FLIGHT TO THE POLE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 9 May 1925, Page 9

FLIGHT TO THE POLE.

* Amundsen’s Daring Plans.

DELAYED BY CLIMATIC CONDITIONS.

By Cable —Press Association —Copyright Auatraiiau an.i .N.iS. Cable AsAoc&tioa (Received May 8, 6.5 p.m.) LUNDUN, May 7.

A wireless from the l'ram, on the evening of the oth, delayed, owing to atmospneric disturbances, states: ‘•The Fram and Hobby arrived on tho north coast of'Spitzbergen on Wednesday morning. W e have since patrolled the ceastlino to find the best starting point, but it appears impossible to unci level fjord ice for a start, os the,, edge of the ice is packed. After failing to enter Gobbe Bay, Wellman’s Bay or force the ice north of Amsterdam Island, the vessels entered the south channel between Hanies Island and the mainland of Spitzbergen, where there is a long stretch of sheltered open water. “Captain Amundsen has been advised of this. Probably, a start will be made from the south channel, where the planes will be fuelled alongside . the Hobby. Ice conditions are not good, as. northerly winds aitsweeping tho drift ice southwards. Drift ice from Ring’s Bay lies northwards in a curve to Amsterdam Island, threequarters of a mile from the shore. There is also sludge ice in the fjords, but not heavy enough to prevent manoeuvring the ships or prevent starting or ianding the planes. It is hopeless to attempt to force the ice northwards or eastwards of Amsterdam Island. After the Fram and the Hobby left King’s Bay we expected to have the planes ready to'-.'start, but under engine tests it wps discovered a new carburetter was necessary. “To-day the Fram is. .without news when the planes are arriving. The temperature fell fram minus 12 deg. to minus 15 deg. centigrade. Visibility is bad owing to the winds' from the polar basin sweeping the cold air southwards Towards the warmer open sea. There are clouds over the northern coast of Spitsbergen, but it is clear inland over the ice. Low pressure over Labrador is not expected to aheet Hying during the first fortnight after tlie start, linen the airmen may be expected back. The Fram and the Hobby are remaining together in the fairway off Danes Island, if visibility becomes worse, the Hobby will proceed east, but not beyond Yerlegenhook. If tlie planes do not return after fourteen days, the Hobby will proceed eastward if possible, to tlie North Cape and patrol as near the ice edge as possible, Tho ships wili await the airmen for six weeics after the start. The Fram will be at King’s Buy from May 10 to 19 for boiler cleaning, when the members of the Expedition, who so desire, can accompany tlie Fram in order to return home. 1

“The vessels lato on Wednesday evening were moored at the edge of the ice in the south channel, and as the weather is cloudy, with driving snow, the meteorologists telegraphed Captain Amundsen advising, him not to start on Thursday. Tlngerup ■ and Horgen, after observations, recommended the south channel as a starting place.”

START DELAYED TILL FRIDAY.

WEATHER- CONDITIONS CAREFULLY NOTED.

By Cable —PrGsa Aa«ociation—CopyrlgH. Australian aud N.Z c'ubio AssouiaUou (Received May 8, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 7.

A message from the Amundsen expedition at bpitzbergen on Thursday stated: The weatncr is good, and flying prospects are unchanged. There are low clouds with * snow storms driving before a north wind. If there is no alteration during the day the meteorologists will adviso Captain Amundsen not to start till Friday.