The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-04


for Commander. Richard E. Byrds flight
across the south pole. In the following
article, Byrd himself discusses the ex-
petition.
NEW YORK, Feb. 4-There is but
one great adventure left to scientific
exploration, an adventure dared by
only few men and accomplished
by none. 1t is to cross the vast An
arctic continent that lies in the
region of the south pole.
In the latter part of 1928, when
the southland is having it's summer,
Commander Richard E. Byrd and
his expedition will plunge into the
frigid desolation far south of New
Zealand, bent on conquering the
unknown polar regions with air.
planes.
1t is the most perilouS task an avi-.
ator ever has set for himself. The
south polar country is the coldest
place on earth. 1t is absolutely de-
void of animal life.
1t is furrowed with mountain
ranges and swept with gales which
Az OIL pAdAlC COulu WGdGIlGT.
Certain of Scientific Discoveries
To the dangers, Byrd pays no heed
other than to take every possible
precaution. He discusses the ex-
petition as nonchalantly as though
he were reminiscing of the trans
Atlantic or north polar fight, both
safely entered in his list of accom-
pliShments. He is eager for the new
adventure and enthusiastic over the
certainty of valuable discoveries.
THE Antarctic" said the f1ier, "is
a vacuum so far as science is con-
cerned; frozen continent, a great
blank space on the maps of the
world. The uneXplored area is esti-
mated at 100000 square miles
about one and one-half times the
size of the United States.
"A dozen or more scientists, men
who are specialists in their lines,
will be taken along. They will study
mineral deposits, earth formations,
wind currents and animal life as
far south as life exists.
There is meteorological data
there which alone will justify the
risks an explorer must take"
Will Take Three Planes
The actual start, according to
present plans, will be made from
New York City, Sept. 10, 1928, on a
ship built for polar travel. Three
planes will be carried; a Fokker
similar to the one used on Byrds
transatlantic flight, and two small
er machines.
To facilitate observations, the air.
planes will have open cockpits and
plate glass instead of floorboards.
We'll cut across the Panama
Canal into the Pacific" said Byrd,
land touch at New Ze%!and. Thence
~e head toward the great adven-
ture."
He expects to establish his main
base at Discovery Harbor, off Ross
Sea. There the planes and supplies
will be put on the great fiat ice bar
rier that extends 400 miles toward
the pole.
HutS will be built, and storage
rooms cut into solid ice. Smaller
supply depotS are to be scattered
across the barrier to the foot of
Beardmore Glacier, where the actual
flight across the continent will begin.
At Wonalancet, N. H.. Arthur
T. Walden, veteran of Arctic expe-
ditions, already is training a team
OF huskies for the use of Byrd's
party.
The dogs will be used in laying
the chain of supply depotS across
the ice barrier.
AN important point in our ia
vor," Byrd declared, sis the fact
that we can put down these per-
manent bases. This we were un-
able to do when 1 flew across the
north pole.
Landing to Be Easy
1.-THE ice barrier is flat and we
will be able to land with difficulty
barring, of course, the violent
storms that occur there frequently,
Our planes will have interchange
able landing gear-pontoons for
water and skis for snow.
I'VE expect to reach the Ross bar
rier in January 1929. If all goes
we'll, We'll be back in civilization by
1880.
of course we will have powered
radio equipment that will keep us
in touch with the world. Enough
food will be taken to last year and
q hn1f