Antarctic Motoring

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 584, 9 February 1929, Page 1

Antarctic Motoring

Byrd Sends Message for Another Truck SHIP TO WINTER HERE Commander Byrd wants another motor-truck for use at his Antarctic base. He ■wirelessed Mr. Richard Brophy in Auckland to this effect this morning, and the motor vehicle will be sent on the return trip of the Eleanor Boling from Lunedin. Every day Commander Byrd and Mr. Brophy communicate with each other by wireless. “Little America.” as Byrd’s base is known, and New Zealand, are really only seconds apart as far as communication is concerned.

It is now definitely certain that at least one of the Byrd expedition shipswill winter at Auckland.

This will probably be the City of New York, which is to make a comprehensive tour of the South Seas, calling at Suva and other centres, as well as all the important Xew Zealand ports.

The Eleanor Boling may also come to Auckland for the winter. If not she will be tied up in the South. This information was given this morning by Mr. Brophy. who is second in command of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition. He will leave to-morrow evening by the Limited to meet the Makura at Wellington. Mr. Bropliy was busy this morning dictating wireless messages to Com mander Byrd. Since he arrived in Auckland he has scarcely had a moment to himself, and when he returns next week he will take a holiday. “I shall spend my first holiday for 10 years in Auckland,” he remarked this morning. Mr. Brophy is going to Wellington to superintend the unloading of scientific instruments and other gear from the Makura. These will be sent on to Lunedin as quickly as possible. At present the supply ship Eleum.r Boling is speeding toward Lunedin. which she expects to reach next Friday and a da\' earlier if possible. Mr. Brophy says that not a minute must be lost in returning to B3*rd’s base in the Antarctic.

When the Eleanor Boling sails again from Lunedin 36 hours after arriving there she will carry 5,000 gallons of benzine. 4,000 gallons of other oils smoke bombs made in Auckland, an airplane, two motor tractors and a For#! truck, as well as the 15 dogs which arrived in Auckland by the Xiagara. Mails from America and personal goods will also be sent to the men who are to winter in the far South The arrival of the Eleanor Boling will be the last communication with the outside world, except by wireless, for many months.