THE GREAT ADVENTURE

Southland Times, Issue 19546, 9 May 1925, Page 7

THE GREAT ADVENTURE

FLIGHT TO THE NORTH POLE. CAPTAIN AMUNDSENS ATTEMPT AWAITING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MOMENT. (Copyright) LONDON, May 7. (Received May 8 at 11 pun.) A message from Captain Amunsden’s Expedition at Spitsbergen on Thursday stated:— “The weather is good and flying prospects are unchanged. There are low clouds with snow storms driving before a north w-ind, and if there is no alteration during the day, the Meteorologists will advise Captain Amunsden not to start till Friday.” EXPLORING FOR LANDING PLACE. A wireless from the Fram on the evening of May 6th, delayed owing to atmosphere disturbances, states: ‘The Fram and Hobby arrived off the north coast of Spitsbergen on Wednesday morning. We have since patrolled the coast line to find the best starting point, but it appears impossible to find level ice in the fiord for the start as the edge of the ice is packed. After failing to enter Cobbe Bay, Wellman’s Bay or force the ice north of Amsterdam Island, the vessels entered the South Channel between Davies Island and the mainland of Spitzbergen, where there is a long stretch of sheltered open water. Captain Amunsden has been advised of this. Probably a start will be made from the South Channel where the ’planes will be supplied with fuel alongside the Hobby. The ice conditions are not good as the northerly winds are sweeping the drift ice southwards. Drift ice from King’s Bay Les northw’ards in a curve to the Amsterdam Island, threequarters of a mile from shore. There is also sludge ice in the fiords, but not heavy enough to prevent the manoeuvring of the ships or prevent the starting or landing of the planes. It is hopeless to attempt to force it northwards or eastwards of Amsterdam Island. After the Fram and Hobby left Kings’ Bay, we expected to have the ’planes ready to start but under engine teste it was discovered that a new carburettor was necessary. NO NEWS FROM THE ’PLANES. ‘To-day the Fram is without news when the ’planes will be arriving. The temperature fell from minus twelve to minus fifteen centigrade. The visibility is bad owing to winds from the Polar base sweeping the cold air southwards towards the warmer open sea. There are clouds over the northern coast of Spitzbergen but it is clear inland over the ice, with low pressure over Labrador. These conditions are not expected to affect flying during the first fortnight after the start when the airmen may be expected back. The Fram and Hobby are remaining together in the fairway at Davies Island. If visibility becomes worse, the Hobby will proceed east but not beyond Veriegenhook. PREPARED FOR CONTINGENCIES. “If the planes do not return after fourteen days, the Hobby will proceed eastward, if possible to the North Cape and patrol as near the ice edge as possible. The ships will await the airmen for six weeks after the start. The Fram wall be at King’s Bay from May 16 to 19th for boiler cleaning, when members of the expedition so desiring can accompany the Fram in order to return home. The vessels late on Wednesday evening were moored at the edge of the ice in the south channel and, as the weather was cloudy with driving snow, the Meteorologists telegraphed Captain Amunsden advising him not to start on Thursday. Hagerup and Horgen, after observations have recommended the South Channel as the starting place.”

The airmen will make practice flights for 3 month at Spitzbergen, and then set across the Pole for Alaska. The distance, 1,750 miles, is beyond the capacity of a single machine without refuelling. Each machine will, therefore, carry sufficient petrol for a 16-hour flight. All will descend after four hours, and one will transfer its petrol to the others, leaving sufficient to enable it to return to Spitzbergen. The two other ’planes will continue their flight northward and descend after eight hours. One will be abandoned, and ite fuel will be transferred to the remaining machine, and with four men aboard the latter will attempt to reach Alaska.

Captain Amunsden, who was born at Borje, Norway, 52 years ago, was educated for the naval service of Sweden and Norway, and rapidly rose to the rank of second lieutenant. He came into public notice in 1901, when he made important observations on the East Greenland current. He was first officer on the Belgian expedition to the Antarctic in 1897-99. In June, 1903, he sailed from Norway in the ship Gjoa, and on December 5, 1905, the Government Cable Office at Seattle, Washington, received a message that he had determined the position of the magnetic Pole and had also located the North-West Passage. In 1913 Captain Amundsen supplied the chief geographical event of the year. His sensational decision to postpone his expedition to the Arctic region and to endeavour to forestall Captain Scott led him to success, and he reached the South Pole on December 16, 1911, j-fter a bold dash. Scott reached the Pole on January 18, 1912, and the records left there by Amundsen were found at the latter’s camp.