NO NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, 19 June 1925, Page 9

NO NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Silence Broods Over Arctic. PATROL VESSEL’S FRUITLESS SEARCH. By Cable—’Press Association—Copyright, AUktiaiian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, June 17. A wireless from Danes Island on June 16 stated that when the Hobby on June 9 returned there, after her first eastward patrol, the Fram had departed for the south to fetch tho relief expedition, consisting of. two aeroplanes. Thus the accompanying journalists have been cut off from the wireless station since, and have been living in a trapper’s hut at Weknan’s Bay, eating Polar bear meat. Following instructions, the Hobby immediately proce-ded northwaa-ds again on a patrolling expedition. She returned to-night. The results of her search show that polar ice now iies unusually far north, with open water to 80.45 degrees, about 40 miles from the north coast of Spitzbergon. Ice approaches the land near North-eastland, but outside the pack ice lies a wide belt of drift ice, which aii-men cannot possibly pass in their small canvas boats. If, therefore, they are seeking Spitzbergen they are probably bound for North-eastland. Despite the most intently maintained watch from the Hobby’s crew no trace was found of the airmen. All trappers living in the north coast huts of Spitzbergen have been warned to keep a lookout. Aircraft Preparing. A wireless from King’s Bay on June 17, stated that the Hobby immediately got in touch with the Hoimdai, lying in Advent Bay. The Heimdal advised that the pilots and two aeroplanes, which were sent by the Norwegian Government, would be ready to start when she gave the wdrd.

The Heimdal, after escertaining that the ice conditions were favourable in the north, left Advent Bay at 4 a.m. She wirelessed that instructions had been given the pilots and planes to get ready to start.. Two aeroplanes ascended from Advent Bay at 9.45, in ideal weather, with bright sunshine, with a slight easterly breeze. At 11 a.m. we heard the roar of the engines for a few seconds, and later the Hobby put out a boat to the aeroplanes which descended about 11.35. It is understood that the aeroplanes will fly at a speed' of 80 miles per hour and at a height of 4000 feet. The Hobby will proceed northwards from Danes’ Island to-night, with orders to place buoys at Welllman’s Bay, where the aeroplanes can be moored. The aeroplanes will proceed northwards as early as possible. The Heimdal is expected here at 7 p.m. NEW YORK, June 17. The MacMillan Expedition, aboard the Peary, sailed from the Charletown Navy -yard for Wiscasset (Maine), whence it will sail north, accompanied by the schooner Bowdoin, on Saturday.