Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-24
OWN SHIP
MAY PENETRATE ICE
But if City of New York
Fails, WhaIers Asked
to Help.
Continued From First Page.)

Through in Twelve Hours in 1908.
In 1908 the Nimrod, starting through
on January Is, got through in IL hours.
IN the same year the Nimrod, coming
through on December 20, got through
the pack IN two days. the Fran came
through on her first voyage in four days,
beginning on January 2, 1911.
Inc Discovery, on her first voyage in
iSO2, got through 200 miles of pack
IN nve days, beginning January 3. The
Terra Nova in 1911 got through the pack
In nve days, beginning December 27
Inc FRAN, on her second voyage in 1911,
cember 81.
Last year, towed by a whaler of II 900
tons, the City Of New York started
through the pack on December IA and
was pulled through $50 miles of it in
eight days. That, the whalers said, was
the heaviest ice pack they had ever
seen IN seven years of continuous ac-
tlVlty in the Ross Sea. The City of New
YORK would not have been able to pene-
trate the pack under her own power I'M
TIL late in January.
This year, as has been said, that
belt has increased to 400 miles wide.
and two whalers, ships of about - 600
tons, are stuck at the present time.
having met a pack few days ago that
was SO feet thick.
1t Is still possible, Of course, and we
still hope, that the City of New York
may be able to get through. Admiral
byro mas felt, however, as is his Gus
tom in such cases, that in the unusual
conditions he would be negligent did he
not make some effort to, anticipate the
need for obtaining assistance in get
ting the AZ men on the ice back to New
Zealand.
1t is not that we could not exist (men
nave done so under worse conditions) :,
but there are few who are not well.
The other reason he has for wishing to
obtain assurances of help later. if il is
needed, is that there is a definite time
limit to all activities in the Ross Sea.
Just when that is, nobody knows, for
1t depends upon the season, and last
year the City of New York, leaving here
on February %, got into q dangerous
situation.
Byrd Explains His Action.
For this reason, Admiral Byrd has
been in communication with the
whalers, who for the first time have
found whales only north of the pack.
Ten days ago he began to try to get
assurances of aid If it were needed, but
learned that 1t could not be done with
out first OBJ ting authority from the
compar g Ing the ships. This au-
thori " :: is now seeking through his
agent in New York.
In q statement explaining the situa-
ton today, Admiral Byrd said:
The ice in the Ross Sea to date
Is far worse than it has ever been in
all the history of Antarctic explora-
ton. However, no ship that has ever
followed the proper meridian of longi-
tude has ever got stuck in the ice so
and 1t would seem extraordinary
should this year be an exception to
rule which has held for 80 years.
think. therefore, that the chances
are great that the ice will also open
up this year so that the City Of New
York can get through the pack ice
without getting stuck. So we still ex-
pect to be taken north on our own
ship.
But should the 100-to-1 chance go
against us, and the City of New York
get stuck, she might remain so for
the Winter I would therefore be most
negligent in my duty to my men on
the City of New York and here did I
not get II possible, assurances from
the great powerful whaling mother
ships that they would get our ship out
of the ice.
These things cannot always be ar
ranged at moments notice, and should
we. wait for our ship to get stuck to
arrange for assistance the Winter
freeze might catch US before we could
obtain results.
This action on our part, therefore.
Is simply an effort to guard against a
possible eventuality. If the 36-foot ice
blocks Should thin out the first week in
February then there Is much ado about
nothing.
But II they should not, then this is
the only step that will insure the City
OF New York safe passage through the
ice and enable the ~ men here to get
back before another Winter catches us
still on the ice."
Searches for Land.
A flight west to Discovery Inlet.
100 miles from here and then lao statute
miles south through the center of the
great Barrier, was made by Admiral
BYRD January % In search for signs of
land south of the inlet which would
protect that long arm Of the sea and
explain its formation.
The only possible indication of land
was In region Of pressure about 100
miles south Of the inlet. An area of
$4,000 square miles of new territory was
observed during the fight.
While in the air Admiral Byrd was in
touch with New York through the sta
ton here, discussing with his friend.
Capt Hilton H. Railey, phases OF the
problem Of getting out this year, which,
because of the late season and heavy Ice
pack, Is assuming serious aspect.
London MessaEe Relayed to Plane.
One message was q telephone COM
munication which Capt Railey received
from London and which was sent to
Little America from the office of the
New York Times and relayed to the
plane while it was over the Barrier,
more than $50 miles from Little Amer
lea. Admiral Byrd wrote an answer
which Capt. Railey received . few
minutes later.
been lying anchored to the Barrier since
its return from the eastern flight. A
cold wind from the southeast cleared
the air over the region Admiral Byrd
wished to cover, although q bank of
clouds hung over the sea and there were
thin. high streamerS to the west and
south.
But it was the second possible flying
day in many weeks and Admiral Byrd
decided to take advantage Of 1t. The
falling barometer is bringing with 1t
fair days again, for this morning there
is not q cloud in the sky and q cold
wind blows out of the south, a warning
of approaching Winter.
Dean Smith few the plane and Har-
old June went along to take still and
moving pictures, while Capt. Mckinley
was filing. the gaps in his surveying
caused by the clouds of the
day before around Discovery Inlet.
Carl Petersen was radio operator.
No Sign Of Land Behind Inlet.
After the plane took OF 1t headed
ont IN seq over the hav ice and nfY the