The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-15
First Ship Of Admiral Byrd Off For Antarctic
lrOn-Clad Motor Vessel North Star Sails From Boston
 Early This Morning g-75 Are on Board

| Byrd, who had said his farewell. yesterday, stayed behind to super. wise the sailing of his 68-year-olC flagship, the Barkentine Bear, abou, 8 week hence. He was undecided whether he would join the North Star at Philadelphia or at Panama Begins 11,OOO Mile Trip
 Captain Isak Lystad, the North Stars skipper, was on the bridge as the motorship put out under hel own power to begin her 1l,000-milt Journey. The sun was not yet up, but the headlights of parked automo- piles furnished light for the news. reel cameramen.
 From the deck, a crew-membel shouted at his wife: T won't shave or get a haircut fol the next seven months, so if you see bogey man around the house 1T year or so, don't shoot--it1l be me"
 Before actually heading southward for Philadelphia, where she will pick up three airplanes, the North Stal was to spend about three hours ir Boston's outer harbor, correcting her compass and radio direction finder. It was believed these iilstru- ments might have been affected be- cause of so much metal in the cargo
 The North Star has a 30-man crew and, after calling at Philadel- phia, will have 8 total of 45 mem- bers of the so-called ice party aboard.
 SnOwmObile on Board
 Securely dashed to the forward deck was Penguin I, the snowno- bile in which some of the party hope to reach the South Pole. The wheels had been retracted and the monster lay flat on the deck, pro- truding, about four feet over the starboard side.
 From t'c aft deck came the yelps and howls of "A sled dogs which with their kennels were put aboard last night.
 Much of the partys scientific equipment is aboard the Bear, but the North Stars holds were stuffed with supplies ranging from ping pong balls to manicure sets and pre- fabricated houses.
 In the refrigeration compartments were 67,000 pounds of frozen meats enough to supply the average Am- erican family 50 years. Tons of de- hydrated fruits and vegetables were packed in cans.
 Turkeys were ready for Thanks giving and Christmas and there was a total of 150,00O rations of food-- a ration being enough food to last a man 30 days.
 Byrd Not Sure of Stay
 Byrd is not yet sure whether he will remain on the ice during the party's 15-month stay, but plans to help in establishing two camps-one about 400 miles from his iamious Little America, the other in Alex ander land 1000 miles of Cape Horn.
 Some 60 men will comprise the ex- ploration forces, and are scheduled to remain until May, 1941, under a $500, 900 congressional appropria ton. but leaders hope for further govern. ment funds to allow parties to re- main near the South Pole two or three years.
 We hope" Byrd said in an inter- View yesterday, ito help substan- tiate the United States claims to Antarctic areas already explored, and believe that the area well might prove to be the best air route be- tween the United States and Aus traiia in the future.
 The expedition expects to discoy- CT and explore unknown areas. to gather meteorological data and to serve at least IS other branches of science. That area is the most fertile held for science that now exists"