Evening star., 1926-04-25

@ HERE was no rosy fingered
dawn" TO that day. 1t was a
raw misty morning. the clouds
were low. and we could see a
belt of fog in the Foreland
Sound, but a shade less dense than
it was the night before.
At the wireless station there was a
message from the Polar Bjorn to say
that the weather conditions in Liefde
Bay were not good. but there were
some signs of iInrcc"vement. We de-
cided to start right away, and, if neces-
sarY. to break the journey al Kings
Bay. where we had good friends.
Owing to the foggy weather. we
should be flying very low and. suppos-
ing we had a forced landing. we would
he unable to make use of the wireless
set carried by the seaplane. II was
driven by a small propeller. and long
before we could send out an SOS we
should be stationary on the water.
1t was only possible to use the wire
less when the machine was in the air.
Consequently, to save weight about S5
pounds we took the wireless gear from
the cabin and left it for the Oiland to
bring up with the tools and spare
parts.
Final instructions were then given
to the Oiland, and our route was eX-
planned to them. All going well, we
should reach Liefde Bay in little more
than two hours. The Oiland would ar
rive about II hours later.
The seaplane had on board full
Sledging equipment and food supplies
for months journey, and the only
personal equipment | added was a
tooth brush and some tooth paste. At
Green Harbor, over three hours flying
hid been done. and the machine was
in excellent trim, thanks to Taylor.
our grand engineer.
At 9:45 am. We took off. and a
wireless message was Immediately dis
patched to the Polar Bjorn, so that
everything should be ready a Liefde
Bay for our arrival. We Circled over
the mining settlement and waved a
final good bye and sd TO our surprise
that the Norweg gian naval vessel Farm
had arrived with the government sur
Neying expedition.
We passed over Castle Rock, steer
ing course practically due northwest.
We soon reached the fringeS of the
fog. and dropped to about 400 feet. 1t
was not easy TO pick Up the land
marks. The fog was less thick on the
east side of the sound. and, leaving
Cape Staratschin, we made for Dead
man spit opposite the south end Of
the Foreland.
Dimly through the mist we could see
Saddle Mountain and Black Point. our
first landmarks to the west. We were
a IS comfortable as could be under the
circumstances. With the roof of the
cabin shut. | sat on d sleeping bag
occasionally eXChan anging notes with
Ellis in the pilots seat, observing from
the cabin window our course, and
noting the time we took to pass the
different stages of our journey, so as
TO have a check on our speed.
The compass was placed to the right
of the pilot. so that we both had ac-
cess TO it. We had gentle following
wind, and were cruising, with no strain
whatever on the engine, at about 20
miles an hour.
We each lit a cigarette and settled
down to the enjoyment of our
thoughts. The engine was running
smoothly, and purred like cat we'll
stroked. We picked UP the coast of
the mainland and followed it north
wards. flying sometimes over the land.
and rarely more than half a mile from
the shore.
WE, few at an average altitude of
w 400 feet. sometimes descending
to $50 feet in patches Of fog. Sea
gulls and guillemots wheeled out Of
their course to avoid us. Air pockets
were frequent. due to the fact that
we were hugEing the shore. We sped
over ice foes and skirted glaciers.
Soon we approached Michael Sars
Point. the narroWest and Shallowest
part of the sound, where there is only
j. feet Of water. The land on both
aides was visible, and TO the north we