WILKINS SAFE AT HIS ARCTIC BASE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17834, 30 April 1926, Page 9

WILKINS SAFE AT HIS ARCTIC BASE.

DETROITER CANNOT CARRY SUFFICIENT FUEL TO FLY TO AND FROM POINT BARROW.

By Telegraph.-—Press Association.—Copyright.—“Sydney Sun*’ Cable. VANCOUVER, April 2D. Captain Wilkins and Lieutenant Eielsen arc safe at Barrow, where Smith's overland party has also arrived. According to advices from Fairbanks, it. is authoritatively stated that the Detroiter, the three-enßined aeroplane of the Wilkins Arctic Expedition, has so far been unable to carry a fuel load sufficient to fly to and from Point Barrow, 520 miles north of Fairbanks.

The transportation of fuel by aeroplane from Fairbanks to Point Barrow has proved impracticable. It is stated that supplies will be shipped by steamer through Behring Strait round the northern tip of Alaska to Point Barrow, but it is stated that this is possible only in summer.

Misfortune has dogged the Wilkins party. Commencing with the fire at Detroit which destroyed an aeroplane, the snow motors which were intended to be used in transporting supplies from Fairbanks across 520 miles of mountainous Alaska to Point Barrow proved complete failures, after two attempts, and resort had to be made to dog sledges. While starting an aeroplane, one. of the party, Mr Palmer Hutchinson, the news writer, was cut in two by the propellor. At Fairbanks, also, the remaining two aeroplanes were wrecked, but the smaller one was repaired, and in it Captain Wilkins made a journey to Point Barrow, carrying 3000 pounds of provisions. For over a week nothing was heard of the aviator, who was ‘ > have set out on his return almost immediately, and then he returned, having made a round trip. Then Malcolm Smith, the veteran leader of the sledging party, who set off to secure help for his men who were in distress, was lost for some time but finally turned up safely. Once again Wilkins set out for Point Barrow, about a fortnight ago. and had not been heard of. Anxiety was felt for his safety, but this has now been allayed by the news of his being safe at Point Barrow. Originally, Captain Wilkins intended to leave Point Barrow on his Arctic flight on March 21.