LONG ARCTIC FLIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19830, 3 May 1927, Page 7

LONG ARCTIC FLIGHT

ADVENTURES OF WILKINS AEROPLANES LEFT IN ICE POINT BARROW (Alaska), April 30. Captain Wilkins and his pilot, Eielson, are safe. They have reached Beechey Point, on the north coast of Alaska, about 175 miles from Point Barrow. They walked 70 miles after abandoning their ’plane. Eielson’s fingers are frozen, but he will not lose them. They flew over the Arctic wastes for nearly 1000 miles, and had many interesting adventures. Taking off from Point Darrow < n March 29, they flew 500 m«le.? steadily tc the north v est, penetrating more than 300 iniies further ihiu anyone had ever gone in that direc/.in l e'f >ru They were forced down, but landed safely, and after a short rest turned to the east, traversing 300 miles of virgin territory, eventually crossing the probable route of the Amundsen polar flight last year. For the second time they were forced to descend, but got away safely again. They were forced to descend a third time, directly seaward from Point Barrow and were unable to get the ’plane restarted, although they worked for two days. They drifted east for 100 miles to a point almost due north of Beechey Point, and finally walked to the shore, arriving among Eksimo huts on April 14. A dog team from Beechey Point brought a letter to Point Barrow today.