BYRD PARTY IN DANGER

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1933, Page 7

BYRD PARTY IN DANGER

STORM AT EASTER ISLAND SERIES OF MISADVENTURES PERILOUS ROW IN LIFEBOAT MISERABLE NIGHT ASHORE (Special to Press Association.) Rec. 7 pan. Aboard Ruppert, Nov. 19. Rear-Admiral Richard Byrd’s ship Ruppert is once more at sea en route to New Zealand after a visit to Easter Island where the expedition encountered a series of misadventures that threatened destruction of the Ruppert and endangered the life of Admiral Byrd and others. The Ruppert steamed into Cook’s Bay on Thursday. A party, including Admiral Byrd, wept ashore. Meanwhile a terrific on-shore wind blew up and the full power' of the Ruppert’s engines was required to prevent foundering on the rocky coast. It was impossible for the shore party to return in the lifeboat, and the members remained on the island overnight without adequate food or shelter. Next morning the natives predicted that the storm would last several days, which Admiral Byrd felt he could not afford, to waste, in his haste to reach the Antarctic. Admiral Byrd ordered the Ruppert to sail five to eight miles the other side of the island, where an attempt would be made to re-embark. A crew of experienced native oarsmen gathered, and with Admiral Byrd in the heavy lifeboat started to row fire dangerous six-mile passage skirting the shore. The remainder of the party hiked across the island with the Ruppert standing as near in as possible in the event of disaster.' ' The lifeboat started the passage but was swept by high waves and was often in ■ danger of foundering against the rocks. It was soon apparent that it was Impossible to reach the other side of the island, nor could the boat return to shore. Finally Admiral Byrd directed the crew to row directly to the Ruppert into the seemingly impossible wind. After a hard effort with continual danger the crew reached the vessel, which then steamed round to pick up the land party. An experienced lifeboat crew was recruited from the sailors. They managed to make shore and pick up the remainder of the landing party. On starting the return trip, however, they found that the natives had stolen most of the rowlocks and refused to return them. Luckily the wind was now with them, and the Crew, using oars and improvised sails, effected a return. Mooring to the Ruppert was a hazardous undertaking requiring skilful navigation both by the lifeboat crew and by the ship’s officers. Once they were aboard the Ruppert started for New Zealand.