AT KING’S BAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20151, 21 May 1928, Page 7

AT KING’S BAY

THE ITALIA’S RETURN Crew Tell of Anxious Battle Against Elements NO LAND SIGHTED A DANGEROUS CRUISE [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright ] [ Australian Press Assn. | Received May 20, 6.10 p.m. KING’S BAY (Kpitzbergen), May 19. That exploration of the Polar regions by airship is constantly besec with dangers was revealed by the Italia’s return after a flight of nearly three days and nights, which covered nearly 2000 miles. The airslup became coated with nearly a ton of ice, this causing anxiety, and finally a blizzard compelled her return, with the ultimate objective—a thorough exploration of the lands and islands known as Lenin Land —unattained. The Italia, on route, made a search for Gilles Land, claimed to have been discovered by English explorers of that name, but failed to find any trace, of it. As the north coast of Spitsbergen was approached the weather became more and more uncertain, and finally, enveloped in a thick belt of fog, the airship nosed her way for hours through a nebulous mass until it was observed that ice was beginning to form on the metal parts. Finally the airship came to open sea, with ice, over which it flew at an altitude of 500 feet. The Midnight Sun sent its ray over the horizon, streaming across the dead icy wastes of the Polar Sea, far and wide, with not tho slightest sign of life. Shortly before five o’clock on Wednesday morning the coast of Franz Josef Land was sighted. The temperature aboard fell as much as seven degrees below zero, and the crew, owing to the lack of opportunity for exercise suffered considerably, despite their fur outfits. A crust of ice now enveloped tho whole airship hindering manoeuvring, and it became disconcerting. Over Franz Josef Land a flag from the city of Venice was thrown over, in memory of the veteran explorers who perished there. Shortly afterwards the headwind strengthened considerably, and slowed progress. As the Italia flow over one spot, where Captain Cagni wintered 28 years ago, a wreath was dropped. When ‘he Italia somewhat lumberingly approached where Lenin Land was supposed to be, a blizzard broke suddenly. Obviously a landing thereabouts was impracticable, and just before midnight the Italia set a new course, following the receipt of a wireless message from the supply ship advising her to return as far south as possible. Five hours’ flight over sea and ice, and Novaya Zembla rose up to the southward, but the airship simultaneously ran into a new ban kof fog. She rose to the highest possible altitude with difficulty to avoid the danger of further ice accumulating, as already it was estimated at a ton in weight. When the Italia was 150 miles from King's Bay a series of northeasterlies shook the airship from nose to stern. Colonel Nobile, on occasion, believed it would be impossible to make the base, and. contemplating steering for Vadose (Norway). All nands, including the wireless operator, were called to keep the Italia in the air, and this explains the absence of replies to the supply ship’s signals. The crew are now considerably fatigued with the 40 hours’ constant strain of watch. There was joy on board when a wireless message from King’s Bay stating that everything was ready for them on arrival and the weather favourable for a landing. The Italia arrived there in streaming sunshine, with calm air, and smoothly landed. g AMUNDSEN SURPRISED EXISTENCE OF LENIN LAND MISSED IN THE FOG? [ Australian Press Assn. ] Received May 20, 6 p.m. OSLO, May 19. Captain Roald Amundsen, interviewed hero described Colonel Nobile’s statement that he failed to find Nicholas IE Land (now Lenin Land) as astonishing. Captain Amundsen said he personally visited it in an expedition in the Maud, by means of sledges. He had signal posts erected. He thinks Colonel Nobile must have passed the island in the fog.