Evening star., 1928-05-26
ANTARCTIC STORMS
J. TO CONFRONT BYRD
Explorer Says South Polar
Disturbances Exceed
Those in Arctic.

Correspondence OF the Associated Press.
NEW YORK Some of the difficulties
confronting an airplane expedition to
Antarctica, such as Comdr. Richard E..
Byrd is organizing, are set forth In
chapter which the aviator has contrib
uted to Problems of Polar Research"
book Just published by the American
Geographical Society of New York.
Reviewing the problems OF explora-
ton by aircraft In this volume by 81
prominent explorers and scientists
COmdr. Byrd refers to the experiences
Of his flight over the North Pole ana
then says:
Storm Hazard Greater.
Apparently there would be more
hazard from storms in the Antarctic
regions than in the Arctic. because the
Spring and Summer storms there some
times reach great intensity and not only
would it be very dangerous to ny IN
them. but there would be likelihood OF
the airplane being blown about by the
winds when on the ground.
skis would have to be used when
flying inland even in the Summer, be-
cause snow seems TO cover large part
of the Antarctic continent and the
land is probably too rough for landing
with wheels. On the routes that may
be flown across the Antarctic continent
there would probably be many places
where planes could land.
1t would therefore seem inadviSable
to make very long flights in the Antarc-
tic, 1t being more practicable, II possible
OF accomplishment. to advance my bases
say one base every 200 miles. That
would decrease the hazard.
Urges Amphibian Type.
In view of the absence of life in the
interior OF the Antarctic continent It
would be impossible to live on the
country, and, in case of forced land
ing 500 miles or more from the base,
1t probably would be likewise Impossible
for two or three men to pull on
Sledge enough food and other equipment
to get back safely.
For flying around the edge OF the
Antarctic continent All amphibian type
Of plane would be desirable
Farther along in the chapter Comdr.
Byrd writes:
so, little OF the Antarctic continent
Is known, that base established any
where on its border would, for the air
explorer. be at the threshold of un-
known regions. combination of air.
planes and dog teams would be pref
erable in the Antarctic also, AlrsnlpS
would be of little use on account OF
strong winds. So far as we know,
Amundsens base ct the edge of the ice
would be the best location for the main
base"
Antarctic Coal and Ores.
Sir Douglas Mawson, the Australian
explorer, believes there Is much In
Antarctica that may be of direct
economic value" Sir Douglas, another
contributor To the book. points out that
whaling in Antarctic waters Is an es-
tablished industry and that the PEN
gums and seals on the coasts and in
the pack-ice zone also offer opportuni-
ties for future exploitation. Coal is
known TO exist over large area on the
continent. he writes. while ores OF many
metallic elements have been found In
small quantities
Finally" he continues, the Ant
arctic continent may have q future as
source of power by harnessing the
phenomenal winds which In some areas
sweep down as a steady torrent from
the cold ice plateau to the sea. There
Is some possibility. therefore, OF the
eventual establishment Of sparse and
strictly limited population on Antarctic
shores The prospects are yet, however
somewhat remote"