Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-23
BREAK IN ICE PACK
DRIVES BYRD'S SHIP
TO NEW MOORINGS
Continued From First Page0

Continued From First Page)
seems TO be some discrepancy between
the outlines Of the Bay of Whales at
present and the outline given on the
charts. The problem apparently re-
wolves around the position of West Cape,
which on the map Is shown as the outer
cape of the western side of the bay.
Observations show a difference of
several miles between the positions of
that cape as recorded on maps and as
determined by numerous observations
taken while we have been lying along
side the bay Ice, which would indicate
that the entire bay was several miles
further out than in AmundSen's time.
Comdr. Byrd does not believe that
this Is the case, however, and thinks
the explanation lies in the fact that
AmundSenS West Cape is farther South
than is shown on the chart. It must
be believed that the ice would certainly
be out of the bay by this time, but this
has been an uSusual season in many
ways. Although AmundSen recorded
only two storms while he was here and
very little bad weather in the Summer.
we have had three storms already. In
every way this unloading problem is
which make expedition leaders grow
gray hair There are number of ways
in which 1t can be done, however, and
it will be done.
Whale Encounter Continued.
Yesterdays dispatch, depicting the
encounter of Comdr. Byrd's small boat
with a school of whales, terminated
with the description of the close ap-
IN ho
under the water just as the boat
reached them.
Continuing, the dispatch was as fol-
lows:
Then they broke water again just
IN back OF us and not more than 20
feet away. They had changed their
course and were coming after us, head
ing directly toward the boat.
There was something enormously de-
liberate in that slow roll forward, con-
veying feeling that they were in no
hurry, that they knew they could get
us If they wanted us badly
If they bumped the boat they could
have overturned it in a moment, and
it is doubtful if Comdr. Byrd and
Strom both could have killed more
than one of the three, for it is hard
to hit the things in vital spot.
All this must have been passing
quickly through Comdr. Byrds mind,
mingled with the feeling of RESPONSE
bility for his men. And he also showed
the keen interest ,of man intent on
watching the progress of fascinating
hunt
AS the whales rolled toward us he
stood with his body half twisted
around SO that he could see them,
holding the tiller in one hand and
the revolver, which he had pulled from
its holster, in the other. 1t was then
that he outguessed the killers, for as
they went under again he shifted the
course of the boat once more and
headed directly toward the ice
Get ready to get on the ice," he
yelled.
AS we came alongside, one of us
scrambled ashore with q rope and
held the boat while the others tumbled
out, Byrd leaving last and still looking
seward, with his revolver ready to
take shot at one of the ugly shouts
If it should be lifted up in anticipation
OF a meal.
Il am fairly good shot, but don't
know how good I would be with
whale coming at me-" he said with a
laugh.
Wait for Move Under the Ice.
The killers must have dived under
the boat and gone under the ice.
thinking We were seal or some other
water animal, and If so they must
have been greatly disappointed. AS far
as we were concerned, they could have
remained under there forever.
We waited for q time to see If they
would reappear and we recalled Pont-
ing'S experience and wondered II there
would be bump under our feet that
would shatter the comparatively thin
ice.
We'll, If they do smash it we can
always get back In the boat" said
Comdr. Byrd, which was not SO much
Of a comfort.
Men Stick With Commander.
1T is easy walking to the ship, and
II you fellows, want to you can walk
| back and Strom and I will bring the
boat back" said the commander.
But there was chorus of mol"
So after few minutes, during which
the whales did not reappear the motor
was started again and we pushed off.
| A good deal depended on that motor
| just then and it chose that moment to
splutter and quit.
We did not know where the killers
were. and Comdr. Byrd addressed the
motor IN vigorous and forceful terms,
| which apparently shamed 1t into &C
ton, for it started again.
Very carefully, with one of us on
| lookout in the bow keeping a close
watch for our tigerish friends, we kept
on to the ship and arrived there safely.
| A few minutes before we arrived the
lookout had seen the three killers mass
the ship, probably still looking for us.
AS we climbed up the side your cor
| respondent remarked to the commander
| that although he would not have missed
| the experience for the world, he had
been quite close enough to killer whales,
a feeling which even the stolid Strom
also shared, One cannot go anywhere
down here, apparently, without finding
something interesting and exciting
- Copyright. 1929: by the New York Times
| Co, and the st. Louis Post Dispatch. All
rights for publication reserved throughout