BYRD ISOLATED

Wairarapa Age, 23 March 1929, Page 5

BYRD ISOLATED

WAITING FOR IMPROVEMENT IN WEATHER. DOG TEAMS START EASTWARDS RESCUING THE RESCUERS (By Russell Owen—Special to “New York Tinies.” BAY OF WHALES, March 20. Byrd is isolated under the peaks of the mountains he discovered on his first flight. He is only 128 miles away, but if he had to walk home it would take him, three weeks, because of the weather. Before that becomes necssary, the remaining ’plane in commission should be able to make a flight to bring him, Hanson, and Gould back to the base. Although it is necessary to reach them as soon as possible, because of the lateness of the season, we are not worried l about the present situation, as we were about the others, for we have radio communication with them two or three times a day. It is a serious matter being so far from the base without dogs at this time of the year, because the hours of daylight are getting rapidly shorter, and in a month the sun will disappear altogether; so the pilots and weather men are watching for a break irt the clouds and the wind which will enable Dean Smith to make another rescue trip.

In the meantime the dog teams are making their way eastward, having started yesterday, so if Byrd and the others have to start back on foot, pulling the sled, they may be met by faster teams and be relieved of the heartbreaiking labour. It is man-hauling which wears men down in the Antarctic. With dogs it is possible to travel . e ast and without dangerous exertions. If in a few days the ’plane is able to make a flight, the dog teams will be called beck. MESSAGE FROM HANSON Word was received from Commander Byrd this morning that all was well, and Hanson sent me the following message: “Sad to see Fokker so eracked up. Byrd, Larry, and I are very contented and getting ready to prepare for bad weather by gathering and catching equipment and food) which must be left behind when we leave, moving temporarily the radio station out of -he wrecked plane 300 yards down the till, and setting it up in- the tent, so that the weather will not interfere with communications.” The ’plane will not go until there is some assurance that it will be able to make the round; trip, as Byrd and the other pilots do not want to risk leaving it there to be exposed to another storm such as wrecked the Fokker, but it is ready. Haines and Balchen are up at three in the morning to take advantage of the first break. (Copyrighted 1928 by “New York Times” Company and “St. Lout's Post-Dispatch.” AH rights fr publication reserved throughout the world.)