight across the Antarctic had been successfully accomplished by Mr Lincoln Ellsworth and Mr Bernt Balchen. The flight, as originally planned, was from Deception Island to the Bay ot Whales, and with a deviation in the course it was estimated that the total distance would be some 2700 miles. The Northrop Gamma plane, known as the Polar Star, in which the daring flight was to have been undertaken, is a very fast machine with a cruising range of upwards of 3000 miles, and it is considered likely that the journey, which will add another spectacular achievement to the history of polar enterprise, would be made in about 10 or 12 hours. It has been known for some days that Messrs Ellsworth and Balchen have had all their preparations in readiness, and if the patient efforts of these two famous explorers have now been rewarded the news will be gladly received throughout the entire world. It is not difficult to visualise the scene at Little America when Rear-admiral Byrd welcomed his compatriot and fellow-adventurer, and it can well be imagined that great rejoicings will be indulged in when the ships of both expeditions, the Bear of Oakland, the Jacob Ruppert and the Wyatt Earp, meet at the Bay of Whales, as they should do within the next few weeks.

BEAR OF OAKLAND TO SAIL TO-DAY The Byrd expedition ship Bear of Oakland is to leave Dunedin at 9 a.m. today for the ice barrier. The vessel is in excellent trim for the voyage south. All stores have been loaded and the ship will also carry more than 100 bags of mail for the members of the expedition who have spent the past 12 months on the ice barrier. A report on the state of the ice pack will be wirelessed from the Bear of Oakland, and this will be a guide for the departure of the Jacob Ruppert from Dunedin for southern latitudes. It is expected that she will sail about the middle of January. The Jacob Ruppert will be under the command of Captain S. D. Rose, who was chief officer of the Bear of Oakland. When the Jacob Ruppert reaches the ice, however, the duties of pilot will be carried out by Commander H. F. Gjertsen, of the Royal Norwegian Navy. Commander Gjertsen acted as pilot for the ship last year. He will return to New Zealand shortly from Norway.