Byrd's Lone Vigil.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20283, 18 April 1934, Page 6

Byrd's Lone Vigil.

Value of Plan Is Doubted.

SYDNEY, April 12 “ DISTANCE of 120 miles in the Antarctic is nothing, not more than a day’s "travel with a good team of dogs unde*" pressure,” commented Sir Hubert V ilkint. when referring to a message from Little America, the headquarters of the Bvrd Antarctic Expedition, describing the plan of the commander to remain throughout the winter in an advanced camp 123 mile* from his headquarters. Sir Hubert remarked that he had th«* keenest admiration for Admiral Byrd, whose achievements had stamped him as one of the most enterprising and able of explorers. He could not understand, however, what was the object of the proposed lone vigil on the Ross Sea barrier at a distance of no more than 123 miles from his base. If it was for the purpose of making observations of weather and ice movement. Admiral Byrd might just as well be in his own headquarters, for conditions there should be identical with those at a point 123 miles distant, and on approximately the same level. The Ross barrier surface was level and not far above sea-level, perhsps a few hundred feet. Conditions at that elevation could not give a reliable indication of air and ice characteristics close to the Pole, where the altitude was 10.000 ft. Again, one man working alone was limited in his capability for good research work in the Antarctic. He might set out to make hourly observations of w r eather and air currents, for instance, but he could not hope to maintain these observations without extended intervals for rest, nor could he maintain the constant observation needed for research into physical changes in the ice to make a proper study of these subjects over a period. Two men at least should be at hand, for one man could make only a partial study. Discussing the distance separating Admiral Byrd from his headquarters. Sir Hubert said there were hundreds of trappers in the northern reaches of Canada and of Alaska who spent winters alone under conditions just as severe as those faced by his fellow-scientist. A team of dogs could cover the distance in a day, if properly handled, on a track such as would connect Admiral Byrd with his main camp. He himself had on one occasion travelled 120 miles for Christmas dinner, and then returned to his own camp, afterwards counting the excursion as well worth its object. He mentioned this merely to show that the distance was of less consequence in Polar regions than it might seem. Admiral Byrd would doubtless deprecate any suggestion that he was undertaking a project of very great danger and, as a great explorer with many wonderful exploits to his credit, would probably hate to have his present plan regarded as particularly daring and arduous.