ITALIA’S FLIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 20495, 25 May 1928, Page 7

ITALIA’S FLIGHT

DEPARTURE FOR NORTH POLE. “A TOPSY-TURVEY WORLD.” London, May 23. A message from King’s Bay on May 23 states that the special correspondent aboard the Italia sent the following wireless message prior to proceeding towards the Pole:—“We spent most of the time aboard the City di Milano where there was every comfort. We were occasionally homesick and had to consult the clock calendar in order to distinguish day from night. If we felt sleepy we had to consider whether it was bedtime or rising time. It was a topsy-turvy world. Sleep time and work time intermingled. We might go for a brisk walk at 2 a.m. and were often abed at 3 p.m. in order to begin work at midnight. Breakfast was usually at 1 p.m. when the sun was already high. When the Italia is resting in the hangar 600 gas containers weighing dozens of tons must be taken across the fields to restore buoyancy when in flight and other duties deprive Commander Ramagna and the crew of all leisure. Thousands of gulls surround the City di Milano seeking galley scraps. White gulls are said to be the souls of dead sailors and black gulls the souls of stokers. Seals and sea lions are favourite game. They are easily shot. The ice pilot skinned the smallest seal and supervised the cooking but he alone partook. It was a terrible meal.”—Australian Press Association. CROSSED THE POLE. (Rec. 7.15 p.m.) Oslo, May 23. A later message via King’s Bay states that the Italia crossed the North Pole at mid-night, no landing being possible.—Australian Press Association. AN HOUR AT POLE. (Rec. 12.50 a.m.) Oslo, May 24. The Italia remained at the Pole from one till two in the morning and is now en route to Spitzbergen.—Australian Press Association—United Service. FORCED BACK BY STORM. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, May 23. A message from King’s Bay states* that the Italia reported encountering a heavy storm, making it almost impossible to steer. Therefore, it was returning. If it is impossible to land at King’s Bay it will make for Vadsoa where everything is in readiness for a landing during the night.— Australian Press Association.