ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17654, 7 March 1929, Page 7

ANTARCTIC EXPLORATION

THE ELEANOR BOLLING. RETURN TO DUNEDIN. PASSES THROUGH SEVERE STORMS DUNEDIN, Wednesday. Bearing traces of having passed through terrific storms the Antarctic expedition steamer Eleanor Bolling returned to Dunedin this afternoon from southern latitudes. . The ship experienced a very trying time from the day she left Dunedin for ttie Byrd expedition's base in the Bay of Whales until she arrived off the New Zealand coast again. “We did not even get as far as the icepack, said Captain Brown. “ The Eleanor Boiling left Dunedin on February 19 with a full load of provisions and equipment. We had every hope of getting through before the ice closed in again, but we were doomed to disappointment as, when the ship was as far south as 62.30 S and 178.30 E., we received instructions by radio from Commander Byrd to return at once to Dunedin and lay up for the winter.’ The commander explained that he was forced to order the ship back owing to heavy ice forming in the Bay of Whales and consequently he would not risk the lives of the men or take any chance of losing the ship. Commander Byrd also stated in his message that he had sufficient supplies on the bander to last the 42 men for a year. Over the latter stages of the voyage the vessel ran into a strong northeast gale and again received severe buffeting from heavy seas. The 15 Alaskan dogs, enclosed in boxes, and secured on the forward hatch, came through the ordeal unharmed. On March 1, during a heavy storm, one of the dogs, known as Dixie, gave birth to nine pups. Captain Brown said the Eleanor Bolling's wireless operators had been in constant touch with the City of New York. The latter ship had been successful in clearing the ice in the Ross Sea and was now steaming- through open water. She should reach port about March 11, and will also lay up at Port Chalmers for the winter. —m MR BROPHY'S INTENTIONS. DUNEDIN, Wednesday. It was rumoured after the Eleanor Bolling arrived that Mr R. G. Brophy, second in command, had severed his connection with the expedition. Interviewed, Mr Broptiy stated that he had sent a radio message to Commander Byrd asking to be relieved of his position, as he wished to engage in private business in New Zealand. He was planning to produce a motion picture of native life and scenery. Commander Byrd had replied to his radio message stating that he desired Mr Brophy to accept the indefinite leave of absence which was offered him before he left Dunedin on the Eleanor Bolling on February 19. Mr Brophy also said he had recommended to Commander Byrd lhat Professor L. Gould, now on the Barrier, be appointed second in command of the ice party.