Byrd’s Ships 500 Miles South of Otago Heads

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 530, 6 December 1928, Page 9

Byrd’s Ships 500 Miles South of Otago Heads

FINE WEATHER PLANS WORK OUT WELL (United Service) Reed. 12.26 p.m. NEW YORK, Wed. A dispatch from Mr. Russell Owen, who is on board the City of New York which is in the tow of the Eleanor Boling, says: 41 At noon on Wednesday, we were 500 miles south of Taiaroa Head, at the entrance to Otago Harbour. We are experiencing gentle winds, bright sky, and light clouds, in fact the best weather any Antarctic expedition has ever had in this region of fierce gales and high seas. . “The City of New York carries not only one airplane, but also food supplies sufficient for 20 men on the ice for a year even if the Eleanor Boling should not return with more materials, thus making this a self-support-ing unit, able to function scientifically in all departments, including aviation. “The plan is to have the Eleanor Boling tow the City of New York to the ice, and it has worked out excellently. “In addition to giving us a fair speed during a period of head winds, it also ensures for us a full supply of coal when the ice-pack is reached and the Eleanor Boling turns back. “The problem of carrying .enough coal on these wooden boats has always been serious. It was Captain Scott's greatest worry during his last trip through the ice-pack."