NORTH STAR AT DUNEDIN

Southland Times, Issue 24332, 13 January 1941, Page 4

NORTH STAR AT DUNEDIN

ANTARCTIC SUPPLY SHIP VOYAGE FROM SEATTLE TO LITTLE AMERICA (United Press Association) DUNEDIN, January 12. In the teeth of a strong wind from the south-east, the United States Antarctic Service supply ship, North Star, arrived at Dunedin this afternoon and berthed at the oil wharf at 5.30.

From Seattle the ship had come by way of Honolulu, and from here she is to proceed south to joint the expedition flagship, U.S.S. Bear, at Little America. The two expedition bases, one at Little America and the other on Palmer Land will be evacuated.

The North Star presented a very different appearance from the occasion of her last visit on January 1, of last year. Then she was loaded heavily below and above not only with stores and equipment, but also with the specially designed snow cruiser, stored above her after hatch. On her present visit she was riding lightly, having little on board beyond the necessary stores. When she embarks the 38 men who spent the winter in the Antarctic her accommodation will be taxed. There arc about 150 sled dogs at the two bases, and of these the Bear is to take 24 leaving the remainder for the North Star. Two aeroplanes have also to be brought back together with much scientific and other equipment. The snow cruiser is to be left behind, largely because of the extreme difficulty of loading it. The principal purpose of the North Star’s visit to Dunedin is to bunker. This supply will have to serve to take her the 3000 or 4000 miles she will cover between here and the Palmer Land base, and then on to Buenos Aires which will be the first port of call on the homeward journey.