Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-17
BY John l.. COOLEY,
Associated Press Science Editor.


NEW YORK. August 1.-THE best
equipped polar expedition that ever set
out for one Of the uttermost ends Of
the earth has been assembled by
Comdr. Richard E. Byrd for his sci-
entifc exploration Of the Antarctic
continent.
Three years Of preparation for the
first attempt 10 fly airpianeS on blus-
terry frigi6 Antarctics are behind him.
sn6 the party is all but ready for the
word 10 weigh anchor. Tons Of sup
plieS-enough 10 last more than two
yesrS-have been tucked away into the
wooden bark. Samson. which was sched-
UleG to sail from Hoooken. NJ j. on
August Is with most of the expedi-
tions members and equipment An
other vessel, steam whaler. leaves
about e month later with the rest of
the party. including the leader.
The first leg Of the Journey is 5000
miles to Dunedin. New Zealand From
that port the explorers will proceed
across : 800 miles o. Southern ocean
to the Bav of whales on the Ross Sea
ice barrier of Antarctics, where the
permanent base will be established. It
vas from this point too. that Amund-
ser set out on his trip 10 the Pole.
uue IncFe IN beCeWpcF
With good luck, the expedition
should reach its goal late in December
or early in January. but the time OF
arrival Nill depend upon the reception
given 70 the sturdy little Samson by
the south polar ice pack. Ice move
ments vary so much from year TO year
that 1t Is impossible to predict sailing
conditions. and adventures into these
waters can only hope for fairly clear
passage
At best. however. the trip through
the ice is none too easy. even at the
beginning Of the Antarctic Summer for
nowhere in the world are there larger
bergS than of Antarctica's coast. Some
Of these ice mountains, which tumble
into the sea from the margin of the
continental ice cap. are and
miles long and several hundred feet
high. One of the largest on record
was an Smile berg that lowered
500 feet above the water line. II was
reported many years ago.
Reaching the wall of ice that Is
called the Ross Sea Barrier. the Sam
son will be at journeys end Her
passengers equipment and supplies will
be transferred TO the top of the ice cliff
and when the Antarctic night descends
she viii steam back to civilization to
await the time for her return the fol-
lowing season. The ice might crush
the bark If she remained through the
polar night.
No member of the expedition expects
that the ambitious program laid out
FIR Bird and his men can be accom-
riished in less than nearly two years
There NAV be a still further delay in
leaving the continent. due to unfa-
vorahle conditions in the pack ice
which may block the Samson on her
return trip
Once On the ice barrier. the party
wiiI establish its base camp. taking
care 20 make il snug, comfortable and
honelike for the long stay. Then the
aviators scientists radio men and other
specialists will set about their tasks in
order that al branches of the scisn-
tisc work--tlie expedition is being un-
Eertaken primarily in the interests Of
scisnce-can start without delay. II
viii be necessary to take full advan- /
tsge If the short Antarctic Summer.
which brings long days. II not high
temperature TO the bic white land.
To Lar Sub Bases.
One Of the first iaoors will be the
ie-tnc down Of series of sub bases
slone the line Of the fight which
Ccnndr Byrd plans to attempt from
the barrier 10 the South Pole. These
sIfupIv depots will be established at
intervals of 100 miles over 400-mile
stretch. or half the distance from the
main camp TO the geographical bottom
Of the world. They are intended as
emergency caches, TO serve the polar
flyers with food and spare equipment in
the event that bad weather or other
Unforeseen contingencies force the big
plane down on its fight over the high
plateau.
Dog teams viii be used in placing
these havens. and also for establish
ing scientific stations at various points
on the ice barrier and in King Ed
ward VII Land. where the expeditions
scientists plan to do most of their work
Although Comdr Byrd emphasizes
that the aerial voyage TO the Pole
viii be only a part Of the work he
has planned, il is the most hazardous
as well as the most spectacular Of his
projects. The southernmost spot on
ff1s globe lies at an altitude Of more
than 10000 feet. nearly at the top
OF the great south polar plateau.
The plane chosen for this trip must
BE- able To carry a heavy load in men.
fuel and equipment through rare1ed air.
whether the leader and the two men
whom he plans TO take Hith him on
Tole Is probIema<6 Even If they
should do so without mishap. the task
Of taking of again would probably be
greater
Not the least dangerous part Of the
polar hop will be the stretch between
fbe last base and the Pole itself. for
. forced landing in this zone might
prove serious. Were the plane 10 de-
scend and we're the sviators unable
IN coax her of the ground they would
have 70 tramp back TO the base or wait
where they had landed until assistance.
summoned By the planes radio, ar
rived.
L6ongrl9h. I9as