BYRD EXPEDITION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20456, 8 November 1934, Page 4

BYRD EXPEDITION.

Supply Ship to Leave in Near Future. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, November 7. Preparations are now being made for the departure of the Byrd supply ship Bear of Oakland and the Jacob Ruppert to the Antarctic within the next seven or eight weeks. The Bear of Oakland has just completed an extensive overhaul and repairs and has also had a new foremast fitted. The vessel is now at Port Chalmers and will return to her former berth at Dunedin after the departure of H.M.S. Dunedin on November 17. The Jacob Ruppert is also in first-class seagoing order. Sailing Schedules. Lieutenant English stated to-day that the Bear of Oakland will leave Dunedin on December 26 and the Jacob Ruppert will leave Port Chalmers about January 12 for the Antarctic. The Bear of Oakland should reach the icepack about a week after her departure. The Jacob Ruppert will then be advised of the condition of the ice pack and that report will determine the date of her departure. If the ice conditions are favourable, the Jacob Ruppert will probably sail before January 12. The ships will then proceed to the ice barrier, where RearAdmiral Byrd and members of his expedition will embark for the return voyage to New Zealand and America. New Zealanders for Crew. Lieutenant English explained that the personnel for the Bear of Oakland and the Jacob Ruppert was now being selected for the voyage to the Antarctic. He is anxious to secure the services of New Zealanders to make up a shortage in the crews.