Evening star., 1925-05-23

instantly gives us a nervous start and
a tense moment of listening, followed
by an undercurrent of disappointment.
Perhaps next time the alarm will not
be false one.
The steamer Hobby has forged far
north into the ice pack. close to lati-
tude $780, without uncovering a sign
of the missing flyers.
This Is considered a fair indication
that no disasters befell the explorers
in the early part of their trip.
We met the Hobby at 1 o'clock head
ing south, and put off a small boat for
Lieut.. Horgen. who reported the fruit
lessness of the vessels search.
The water around Danes Island was
almost ice free, and our meteorologists
said that the conditions which existed
around us probably stretched un-
changed all the way to the Pole. With
such atmospheric clarity as surround
ed the Farm this afternoon, it was
obvious that the flyers could pick up
the Jagged peaks of Spitzbergen from
a point almost half way to the Pole.
Ten Above at Pole.
The Thermometer today averaged II
degrees above zero, Fahrenheit, at
Danes Island and was probably about
meterologists awaited eagerly their
daily kilograms giving weather condi-
tions in Russian Siberia, for that Is
the zone from which the only possible
unfavorable developments might come.
All day yesterday everybody aboard
the two mother ships watched and
listened. Eyes and ears were focused
on the great snow-mantled mountain
range which stood between US and the
nrt hnr -
ment to see the graceful. stalwart
walls come sailing home from their
perilous venture into the vast white
stiffness Of the Arctic.
The Farm took up her position yes
terday morning In narrow strip of
open water between the mainland of
Spitzbergen and Danes Island. Our
other ship. the Hobby. was still fur
ther northward, patreling the sea be-
yond the tip of Amsterdam Island.
Each vessel was awaiting the call of
any emergency. equipped with ample
oplies of reserve gasoline and repair
ipment for the planes. But no.
~ expected that emergency to arise.
he confidence of every one here in
the complete success of the expdition
might perhaps surprise many people in
more southern latitudes. But two
months familiarity with every phase
basis for confidence. For at least an.
other 25 hours, 1t was agreed. we
would refuse to permit ourselves to
harbor any gloomy fears for the safe
ty of the six men, who, only Thurs
day, were our intimate companions.
During yesterday we were COM
pleteIy out of touch with the Hobby,
which Is not equipped with wireless.
Our captain issued orders to push
l., -IAv-
to communicate with the sister ship.
Hold Faith in Planes.
Amundsen and his companions, dur
Ing their flight, are dependent for
sustenance upon sweet chocolate and
liquid in thermos TASKS. Omdahl. me-
chanic of No. "a, choose coffee and
hot milk for his drink, while the other
five TASKS were filled with hot choco-
late.
The airplane mechanics who remain
behind are very proud Of the behaviar
of their two machines at Thursdays
take-off.
They pointed out that although the
planes were built to carry only 4,400
pounds they nevertheless left the ice
with a burden of more than $500
pounds The ability of the planes to
rise easily from the weak Ice was
emphasized, as evidence of perfect
construction and superb handling.
Ellsworth's machine stopped dead
on the ice at. one point, breaking COM
pletely through the ice. But the air
plane pulled itself out of the water
hole onto the Ice again under the
power of it's engines alone and with
out any aid from momentum. Those
machines were lifted from the ice as
gently and lightly as a woman's hand
raises a delicate porcelain from the
table, said one of the mechanics,
proudly.
Copyright, 1925 in U. g., Canada. South
America and japan by North American
News: In Germany by Uliatein Eerlag in
France by Petit Parisienne: In Italy by Cor
riere della Sera: in all Scandinavian coun-
tries by the Norwegian Aero Club. All rights
reserved)
1o~--r~rv-r,c rnE-