BYRD’S ANTARCTIC VIGIL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19806, 23 May 1934, Page 9

BYRD’S ANTARCTIC VIGIL

COLDEST INHABITED SPOT ON EARTH

FROSTS AFFECT RESEARCH WORK United Press Association—Bv Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received May 22. 8.0 p.m.) MONTREAL. May 21. A radio message from Little America states that Rear-Admiral Byrd talked to Haines, the expedition’s meteorologist, to-day, and reported that the temperature was 72deg below zero, indicating that the Bolling Post is likely to become the coldest spot ever inhabited, as the coldest periods of the winter night are still to be expected. He reported that he had much difficulty in keeping the weather observation instruments functioning in the extreme cold. The frost gathers on everything exposed, and collects in gritty layers on the anemometer cups, producing error in the recorded wind velocities. It was necessary frequently to climb the 12-foot pole to wipe the vane clean, and also the clock instrument in the shelter had stopped, apparently the oil in the mechanism having frozen. In the camp at Little America a holiday was taken after completing the outdoor work. The tractors and aeroplanes have been safely stored.