The Wanganui Chronicle TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1929. THE SOUTH POLAR FLIGHT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 287, 3 December 1929, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle TUE SDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1929. THE SOUTH POLAR FLIGHT

COMMANDER BYRD’S South Polar flight has dramatically demonstrated the great advances made by modern invention. Scott, Shackleton, and Amundsen went into the silence of the snowbound South dependent upon their own strength, aided only by the dog teams. When the long Antarctic night closed on them they had to wait in awful isolation until the summer period should come and in that surcease from darkness make their dangerous essay. Commander Byrd and his organisation are so well equipped and the personnel of his company is so large that the puny personnel and equipment of his forerunners are dwarfed to insignificance by comparison. But their achievements are heightened by Commander Byrd’s accomplishment. Despite the great preparation, the careful organisation, and planning of bases and the calculations of flying and fuel, the element of risk could not be eliminated. The forces of nature, ever variable, appear to be almost mendacious in the Antarctic. Amundsen took 95 days in and out again. Scott on his last journey took 139 days, and surcease came only eleven miles out from succour. Commander Byrd, by calling all the aid that modern invention ean afford has completed the journey in one brief day. Surely man' is fast fulfilling the command long written in Genesis “Inhabit the earth and subdue it.” But although Commander Byrd has achieved so much, in so short a space of time, it is quite evident from the graphic despatches of Mr Russell Owen, that there was but a slight margin running between success and disaster. The risks run were great. The nerve strain must have been tremendous. The skill and courage displayed were of a high order, and the scientific calculations were remarkably accurate. Despite all that science can do, however, the crew of the Floyd Bennett were just as much trail breakers as were those intrepid land explorers who were called upon to endure such great hardships and to put forth such strenuous efforts to achieve their goal. The Antarctic aviators have a shorter trial but the qualifications necessary to win success under such conditions include all those which' their prdeccssors had found necessary and in addition the ability to utilise accurately the new instruments which progress has placed in their hands. Commander Byrd has again demonstrated his ability to do this and in winning fresh laurels our praise and acclaim are added to those of the world. May his success long continue.