A GRAPHIC PAGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17568, 19 June 1925, Page 1

A GRAPHIC PAGE.

FLASHES FROM THE CABLES Amundsen's preparations, flight, and return from the Pole, make a graphic page in the history of Arctic exploration. The following extracts from the cablegrams tell the story in chronological order. SPITZBERGEN, May 16 : The weather during the past week has made the Polar flight impossible, and conditions arc still bad. During the waiting period the motors have been started daily to keep them in perfect running condition. The difli-

cultics of starting them hi tro *« w temperature have been overcome. Captain Amundsen, however, persists in waiting for milder weather for starting, as he thinks it ivou'J not he wise to risk the motors freezing, although the risk lias been reduced to a minimum. Everything else in connection with the expedition is ready. NEW YORK. May 21:—A despate n from King s Ilay, Spitzbergen, states: “ Two flying boats of th-j Amundsen-Ellsworth expedition hopped off at 0.10 this afternoon for the Polar flight. The conditions arc ideal.” LONDON, May 2:2:—The- representative of Amundsen wirelessed from King's Bay, Spitzbergen, saving: “After the recent bad weather the cle-

cision to start surprised everybody, except the meteorologists. Ideal conditions favoured the start on the fjord ice, which was smooth, with on adequate layer of new snow. There* were tense moments, as the motors had not been started in the last few days. All the four engine plan-:?, shot forward over the show and disappeared in the snowy haze 'whilst the air rush nearly bowle 1 over the assembled crowd.” LONDON, May 22Advice from King’s Bay on Thursday evening says that Captain Amundsen was first off, and then Ellsworth. Despite a heavier load of petrol than at first planned, both took off the snow perfectly and were out of sight in seven ininues. The engines were purring, which suggested they were working splendidly. The aeroplanes have- sufficient petrol for a flight of 1615 miles. LONDON, May 22.—An unconfirmed report received at Oslo from King’s Bay states that Captain Amundsen reached the Polo. The Central News Agency has not been advised. LONDON, May 23.—A certain amount of anxiety naturally prevails in London in view of the fact that the report of Captain Amundsen’s success remained unconfirmed. A copyright wireless message from tbo Framj at Dane’s Island, on Friday afternoon, states: “If all went well Captain Amundsen and party should have landed at the North Pole between two and three o’clock this morning, when they would make observations and, naturally rest before returning. YVe rckon the return journey would occupy ten or twelve hours. On the other hand, the stay might be prolonged several days, especially if bad weather or fog is encountered LONDON, May 24.—Opinion in London: is that there will he no real ground for anxiety till Sunday night, and, even then, time must.bo allowed for the transmission of news. Owing to th© relays necessary, it takes five hours to transmit from Spitzbergen to Oslo. NEW YORK, May 24.—Captain Ilaakon A. Hammer, the Danish aviator who accompanied Captain Amundsen two years ago to within 400 miles of the Pole, declares that a landing in the vicinity of the Pole must be suicidal, because of the rough ice. “Tf they managed to descend, how could they rise again?” he asked. LONDON, May 25.—The “Daily Mail” publishes a Copenhagen wireless report from Spitzbergen to the effect that there has been a complete unfavourable change in the weather, and it is feared that Captain Amundsen will be forced to alight in the Polar Sea. LONDON, May 25. —Commander Worsley states that if Captain Amundsen landed on a smooth doe he might make a long ski run to the __ Pole. Good news was still possible for the next live days, though the chances of so simple an outcome were by no means great. LONDON, May 25. —Greltir Algarsson, who proposed to race Captain Amundsen to the Pole, using an airship, is now hurrying tip his preparations in order to help the missing explorer. LONDON, May 25.—Commander Prcstrud, Naval Attache at the Norwegian Legation, who accompanied Captain Amundsen on his South Polo expedition in 1912, when interviewed. by a correspondent of the “Evening Standard,” said ho was of the opinion that there was no present cause for anxiety. He regarded the calculations as to distance and probable fly«g times ts unreliable as Derby tips. LONDON, May 26. —The following copyright wireless message was received in London at three o’clock this morning from the Fram : Spitzbergen, Monday, 7 p.m.—“lf the ’planes left the Pole at .noon, as the most favourable hour, they are due back at about ten. o'clock to-night. YYo are keeping the closest watch, and everything bus been prepared to receive the airmen. LONDON, May 26.—A copyright wireless message from the Fram, at Spitzbergen, despatched on Tuesday at 2 p.m., states:—“The situation is unchanged and good flying weather still prevails over the Polar basin. Apprenhension on this score has been removed.” OTTAWA, May 26.—Like gtefansson, Captain Bernier, the Canadian exployer believes that there is no eason for alarm about Captain AinuudJ.ONOON, Mav 23.—A copyright, wireless message from the Fram, Spitzbergen, received on 'Wednesday, a ti 5 p.m., states: —“ Messages received here from Oslo by wireless announce that the American Press is taking

a pessimistic view of the result of Captain Amundsen’s flight, and that there are plans to despatch a relief expedition.” LONDON, May 29.—A wireless message from the Fram to-day states:— “The tension throughout the world at the continued absence of news from Captain Amundsen is reflected here. It is a week since the ’planes disappeared, and it seems an eternity. We are keeping close and intense watch, and discussing all the possibilities of the flight.” LONDON, May 29.—The following copyright wireless message, received in London at 1 a.m., dramatically indicates that a change in the weather has precipitated action at Spitzbergen, and that the search for Captain Amundsen and party has begun. THE FRAM, 7 p.m., May 29.—‘‘Tension is increasing. The weather is thickening and clouds are hiding the mountains. Heavy snow is falling. The Hobby has been dispatched to patrol the ice edge in accordance with Captain Amundsen’s instructions in case of bad weather.” LONDON, May 31.—A copyright message from the Fram, sent from Spitzbergen on Saturday, said: “Ten days have passed since Captain Amundsen and his comrades disappeared, and we are beginning to doubt whether we will see the airmen return by ’plane.” LONDON, June 3.—The Geneva correspondent of the “Daily Express” interviewed Dr Nansen, who said: “I cannot understand all this fuss con-

cerning Captain Amundsen’s fate. He is experienced and courageous, and, even if months elapse without news, there is no need for anxiety.” , ROME, June 3. —The American coaly magnate, James W. Ellsworth, who. financed the Amundsen flight, died at Florence. It is believed that his death was largely due to anxiety as the result of the disappearance of his son, who accompanied Captain Amundsen. LONDON, June 4—A copyright message from Spitzbergen dated June 4, states:— “The Fram and Hobby to-morrow will begin a search along the ice pack. The Hobby, proceeding eastward to North Cape, will bear the brunt of the work. The Fram goes northwards and westwards to Amsterdam Island.” LONDON, June G.—A copyright wireless message from the Fram indicates that Captain Amundsen and his five companions may have run into a snowstorm soon after they started on their flight to the Pole, despite fine weather forecasts. VANCOUVER, June 18.—Amundsen has returned to Spitzbergen.