The Wilkins' Chronicle

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

never been seen by human eye. The flight will be in the nature of a reconnaissance 1926 for his major scheme, which includes the establishment of meteorological stations 2 January 1926 along the continental edge from which TWO POLAR FLIGHTS wireless weather messages would he sent Captain Wilkins’s Plans to South America, South Africa and Captain Wilkins’s Plans Australia. Captain Wilkins’s hope is that the Captain G. H. Wilkins, who already has governments of these countries would be a very creditable record as an explorer, induced to provide funds for the expects to make two great Polar flights this maintenance of these stations. year. Briefly, his theory is that the weather in The first will be across the North Pole, the southern hemisphere is largely from Point Barrow, Alaska, to Spitsbergen. determined by the weather conditions In this venture Captain Wilkins has prevailing over the Antarctic continent, received the support of Mr Henry Ford and and if regular bulletins could be issued Stefansson, and the flight will be made in a thence to the meteorologists in Melbourne, machine fitted with the new Ford aero Cape Town and Buenos Aires, weather engine. forecasts could be both lengthened and Captain Wilkins is not the only aspirant improved. for Polar honours. Three other explorers These theories do not commend An advertisement on the page from the (Morning have announced their intention to fly to the themselves to the meteorologists, who Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld), Monday 4 January 1926, Pole this season. maintain that the world’s weather has its page 7.). Nansen, doyen of Polar explorers, is origin about the Equator, and, secondly, 4 January 1926 preparing to make the flight in a German that if any funds are available for machine. Amundsen has announced his AMUNDSEN’S DASH. meteorological research, there is ample A THRILLING STORY intention to again attempt to reach the Pole scope for their employment within the by airship. Captain E. R. G. R. Evans, the comrade countries concerned. of Scott, introduced the great Norwegian There is also a French expedition being The projected route of Captain Wilkins’s explorer, Captain Amundsen, to a London prepared under the auspices of the Ministry proposed flight around the Antarctic of Marine, and consequently there is every audience recently. These two explorers continent is shown on the attached map. were rather an interesting contrast. prospect this year of an exciting race to the Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 2 Pole. Captain Evans, who is 41 years of age, Most of the flights will be begun in late January 1926, page 5. looks not much more than 25; Captain May or early June, this being the most https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Amundsen, who is 53, looks well over 60. favourable season from an atmospheric and 43887966 Not that Captain Amundsen is not climatic point of view. Already there is physically fit, but his short, chopped hair is 4 January 1926 speculation as to which explorer will be white, and his face is heavily wrinkled. He Polar Flight first “off the mark.” speaks fairly good English in a deep and Captain Wilkins has slated that his Captain Wilkins Lionised rather gruff voice, but his choice of projected Antarctic flight would be Australian Press Association. language and descriptive powers are proceeded with after his flight across the NEW YORK. January 2. remarkable, writes the London North Pole. This expedition is scheduled to Australian Press Association. correspondent of the N.Z. Herald. leave New Zealand in one of the whaling NEW YORK. January 2. The occasion was a lecture giving a depot ships in October next, and he has Captain G. H. Wilkins, the well-known description of the Polar flight recently announced that he will use the same Ford Australian explorer, was lionised by undertaken by Captain Amundsen and his machine in the Antarctic in which he hopes scientific men at a dinner by the Detroit Norwegian companions, and showing a to fly across the North Pole. Aviation Society, preliminary to his number of interesting lantern slides departure on a trans-Polar flight. produced from photographs taken during The speakers declared that Captain the expedition. Wilkins probably would discover new land Captain Evans, as chairman, described for the United States. Dr. I. Bowman, the lecturer as the most remarkable and director of the American Geographical most distinguished Arctic and Antarctic Society, said that Captain Wilkins was not explorer of the day. He was a worthy only an experienced aviator, but a gallant descendant of the Vikings, one of whom officer. landed on the American coast more than Captain Wilkins, speaking of the 500 years before Columbus sighted it. It proposed Arctic venture, reiterated his was Amundsen who first sailed the North- belief that he would secure valuable data, West Passage in a 47-ton sloop. He was useful for an Antarctic venture. He one of the crew of the first ship ever to emphasised the economic importance to winter in the Antarctic pack ice, and he Photo from the Alaska group from the ISO Polar the world of knowledge of what both Polar Archives. first reached the South Pole just one month Regions could offer in the way of before Captain Scott. His last exploit by ORIGIN OF OUR WEATHER development. aeroplane was a chapter from the life of a It should be clearly understood, however, Moreover, the coming venture in the 20th century Viking. that Captain Wilkins has no intention of Arctic and Antarctic regions would give The lecturer described the beginning of flying across or anywhere near the South extensive opportunity to gather the flight on May 21, and the flight of the Pole. What he does propose is to fly along meteorological data by which the seasons two machines over the pack ice. He the edge of the Antarctic continent from may be forecast. This was one of the referred to the announcement on May 22 of the Ross Sea to Graham Land, situated principal reasons for undertaking the the mechanic in the aeroplane in which he south of South America, where he hopes to flights. was travelling, N25, that half of the petrol be picked up by whalers which are Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld) Monday 4 supply had been used, and said that shortly engaged there at that season of the year. January 1926, page 8. afterwards the rear engine misfired, with Much of the coastline over which he https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 the result that a landing became hopes to fly is quite unknown, and has 77840978 imperative. 1

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

to cross several chasms in the ice. It 8 January 1926 cleared them, and just before the track was FLIGHT OVER POLE covered the plane left the ice free. NEW YORK, December 30. Many people were asking, said Captain In an interview with a representative of Amundsen, “What was the result of the the Australian Press Association, Captain expedition?” His reply, briefly, was, “Two G. H. Wilkins, who is to lead the projected hundred thousand square kilometres of Polar flight, stated that his association with new territory.” the Detroit Arctic Expedition did not mean Alluding to the future, Captain that he had abandoned his Antarctic plans Amundsen expressed his conviction that at for an Australasian Polar-Pacific the present time aeroplanes could not be expedition, leaving New Zealand about used for Polar work. Aeroplanes must October, 1926. always be prepared for landing, and He expects that his Arctic work will be landing upon Polar ice was not practicable. completed before then. All the profits he is He believed, however, that in a few years able to save from the Arctic expedition, he aeroplanes would be able successfully to stated, will be used in connection with the undertake the task. Australasian Expedition. The machine he A member of the audience was Captain will use in the Arctic flight he will G. H. Wilkins, who has made afterwards use in the Antarctic, expedition, An advertisement on the page from the (Morning Bulletin arrangements with Captain Amundsen to in place of N25, for which he negotiated, (Rockhampton, Qld), Monday 4 January 1926, page 7.). purchase the aeroplane used in the Arctic but which he failed to secure, owing to trip for exploration work in the Antarctic lack of Australian financial support. They were compelled to make for a next year. small channel with walls of pack ice. “We Dr. Vilhjalmur Stefansson, when Captain Amundsen, who lectured in interviewed, stated that the Arctic flight were caught like rats in a trap,” he added. Edinburgh on his Polar flight before an The other aeroplane, N24, had also been would be of great benefit to Captain audience of 3000, was presented by Lord Wilkins’s further work in demonstrating compelled to land, and the Norwegian flag, Salvesen, President of the Royal Scottish waving over a tremendous ice wall about that Polar air conditions were no worse and Geographical Society, with the Livingstone possibly better than elsewhere, and that the four and a half miles away, indicated the gold medal, the highest award of the position of the men of the other machine. Poles were not barren ice-covered wastes. society, in recognition of the explorer’s Explorers long had known of that fact, but Communication was established, and the work on behalf of science. Captain members of the party joined forces in an it was necessary actually to demonstrate Amundsen had a great reception. the fact to convince the public and arouse endeavour to save the aeroplane N25. Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld.), Captain Amundsen gave a vivid and interest in support of further exploration Monday 4 January 1926, page 7. and development in the Polar Regions. detailed account of the difficulties https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 experienced by the party when fighting the NEW YORK. January 2. 5250061 Captain G. H. Wilkins the well-known ice in their attempts to free the aeroplane. Time after time they levelled the surface Australian explorer was lionised by for hundreds of feet, only to find their scientific men at a dinner by the Detroit labours in vain owing to the sudden change Aviation Society, preliminary to his in the formation of the ice. departure on a trans-Polar flight. The “It was,” said the explorer, “a battle for speakers declared that Captain Wilkins life.” Near them was a huge mass of ice, probably would discover new land for the which seemed to watch them like a sphinx. United States. There was a critical period when the main Dr. I. Bowman, director of the American body of the pack of ice had forced itself Geographical Society, said that Captain close to the aeroplanes and was but a few Wilkins was not only an experienced yards away. They imagined they could see aviator, but a gallant officer. the sphinx nodding its head and chuckling Captain Wilkins, speaking of the with joy; now it was going to get them. But proposed Arctic venture, reiterated his it was mistaken. belief that he would secure valuable data, useful for an Antarctic venture. He The six men on whom it was gazing were not the same six as had come through Captain Roald Amundsen. From the (West Australian emphasised the economic importance to (Perth, WA), Thursday 15 April 1926, page 9.) the world of knowledge of what both Polar the air from climes serene and filled with . the good things of life. The men it saw Regions could, offer in the way of were six who hardened by bad luck, utterly development. exhausting work and hunger, did not fear Moreover, the coming venture, in the anything on earth—not even the sphinx. Arctic and Antarctic regions would give For the arduous work of clearing a slide extensive opportunity to gather way for the plane, one member of the party meteorological data by which the seasons used a camera stand, another a flag pole. may be forecast. This was one of the They worked day after day with only a principal reasons for undertaking the brief spell for sleep. The lecturer kept his flights. audience deeply interested while he LONDON, January 4. described in detail the clearing of the Spring will witness what will virtually tracks. be a race to the Arctic. Men are already At last, at the fifth attempt, they tried a working on a hangar for Captain Roald new plan. They trampled the snow down Amundsen’s airship for the projected flight for 1500 ft., and waited for the surface to in April and Captain G. H. Wilkins hopes harden with the frost. Fortune favoured to start in an aeroplane from Alaska in them in the early morning. The wind was March. from the south-east. The Arctic authority of the Daily Everything that could be dispensed with Express points out that each will fly in was thrown out of the plane. The engines different directions. Wilkins is starting were set full speed at 2000 revolutions a early in order to avoid the thaws. In the event of Amundsen’s ship being unable to minute. The plane rolled and jolted. It had An advertisement on the page from the (Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton, Qld), Monday 4 January 1926, page 7.). enter King’s Bay, where he proposes to 2

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) take the air, Wilkins has every chance of AIRPLANE DESTROYED BY FIRE Captain Wilkins planned to fly from Point winning. On the other hand it is possible DETROIT, January 18. Barrow (Alaska) across the North Pole, to that Amundsen will fly from Spitsbergen. The all metal three-engine airplane, just Spitsbergen (Norway), the flight to Week (Brisbane, Qld.), Friday 8 January completed for the use of the Detroit Arctic commence from Point Barrow on March 1926, page 24. expedition, has been destroyed by fire. 21. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 The Commander of the Expedition Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 81447102 (Captain G. H. Wilkins) said that the loss 23 January 1926, page 9. of the plane would not delay the start. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 19 January 1926 Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld), Wednesday 20 23313883 Captain Wilkins’ Plane. January 1926, page 9. DAMAGED BY FIRE AT DETROIT. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 27 January 1926 (Australian Cable Service). 77833749 SUPPLY PARTY REACHES ALASKA.

DETROIT, 18-1-26. (Australian Cable Service.) A disastrous fire occurred here yesterday VANCOUVER, 20-1-20. — Headed by when a large triple engine metal aeroplane, Mr. Malcolm Smith, the supply party of intended for Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Captain G. H. Wilkins’s North Polar Australian explorer’s polar flight, was Expedition has reached Anchorage, damaged beyond repair. This machine was Alaska. They expect to arrive tomorrow at one of ten destroyed. Nenama, from which supplies will be He had planned to make in it a flight of 22 January 1926 transported to Point Barrow. The party is 2100 miles from Alaska across to the SNOW-MOTORS FAIL confident that with sledges and snow North Pole, starting on the 1st March. The WON’T STEER ON ICE. motors they will make the journey. expedition is being financed by American WORRY FOR WILKINS. Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld), capital. Captain Wilkins had arranged to (Sun Special) Wednesday 27 January 1926, page 5. send two machines to Alaska, and use FAIRBANKS (Alaska), Thursday. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 which proved best suited to the conditions. Snow motors of the type to be used by 01567486 The origin of the fire is unknown. It laid the Australian explorer, Captain G. H. waste the entire experimental plant in the Wilkins, to haul supplies from Fairbanks to aeroplane division of the Ford works. Point Barrow, the northernmost point of Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld.), Alaska, in preparation for his flight to the Tuesday 19 January 1926, page 5. Pole, are declared by observers to be https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 unsatisfactory. 30 January 1926. 01568776 The news of the week. Wilkins to fly to the pole. 20 January 1926 Plans for big adventure. Trans-Polar Flight Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian Amundsen-Ellsworth Plan Italian explorer, will attempt in March to fly Airship to Be Used across the North Pole as a representative of Reuter. the United States, by which country he will OSLO, January 18. be financed. As the result of a conference in the past The American organisations which are few days a contract has been agreed to, supporting him say that Captain Wilkins is under which the Italian airman, Colonel better qualified than any other man to Nobile, will command the airship Norge in make the attempt. the Amundsen-Ellsworth Polar Expedition. Writing to a friend in Melbourne Captain The route taken will be from Rome to Wilkins said he would begin his flight Spitsbergen, via Marseilles, Paris, Pulham, across the North Pole from Alaska to Leningrad, Vardoe, and Kings Bay. If Spitsbergen on March 21. mooring space in Leningrad is not “When we start,” he said, “it will be with available the Norge will go from Pulham to Captain G. H. Wilkins the understanding that if our plane fails to

Vardoe, via Oslo and Sweden. reach Spitsbergen or return, no rescue The motors were given a 60-miles test. The There will be 16 or 17 persons aboard, expedition will be sent out for two years.” steering-gear failed to guide them over ice including, besides Captain Roald and bare ground. Amundsen, Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth, Sun (Sydney, NSW), Friday 22 January Lieutenant Riiser-Larsen, and Lieutenant Omdal, of last year’s expedition, and 1926, page 1. Captain Misting, of Amundsen’s ship https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Maud. The remainder comprise scientific 24062002 experts and an Italian crew. 23 January 1926 POLAR PLANE BURNT The great triple-engine metal aeroplane in which Capt. G. H. Wilkins, the Australian explorer, was to have attempted a flight across the North Pole was damaged beyond repair in a fire at Detroit (U.S.A.). Nine other aeroplanes were destroyed in the fire, which lay waste the entire experimental plant of the stout metal Captain Wilkins aeroplane division of the Ford works. The cause of the fire is unknown, and the “My first goal is the ice pole, but many extent of the damage has not yet been geographers believe that I shall discover determined. Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth from the (West Australian (Perth, new lands before reaching the Pole. If so, I WA), Thursday 15 April 1926, page 9.). shall drop an American flag on it, claim it 3

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) for the United States, take photographs and expert pilot, navigator and mechanic and theory of an Arctic continent should be return to Point Barrow, my starting place.” has commanded ships at sea. proved or disproved.” Seals for Food Captain Wilkins makes it clear that his “If I do not sight land I shall continue North Pole flight is only a preliminary to Advance Party’s Progress across the North Pole to Spitsbergen. The his more ambitious project of exploring NENANA (Alaska), February 12. distance is about 2000 miles. Our Fokker from the air in the near future, the The advance party of the Wilkins planes will travel 2500 miles without unknown coastline of the great continent Expedition, with the snow motors drawing refuelling. surrounding the South Pole. 15 tons of supplies, has reached a point a If we strike head winds and run out of (Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic), Saturday dozen miles north of Nenana. The motor fuel we shall land on the ice and get to 30 January 1926, page 5.). trains are working well. They rested for the Spitsbergen the best way we can. We can https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 night, and in the morning found that one live on the ice indefinitely. Seals and polar 23312368 casting of each machine was broken, but bears will supply food; their hides will be spare parts were soon substituted. The material for boots and clothing, and their advance towards Point Barrow will he blubber will supply fuel. continued on Saturday. Amundsen succeeded in getting his plane away from the ice after a forced landing and we see no reason why we cannot do the same”. The expedition is sponsored by the American Geographical Society and the Detroit Aviation Society. A Board of Control has been formed which is co-operating with Government officials, air plane manufacturers, scientists and explorers.

£25,000 Raised in One Day Captain Wilkins, who has created a great impression in America—£25,000 was raised for his expedition in one day—has One of the Fokker triple-engine 'planes to be used by been placed in command of the party Captain Wilkins in his Polar flight. which will go to railhead in Alaska and (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 14 February then fly to Point Barrow. Captain Wilkins writes that the two 1926, page 1.). Route of proposed flight https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 planes will be single engine water-cooled 24067472 Liberty Fokker machines. A three-engine, 14 February 1926 air-cooled Ford machine will be used as a Captain Wilkins and His Party Sail For standby. Although the expedition is purely Alaska. an American one, Captain Wilkins will carry an Australian flag to the North Pole. ARCTIC CONTINENT? President Coolidge, in a letter to the AMERICA’S, IF FOUND chairman of the Board of Control, says: LEADER DISCUSSES “The flight has aroused the keenest SOVEREIGNTY QUESTION personal interest, and it is fitting that we Captain G. H. Wilkins and his Polar should strive to be the first to open these exploration party were ready to sail from unknown lands to the knowledge of the Seattle yesterday for Alaska, where they 15 February 1926 will begin their aerial search for the world. TOWN TALK (Part article) The importance to commercial aviation supposed Arctic continent. If land is found, Wilkins and the Eagle. in the possible development of air routes Captain Wilkins says the United States will That restless, dare-devil Australian, across the Arctic region makes the have first chance to claim it. Captain G. H. Wilkins, has the eyes of the proposed enterprise of particular value.” The advance party, with the snow motors world on him at present by reason of his The chairman of the Board, referring to hauling petrol and other supplies, is on its attempt to cause the American eagle to fly Captain Wilkins’s qualifications said: — way from Nenana to Point Barrow, the over Polar lands — his expedition by air is “We believe him to be better qualified for expedition’s real starting point. now on the way. Let us hope that the the flight than any other man alive. He has (“Exclusive to The Sun by Special adventurous ex-soldier has more success had more aviation experience than any Arrangement.”) with the emblem of the United States than other explorer. He was with Stefansson on SEATTLE, February 12. he did with a certain eagle when last in the Canadian Arctic expedition, with Captain G. H. Wilkins and his Polar Australia. Shackleton in the Quest, second-in- exploration party are ready to sail for He was working for the British Museum command of the British Imperial Antarctic Alaska on Saturday. The transfer of the at the time, and was seeking birds and expedition, and has recently returned from giant Fokker plane from the railway to the mammals in West Queensland. A shot an expedition in little known parts of ship was successful, after a narrow escape. brought down a wedge-tailed eagle—our Australia, undertaken for the British It dropped several feet, but was held by biggest bird of prey—and Wilkins tucked Museum.” the cable. Interviewed on the question of the gun under one arm and went along to Captain George Hubert Wilkins (M.C. the sovereignty over any land that may be pick up the bird. A bushman would have and bar), began photography from discovered, Captain Wilkins said: “I am a aeroplanes 16 years ago. In 1911 he was in British citizen, but this is an American known better. Wilkins knows better now. No sooner was the seemingly dead bird the first mono-plane ever fitted with a 100 expedition, so the United States should touched than it turned quickly, struck h.p. motor. He served with the Australian have the first opportunity to claim any land Flying Corps during the war and that may be found in the blind spot, of a upwards, as eagles will, and the great claws tore the man’s trousers to ribbons participated in the attempts to fly from million square miles, between Alaska and and badly gashed his legs. But incidents England to Australia. the Pole. His “Kangaroo” machine was forced to My own nationality will, not be like that are mere trivialities to a man of Wilkins’s temperament. descend in the Mediterranean. He is an involved. Anyway, if, all goes well, the

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The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

(Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), Monday Amundsen airship was sold to the Antarctic flight. When Wilkins learned that 15 February 1926, page 6.). expedition by the Italian Government. such a plane could not be secured, he https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Captain Amundsen hopes to accomplish turned to the London office of the North 45854889 the 1800 miles flight to Alaska in 24 hours American Newspaper Alliance for if he is able to keep a straight course. information as to the possibility of NENANA, 14-2-26. — securing it in America. Captain Wilkins’s advance party with He inquired from Loring Pickering, snow motors and 15 tons of supplies has general manager of the North American reached a point 12 miles north of Nenana. Newspaper Alliance, who was then in The motor trains are working well. It was London, whether the American public found that one casting of each machine had would be interested in the more ambitious broken, but spare parts had been project of an Arctic flight, rather than the substituted. Antarctic project. Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld), Wilkins had long dreamed of pursuing Monday 15 February 1926, page 5 his earlier explorations in the north, but the https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 cost of such an expedition had seemed Wilkins’s aeroplane from the ISO Archives The Arctic 01566329 prohibitive without financial assistance. (circa 1926) Mystery of Polar Continent 15 February 1926 While the matter was being discussed, a Race for North Pole. cablegram arrived from Mr. Stefansson, CONTEST BETWEEN CAPTAIN suggesting that Wilkins come to New York WILKINS AND AMUNDSEN to discuss the possibilities of an Arctic (Australian Cable Service.) flight. It was decided that Wilkins would SEATTLE, 14-2-26. — proceed at once to the United States, to go A perilous and thrilling race for the over the proposal with various interested honour of being the first to fly over the parties, including Dr. Bowman, Mr. North Pole will engage the two noted Stefansson, and representatives of the explorers Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Detroit Aviation Society, which was Australian, and Captain Roald Amundsen, actively seeking plans for promoting the the Polar veteran, in aeroplanes. Captain development of commercial aviation. Wilkins will start from Alaska, with Following a series of meetings in Detroit, Spitsbergen as his objective, while Captain in which Dr. Bowman, Mr. Stefansson, Amundsen, who is flying in the opposite Wilkins and his aircraft. From ISO Polar Archives. Major Pickering, and Captain Wilkins direction, will make his first attempt by Wilkins-Detroit Expedition 1926-28. participated, the expedition was formally airship. organised and the Board of Control was Captain Wilkins will make an earlier 16 February 1926 named. start from outposts of civilisation, but will WILKINS’S FLIGHT. Although it is not Captain Wilkins’s have greater, initial difficulties to launch INTO THE WHITE SILENCE. purpose to hunt for land, many able his aeroplane. Captain Amundsen hopes to NORTH POLE EXPEDITION. scientists believe that he will find land. overtake his rival’s start by an all-air route, LURE OF SUPPOSED POLAR They have many reasons for believing that and reach Spitsbergen by the time Captains CONTINENT. a polar continent exists between Point Wilkins is ready to leave Alaska. (Copyright — Exclusive to The Sun). Barrow and the Ice Pole. Roughly, these Captain Wilkin’s two Fokker aeroplanes (1) reasons are concerned with the following made the first stage of the journey by rail World interest is being taken in the facts: — from the factory in New Jersey. It was a hazardous attempt by Captain George First, the prevailing Arctic winds, as race against time to reach Seattle, whence Hubert Wilkins to reach the North Pole by observed and recorded by many explorers, a steamer was scheduled to leave for Point aeroplane. Wilkins leaves Point Barrow, in indicate the possibility that a high land Barrow, Alaska. Few steamers on the coast Alaska, on March 1, and his expedition point exists in the neighbourhood of the Ice are capable of stowing the huge wings or will be under the joint auspices of the Pole. the machine. American Geographical Society, the Second, the Arctic tides, as charted by Captain Wilkins and his engineers are Detroit Aviation Society, and the North Harris, the American oceanographer, confident that the Fokker machines will American Newspaper Alliance, of which indicate the presence of a mass of land not fail; they declare the rail journey to be The Sun is a member. between Point Barrow and the the most hazardous stage of all. The Detroit, January 26. geographical pole. special truck, built for the planes, was the The Wilkins expedition has already been Third, the formation of the earth’s longest on any American railways. Heating completely financed, and is directed by a surface in other parts of the world, taken in the Polar Regions occasions the greatest board of control headed by William B. with proved geological theories, makes it problem. The most serious danger or the Mayo of Detroit, general manager of the seem possible that land exists in the polar flight would be the freezing of Ford Motor Company. unexplored area. certain parts, such as the oil tanks and The scientific purposes of the expedition Fourth, birds—geese, gulls and eider magnetos. are attested by the presence on this board ducks—have been observed flying Captain Wilkins and his party must be of Dr. Isaiah Bowman, director of the northward into the Polar Sea from Alaska content for warmth with reindeer skins and American Geographical Society; and Siberia during the early summer. They furs. The engine itself will be contained in Vilhjalmar Stefansson, the explorer; and have been observed returning with an aluminium shroud for further warmth. Captain Wilkins, who was one of the chief fledglings in late summer. The journey from seaward across Alaska scientific aides of Shackleton on his South Fifth, Polar soundings, taken by several to the starting point entails a trek of 1000 Polar expedition. explorers, indicate that the water of the miles, which will be made by motor The idea of an aeroplane flight under McKenzie River, pushing its way out tractors mounted on revolving drums, and Captain Wilkins’s command from Alaska under the ice of Beaufort Sea, is divided by drawing trains and sledges loaded with to the Ice Pole occurred independently and some land mass. stores, including 15 tons of petrol. almost simultaneously to Wilkins and to Sixth, Arctic whalers who have returned The Eskimos declared that nothing could Stefansson. from the edge of the ice pack, believe that equal dog traction, but preliminary tests Captain Wilkins was in London at the land exists somewhere within that pack. seem to have converted them. The time, endeavouring to negotiate the Their reasons? Intangible traditions, purchase of a plane suitable for an founded on the drift of the ice, the winds, 5

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) and the flight of the King eiders, the Robs 17 February 1926 gulls, and the Hutchins geese! FROZEN NORTH. WILKINS’S FLIGHT TO POLE. “The Undiscovered Pole” MAN OF MANY PARTS. Some of the whalers have reported that PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING they saw black masses which may have POINT BARROW. been land, which may have been nothing (Copyright—Exclusive to the Sun) but the black Polar mists. “Keenan’s Land” (2) was on the maps for many years, but Captain Wilkins, who is now leading an Storkerson, standing on the Polar ice, took aerial expedition to the North Pole, made observations which showed that there was his first flight in 1912 in a balloon in the no land where Keenan’s Land was depths of winter. For days he was posted as supposed to be. missing. His previous experience in the Stefansson calls the Ice Pole the Pole of Arctic will stand him in good stead in his Relative Inaccessibility. It is, when present attempt to reach the North Pole. considered from the old viewpoints of His expedition is now putting the Polar travel, the most difficult place to finishing touches to its equipment before reach in the Arctic. It is the point most setting out from Point Barrow, Alaska, on distant from all the points reached by St. David’s Day, March 1. ships. It is the centre of the frozen sea, into Captain George H. Wilkins, who will which no surface ship has steamed. lead the North Polar flight, under the This is the pole which Captain Wilkins auspices of the American Geographical will seek from the air. It would be identical Society, the Detroit Aviation Society and with the geographical pole if the ice cap the North American Newspaper Alliance, fitted squarely on the globe’s head. is described as “the greatest aviator of all But the ice cap is worn rakishly. Its one world explorers, and the greatest explorer edge reaches up across the bald spot that is of all aviators.” He has been flying in the geographical pole; its other edge balloons and aeroplanes since 1910. reaches down to the ear, which is Alaska Captain Wilkins first came into the and the Siberian coast. And so, instead of international public eye in 1912, when he being at 90 degrees north, longitude 00, the drifted over the South of England in a ice pole is near 84 degrees north, longitude balloon and was posted as missing by the 160. cable correspondents throughout the world. Stefansson’s book, “The Friendly A few days before, the London Arctic” begins with a discussion of this billboards had announced: “Santa Claus fact when it is recalled that until recent has ballooned from the Pole to London. years all Polar travel demanded a ship for a See him drop from the sky!” It was to be a base, It is apparent that it was vastly more Christmas show, one of those stunts that difficult to reach 84 north 160 west, than it aeroplane pilots and balloonists were doing was to reach the geographical pole. None in the days when any sort of flight was had reached it. The Ice Pole is the stunt enough to draw a crowd. undiscovered pole. Thousands gathered near London to Cinema Advertisements in (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Tuesday 16 February 1926, page 15.). witness the exploit and hear Santa Claus tell about the Pole, The parachute unfolded, and the young man in the false 17 February 1926 whiskers and the red suit reached the POLAR FLIGHT. ground in safety. The crowd cheered. Then Supply Party in Difficulties. something unexpected happened. The balloon was to have followed Santa Claus SLEDS’ STALL IN SNOW. to the ground. (AUSTRALIAN CABLE SERVICE). But, instead, it started off across the Vancouver, Tuesday. December sky, and the crowd grew silent, A message from Nenana, Alaska, states watching the pilot and the young that the supply party of Captain G. H. photographer, who had taken pictures of Wilkins’s Expedition has succeeded in Santa Claus in the air, make countless releasing five of the 10 sleds which have unsuccessful efforts to free a tangled been stalled in snowdrifts for nearly two release cord. Today the Santa Claus days, 20 miles from Nenana, their point of photographer is known to scientists and departure. explorers as Captain George Hubert The temperature is 15 degrees below Wilkins, explorer, aviator and engineer. zero. The party, with two snow motors, As commander of the Arctic expedition hopes by this afternoon to release the he is completing the plans for the remaining five sleds of the supply train. expedition's aeroplane flight from Point Holding that the expedition is a public, Barrow, Alaska, to the Pole of Relative and not a private enterprise, the Court has Inaccessibility, the centre of the Polar ice dissolved its injunction, with leave to the pack. He plans to leave Point Barrow in promoters to amend their material, and March. The Santa Claus incident was not reapply for an order to prevent outsiders the first of Captain Wilkins’s adventures in from taking moving pictures. the air. It made him a three-day celebrity, Captain Wilkins in Arctic kit. Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld), however, because the balloon went drifting Wednesday 17 February 1926, page 5. about over England until Santa Claus Sun (Sydney, NSW), Tuesday 16 February https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 himself was certain that Wilkins and the 1926, page 15. 79490392 pilot had been lost at sea. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2

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The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

PREVIOUS ADVENTURES IN THE have participated in more major offensives ARCTIC than any other Australian army officer. He But when the Mary Sachs, one of received the Military Cross with one bar, Stefansson’s three boats, put into Teller, and was twice mentioned in despatches. near Nome, Alaska, where her engineer After the war he went to Turkey to became incapacitated, the expedition was photograph the Gallipoli front. He went on delayed. Wilkins announced casually that from there through Anatolia, Syria and he could run a gasoline engine. He took the Palestine, and arrived in Cairo in time to throttle, and the Mary Sachs went to sea. take part in dispersing the anti-British riots. Later Stefansson transferred Wilkins to the He was back in London in time to Karluk, and when the Karluk jammed into command the Kangaroo, one of the planes the polar ice pack, Stefansson took Wilkins that started on the London to Australia and two other men and went ashore. The flight. A broken oil line required a forced four men headed west, and walked to Point landing at Crete. Barrow, a journey of 200 miles. There they After this venture he became the second- learned that the two smaller ships had gone in-command of the British Imperial east, and so, they started east again. They Antarctic expedition, which went to walked 300 miles on this trip. Graham Land in the autumn of 1921. Wilkins meanwhile had given up his While on this cruise he made a 300-mile position with the Gaumont Company to trip along the Antarctic coast in a accompany Stefansson. The party went on whaleboat. In 1922 he joined Sir Ernest to Coronation Gulf, living off the land and Shackleton on the Quest Expedition, and the ice. They made no pretence of carrying was with Shackleton when the British An advertisement from the (Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld), Wednesday 17 February 1926, page 5.). supplies. When on the land they shot explorer died. Ten days after he reached caribou. When on the ice they shot seals London he left for Russia to do special A fleet of trawlers searched for them in the and polar bear. service work for the British Government. North Sea and the Channel. Stefansson said recently that Wilkins and He returned from Australia last autumn, Ultimately the balloon came down in a Storker T. Storkerson are the only other after spending two and a half years in clump of trees, 50 miles from London. arctic explorers who have practised the command of the Wilkins Australian and Wilkins was born on an Australian sheep Stefansson method. This method will be Islands Expedition. This expedition was station in 1888. His boyhood was spent followed by the Detroit expedition in case organised by the British Museum of astride a horse, mustering sheep, boundary it is found necessary to make a forced Natural History for the purpose of studying riding, and so on. He handled a rifle when landing on the ice. Wilkins was sent back bird and animal life in little-known parts of he was ten. The outdoor was his back yard. by Stefansson to bring up the ships which Australia. He went to the State school and studied were then in the command of sea captains. Sun (Sydney, NSW), Wednesday 17 electrical engineering at the Adelaide He navigated the Sachs and the North February 1926, page 14. School of Mines. Star across the polar seas, and made https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 He learned photography for the purpose contact with Stefansson. The sea captains 24055982 of working his way around the world, and had believed this trip impossible, and had in 1911 he found himself in London, refused to make it. 19 February 1926 During the winter of 1915 he freighted preparing to start for the Balkans to take LURE OF ADVENTURE supplies across Melville Island, and in the action pictures of the Turks and Bulgars. Wilkins’s Stirring Career spring went north with Stefansson on In London he had proved himself an ARCTIC AND ANTARCTIC accomplished air and land photographer. another 600-mile ice trip. EXPLOITS He had photographed the German army Accomplished Airman and Explorer manoeuvres from the air, the naval review at Spithead, and had seen Algiers, the (Copyright—Exclusive to The Daily Mail)

Sahara, Vienna, and Portugal from a plane. The article was exactly the same as the previous article With a British naval lieutenant he had without the below photo and caption. flown the first monoplane equipped with a 100-horse power motor. The French had watched him sitting on the wing of a Maurice Farman plane, photographing, a hare hunt. The Turks with whom Wilkins was billeted had three aeroplanes. But he found them, unsuitable for photographic purposes. And so he loaded his movie camera on a horse and rode along with the Turkish cavalry. At Tchatalja in 1912 he took what were said to be the first action films of a battle. His camera caught a dozen Turkish soldiers as they fell dead. He obtained a panorama of a battle and of the Turkish retreat. Following the Balkan War, the Gaumont Company of London gave him other hazardous assignments. Later he went to A cinema advertisement from (Sun (Sydney, NSW), the West Indies, and while there was asked Wednesday 17 February 1926, page 14.). How many of those who met Captain Wilkins when he to go to the Arctic with the Canadian was in Brisbane recently would recognize him in his SOME OTHER ADVENTURES polar garb. Arctic expedition of which Stefansson, the American-Canadian explorer, had been Word of the World War reached the named commander. Stefansson accepted explorers, and Wilkins headed back to join Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Friday 19 him for what he was—a movie the Australian army. He was given February 1926, page 8. cameraman. command of the Australian’s photographic https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 section on the Western Front, and is said to 20647008 7

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

19 February 1926 There have been controversies as to planes. Captain Wilkins will hop off then CAPTAIN WILKINS, AUSTRALIAN whether this region is land or sea. Tides, for Point Barrow. EXPLORER winds, movements of birds and other NENANA (Alaska), February 25.— Captain G. H. Wilkins is a great phenomena indicate the existence there of Two snow motors, with sleds carrying a Australian. He looks like an Australian of a polar continent. petrol supply for aeroplanes for Captain 30 or 40 years ago, because of his beard. Captain Wilkins should solve this Wilkins, the Australian who is flying to the Shaving is dispensed with on exploration problem. The Australian explorer was North Pole, went the 65 miles to Telovana tours, and returning to civilisation the recently described as the one of all most in 14 days, using 400 gallons of petrol. A beard remains. In a city street people turn qualified, to undertake the task. He left his wireless message was received here from and gaze after the tall spare figure, usually boyhood’s sheep station and studied Gordon Scott, who is with the motors at clad in tropical garb. electrical engineering at the Adelaide Molovana. So he appeared a couple of years ago School of Mines. He also studied Scott said: “We can pull three sleds per when he passed through Brisbane after a photography. In 1911 he was taking motor if we obtain more front castings and solitary investigation of the little known motion pictures of the Balkan war. When radiators. We could reach Point Barrow, plant and animal life of North Queensland. the Great War broke out, he was with but we fear we will burn up the entire Cornered at his hotel, and interviewed, Stefansson in the north and until 1916 did petrol supply in making the trip.” It is Captain Wilkins seemed wholly a scientist. not know there was a war on. In France he believed that Captain Wilkins may decide His scientific knowledge was profound. became the Australian official war to pick up the petrol supply and make the Because of that and other qualities he was photographer. After the war he left for the aeroplane flight to Point Barrow. Captain working for the British Museum authorities Antarctic. Wilkins leaves on Thursday for Fairbanks adding to the world’s knowledge of natural With so much achieved at 37 years of in a freight train carrying the planes. history. The specimens collected during age, the name of Captain George Hubert the arduous North Queensland trip made a Wilkins has become one of the most bulky consignment and included many new honoured in Australian annals and world zoological and botanical varieties. Now famous, adding to Australia’s status among Captain Wilkins has turned up again. That the nations. type of man does—unexpectedly and Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW), dramatically. Friday 19 February 1926, page 2. The setting of the Queensland tropics https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 has been exchanged for the icebound 45264876 background of the northern Polar Regions. Described in America as a man of many parts, Captain Wilkins is also a man of many climates; he knows both Arctic and Antarctic conditions, having been with Stefansson in the north, and with Sir Ernest Shackleton when that explorer made the Antarctic his last resting place. Captain Wilkins is one of the three explorers who have proved that it is possible to live on the natural resources of the Arctic. Having that experience he is not taking elaborate food supplies on his polar flight, but in case of wreckage will subsist on seals, bears, LIEUT. RIISER LARSEN taken from the (News caribou and others creatures of what (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), Wednesday 19 May 1926, Stefansson calls the “Friendly Arctic.” page 9.).

Thus the boy who was born on a South Australian sheep station in 1888 has A recent photograph of Captain G H. Wilkins. The AMUNDSEN’S PARTY OF 16 become a world famed figure. He ranks photograph was taken by Mr. D. W. Gaukrodger at a (Copyright) lunch camp on the road between Tambo and Charleville For his dash across the North Pole from with other Australians amongst the world’s on December 10, 1923. At that time Captain Wilkins was great men. Probably in proportion to the leading the British Museum expedition in Queensland. Spitsbergen to Alaska, Captain Roald population, more Australians take their Amundsen, the famous Norwegian place in the world’s front rank than those 26 February 1926 explorer, will use a dirigible which is now of any other nation. That is the result of AIRSHIP AND PLANES TO RACE being reconditioned at Cento Celle, Italy, British stock in a new and ideal ACROSS POLAR WASTES under the direction of Colonel Nobile, chief of the Italian Air Service. The crew environment. So the world press has Captain Wilkins Readies Fairbanks of the Amundsen dirigible will consist of recently spoken of the late Professor John AMUNDSEN STARTS FROM the following 16 persons: — Hunter, Captain Wilkins, Dame Melba and SPITSBERGEN ON APRIL 1 others more or less illustrious. Nurtured in CAPTAIN ROALD AMUNDSEN, in Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian Australia humanity claims them. command. explorer, in the first stages of his race Captain Wilkins, after concluding his Mr LINCOLN ELLSWORTH, leader with Captain Roald Amundsen, the natural history investigations in Australia, of the scientific work and navigator. Mr Norwegian, to the North Pole, has returned to London. There he was studying Ellsworth was a member of Captain reached Fairbanks, Alaska. Captain the possibilities of an Antarctic flight when Amundsen’s aeroplane expedition last Amundsen leaves Spitsbergen on April 1 Stefansson cabled to him to visit America year. He is a wealthy American, and his in a dirigible specially being built in with a view to an Arctic flight. father died at Florence while anxiety Italy. Wilkins is flying from Alaska to The outcome is the present expedition, existed regarding the fate of the explorers Spitsbergen, using two Fokker planes. undertaken under the auspices of the on that occasion. Mr Ellsworth is bearing (Herald Special Representative) American Geographical Society, the much of the expense of the new FAIRBANKS (Alaska) Feb. 25 — Detroit Aviation Society and the North expedition. Capt. Wilkins, the Australian explorer, American Newspapers Alliance. Captain LIEUT. LEIF DIETRICHSEN, arrived at Fairbanks today, after a seven Wilkins is now completing the alternate navigating officer. He was hours’ trip in the guard’s van of the freight arrangements. commander of seaplane N24 in the last train which brought his aeroplane from Next month he will take off from Point Amundsen expedition. Seward. For the next two weeks the flying Barrow, in Alaska. Between there and the division will be assembling and testing the North Pole is a huge unexplored region. 8

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

especially well adapted for the projected 8 March 1926 voyage, and when a landing is made it will No “Nigsiks” be easier to handle than the rigid type. The Wilkins’s New Scheme. ship will have gas enough to proceed to Landing Food, Casting Rod and Tackle Nome (Alaska) under favourable No. X. circumstances, i.e., given a supporting wind. (Copyright. Exclusive to the Advertiser in If Nome can be reached it will be South Australia.) When Captain George Hubert Wilkins, possible to retain possession of the airship intact. If a landing has to be made at Point leader of the Detroit Arctic expedition, Barrow this ship will have to be flies north from Point Barrow, Alaska, An advertisement from (Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Friday seeking undiscovered islands in the Polar 26 February 1926, page 5.). abandoned, but the expedition is prepared for this. A complete Polar outfit will be Sea, he will carry with him a fish rod, a carried, including sledge, skis, sleeping casting reel, band lines, and a plug trimmed with the heaviest of triple-gang COLONEL NOBILE, pilot. bags, and provisions for two months. LIEUT. RIISER LARSEN, pilot. Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Friday 26 hooks. He was pilot of the seaplane N25, on the February 1926, page 5. New York, February 18, 1926. former Amundsen expedition. The streams that flow from Alaska to the https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Polar Sea abound in Dolly Varden trout. NAVAL LIEUT. HORGAN, 44059443 steersman, He is a Norwegian. NAVAL LIEUT OMBAHL, steersman. He also is a Norwegian, and was a member of the former Amundsen expedition. MR FREDERICK RAMM, correspondent. He held the same position with the former Amundsen expedition. Two enginemen. Two riggers, Two radio operators, One photographer One meteorologist. Mr Ramm is going to Centocelle immediately, and will remain with the dirigible until it reaches Alaska. He will supply a full copyright description of the flight for publication in The Herald. The dirigible will be ready to sail on April 1, weather conditions permitting. It will then go to England to a mooring mast, Photograph showing the three-engine equipment of the The Eskimo uses the most primitive of where it will refuel and proceed to type of Fokker aeroplane which will be used in the flight. (Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 4 March 1926, page tackle, but the Arctic trout are not wary; Trondhjem, Norway, where the expedition 16.). they are caught by the thousand. The Polar is constructing a mooring mast. Here it will Sea itself is the feeding-place of Tomcod. refuel once more and go to Spitsbergen, 6 March 1926 They are caught through the ice with band where the expedition is constructing a WHERE CAPTAIN WILKINS WILL lines and unbaited hooks. But the fishing special mooring mast and hangar. FLY tackle that Captain Wilkins will carry is The objective of the expedition is to neither trout tackle nor cod tackle. It reach the North Pole, and then to fly over consists of a short steel bait-casting rod, a the enormous unknown portion level-winding reel, bait-casting of the Polar Basin between the lines, and bass plugs. It is North Pole and North America, entirely suitable for catching heading for Point Barrow, small or large mouth bass. It Alaska. It is believed that the would be standard equipment for actual flying time will be 48 an angler going to the bass rivers hours. It is of course impossible of the Middle West, the lakes of to determine in advance Maine, or the Michigan cut-over. whether wireless It is Captain Wilkins’s communication will be intention to use his bass fishing uninterrupted during the flight. outfit for retrieving seals from The airship that will be used by the open water of the far north. the expedition is a semi-rigid For years the Eskimo has been dirigible of Italian construction shooting seals in open water and and manufacture. It belonged to retrieving them by the “nigsik” the Italian Navy, and formerly method. A “nigsik” is a small was known as N1. Its length is block of wood fitted with two 116 metres (approximately iron hooks. It is attached to a 380ft.). It is thus a large airship, The intrepid Australian explorer, Captain Wilkins, hand line. Standing on the ice though not so large as a Zeppelin. proposes to fly over the area indicated on the map by near the open water the hunter seeks to During the winter it is to undergo a arrows. Amundsen will proceed by airship in the opposite direction, crossing from Europe over the Pole, and throw his “nigsik” beyond the dead seal, complete overhaul and partial landing in Alaska, The exclusive rights of both, explorers’ and then drag it over the carcass and set reconstruction—new motors and new stories, have been secured by “The Sun.” one of the hooks. “It is a clumsy method,” cabins being installed—under the Captain Wilkins says. “Sometimes one supervision of Colonel Nobile, the original Newcastle Sun (NSW), Saturday 6 March must throw the “nigsik” twenty or thirty constructor. With the weight it will have to 1926, page 1. times before he is successful. But when carry on the voyage to Alaska the dirigible https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 one depends on seals for food, clothing, will be capable of remaining in the air 68 63389105 and fuel, one must have some means of hours. This type of airship has been found landing them after they are shot. “I 9

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) watched a fisherman in Australia last year engine. These shrouds were not ready dropping his bait on a spot the size of a hat. when the planes were shipped west; they In so far as I know none of the explorers will not reach Fairbanks until a week after or traders who have gone to the Arctic in the planes are there. the past have found any implement that The oil tanks on both planes have been was an improvement on the Eskimo blanketed in cold-resisting material, and “nigsik.” “Our experiment with American the oil pipes have been lagged. Pipes from bait casting tackle will be unique. the exhaust housings throw warm air inside If it works, it will save us much time and the blankets, and will, it is believed, much discomfort.” Captain Wilkins prevent the freezing or gumming of the himself has never handled a short bait- lubricating material while the plane is in casting rod. But he expects to practise on motion. the steamer that will take him and his men Reindeer skin tents have been made for north from Seattle. He has chosen a steel each engine, so that when the planes are on rod, because he believes it will stand the ground they may be kept warm with rougher usage than any of the split bamboo the heat from flameless lamps. sticks. He is taking a level winding reel Thus the expedition engines will never because it solves some of the amateur need to “conquer the Arctic.” They will be caster’s problems automatically. The reel, operating in an artificial temperate zone. lines and baits will be carried on Captain The cabin of the three-engine plane has Wilkins’s person in case he finds it been filled with an 800-gallon auxiliary necessary to walk back to his base. The rod gasoline tank. There will be no passenger will be carried in a standard aluminium rod room in this plane except in the pilots’ case. It is a short rod, but the case chosen station and in a boxlike cavity behind the would cover the longest fly rod made. The big tank. Two gravity feed tanks above the butt end of the case has been loaded with a pilot’s seat will supply the engines with wooden plug. their first 180 gallons of gas, after which The plug carries a steel shaft. either or both of the feed tanks will be As a result, Captain Wilkins has a fish rod refilled from the auxiliary tank by hand inside a steel shod ice staff. The point of pump. the ice shaft has been machined to carry a The single-engine ship will have two walrus harpoon, so that if the Detroit interchangeable feed tanks and a small Arctic expedition reaches the walrus auxiliary tank. If this plane is chosen for country the case of the seal retrieving tools the long hop to Spitsbergen the cabin will may be thrown through the air and made to be filled with gasoline in ton-gallon drums. serve as a weapon. It will be the American Poured from the drum into the auxiliary bass rod’s first adventure in the North Pole An advertisement from (Herald (Melbourne, Vic), tank, this gasoline will then be forced into pool. Monday 15 March 1926, page 11.). the feed tanks by hand pump. Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Monday 8 Herald (Melbourne, Vic), Monday 15 March 1926, page 12 It has an adjustable radiator shutter and an March 1926, page 11. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 auxiliary water and glycerine tank. If the https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 3914916 radiator springs a leak or loses its mixture 44051110 through overheating, it can be refilled from 15 March 1926 the pilot’s seat. 20 March 1926 The three Wright engines on the larger KEEP WILKINS’S PLANES WARM. WILKINS’S PLANE CRASHES. plane are air-cooled. Consequently they SKIN TENTS FOR ENGINES. Undercarriage Wrenched Off. SPRAYED WITH HEAT. offer no radiator problems. But although one Wright engine withstood a temperature EXPLORERS UNINJURED. (Copyright, 1926, by the Herald for (Herald Special Representative) Australia, and elsewhere by North of 27 degrees below zero on an accidental flight over the Atlantic, engines of the air- FAIRBANKS (Alaska), March 19.— American Newspaper Alliance). Failing to respond to the controls, the New York, February 10. cooled type have not had a thorough test in the Arctic. No one knows how they will single-engine monoplane to be used by Oil tanks and magnetos on the two Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian Fokker aeroplanes which Captain George perform. Hubert Wilkins takes to Point Barrow, Alaska, for the Detroit Arctic expedition’s proposed flight over the Polar Sea will he kept warm by heat sprayed from the exhaust pipes. Heating pipes on Fokker planes of similar design lead from the exhaust pipe housings to the cabins, raising the pilot’s quarters and passenger rooms to a comfortable temperature; no matter how cold it may be outside. On the Detroit expedition’s planes the pilots and navigators must depend on their The Fokker machine which fell 100 feet at Fairbanks, parkas of reindeer skin and fur to keep explorer, in his Polar flight, fell 100 feet. Alaska, with Captain Wilkins in the cockpit. The undercarriage was wrenched off, and them warm, because all the exhaust heat will have to be replaced with a new one will go to the freezable engine parts. Furs for Engines before the flight can be made from Liberty engines have been thoroughly Captain Wilkins feared that the forward Fairbanks to Point Barrow. tested in the Arctic and found capable. sides of the cylinders would chill so much Capt. Wilkins was in the cockpit and Mr The smaller monoplane of the Detroit more rapidly than the after sides, that the Nielson was piloting the machine. Both Expedition carries a Liberty engine, but pistons would soon score the cylinder escaped injury. In a test flight lasting half even this ship has been refitted against the walls. an hour the aeroplane attained a speed of sub-zero temperatures of the Polar Consequently strenuous efforts are being 130 miles an hour. The machine was Regions. made to build aluminium shrouds for each landing when the accident occurred. The 10

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) condition of the ground prevented a test (Copyright 1926 by Sydney Sun for adventures startled the flying world and flight of the three-engine aeroplane. Australia, and elsewhere by North brought congratulations from President Captain Wilkins and another member of American Newspaper Alliance.) Coolidge. his party, each astride a snow plough, spent NEW YORK, February 24. There were virtually no landing fields Wednesday and Thursday clearing the Carl B. Eielson, trailblazer of Alaska’s near any of the little Alaska towns to landing field to enable the aeroplanes to be air routes, will pilot the Fokker monoplane which Eielson intended to carry the mail. brought out of the hangars for testing. in which Captain George Hubert Wilkins, But there were rivers which offered ice- Several days more will be occupied in commander of the Detroit Arctic ways, and valleys which offered frozen getting the mechanism into shape for the expedition, will take off from Point plains. Roaring down from cruising heights flight to Point Barrow, the starting point of Barrow, Alaska, in March on his flight Eielson sighted these places, and was never the flight to Spitsbergen. across the Polar Sea. at a loss for a landing field. He flew 60,000 Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 20 If Captain Wilkins sights new land, miles and made but one forced descent. March 1926, page 1. Eielson will be the co-discoverer. If land is This landing cost him his only mishap, a https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 not discovered, it is Captain Wilkins’s broken propeller. 44049253 intention to wing on across the North Pole in hope of making a non-stop flight from Sweating Below Zero 22 March 1926 Barrow to Spitsbergen. In case this long “I struck temperatures as low as 28 flight is made, Captain Wilkins will do the degrees below zero Fahrenheit,” he says, CAPTAIN WILKINS’S MISHAPS navigating and Alaska’s air trail-blazer will “but I never had what one might call A message from Fairbanks, Alaska, says be in the pilot’s seat. “Lieutenant Eielson trouble with my Liberty engine. that the last of the three aeroplanes of has flown 60,000 miles in the Arctic and Sometimes, of course, it was hard to start Captain Wilkins, the Australian aviator, near-Arctic,” Captain Wilkins said today. the engine. Ordinarily I had no one to help who was attempting the North Pole flight, “No other pilot has flown a third as far me. I would spin the propeller and then run was wrecked on Friday, when landing. The under like conditions. back to the control board and feed the gas. gear of the Detroiter, a three-engine He has faced the fiercest weather the Sometimes I would make these sprints machine, buckled, throwing the plane on north has to offer, has made landings on twenty or thirty times. its nose. An engine was thrown out, and rough, unlighted fields during the Arctic “I wore heavy flying clothes, of course, the propellers were bent. The plane, on night, and has served as his own mechanic and my efforts to start the motor would being started on its first test flight, and rigger when a snowbank was his leave me wet with perspiration. When I travelled only 40 feet along the ground hangar and the temperature was far below took the air after such exercise the when the mishap occurred. zero. moisture would freeze and I would be most The accident temporarily delays Captain “Other excellent pilots will accompany uncomfortable. But if I could have had Wilkins’s party from starting on the the expedition, and I know that I shall someone to start the engine, so that I could expedition. The Detroiter was scheduled to disappoint them when I say that Lieutenant have kept cool and dry, I would not have leave in a day or two for Point Barrow, the Eielson will make the main flight. been troubled by the cold.” Arctic coast supply base of the enterprise. But nowhere is there a man who has had It is 300 miles from Fairbanks to On Thursday the single engine of the his flying experience in the Arctic. McGrath, and Eielson carried the mail plane was partly wrecked by lightning after Nowhere is there a pilot better fitted by between these towns regularly. He made a trial test. Another was destroyed by fire temperament for the work I have in mind. the round trip in two days. The dog team in Detroit on January 17. — Reuter. Unless he becomes incapacitated it will be drivers who had been carrying the mall Newcastle Morning Herald and he who will accompany me.” over the same route had thought Miners’Advocate (NSW), Monday 22 themselves fortunate when they were able March 1926, page 5. A “Gypsy of the Air” to race their malamutes across and back in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Eielson is a graduate of the University of 22 days. Eielson was never halted by the 37516542 North Dakota, and has taken post-graduate weather.

work at Georgetown University and the The day Major Frederick Martin, leader University of Wisconsin. of the Around-the-World fliers, pierced a He was born at Hatton, N.D., July 20, fogbank and crashed into an Alaskan 1897. Like Captain Wilkins, he spent his mountain peak, Eielson flew 600 miles boyhood tramping, camping and hunting. without adventure. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Service His regular route took him around Mt. at the outbreak of the World War, and did McKinley. It and a score of other mountain his first flying at Rockwell Field in peaks were the beacons by which he California. He was commissioned a first- picked his way through the winter clouds. lieutenant. Following the war, he became a Work on Skis commercial flier. He organised a dozen Following his Alaskan work Eielson re- little companies, and flew throughout the enlisted in the army to do experimental West and Middle West, carrying work with aeroplane skis. He designed skis passengers, instructing amateurs and doing for many types of ships, and while stunts. He says that during this period he stationed at McCook Field, Dayton, was an “air gypsy.” His “gypsy” collected considerable data on ski experiences taught him how to choose new performance. landing fields from the air, a thing he had It was he who designed the runners used to do many times while he was pioneering on the Selfridge Field pursuit planes which

Photo from the ISO Polar Archives. Part of the Wilkins – among the mountain peaks of Alaska. the army sent to Van Etten Lake in the Detroit Expedition 1926-28. When the U.S. Post Office Department Michigan wilderness last winter. decided in 1923 that the aeroplane might Captain Wilkins met Eielson in New 26 March 1926 solve the department’s winter problems in York. The young flier was here completing TRAIL-BLAZER. Alaska, Eielson was made air arrangements with John A. Hambleton, the CAPTAIN WILKINS’S PILOT experimenter. He boxed a plane at Baltimore and New York financier, for the KNOWS ICE LAND Chicago, and travelled by rail and steamer formation of a company which would bid to Fairbanks. He found no competent on the Government’s Alaskan mail CHALLENGE TO ‘MALAMUTES’. mechanics and riggers there, and so was contracts. (No. 15) required to assemble the plane and mount This company’s bids have been made. If the engine by himself. His subsequent they are accepted, Eielson will return from 11

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) the Polar Sea to realise his dream—the has been held up by deep snow, is also in during the next few days include many displacement of the dog team mall carriers, serious danger, and a radio message states disagreeable possibilities. and the insinuation in Alaska of a mail that, failing an immediate rescue, it will be A further message came from Waskey, service which in the future can “carry the necessary to shoot the dogs. as follows:—“We have 27 dogs here at the anti-toxin to Nome” in two hours. (By Special Cable from Frederic Earp) Anaktuvuk River camp. They have had Should the bids be rejected, Eielson says, (Copyright.) FAIRBANKS, ALASKA, nothing to eat for four days. If we don’t get he and Hambleton will institute a free April 5. help at once we will have to shoot them aeroplane freight and passenger service for Serious trouble threatens the Wilkins and start out with one Yukon sled down Alaskan prospectors, who have been kept expedition today. Captain Wilkins himself the river over the ice to try to make Jones from the untouched Alaskan goldfields has not been heard from since Friday Island, in the Arctic Sea. “Smith and because those fields have been evening, and, contrary to all expectations, Anderson took sleds and 17 of the best inaccessible. he failed to return here on Easter Sunday, dogs with them. They expected to get It is his plan to carry the prospectors despite the fact that the weather was provisions at Stevenson’s road house, but it afield in the spring and pick them up in the perfect for flying. Putting two and two has been snowing so hard lately that they autumn—asking in return that if they together, Major T. Lanphier, the United also, are evidently unable to travel. “We discover gold they stake out the adjacent States Army observer with the expedition, have heard nothing from them for more claim for the owners of the planes. who was left in charge here when Captain than a week. Eielson is now at Hasbrouck Height, N.J., Wilkins flew to Point Barrow, believes that In the last few days we have killed working on the two Fokker planes which Wilkins is in serious need of assistance. plenty of ptarmigan and rabbits for our the Detroit Expedition will take to Barrow. For this reason every nerve is being own food, but it has been impossible to He will go to Langley Field and do 50 strained to get the new landing gear fixed feed the dogs.” hours of flying on heavy ships before he on the giant triple-engine monoplane This morning everything is activity here, starts north. Detroiter, which was damaged when rushing preparations for the departure of Sun (Sydney, NSW), Friday 26 March landing after a trial flight, so that the the Detroiter on its double mission of 1926, page 8. aeroplane can he flown to the rescue. A succour. Careful maps are being prepared https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 new outfit, manufactured locally, is being showing the location of the Waskey party 24058001 fitted to the Detroiter today, and it is from his description over the radio. expected that she will make a trial trip on If it is impossible to land the airplane Tuesday and, possibly, a flight to Point there, and Major Lanphier believes that Barrow on Wednesday. would be too risky, the Detroiter will drop them a big package of emergency rations, SUPPLY TRAIN’S PLIGHT and let them try to work themselves out, With the serious uncertainty existing perhaps shooting half their dogs. Then about Captain Wilkins, there is, at the same Major Lanphier will continue on to Point time, no doubt whatever concerning the Barrow, and if conditions are propitious, bad plight of the overland expedition in will sally 100 miles or so over the Arctic charge of Malcolm Smith, a veteran with ice before returning to see what is wrong 20 years’ experience in Alaska. They left with Captain Wilkins. weeks ago by dog-sled for Point Barrow, Waskey reckons his camp is 65 miles and, with their 50 dogs, made fairly good east from the straight air line between time until they crossed the Endicott Fairbanks and Barrow, so Major Mountains. Lanphier’s course, if he gets away on Here they encountered heavy spring Wednesday, will cover more than 600 snows, which made travel impossible. miles before he reaches the shores of the Smith and another set out for help and Arctic. With Waskey are Earl Rossman, provisions. They reached Point Barrow, the photographer to the expedition, and one but just where they are today is not clear. It other man. is certain, however, that they have been unable to return to the main expedition with food. Major Lanphier has been somewhat anxious regarding them for several days, but on Sunday night the climax came when Robert Waskey, radio An advertisement from the (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Friday monitor with the dog teams, sent the 26 March 1926, page 8.). following wireless message: “We must have food for the dogs at once, or shoot the 6 April 1926 animals.” WHERE IS CAPTAIN WILKINS? Absence of News Causing Anxiety to KILLING RABBITS FOR FOOD Polar Expedition. They have been killing rabbits recently GRAVE PLIGHT OF OVERLAND for dog food, but it would take hundreds PARTY. daily to satisfy the hungry huskies, and to slaughter anything like that number is Anxiety is felt regarding Captain G. H. impossible. Altogether the overland party’s Wilkins, leader of the expedition which is position is bad. They are marooned more to attempt to fly across the North Pole than 100 miles this side of Point Barrow. from Alaska to Spitsbergen. It is feared There will be little chance of moving for that he has met with serious trouble. a month or six weeks, and it is assumed Last week, with Carl Eielson, chief pilot that they must have food this week or their of the expedition, he flew to Point Barrow motive power will be gone. from Fairbanks in the single-engine Major Lanphier is considering all kinds monoplane Alaskan. Since a wireless of methods of rescue. Possibly he will drop message was received on Friday no word supplies from the Detroiter if he can find has come from him. the party in that vast northern wilderness. He was expected back at Fairbanks on The cross marks the approximate position of the overland Altogether the prospects of the expedition Sunday. The dog sled supply train, which party. 12

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

INCOMPREHENSIBLE SILENCE Geographical Pole en route. “If land is “I cannot understand Captain Wilkins's discovered,” said Captain Wilkins, “we silence, taken together with his failure to shall drop a flag on it, photograph it from return,” said Major Lanphier “I feel the air, and return to Point Barrow. A anxious. I think that Wilkins has probably second plane will land and establish a base attempted a trip out over the ice at Point and I shall resume the flight to Barrow, and was forced down. In that case Spitsbergen.” we shall have to search for him.” Meanwhile, clothing supplies and Malcolm Smith’s party took two radio equipment are being rushed across the sets including one big Kohler outfit, which American continent in special freight cars they were compelled to leave on the trail. It in a race for time to catch an Alaskan is now some distance behind them. steamer. Waskey is now using a smaller set. Captain Wilkins is an Australian whose He reported early this morning that he record is an imposing one. He was with also was unable to hear Wilkins, as he did Stefansson on the Canadian Arctic formerly, so it is assumed in Fairbanks that Expedition and with Shackleton on the something has happened to Wilkins which Quest to the Antarctic, while he was precludes him from sending anything. second-in-command of the British Imperial Despite their troubles, Waskey reported Antarctic Expedition which went to himself and his companions in a cheerful Graham Land in 1921. frame of mind. He declared that their CARL EIELSON Since then he has explored the little- partridge stew for Sunday’s dinner was known parts of Australia on behalf of the particularly tasty. Three excellent receiving British Museum of Natural History. He is sets in Fairbanks are listening nightly for an experienced and qualified airman. He messages from Wilkins and Waskey. flew, fifteen years ago, the first monoplane with a hundred horse-power engine. He commanded a squadron of six planes of the Australian Army during the Great War, and he was in charge of aerial photography for the Australian forces. His attempted a flight from London to Australia, which ended accidentally in the Mediterranean, was a daring but unlucky venture. Sir John Monash, the Australian Commander-in-Chief, said of him. “If I had to select the bravest, most soberly sensible man of my entire force I would name Wilkins.” It will be seen that Captain Wilkins yields nothing in strength of body

CAPTAIN WILKINS and character to his famous competitor. Moreover, he has peculiar experience of Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), the Polar Regions of which even Amundsen, it is said, cannot boast, despite Tuesday 6 April 1926, page 1. his many adventures. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 43591165 “Flying Light” The British explorer has learnt one of the 6 April 1926 greatest lessons an Arctic explorer has to POLAR FLIGHTS. learn—how to live off the country. It was MALCOLM SMITH THE RACE TO THE NORTH. Stefansson’s belief that by living on game, WILKINS AND AMUNDSEN. etc., which can be secured from place to Supplementing recent cables telling of place in the Arctic, it was possible to make the arrival of Captain Wilkins at Point one’s way over regions not accessible by Barrow, the base for the Polar expedition, ship or means of depots. That belief he put the following article by the New York into practice during five years in the correspondent of the Central News Arctic, and Wilkins spent those years with (London) is interesting and opportune: — him. He will go into the white desert of the The rival explorers—Captain George North with only two weeks’ food: he is Hubert Wilkins and Captain Roald “flying light” to prove the Stefansson Amundsen, the hero of last year’s failure— theory. have been quietly pushing ahead with their Amundsen, as he did last year, will have preparations, and their plans are now ample provisions with him, but this settled for the double dash to the Arctic impeded progress. Captain Wilkins is (says the correspondent). prepared to come down anywhere and Captain Wilkins made the first move catch his food. The successful land ice today when his “iron dogs,” or snow journeys Amundsen has made have no motors, set off from Fairbanks for Point parallel in the Northern Polar regions, Barrow, the Alaskan town near the famous where the sea ice is comparatively strange cape, whence the British explorer will take to the Norwegians. “I think Captain the air on March 21. The main idea of Wilkins has at least three chances out of Captain Wilkins is to fly from Cape four of success,” says Vilhjalmur Barrow northward to the Ice Pole, Stefansson. otherwise the centre of the ice pack. If no The man who will pilot the aeroplane, land is discovered the flight will be which is the second largest monoplane MAJOR LANPHIER continued straight on across the Polar Sea ever assembled in America, has flown to Spitsbergen, passing over the 13

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) three times many miles in Arctic regions as All Alaska is rejoicing tonight at the any airman alive. return of the fearless aviators, for many STEFANSSON’S TRIBUTE. He is Carl Nielson, a university man of had given them up for lost. The noted Arctic explorer, Professor V. the campaigning type, who, after Captain Wilkins penetrated 75 miles Stefansson, says Captain Wilkins’s dash meritorious war service, turned seaward from Point Barrow, but saw no beyond Barrow is particularly interesting commercial pilot and has specialised in sign of land there. and important because he saw a great area flights to Alaska and the North. He has never before visited by man. sixty thousand miles to his credit in these Incidentally the length of his flight from districts alone, and night landings in snow Fairbanks in a single hop of 700 miles and keen weather have no terrors for him. equals, and probably exceeds, Amundsen’s flight last May, and for a preliminary dash The Loneliest Spot is a wonderful performance, promising As for the objects of the expedition, greater results. there are several regions in the Arctic, apart from the Pole itself, awaiting discovery. There are, for example, what are termed the “Cold Pole” — the coldest spot on earth — and the “Wind Pole”. Captain Wilkins is said to be particularly interested in these atmospheric mysteries. Then there is the “Pole of

Inaccessibility” — the loneliest place in From ISO Polar Archives. Part of a group titled the world. This spot has been Vilhjalmur Stefansson. geographically defined as the one most remote from human reach and Captain Story of Flight. Captain Wilkins’s story of the farthest Wilkins proposes to fly from civilisation V. STEFANSSON. straight into the heart of this great north Alaska flight reads like a novel. Leaving Fairbanks on Wednesday a week unexplored wilderness. The achievement “I am not surprised that he saw no trace of ago, his Liberty motor worked like a of their ambition will bring within human land. Sixty-five miles north of Barrow the charm, and within five hours the knowledge some of the last remaining ocean is 5000 to 6000 feet deep. This we adventurous fliers found themselves over mysteries of the North. knew in 1913 from soundings taken on the the roofs and huts, which the commander, (Daily Express (Wagga Wagga, NSW), Karluk.” from his previous knowledge of the Tuesday 6 April 1926, page 2.). district, knew to be the village of Point https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 DOGS IN BAD SHAPE. Barrow. 49395121 Vancouver, Wednesday. “Things were then going so well with With Captain Wilkins safely returned us,” continued Wilkins, “that we decided 8 April 1926 interest swung today to the predicament to keep on going north, and during the next WILKINS MAKES MORE HISTORY. the overland party found itself in. Rossman three hours we accomplished a sally of 75 and Waskey reported by radio early this FULL STORY OF EPIC JOURNEY. miles seaward into that great unknown. We morning that they are feeling well, and The recent flight into the Arctic by reached 73deg 30min north flying at an getting plenty of birds to eat, but the dogs Captain Wilkins constituted a record, and elevation of 7000ft. The visibility was are in a pitiful shape. These three men can will rank as one of the finest feats in the good. easily get away safely, they declare, if they annals of aviation. “From that height we could see many kill the dogs, and abandon the supplies (AUSTRALIAN CABLE SERVICE). miles in every direction. Leaving Point which might be picked up later. Fairbanks (Alaska), Wed. Barrow we crossed a broad expanse of However, they will hold on for a few Captain G. H. Wilkins and Lieutenant fairly smooth ice, and then traversed a days yet. They didn’t see Wilkins’s plane Ben Eielson today returned to Fairbanks, rough, hummocky area that stretched as far at any time. thus completing the round trip to Point as the eye could reach in every direction, (Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld), Thursday Barrow and back. broken by leads to the open water on all 8 April 1926, page 1.). Captain Wilkins and Lieutenant Eielson sides. We saw no evidence of land”. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 on their return trip were forced to descend 78986504 at Circle City, 150 miles north-west of RADIO FAILS.

Fairbanks. “At 1.40 p.m. our fuel supply was none The life and death tension was relieved too plentiful, so we turned. The noise was 10 April 1926 when the Government radio picked up a too great for my voice to be heard, so I VILHJALMUR STEFANSSON message that a strange aeroplane had been tapped Eielson on the shoulder and sighted in the sky over Circle City. motioned to him to swing southward. At A few minutes later a message came 2.30 we came to an easy landing at Point from Mrs. Barnett, wife of the operator at Barrow. For three nights I used the radio, Circle City, that she had watched the plane then our apparatus got into a state of descend on a sandbar in the Yukon River, disrepair, and I was unable to communicate opposite the town. further. Sunday and Monday were stormy, Mrs. Barnett hurried down and assisted with heavy drifting snow. Sunday night Captain Wilkins and Lieutenant Eielson, was especially bad, and on Monday who were numb with cold and fatigue. morning I got 50 Eskimos to dig the plane They had been eight hours steadily in the out of the drifts. air, coming since early morning from Point “Tuesday morning broke fine and clear, Barrow against headwinds, and fighting so away we started homeward. All the way squally weather all the way. we bucked headwinds, missed Fairbanks Captain Wilkins told Mrs. Barnett that by 50 miles, and while searching round The famous Arctic explorer, who described Captain they had had a successful trip, landing their came upon Circle City where we stopped Wilkins’s recent flight as a wonderful achievement. supplies O.K., but today, on their for gasoline. The people at Point Barrow (Geelong Advertiser (Vic.), Saturday10 protracted return trip, they ran out of gave us a great welcome.” The flight April 1926, page 1.). gasoline and oil. That was why they had covered 840 miles, the longest Arctic flight https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 descended at Circle City. on record. 32254516 14

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

But aerial cameras of the Fairchild type have already proved that they can stand the cold. They have taken pictures in temperatures of 67 deg. below zero. The Captain had shaved off his beard the night before, and at first Mr. Smith did not recognise him. Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Wednesday 14 April 1926, page 16. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 6503200

A group photogragph from the Wilkins – Detroit Expedition 1926-28. From the ISO Polar Archives Captain Geo. Wilkins, commander of the Detroit Arctic Expedition, and Mr. A. Malcolm Smith, leader of the 12 April 1926 snow motor-division, meeting at Nenana, on the Alaska CAPTAIN WILKINS CARRIES ON railroad. Mr. Smith drove his Siberian dogs sixty-five After initial setbacks in which his three miles to meet Captain Wilkins. planes crashed or were damaged, Captain Point Barrow, Alaska, and the North Pole, Wilkins, the famous Australian explorer, he will be equipped to bring back tangible has already added much to his record of proof of his discovery, even though he Arctic exploration. finds it impossible to ground his planes on Leaving Fairbanks, in Alaska, some days or near the new land. ago, his safe arrival at Point Barrow was One of his two Fokker planes has been announced. Then there was a silence and fitted with a Fairchild aerial camera. The disaster was feared for the explorer and his camera weighs 46 lb., a substantial weight hardly less famous pilot, Carl Eielson. considering that the Detroit Expedition is Now Captain Wilkins is back at filling every available corner in the planes Fairbanks, having made the longest with auxiliary gasoline tanks. Moreover, aeroplane flight of Arctic history. Upon the camera peers downward through a vent reaching Point Barrow the flying in the passenger cabin, and so will expose conditions were so favourable that, with the pilot and navigator to the cold. the impulse of the true explorer, he flew on But it is one of the purposes of the into unexplored regions, eventually Detroit expedition to demonstrate that returning to Point Barrow. aeroplane travel over the short trans-Arctic The mishaps to the planes some weeks routes is practicable. The discovery of land ago indicate the risks which must be may be hailed as the discovery of a mid- braved in a polar flight. Captain Arctic landing place, and a landing place in Amundsen, who has lost faith in planes in the centre of the Polar Sea would, Arctic exploration, openly predicts admittedly, speed the day when disaster. commercial aeroplanes could roar over the An advertisement from the(Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), But Captain Wilkins is concerned with peak of the globe on regular schedules. Wednesday 14 April 1926, page 1.). the achievement and not with possible Hence it is Captain Wilkins’s hope that failure, and is not daunted by pessimistic 14 April 1926 he will be able to map and explore any new rivals. His expedition has the dual purpose lands that be may find. If it is possible for Captain Wilkins’s Doings of the first flight over the North Pole, and him to land his planes he expects to move FAIRBANKS (Alaska), Monday.— to ascertain whether land or sea exists in his base from Point Barrow to the new land Captain G. H. Wilkins, with Carl Eielson the great unexplored region between and send mapping and exploring parties in as pilot, has arrived at Point Barrow on his Alaska and the Pole. all directions. second trip in the single engine Fokker Already world-famed for his many But the new land may be rugged and monoplane Alaskan. The airmen failed to successes, Captain Wilkins may within a torn; the area around it may be a find Earl Rossman, the photographer, and few weeks have earned for Australia the succession of ice ridges and gullies. If so, Robert Waskey, radio operator, who were laurels of one of the world’s most, daring he must make a survey from the air and marooned with dog teams about 60 miles and important triumphs. record it by aerial photography. east of the direct route from Fairbanks to (Daily Advertiser (Wagga Wagga, NSW From photographs it is believed aviators Alaska. However, Malcolm Smith, leader Monday 12 April 1926, page 2.). and map-makers could decide whether it of the overland party, who went to Point https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 would be possible to build a landing field Barrow for provisions, has re-joined the 45275150 on the new land. party with ample supplies for the dogs, The builders could go in later on, either which were starving. 14 April 1926 by dog team or snow motors, or by There was matchless flying weather, and Camera at Pole. aeroplane, at some season when there was the thermometer was at zero when Captain Wilkins and Eielson made their second Records of the Wilkins Flight. smooth ice or open water near the land. hop-off for Point Barrow at 9.40 a.m. Photographing New Lands. If Captain Wilkins should sight a relatively small island he may be able to yesterday. Little ceremony marked the No. XXIV. departure, but the entire population of the By the late Palmer Hutchinson, special photograph it in its entirety and show it on one print. Captain A. W. Stevens, of the town cheered enthusiastically, as they did correspondent with the Wilkins Arctic on the first day. Expedition. Copyright Exclusive to the U.S. Army Air Service, photographed the entire city of Dayton, O.—an area of 19 Within two hours a radio message from Advertiser in South Australia. Aboard Wiseman reported that the Alaskan was Steamship Victoria, en route to Alaska, miles—on one negative with the very camera which Captain Wilkins will use. heading across the forbidding heights of March 5. the Endicott Mountains into the snow- If Captain George Hubert Wilkins, The ordinary ground camera cannot be used in the far north, because of the low covered tundra which spreads like a white commander of the Detroit Arctic blanket toward the frozen sea. Expedition, finds islands or a miniature temperatures. Lens mechanisms freeze up, continent in the unexplored areas between and oiled surface become sticky. 15

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Including many packages of is hazardous adventure in the waste places over London. Father Christmas, gaily miscellaneous freight with a total weight of of the earth. Captain G. H. Wilkins is one announced us a traveller from the Pole, two tons, the Alaskan carried 150 gallons of these. All his adult life —and he is only was expected to parachute in his red of extra petrol for use later in the trip now 37 years old — he has cheerfully uniform and foaming white whiskers from across the Pole. There are 18 hours of abandoned home comforts for all manner the car of the balloon as it drifted over the daylight at Point Barrow, and 14 at of risky enterprises in all manner of places. metropolis. His Excellency landed in good Fairbanks, and it would be quite possible In this there is no suggestion of vainglory, order and disposition—he was privately a to start from Point Barrow early in the no hope of reward. daring young man who delighted in these morning, return to Fairbanks, and, without What he has done and further expects to journeys—but the balloon blew away with stopping the engine, load another cargo, achieve are probably inspired by an Wilkins and another in it. reaching Barrow again before dusk. insatiable scientific curiosity and a no less For some days it was lost even to the Captain Wilkins carefully considered the besetting thirst for experience. The felicity prying eye of The Daily Mail. Trawlers chances of finding Waskey and Rossman of a discovery, the thrill of a danger faced searched for it round the coasts of in the frozen waste north of Brooks and overcome, he must always enjoy—or Britain—in true December weather, let it Mountains. Frozen rivers covered with die. If he should bring off his present be mentioned. Then one day it came down snow are difficult to locate, and Captain aeroplane dash to the Pole, he won’t be within 50 miles of London with Wilkins Wilkins hesitated to go 60 miles off the long before he will be attempting some and his companion smiling and intact. This direct route to Point Barrow with a very other spectacular feat, perhaps climbing was not his first escape from death, but it slim chance of ever delivering dog feed. Mount Everest, or ascending the Amazon was big enough to assure him that fate had Their flying height would be least 5000 to wrest the mystery of its source from the granted him an all-lines pass to safety. He feet, and they, might get into a serious jungle. had always been interested in the air. The position if they descended within 100 feet The possibilities of disaster during his first monoplane flown in England with a of the ground to drop packages. advance on the Pole have been well 100-h.p. engine carried Wilkins as one of Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), Wednesday 14 weighed by him, but he is never daunted its passengers. Photography in the air was April 1926, page 1. by anything. Even the fact that Amundsen another of his great diversions. He was one https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 failed to reach his objective by the very of the pioneers in this highly useful 7647543 means which the Australian is employing military pastime. Lying out on a plane he had photographed the German army manoeuvres, and the movements of the British Fleet at Spithead were also recorded from the same precarious perch. In planes, too, he had peeped at various Continental capitals, and he also went to Algiers to whizz over the frontiers of the Sahara, There is a story of his securing a ride in a French Maurice Farman plane and photographing a hare-hunt whilst lying prone on the wing of the machine. But in this he would almost rudely disclaim any intention of performing a stunt. Stunting is his detestation. Inevitably his repute as a photographer grew; so when Bulgaria, Serbia and Greece united to attack Turkey in 1911, the Turks engaged him to take pictures for them. They had three planes but they were of no value to the Australian for the intimate studies which he desired. He therefore took to horseback as a semi-detached unit of the Turkish cavalry, and made the first close-up movie studies of men in battle. He was through all the terrors of Tchatalja, where the Turks were beaten, and at infinite risk snapshotted men toppling under the rain of bullets which were singing all round him. Just as conscientiously he shared all the dangers, with his camera relentlessly glued to various phases of the Turkish retreat. The world war found him with the same determined nose for front-line news, and few people are aware that he was wounded nine times as official photographer to the A.I.F. He had more than the ordinary soldier’s share of trouble, for he was in every offensive, and his restless energy carried him in to minor disturbances where Illustration from the article below. will probably be regarded as lending the chance of fatality was almost equally additional spice to the venture. And if great. Sir John Monash pays an eloquent 15 April 1926 fortune smiles on him, as she has done in tribute to his services in the preface to his Prominent Personalities the past, he will get there to prove once book on the Australian campaigns in CAPTAIN G. H. WILKINS more his race’s reputation for courage, France, and every Australian who was A REMARKABLE AUSTRALIAN endurance and tenacity. associated with him speaks of his quiet Illustrated by WILL DYSON It is just about 14 years ago that his valour in the warmest terms. There are certain types born to be stifled name was broadcast on the cables of the Another of Wilkins’s admirers is by civilisation—rare men whose pleasure globe. It was a Christmas ballooning feat Vilhjalmur Stefansson. This famous explorer has good reason to know the 16

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Australian’s full worth. When Stefansson jagged peaks that rival the Alps, the the sun as a darker blue splotch in the left Alaska in March, 1914, with the idea Rockies, and the Andes, and even portion centre and four distinct rings in all their of crossing the ocean ice for Banks Land, of the Himalayas. prismatic beauty. Flying in Arctic he took with him only a month’s On the last trip out we were heavily temperatures is not uncomfortable. It is so provisions for the sustenance of himself, laden with gasoline, dog feed, and other warm in the Alaskan’s enclosed cockpit two companions, and dogs. Everybody supplies, so when we encountered the fog that we seldom resort to mittens, but the believed he was mad, and even Wilkins, and tried to rise we could not attain the outside gear may be covered with hoar- who had been left behind in command, elevation that meant assured safety in frost. It is only when I go back in the cabin with instructions to bring two ships to meet crossing. The ceiling of fog was 9100ft., of the ship for photographic work or Stefansson when the ice moved in the and that was the best the monoplane would handle the radio that I notice the cold. The spring, gave little credence to his chief’s do. warm blast from the engine keeps the belief that seals might be discovered under Travelling light upon our return, we cockpit warm. Flying over hot desert lands the ice. reached 12,000ft. without difficulty. Now, is more trying on the physical senses than When Stefansson was absent three those mountains where we crossed are over the Arctic, with the thermometer months without news, Wilkins, who more than 10,000ft. high in some places, below zero. We found many things to keep believed that the leader was dead, still so it was a ticklish problem flying through. both of us occupied. considered it his duty to carry out his When not checking the course or using orders. So with all the volunteers that he A Perilous Passage the radio, there was the gasoline hand- could muster he took a small ship, which At times, on top of that billowing misty pump to operate, to keep the upper tank was soon badly damaged by the ice—to mass, the wheels and landing gear were in filled from the reserve. We found time to such an extent, indeed, that the pumps had the clouds, while the fuselage was out in eat a sandwich when we thought of it, and to be kept going 40 minutes out of every the clear. It was like sailing through a Ben and I would change over on the hour to prevent the vessel foundering. breast-high mist. Eielson would do his best controls occasionally to allow him to Ultimately Wilkins reached Banks Land, to lift the Alaskan’s nose a few feet higher, stretch his arms or snap a picture with the dragged the sinking vessel ashore with a but it was no use. Ahead would roll up a camera. The roar of the engine drowns all windlass, and by a miracle discovered higher mass of mist, and we would butt sounds, so we converse only by signs or Stefansson and party, who had so amply through to clear sailing on the other side. written messages. It is wonderful how proved their theory that they had killed Occasionally glimpses showed us the much one can say after some practise by enough meat and blubber to last them deadly jagged rocks below, but we just merely nodding or shaking the head, through the following winter, if need be. kept on northward. Once a rift in the fog smiling or setting the lips grimly, or by a This rescue by Wilkins in the teeth of disclosed a high wall directly ahead. The flip of the hand. depression and all manner of adversity is pilot banked sharply, and we skimmed (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Thursday 15 April rightly classed by Stefansson as one of the along the face of the mountains and headed 1926, page 1.). greatest examples of loyalty and devotion west until we followed a pass into lower https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 in the history of the world. altitudes, and were safe once more. The 24203703 Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 15 sameness of the tundra, with a snow- April 1926, page 15. covering that is becoming deeper at this https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 season of the year, has nothing to relieve it. 46584823 Flying over the Australian desert, the traveller has a pleasant contrast of browns, yellows, and occasional greens to break the 15 April 1926 monotony, and has friendly guides on the OVER THE SNOW sun-baked tawny plain, but with the white WILKINS’S STORY OF THRILLING Arctic desert not even the courses of frozen FLIGHT. river beds are distinguishable. I never saw FOG PERILS a bird or other living wild creature while FORBIDDING MOUNTAINS; crossing the mountains or flying over the MONOTONOUS FROZEN WASTES. tundra, except some caribou. For hundreds The fascination and peculiar dangers of of miles, going and coming, there was flying in the Arctic are graphically nothing in the sky or on the earth except described by Captain Wilkins. He finds the the great droning bird that carries us, or its perils of crossing a lofty range in a fog flitting shadow on the snow waste or much on a par with the disabilities of darting along the grim canyon walls. flying over seemingly interminable frozen Travelling over the Arctic ice, one wastes, where all sense of location is lost. knows he is above sea level, and can judge An advertisement from the (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Thursday (By Captain G. H. Wilkins. Exclusive to his distance in the air with much less 15 April 1926, page 1.). the Sun, by Special Arrangement) difficulty than when trying to navigate the FAIRBANKS (Alaska), April 13. rolling tundra, where the blending of the 16 April 1926 Navigation over the Arctic mountains and sky and earth gives both pilot and observer ARCTIC EXPLORATION the wilderness of the snow-covered tundra false ideas of height and position. With the Rival Aviators is not only depressing, but mysterious. smooth ice one also misses the horizon Captain Wilkins Delayed by Injury to Arm Driving steadily into the bewildering line, but where the ice is rough and (Reuter) whiteness where there is no earth, no sky, hummocky, and pressure ridges rise, one FAIRBANKS (Alaska), Ap. 14. no horizon, brings a semi-consciousness has landmarks. The Associated Press states that, that one must continually fight off. suffering from “a slightly sprained wrist Hours of such travel are almost A Complete Rainbow and a badly bruised arm,” Captain G. H. maddening, and would be almost When it is smoky overhead and the fliers Wilkins said today that he will not take the impossible to bear, without the hood of the are over clear ice, shadows below are air again until his right hand is healed. plane before one’s tired eyes. I have been confusing. Dark masses of shadow Captain Wilkins was injured on Saturday flying for many years in every portion of represent anything from open leads to land when he was caught in the running gear the globe and under almost every condition and moving floes, when, as a matter of under the aeroplane Alaskan while guiding imaginable, but I don’t hesitate to say that fact, everything below may be smooth. it on the lagoon on which it alighted at there is no more trying experience than Above the clouds over the frozen sea the Point Barrow. crossing the Endicott Mountains. There are world takes on a dark blue tone. We Returning to Fairbanks Captain Wilkins heights that are beautiful and terrifying in experienced the phenomenon of seeing a piloted the craft with his left hand. The that 100-mile wing across the range of complete rainbow—an entire circle with 17

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

stated to have been unsatisfactory during Hence it is Captain Wilkins’s hope that he the flight from Rome to Pulham. will be able to map and explore any new The airship required a standard compass lands that he may find. If it is possible for and an aperiodic steering compass. Both him to land his aeroplanes; he expects to these on the Norge now are British. move his base from Point Barrow to the Geelong Advertiser (Vic.), Friday 16 April new land and end mapping and exploring 1926, page 5. parties in all directions. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/ 232255389 COLD-DEFYING CAMERA. But the new land may be rugged and 17 April 1926 torn: the sea around it may be a succession of ice ridges and gullies. If so, he might CAPTAIN WILKINS’S EXPEDITION. make a survey from the air and record it by (Reuter.) aerial photography. From photographs, it is An Associated Press message from believed aviators and map-makers could Fairbanks (Alaska) states that Captain G. decide whether it would be possible to A photograph from the Detroit Arctic Expedition 1926 - H. Wilkins, the Australian explorer, left on build a landing field on the new land. The 28 from the ISO Polar Archives. Saturday morning in the aeroplane builders could go in later on, either by dog Alaskan, on a second journey to Point Alaskan left 400 gallons of gasoline at team or snow motors or by aero-plane at Barrow (more than 500 miles), from where Point Barrow, where other supplies are some season when there was smooth ice or he will later attempt to fly to Spitsbergen stored. It has been planned for Captain open water near the land. over the North Pole. Wilkins and Lieutenant Eielson to fly out If Captain Wilkins should sight a The main object of the present journey is over the Arctic in one plane, leaving the relatively small Island, he may be able to to rescue the party which is endeavouring other, under the command of Lanphier, in photograph it in its entirety, and show it on to carry supplies overland to Point Barrow reserve to return to Fairbanks a week after one print. Captain A. W. Stevens of the from the Alaskan railway. The members of the “hop-off” if no word is received from U.S. Army Air Service photographed the this party are reported to be staying. the explorers. entire city of Day ton, O.—an area of 19 Captain Wilkins intends to drop food when The Associated Press correspondent says miles—on one negative, with the very the party is sighted. the final flight north from Fairbanks and camera which Captain Wilkins will use. Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday the dash into the polar regions of the Arctic The ordinary ground camera cannot be air expedition under Captain Wilkins will 17 April 1926, page 42. used in the far north, because of the low soon be made. The engines of the https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 temperatures. Lens mechanism freeze up, expedition’s three-motor plane have been 41412043 and oiled surfaces become sticky. But tested and found in good condition. aerial cameras of the Fairchild type have The metal propellers have been replaced 20 April 1926 already proved that they can stand the cold. by wooden ones in order to make damage AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN They have taken pictures in temperatures to the plane less probable in case of ARCTIC of 67deg below zero. accident. The plane is now practically in Special Camera for Capt. Wilkins flying condition. The one-engine machine NAVIGATING THE WINDS THE SUMNER LINE. has been supplied with fuel and tuned up Modified Naval Method of Calculation Once every hour, while he is flying over ready to take the air. (By the late Palmer Hutchinson. special the Polar ice pack seeking to substitute correspondent who was killed while with concrete discoveries for the theories of the The Norge’s Flight the expedition. Copyright in Queensland geographers, who believe the ice pack is (Reuter) OSLO. April 14. by The Daily Mail, and outside Australia, spotted with unfound lands, Captain The Norge, Captain Roald Amundsen’s by the North American Newspaper Wilkins will attempt to measure the airship, experienced the same difficulties Alliance.) altitude of the sun. For these observations, in reaching its mooring mast here as it did If Captain George Hubert Wilkins, he will use a new system of tabulations at Pulham on its arrival from Italy. The commander of the Detroit Arctic special prepared for Arctic use by the chief ship was driven out of its course by the Expedition, finds islands or a miniature surveying expert of the American wind and had to make two attempts. The continent in the unexplored area between Geographical Society. King arrived to greet the airmen. The flight Point Barrow, Alaska, and the North Pole, Once or twice each day, the navigating to Leningrad will be resumed tonight he will be equipped to bring back tangible officers of American dreadnoughts, owing to the meteorologists expressing the proof of his discovery, even though he cruisers, and destroyers, mount the bridges opinion that it is risky for the Norge to finds it impossible to ground his of their ships, peer through the telescopes remain till tomorrow. (Australian Press aeroplanes on or near the near land. on their sextants, and bring reflected Association) One of his two Fokker planes has been images of the sun-ball’s lower edge down Practically the entire population turned fitted with a Fairchild aerial camera. The to the horizon. Reading the sun’s altitude out to greet the Norge, and the city was camera weighs 46lb, a substantial weight from the engraved scales on their sextant lavishly be-flagged in honour of what was considering that the Detroit Expedition is arms, they proceed to mark out what regarded as a national event. The voyage filling every available corner in the sailors call a Sumner line of position. from Pulham was uneventful, though aeroplanes with auxiliary petrol tanks. Captain Wilkins will use a bubble type windy. Arriving over the Citadel, the Moreover, the camera peers downwards sextant. This sextant carries its own Norge saluted the King, who through a vent in the passenger cabin, and horizon and so it will not be necessary for acknowledged by waving a handkerchief. so will expose the pilot and navigator to Captain Wilkins to bring the sun’s image After two hours manoeuvring the Norge the cold. down to the hazy, ice-cut horizon of the was safely moored, and re-filling But it is one of the purposes of the Polar area. But, having ascertained the commenced immediately. Detroit expedition to demonstrate that altitude of the sun, he will use it almost aeroplane travel over the short trans-Arctic exactly as the ship navigators of the navy British Compass Needed route is practicable. The discovery of land use it. He, too, will make out a Sumner line It was announced at the optical may be hailed as the discovery of a mid- of position. convention at the Imperial College of Arctic landing place, and a landing plug in Science in Kensington today that, in the centre of the Polar Sea would, SIMPLER NAVIGATION. response to a telephone message received admittedly, speed the day when Sumner was an American seaman. He from Pulham, a British steering compass commercial aeroplanes could roar over the wearied of making the long astronomical was urgently installed aboard the Norge, peak of the globe on regular schedules. calculations which were in vogue in the replacing the Italian instrument, which was navy and merchant marine of his day. He 18

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) reasoned that at any given instant the sun, but calculation will be simplified. The he will know that he is somewhere on that being directly over some point on the observed altitude of any celestial body is curve. surface of the globe, would give equal open to many errors. In the case of the sun Meanwhile, at five minute intervals he altitudes to all observers standing on a there is the error refraction. It is caused by will have been drawing in his dead circle around that surface point. This the heavy atmospheric gases along the reckoning line. The dead reckoning line meant, he pointed out, that any altitude of horizon: the gases distort the sun’s image. and the calculated Sumner line will cross, the sun would show that the observer was There is the sextant’s own intrinsic error, and the point of crossing will be the on a huge circle of known radius. and the error which arises because the approximate true position. From this For practical purposes Sumner assumed centre of the earth, the proper measuring position he will proceed with his dead that if he drew a short tangent to the base for altitudes, is far from the horizon, reckoning for an hour, and then take new altitude circle, and made the tangent In the Arctic the refraction error is observations of the sun. perpendicular to the sun’s line of bearing certain to be large, because, during the Unless the sun is obscured by fogs or from the Poles, his vessel would spring at least, the sun never rises far clouds, Mr. Miller declares the maximum necessarily be somewhere on the tangent above the horizon. Likewise, the sextant errors of calculation will invoke only a 30- line. error increases as the sextant arm contracts mile error of latitude and longitude. A 30- Nowadays, the navy navigator draws a with the falling temperatures. mile error would, perhaps, have been too Sumner line, based on dead reckoning Captain Wilkins must make corrections great an error in the old days when position, and then calculates a new Sumner for these errors, but he may apply them to explorers travelled northward by dog line from the altitude of the sun or one of his declination before he starts his flight. sledge, watching for new lands, or lands the stars. The intersection of the two lines While in the air he will be able to avoid all once observed, from the surface of the ice. gives true position. computations save the simple addition of Captain Wilkins does not believe that When Osborn Miller, head of the school declination, pre-corrected for altitude, such an error is a serious error today. The of surveying of the American Geographical errors and observed altitude. well-equipped Arctic explorer of today, he Society, was asked to supply a quick points out, looks down on the polar sea navigational procedure for the Detroit THE SUN IN A BUBBLE. from the pinnacles of the clouds. Arctic Expedition, he immediately turned As soon as he catches the image of the Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Tuesday 20 to the navy method. He has modified it so sun in his sextant bubble Captain Wilkins April 1926, page 13. that Captain Wilkins will have only one will glance at a chronometer strapped on https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 astronomical calculation to make. his arm. The chronometer will give the 19032293 time for the longitude of Greenwich. But ERRORS THAT CREEP IN on the edge of the Detroit expedition’s The sun does not circumnavigate the charts, Mr. Miller has inked in circles of heavens in a true circle. It weaves back and Greenwich Time figures and related circles forth with the seasons. Its track, when of degree figures. This degree figures show projected on to the surface of the globe, the sun’s true bearing from the Pole, for

NORTHWARD TO THE POLE.—Captain G. H. Wilkins, who has shaved his beard, and Malcolm Smith inspecting the ice of the Tanama River and appraising it as a possible landing place for the expedition’s plane. A photo on the same page from (Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Tuesday 20 April 1926, page 13.).

Captain Wilkins in his “ever warm” safety suit, designed the meridian which the Detroit expedition to protect him against the rigors of the Arctic climate. He is standing by the packed fuselage of his giant three- will seek to follow northward. engine plane. And so, glancing from his chronometer to his chart, Captain Wilkins will be able to moves first north, then south to the find the sun’s bearing from the North Pole equator. Hence the sun has latitude. This of the moment of his altitude observation. sun latitude or declination, as navigators He will place one point of his dividers at call it, added algebraically to the corrected the point on the chart which is observed altitude of the sun, gives Polar representative of the Pole and step off a distance, the sun’s distance from the Pole. distance equal to the sum of the corrected Declination changes constantly and ship observed altitude and the declination. navigators carry tables, from which the At this point he will place a celluloid declination at any given instant may be curve representing a Sumner line and will ascertained. make a tangent to that curve perpendicular Captain Wilkins will use a constant to the bearing line or meridian. Forthwith declination figure for all the hours of each A map from the article from the (Herald (Melbourne, day. Errors will creep in because of this, Vic.), Wednesday 21 April 1926, page 7.). 19

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

21 April 1926 that more snow is following. It has been WILKINS LOST AGAIN very unsettled weather lately.” LACK OF NEWS FROM ARCTIC WILDERNESS CAPTAIN WILKINS’S WALLABY. Sighted Off His Course The adaptability of some Australians is AUSTRALIA’S INTREPID well illustrated by Captain Wilkins, who is EXPLORER, CAPTAIN G. H. now amid the Arctic snows, but who was WILKINS, WHOSE AMBITION IS TO collecting for the British Museum 12 REACH THE NORTH POLE BY months ago in the tropical regions of AEROPLANE, IS AGAIN POSTED AS Northern Australia. In April, 1925, he MISSING. collected two rock wallabies on the Roper ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PILOT, River, in the Northern Territory. CARL EIELSON, HE LEFT Mr. Oldfield Thomas, of the British FAIRBANKS (ALASKA) LAST Museum, who is the special authority in THURSDAY FOR POINT BARROW, the world on species of marsupials, has ON THE SHORES OF THE ARCTIC pronounced these Roper River wallabies to OCEAN, ON AN AEROPLANE be new to science, and has named them FLIGHT ACROSS THE Petrogale wilkinsi. In the preceding month SNOWBOUND AND FOG INFESTED Captain Wilkins collected some wallabies EARL ROSSMAN, AREAS OF NORTH ALASKA. THEY at Groote Eylandt, off the Northern Photographer with the Wilkins Expedition, who recently Territory coast, which Mr. Thomas named WERE SEEN BY ESKIMOS, SOME suffered severe privations, owing to a food shortage DISTANCE OFF THEIR COURSE, during the overlanding trip by sledges across the Alaskan Petrogale longmani, after the director of snow. The party is within a few days travel of Point the Queensland Museum. Specimens BUT MAKING FOR THEIR Barrow OBJECTIVE. representing these two new species have been received at the Queensland Museum THEY CARRIED SUPPLIES AND If Wilkins is not there Lanphier will FUEL FOR THE EXPEDITION, AND from London. return to Fairbanks immediately for a full THEIR SILENCE IS CAUSING load of gasoline, and will then start with as ANXIETY. FURTHER EXPEDITION. little delay as possible on the expedition’s Chicago. Tuesday. (COPYRIGHT.) main tour over the polar basin. There is no (By Mr. Earp, press correspondent with Field Museum of Natural History is real worry regarding Wilkins or Eielson. If sending an expedition into the Arctic this Wilkins’s Expedition). they were compelled to make a forced Fairbanks (Alaska), Tuesday. summer in charge of Donald McMillan. landing they are probably “O.K.,” and will Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld), Robert Waskey, the radioman, with the report themselves at some coast settlement Wilkins overland party, got on to the air within the next few days”. Wednesday 21 April 1926, page 4. last night, reporting that an aeroplane had Waskey reported that while Smith’s https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 been sighted by natives last Thursday, near overlanders are in good health, they are 78988295 Thetis Island, which is 140 miles east by having their own troubles, suffering south of Point Barrow. numerous hardships, but are still ploughing Captain Wilkins and Carl Eielson had hopped that morning from Fairbanks, and have not been directly heard from since; but undoubtedly this plane seen by the Eskimos was theirs. They were on the right course as far as Wiseman, where the Government radioman saw them, two hours after leaving. Evidently they encountered fog later, and got off the course. A later message at dawn today from along the deep coast snows. Smith and THE TRAIN COMMANDED BY MALCOLM SMITH LINED UP AND READY FOR THE START AT Waskey says that the aeroplane was seen Rossman are temporarily snow-blind, and NENANA. dimly toward the sea through the haze by their tired dogs are barely able to travel. Eskimo hunters, who believed that it was They camped last night on the confluence 21 April 1926 flying westward, meaning towards Point of the Etvilik and Colville Rivers, and For the Pole: Captain Wilkins’s Barrow. hoped to make the coastline by Thursday, Expedition for the Arctic shores are still two days’ Major Lanphier believed that this is most Interest during the week has been turned hard journey away from them. hopeful, for in case of accident they would towards the North Pole, Captain Wilkins be able to make Point Barrow on foot, with his aeroplane expedition having given OVERLANDING PARTY’S TRIALS. encountering Eskimos at a number of a thrill by a long flight out across the Earl Rossman’s voice was heard over the places from whom they would obtain frozen sea. radio after Waskey had explained that they assistance. The pictures, on this page, received last were resuming the trail this morning, and week from Nenana, Alaska, show the probably would not set up the radio again Another Cruise over Arctic? extensive preparations that were made for until they reached the coast line. Waskey reported that the overland party the transport of his equipment to Point “Some of our fellows are scarcely able to was in good spirits. Barrow, whence he intends to fly across, or see, so blind are they from constant staring It is conjectured here that Wilkins got over, the Pole to Spitsbergen. Wireless will in the snow,” said Rossman, in describing temporarily lost, and may have gone for play its part, so that the explorer-aviators how they staggered into camp. another cruise over the Arctic ice. Lanphier will not be lost so completely to the He added: “The dogs so far are spent. still hopes that he safely reached Point civilised world as those who have gone One or our sleds had to be pulled in by Barrow. All Lanphier is now waiting for is before them. hand. We were all very tired, but we came a new compass, which will arrive any day A wireless message on April 2 stated upon native hunters and a good supply of from New York, for the Detroiter. He will that the aeroplane, which is named food is now assured.” take the radioman, Mason, and Earp, the Alaskan, had arrived at Point Barrow from “A stiff breeze blew during Monday press correspondent, to Point Barrow Fairbanks with Capt. Wilkins and Carl afternoon, when the temperature was four direct. Eielson, the pilot. It was an interesting degrees above zero. The indications are story in aviation and Polar exploration 20

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) when they landed after having flown 150 1 May 1926 The following is the first direct message miles out into the Arctic regions. No land CAPTAIN WILKINS SAFE. from Captain Wilkins since he left was sighted, but unbroken stretches of ice WIRELESS PLANT DAMAGED Fairbanks for Point Barrow on April 15. were noted as possible places for alighting. A cablegram received in Melbourne The message was sent by wireless from Cigarettes seemed to be the chief worry yesterday states that Captain G. H. Point Barrow to Fairbanks; by telegraph to of Wilkins and Eielson, as they did not Wilkins, the Australian explorer, is safe, Seward by cable to Seattle; by telegraph to take any with them, expecting to get some although stormbound, at Point Barrow Vancouver; by cable to Sydney, and thence from Charles Brower, a veteran trapper at (says a Melbourne message in the Adelaide by telegraph to Melbourne. From Capt. G. Point Barrow, but the latter’s supply was News). News of him was heard on H. Wilkins. exhausted. The men were not forced to go Thursday for the first time since he left Point Barrow (Arctic Circle), April 30 without, however, as a woman writer, Miss Fairbanks (Alaska) to fly to Point Barrow a (Copyright) Wallace, who is wintering at Point Barrow, fortnight ago. Our expected positions were reversed came to their rescue. It is now learned that the aeroplane yesterday, when I was able to welcome On April 11 it was stated that the nearly crashed in a snow mountain 9,000ft. “Sandy” Smith, Earl Rossman and Robert aviators had made a second flight in an up. Waskey here, after the terrible trip on the attempt to locate the overland dog team overland trail. Smith and Rossman, division of the expedition, en route to Point particularly were suffering severely from Barrow from Nenana, and which was eye strain, and had snow blindness many reported to be short of food. The aeroplane times on the trail. They are gallant fellows, carried a cargo mainly of gasoline, to he who must have overcome untold hardships, used by the two planes of the expedition in in hauling the sledges over the winter trail. the land-hunting trips into the Arctic We were ready again yesterday to get into wastes. the air and return to Fairbanks with the Alaskan, but the weather was too broken to make flying at all safe.

NATIVES DANCE ROUND PLANE “Tingmezon,” as the natives call the Alaskan, is still the centre of interest amongst the Eskimos. Every boy in this settlement has made himself a toy flying machine. With the almost continuous daylight of this time of the year. “Tingmezon” is under inspection 24 hours daily. The natives are preparing for summer sealing, and spend the long CAPT. G. H. WILKINS twilight evenings playing football and EARL ROSSMAN, PHOTOGRAPHER AND WRITER dancing about the plane. ACCOMPANYING THE EXPEDITION. Flying through fog, the machine almost Waskey (the radio expert) is regarded as hit a snowbank, the pilot just banking in a great magician, because of his ability to time to lift the wing clear. It was so close pick messages out of the air. Awed silence that the right-hand wheel scraped the snow. prevails while we communicate with the Captain Wilkins was unable to out-side world. The natives follow Ben communicate with the outside world owing Eielson (the chief pilot), all around the to the failure of his wireless apparatus. village. They regard him as a messenger The overland party reached Point Barrow from the gods. on Thursday and immediately erected their wireless and sent news of the safety of the ARM MENDING explorer. On April 15, the morning we left Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), Fairbanks, I realised for the first time that Saturday 1 May 1926, page 1. my right arm was broken, and again that day I re-fractured it. When we arrived that THE MAYOR OF NENANA BIDS MALCOLM SMITH https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 GOOD-BYE. Mason (centre), radio operator for the 5935390 night, Mr Charles Brower, the expedition. superintendent of the trading station here, 1 May 1926 set the bone, which is now improving WILKINS SUFFERING WITH rapidly. Yesterday was the first time I BROKEN ARM. could hold a pencil or write. Fears That Detroiter is Too Heavy to In our first attempt to return to Fairbanks this time, we were lost in the clouds over Cross Endicott Ranges. the Endicott Ranges. When we turned and VIVID DESCRIPTION OF ARCTIC tried to find our way back, we got over LIFE. Eskimos Regard Radio Operator open water, but descended through a hole as Great Magician. in the clouds, and flow back to Point Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian Barrow at an altitude of only 50 to 100 feet explorer, who was reported safe at Point above the ice. Barrow yesterday, discovered on the On the second attempt to return to morning he left Fairbanks, April 15 that his Fairbanks the propeller spilt in the air. We right arm, which he believed strained, was had a narrow escape from absolute WARMING UP THE SNOW MOTOR AT NENANA. actually broken. He re-fractured it again disaster. On the third attempt the propeller that day. It is now mending. spilt again, and before we could land the Sydney Mail (NSW), Wednesday 21 April Major Lanphier fears that he will not be machine was vibrating so much that we 1926, page 15. able to take the three-engine monoplane could scarcely see. We spent long hours on https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Detroiter over the Endicott Range to Point the beach repairing the propeller and 60389555 Barrow. The explorer may therefore have building a shelter for the plane. to use the Alaskan to make his polar flight.

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The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Knowing that the weather must be right of the moment of his altitude observation. for flying before we can start, every native He will place one point of his dividers at is a volunteer meteorological prophet. the point on the chart which is representative of the Pole and step off a DETROITER MAY FAIL distance equal to the sum of the corrected (By Special Cable from Frederick Earp) observed altitude and the declination. (Cable) FAIRBANKS (Alaska), April 30. At this point he will place a celluloid — curve representing a Sumner line and will Major Lanphier fears that it will be make a tangent to that curve perpendicular impossible to fly the three-engine to the bearing line or meridian. Forthwith monoplane Detroiter over the Endicott Vilhjalmur Stefansson he will know that he is somewhere on that Mountains to Point Barrow. In that case curve. Captain Wilkins will have to cross the 8 April 1926 Meanwhile, at five minute intervals he Arctic Sea to the Pole in the smaller plane STEFANSSON’S VIEW will have been drawing in his dead Alaskan. Wilkins’s Feat Promises Greater Results reckoning line. The dead reckoning line (Special Cable from Vilhjalmur and the calculated Sumner line will cross, Stefansson. the famous Arctic Explorer) and the point of crossing will be the (Copyright) approximate true position. From this NEW YORK, April 7. position he will proceed with his dead The dash by Captain Wilkins beyond reckoning for an hour, and then take new Point Barrow is particularly interesting, observations of the sun. because he saw a great area never before Unless the sun is obscured by fogs or visited by man. Incidentally, the length of clouds, Mr. Miller declares, the maximum his flight from Fairbanks in a single hop errors of calculation will invoke only a 30- equals and probably exceeds Amundsen’s mile error of latitude and longitude. A 30- flight last May, and for a preliminary dash mile error would, perhaps, have been too it is a wonderful performance, promising great an error in the old days when greater results. I am not surprised that he explorers travelled northward by dog saw no trace of land. Sixty-five miles north sledge, watching for new lands, or lands of Point Barrow the ocean is 5000 to 6000 once observed, from the surface of the ice. feet deep. Captain Wilkins does not believe that This we knew in 1913 from soundings such an error is a serious error today. The then taken of each day. Errors will creep in well-equipped Arctic explorer of today, he because of this, but calculation will be points out, looks down on the polar sea simplified. The observed altitude of any from the pinnacles of the clouds. celestial body is open to many errors. In Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 8 Route by which Capt. Wilkins’s special cable message April 1926, page 7. reached The Herald Office from Point Barrow, on the the case of the sun there is the error of shores of the Arctic Sea. Wireless, cable, and land refraction. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 telegraph were all used in transmission. It is caused by the heavy atmospheric 43584804 gases along the horizon; the gases distort Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 1 May the sun’s image. There is the sextant’s own 1926, page 9. intrinsic error, and the error which arises https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 because the centre of the earth, the proper 43595539 measuring base for altitudes, is far from the horizon. In the Arctic the refraction 19 May 1926 error is certain to be large, because, during ARCTIC EXPEDITION the spring at least, the sun never rises far CAPTAIN WILKINS TO CONTINUE above the horizon. Likewise, the sextant error increases as NEW YORK, Monday Night.— Mr S. Evans, manager of the Detroit the sextant arm contracts with the falling temperatures. Captain Wilkins must make Arctic expedition, has telegraphed to corrections for these errors, but he may Captain Wilkins stating that the expedition will probably continue the Polar ice apply them to his declination before he starts his flight. While in the air he will be explorations through the summer. Mr able to avoid all computations save the Evans pointed out that the main results of the Byrd and Amundsen expeditions have simple addition of declination, pre- corrected for altitude errors, and observed been published, and do not seem to altitude. necessitate any change of plans or lessen the importance of Captain Wilkins’s objective, which is to discover land and THIRTY MILES MAXIMUM ERROR As soon as he catches the image of the plant on it the American flag. Mr Evans stated that the expedition’s sun in his sextant bubble Captain Wilkins will glance at a chronometer strapped on board of control has agreed that the his arm. The chronometer will give the scientific and discovery programme should be pressed forward, modified only by time for the longitude of Greenwich. But on the edge of the Detroit expedition’s avoiding flights on the north and south charts, Mr. Miller has inked in circles of strip already traversed. Mr Evans estimated that there are still 800,000 square miles of Greenwich Time figures and related circles of degree figures. This degree figures show unexplored Arctic territory in which to the sun’s true bearing from the Pole, for seek land and study storm origin which is the meridian which the Detroit expedition also contemplated. will seek to follow northward. Daily Telegraph (Launceston, Tas.), And so, glancing from his chronometer Wednesday 19 May 1926, page 5 A forecast printed on the page of the (Herald to his chart, Captain Wilkins will be able to (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 8 April 1926, page 7.). https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 find the sun’s bearing from the North Pole 53879340 22

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

4 May 1926 out our plans for three years. Now we have Discussing the advantage of aerial flight CAPTAIN WILKINS AT HIS BASE, everything ready and shipshape. in Polar exploration FAIRBANKS, ALASKA. “We hope to start our flight from Italy, via Captain Amundsen recalled that in last (Cann’s studios, photo) France, England, Russia, and Spitsbergen, year’s dramatic flight they actually saw the Photographs taken at Fairbanks, Alaska, of Captain G. across the Polar Seas to Alaska and Nome. Pole from the air. H. Wilkins, the Australian explorer, and the plane in which he is attempting flights into the Arctic. “All our plans are made: — all that is, He added that in aerial work they had clear Captain Wilkins superintending the assembling of the except the atmospheric conditions. We visibility for 50 miles, whereas, working Alaskan and men filling the tanks of the Alaskan before have our hangar at Kings Bay, and have with sledges and dogs, they could only see the first flight from Fairbanks to Point Barrow. In this plane Captain Wilkins returned safely to Fairbanks last been working at it all the winter.” two miles ahead. week after being absent for a fortnight on a trip to Point “With the airship,” continued Barrow. (below) Airship v. Aeroplane Amundsen, “we shall have all facilities to I asked him whether he considered the get down close to the earth, the ice-or the airship a superior craft to the aeroplane for water. We can get down from the airship to Arctic exploration, and he replied: “I any land by a basket, just as easily as you consider the airship is very much the can go down a lift in a liner. superior for this work. With an aeroplane “We are conditioning the airship for two you have to keep going at a great speed, months, but I hope that the expedition will and you cannot get observation. not take two months. I hope to keep up an “With the airship, you can go slowly, economic speed of 40 to 50 miles an hour, and get all the observation you want, and and the crossing of the great Polar waste, you are not troubled with the difficulty of 2200 miles should be made in two days. finding landing places. “Ellsworth and I will be the leaders. We “Through Premier Mussolini of Italy we shall work, however, more as a team of were able to obtain the only Italian naval specialists. dirigible that was suitable for our purpose; “Colonel Umberto Nobile, who it is of 120,500 cubic yards capacity, and is constructed the airship and is a flier of about, 350ft. long. It will carry 18 men. It great experience — he has made 300 is driven by three Maybach motors. flights —will be the first pilot. “The ship will be stripped for action like a “We consider ourselves unusually battleship. “I have made a journey in it fortunate in obtaining his services, as he is over Rome. The large cabin held 12 an ideal man for the work. comfortable chairs, and there were large “Lieut. Hjalmar Riiser-Larsen, who windows. piloted the N25 on our last flight (the ship “All needless trappings will be discarded. which returned), and is the only Norwegian The cabin will be fitted with equipment, dirigible pilot, will be our second pilot. provisions, and instruments. If we want to “Lincoln Ellsworth and Lieut. Emil sit down we will sit on boxes. Horgen, who was reserve pilot on the last Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tuesday 4 May “There will be room to make all our expedition, will be the navigators. 1926, page 9. photographs to do all the work that is “Then there will be my companion for so https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3 necessary. long, Lieut. Oscar Omdal. Captain Oscar 779683 And this despite the fact that we shall Wisting, who has been commander of my carry a sled, tents, and other equipment, so ship, the Maud, will go along to take 8 May 1926 that if we are forced down we can make charge of our landing, if necessary. The Forthcoming Polar Flight our way to land. “Our radio expert will be Captain Frederik Captain Amundsen’s Vision “My interest in this expedition is purely Gottwaldt. Captain Amundsen told a Daily geographical. We want to find out what “We hope to be able to send as well as Chronicle representative his plans for the there is in the one million square miles receive, and if we do we can promise an Amundsen-Ellsworth Spitsbergen-Alaska between the Pole and Alaska. That district exciting narrative for 65 hours. airship flight over the North Pole, upon is absolutely unknown. “Captain Gottwaldt will be assisted by G. which he is to start as soon as the season is “People may ask what advantage there is Ollonkin, who was first engineer on the sufficiently advanced. in this form of exploration work. I suppose Maud, and whom we picked up at a It is hoped to find land, in the million Columbus was asked that same question. Russian wireless station on the coast of square miles of unexplored area, about We are living in a time when we want to Siberia. He is now a Norwegian. halfway between Spitsbergen (Kings Bay) know everything about our globe. “The historian will be Frederik Ramm, and Alaska, that might serve for a The world is gelling smaller and smaller who was also with us in Spitsbergen.” permanent air station nearly central for every day, and we have to know “Our meteorologist will be Finn three continents—Europe, Asia, and everything — everything that is interesting Malmgren. “Ellsworth will be the only America—and would vastly shorten lines and everything geographical. American on the trip. He deserves the of communication in northern latitudes. “Any land that we discover would be of honour. He has been a tower of strength to This is how the interviewer describes the highest importance. We do not expect us, and he is a splendid fellow and an Captain Amundsen: — to find any vegetation or animal life, but explorer of resource, courage, and ability.” A tall, handsome man, with the blue eyes we hope to find some land there. Even if “We shall probably carry provisions for six of a Viking, and a crown of white hair, his we do not, it will be a negative result, and months, which we could transport on a sled smart clothes and fawn gloves suggested therefore, of importance.” if necessary.” Mayfair rather than the explorer who has “The conditions that we hope to discover “If by some misfortune we are forced to faced a thousand hardships. will have the highest importance for future land, we should be able to keep ourselves I asked him about his immediate plans, transportation across the world. This may alive until we reach Greenland or Alaska”. and suggested that the early attempt to be sound like a fairy tale, but even Jules “Our ration consists of pemmican, a made by Captain George Hubert Wilkins, Verne is out of date now. If Jules Verne dried and ground meat mixed with fat; the Australian, to fly over the Pole by had one-twentieth of what we now know to oatmeal crackers, chocolate, milk powder, aeroplane, was in the nature of a race. be a fact would have been considered even and malted milk tablets. These are so “There is nothing in the nature of a race,” more of a crank”. nourishing that, although on our last trip Amundsen replied. we were reduced to eight ounces of food a Those who have been making in that strain day and became very thin, we never felt forget that we have been quietly working the pangs of hunger”.

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The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

“I certainly do think we shall succeed. Last The pneumatic boats were made for the to return to the river ice because of the year, with the aeroplane, I thought we had Detroit expedition by Svend Rasmussen, rough going. To the right is ‘Sandy’ Smith, fifty chances out of a hundred. But we Detroit balloonist. the leader of the party. hadn’t. I feel sure that we have ninety They are constructed of rubber-covered Copyright exclusive in South Australia. chances out of a hundred with the airship.” balloon fabric and are without struts, Chronicle (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 22 Amundsen referred to the excitement bottom boards, or other stiffening May 1926, page 53. which was caused by their non-appearance members. In spite of the fact that they are https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8 in the flight last year, and said: “We were mattress-shaped, it is said that they may be 9647261 very sorry indeed to have caused this paddled at canoe speed, and that they will concern among our friends, but we knew ride heavy and choppy seas like New all the time we were in no danger. We England dories. knew the conditions, whereas our friends Captain Wilkins agreed with his Alaskan did not, but we had no opportunity of friends here that the ice fragments which reassuring the public.” are almost invariably round in the leads of the Polar Sea will chafe the boat material Tribute to Captain Scott even if they do not puncture it. But they Amundsen, who planted the Norwegian agreed with him that no very rugged craft flag at the South Pole four weeks before could be carried on men’s backs the ill-fated Captain Scott arrived, told me throughout a long journey over the polar that it would be one of the joys of his life ice. The sturdy Eskimo kayak, a one-man to meet the dead explorer’s son, Peter boat of seal-skin, weighs upwards of 15 Scott. pounds, and is not collapsible. “If we “I would very much like to see little wreck our planes on the near ice, Captain Peter for his father was a great man,” he Wilkins explained, we will walk back to said. land. We will not have slopes and dog “Scott was a splendid man. Take those teams and so must travel light. We will men of Scott’s together. Take Bowers and doubtless encounter many open leads, Oates. You cannot replace them. You especially if we try to approach cannot find any more men like them. Spitsbergen during the summer months. “What other country than Britain could We must either wait for the leads to close have produced such men?” or else ferry them [?] in our fabric boats. (World’s News (Sydney, NSW), Saturday Much paddling against floating ice 8 May 1926, page 21). fragments will undoubtedly wear the material out, but we will carry patching https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 One of the ice-breakers used during the Wilkins – Detroit 31456584 material and will try to make it last for Expedition 1926-28. From the ISO Polar Archives many days. A Rasmussen-type pneumatic boat was 7 June 1926 given a vigorous test last fall, when W. U. CAPTAIN WILKINS Naylor, a Detroit balloonist, came down in It is reported from Fairbanks that the Lake Erie during the Detroit News Balloon Associated’s quartette, headed by Captain Trophy Race. Naylor and his companion Wilkins, returned on Saturday from inflated the boat while their balloon was Barrow in the Detroiter, which flew there descending. They landed during the night on May 8 for a flight in the Arctic wastes. and rowed and paddled until they were The return is taken to mean the picked up four hours later. Another unique abandonment of exploring in that region piece of Arctic equipment exhibited to the this year. The men are tired of the frozen Alaskans today by Captain Wilkins caused country. The Arctic coast has been several to predict that the Detroit shrouded in fog since May. expedition will make every Eskimo (Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' desirous of owning a silk umbrella. Advocate (NSW), Monday 7 June 1926, While outfitting in New York, Captain page 5.). Wilkins ordered an umbrella frame seven https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 feet in diameter. The frame was covered by 38167835 an umbrella-maker who runs a little one-

room shop off Broadway, and who could not understand why any rational person 10 June 1926 should want an umbrella so huge. That A Great Adventurer.

CAPTAIN H. F. WILKINS, umbrella-maker used 20 yards of silk to Captain George Hubert Wilkins, who complete the job. attempted a dash by aeroplane over the 22 May 1926 Unfolded at the warehouse here today, frozen wastes between Canada and the North Pole, is a slim and bearded man of PNEUMATIC BOATS. the big umbrella looked like an Eskimo 38 with that calculated bravery which led SAFETY AMONG THE FLOES. igloo. It will be used as such by Captain Sir John Monash to describe him as the INTEREST IN WILKINS’S GEAR. Wilkins and his fellow-explorers if they are required to land on the ice of the polar most coolly intrepid man in the Australian (Exclusive copyright in South Australia.) sea or at an outpost on land. In fair weather Army. Fairbanks; Alaska, March 29. 1926. it may be used as an all-night shelter By temperament and training Wilkins is The population of Fairbanks watched without a retaining wall of snow: in bad well qualified for such a desperately Captain George Hubert Wilkins and Major weather a snow house may be quickly built hazardous exploit, for there is not much Thomas G. Lanphier, of the Detroit Arctic around it. about flying or about exploration that he Expedition, while the two explorers has not learned in the hard school of inflated and tested what are believed to be The Detroit Polar Expedition. experiences. He knows most of the races of the lightest and most buoyant boats ever The snow motors breaking trail and the world from Australian aborigines to the supplied to an Arctic Expedition. Each hauling double-ended sleds through the Esquimaux. Soldiers and sailors have been boat weighs five and a half pounds, yet woods — a bad place at Campbell, Alaska his comrades and friends, and he is equally when it is filled with air, it will support — where the snow motors left the Tanana at home driving a dog term or addressing weight of between 500 and 600 pounds. River to take the mail trail, but were forced the Royal Geographical Society. 24

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Wilkins intended, when he returned 12 August 1926 recently after leading a natural history METEOROLOGICAL expedition through the least known parts of Forecasting Droughts Northern Australia and its islands, to CAN BE AVOIDED, THINKS undertake research in the Antarctic, but WILKINS. owing to lack of financial support he (Reuter) turned his face northwards. NEW YORK, Tuesday. He knows the Arctic well and learned Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian that most valuable of lessons—how to live explorer, is directing attention to the on the country—when with Stefansson in possibility of forecasting far in advance 1913-17. Wilkins has crammed into the when certain parts of the world are likely past 15 years the achievements of a dozen to be subject to drought. He has firm faith tolerably adventurous lifetimes. He was the that these disasters can be avoided, also first man to take moving pictures of troops that the paths of storms may be mapped in action—a feat he accomplished when out before they make themselves felt. He with the Turkish forces in the Balkan War thus expects that science will be able to of 1912. Among other adventures in that afford exact information and that it will be campaign he was arrested and very possible to adjust conditions. narrowly escaped death. Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), Thursday 12 Later, a balloon exploit in London led to August 1926, page 1. his being blown out to sea and searched for CAPTAIN WILKINS by destroyers. Then, in 1913 after a visit to https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 7523414 the West Indies, he joined Stefansson in Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Wednesday 29 the North. Long afterwards—for news December 1926, page 7. 29 December 1926 travels slowly in those icy spaces—he https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 CAPT. WILKINS TO TRY AGAIN heard of the war. 44062304 He hastened back to Australia, gained a New Polar Flight commission in the Australian Flying Corps WRECKED PLANE TO BE REBUILT in 1917, and in the same year became (Herald Special Representative) 1927 Australia’s official photographer, in which DETROIT. Dec. 28. capacity he obtained, by his daring, Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian 5 February 1927 pictures of unique historic value. He was explorer, is leaving shortly for Fairbanks CAPTAIN G. H. WILKINS. twice mentioned in despatches and was (Alaska) with parts to rebuild one of his LECTURING IN AMERICA. awarded the Military Cross and bar. Bored aeroplanes. with peace, he has returned to his He will fly to Point Barrow, where A letter has been received from Captain exploring. ample supplies of gasoline are available for G. H. Wilkins, the well-known Arctic In 1920-21 he was second-in-command a wide exploration of the North Polar explorer, by his mother, Mrs. C. H. of the British Imperial Antarctic regions. Early this year Captain Wilkins, Wilkins, of Oxenbold Street, Parkside. Expedition. In 1921-22 he accompanied who was financed and supported by Captain Wilkins at the time of writing was the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition as influential interests in Detroit, made in Detroit, where he had been lecturing to naturalist: and now he is attempting to several flights from Fairbanks to Point schoolchildren. Four schools a day were explore from the air a region which may Barrow. normally visited by him, in addition to test even his nerve, daring and resource. His ultimate object was to fly over the which he often addressed adult audiences Moree Gwydir Examiner and General North Pole, and if he discovered land on at night. The lectures were illustrated by Advertiser (NSW), Thursday 10 June 1926, the way drop the Stars and Stripes there moving pictures of his last expedition to and claim it for America. Captain Wilkins the Arctic Circle. page 5. On the conclusion of his lecture tour he https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 was equipped with two huge Fokkers, which had been specially built for the will begin preparations for his next flight, 11741429 on which it is his intention to take an flight, but misfortune dogged his great adventure. additional small aeroplane, capable of accommodating two men. He hopes to continue his exploration of the Arctic FIRST PLANE CRASHED The first machine, a single-engine Regions. By using the small plane he monoplane, crashed at Fairbanks on March considers he will be able to make 19, when landing after a test flight. Later, subsidiary flights from the advanced base in May, Capt. Wilkins succeeded in flying of the expedition. He is of the opinion that to Point Barrow in the Detroiter, a three- the depths of water under the icefield will engine machine, after four attempts. On indicate whether there is likely to be land June 6, he returned to Fairbanks with three in the Arctic Ocean, and if so he hopes to companions. The frozen Arctic country be able to discover it. had been shrouded with fog without a The letter states that Captain Wilkins is break since May, and during the interval disappointed at the attitude of the Detroit residents, as they had in most cases proved grave fears had been entertained for the explorer’s safety. to be interested in his last flight solely Later messages stated that Captain from the publicity they got out of it. Americans were prepared to pay anything Wilkins had made another attempt to find land in the Arctic, and that necessary parts for publicity, he said, but at the same time for the repair of the aeroplanes would be they were accomplishing things that were big enough to speak for themselves shipped from Seattle. Since the first attempt of Captain Wilkins, Captain without the need for any boasting. Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer, and Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 5 February 1927, page 17. An advertisement from the (Moree Gwydir Examiner and Lieut. Byrd, of America, have both General Advertiser (NSW), Thursday 10 June 1926, page succeeded in flying over the North Pole. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7 5.). 3654531

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The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

the larger explorations which are the aim of the present expedition. LAST YEAR’S ACCIDENTS After a series of minor accidents to the planes, the smaller of the party’s two planes was wrecked when it ran into a rut in attempting to take off from a soft landing field. The three motored plane with which the longer flights were to have been attempted, was unable to gain sufficient altitude to cross the high peaks of the Endicotts with an adequate supply of petrol and with the coming of the warm, foggy season the project was postponed. The Detroit Aviation Society this year turned over its supplies of fuel and The accomplishment of last year’s equipment at Barrow to Wilkins. Wilkins New Australian Submarine expedition was curtailed by the difficulty is providing two of the three machines, and The new Australian submarine H.M.A.S. Oxley, which the Detroit News will supply the further will undergo her trials in England. From the (Herald of ferrying adequate supplies of petrol (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 2 April 1927, page 7.). from Fairbanks to Barrow, by air. During financing needed for the flights. the past summer, Captain Wilkins sent Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 2 2 April 1927 1500 gallons of petrol to Point Barrow by April 1927, page 7. WHAT WILKINS SEEKS IN ARCTIC ship: other supplies are available at https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Unknown Polar Lands Barrow, so that he has a supply sufficient 43924984 POSSIBLE NEW AERIAL ROUTE for his needs there. The Stenson standard 8 April 1927 (Copyright by The Herald and the North planes which Wilkins is using have not American Newspaper Alliance) been altered except for the addition of ‘WILKINS MAROONED’. DETROIT. March 1. sufficient reserve tanks, to give a range of Barrow, Wednesday. Mr G. H. Wilkins, the Australian 1500 miles. The Fokker machine has a Captain Wilkins is still marooned on the scientist and explorer, who is flying over range in still air of 2200 miles. This will icefield one hundred miles north-east of the Arctic, seeks as his objective the make possible a flight to latitude 85N., and Barrow. 80,000 square miles of unseen ice which the exploration of about two-thirds of the Northern Standard (Darwin, NT), Friday 8 furnish the last great geographical problem unseen area. April 1927, page 2. of the earth. Wilkins left Seattle on As deep soundings have been taken https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 February 12 with two Stinson aeroplanes, around three edges of the remaining one- 8040201 bound for his last year’s base at Fairbanks, third of the area, Wilkins’s flights, if Alaska. At Fairbanks he assembled his successful, should furnish a fairly 8 April 1927 Liberty-engined Fokker monoplane, stored conclusive answer to the question of the ‘Wilkins Catches First Glimpse’ there since last year. existence of any large land body in what is It is reported from Alaska that Captain He flew with the three machines across deemed the region of inaccessibility. Wilkins, of Australia, was the first to see the Endicott Mountains from Fairbanks to Captain Amundsen’s airship off the coast. Point Barrow, where a northern base was LIGHT TYPE OF PLANE Advocate, 15 May 1926, page 5. established from which he hoped to make Eielson has been flying a Stinson plane https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 several trips into the unexplored areas. of the type which the explorers will use, in 7653558 These lie in the general region north of Florida for several months. It is a light plane which the two men can handle Alaska. The purpose of the flight is the 22 April 1927 readily when they land on the ice to take same which took Wilkins and Eielson over WILKINS SAFE. the ice north of Barrow last year to explore soundings, and which will take off with a Barrow, Thursday. the unknown Arctic sea in which possible much shorter run than was necessary for Captain Wilkins and pilot, who were land may be found. It is believed that the the heavy planes of last year’s expedition. missing since April 1, after having made a rapid development of flying will make The American Geographical Society, forced aeroplane landing on an ice field those islands, if they exist, important in the which supplied the expedition with have reached Beachy Point, Alaska, having development of transcontinental, aerial scientific apparatus last year, is this year walked 70 miles. They abandoned the short-cuts. providing a Sonic Depth-finding aeroplane in the Arctic. Apparatus—a time measuring device Northern Standard, 22 April 1927, page 5. SAME CREW AS LAST TIME which will furnish data for computing the Ben Eielson, the pioneer airman of depth of the ocean by acoustical methods. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 Alaska, is Wilkins’s pilot. It was Eielson Howard Mason, the radio operator, has 8022524 who piloted the Fokker plane of last year’s installed improved apparatus in Barrow, expedition seventy-five miles north of the from which station he will relay to line of previous exploration. Howard Fairbanks the messages received from the Mason, who was in charge of the wireless plane in flight. arrangements of last year’s expeditions, is Last year’s installation was successful in in charge of communications. spite of the crippling of the transmitting set Mason last year brought in the messages at Barrow by the loss of the generator, which told of Wilkins’s successful which it was found impossible to carry to completion of the dangerous flight across Barrow by sledge. The new and lighter the Endicott Mountains; of the flight type of generator to be used this year is accomplished by Wilkins and Eielson over carried in the plane. Last year’s expedition, 25 May 1927 the unexplored ice north of Barrow, and of though successful in establishing an air ADRIFT ON ICE PACK. the safe passage of the Norge, Captain route from Fairbanks to the northern edge WILKINS’S STIRRING Amundsen’s airship, over Point Barrow of the Continent, and in moving the lines ADVENTURE. of exploration to a “Farthest North” some after her flight across the Pole and of her Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian 150 miles beyond Barrow, failed because later arrival and descent in Teller, Alaska. explorer and aviator, who in a flight over of a succession of misfortunes to complete the Polar Sea last month was forced to land 26

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) on drifting ice, and from whom no tidings lasted just 15 hours. One more would have Where is Captain Wilkins? Australia has were received for some little time, sufficed to have brought us to the coast, or heard little of Captain Wilkins since his eventually succeeded in reaching Beechy if we had not had engine trouble we could unfortunate attempt last year to explore the Point. His story is a thrilling one, and is a have been back before the worst of the Arctic, when his two aeroplanes were tribute to the determination and courage of storm. The great drift to the east, after we disabled. the explorer and his companion. landed, was as surprising as it was This, however, did not dishearten the Captain Wilkins says: — “leaving the fortunate. Australian explorer, and in this article the coast on the morning of March 29, we kept The radio apparatus was out of story is told of his exploits, and what he is out course for five hours until 11 a.m., adjustment. I doubted if any message was now doing. when the engine began to give trouble, and being sent and we therefore did not send One of the most heroic and dramatic we were forced to land. Landing fields many full messages, but sent short ones adventures of polar history is now going on were not difficult to find. As Eielson many times each day and night until we in the Arctic north of Alaska where worked on the engine I took soundings left the plane. Captain. George H. Wilkins, the Australian with the sonic apparatus, sounding 5600 As Eielson could not turn the generator explorer, Lieutenant Ben Eielson and their feet at 75 degrees north latitude, longitude he sent messages over the key. The night associates have already made striking for 77.45 hours degrees west. we landed I sent several messages, stating contributions to science and the progress of Eielson worked for two hours and finally the position as 65 miles off shore. Eielson northern aviation, although their got the engine working fairly well. We has done wonderfully well during the programme is only in its beginning. took off, but the trouble developed again whole trip, both in the air and on the ice”. Last year the city of Detroit endorsed and we were forced to the ice. We worked Geraldton Express (WA), Wednesday 25 Wilkins’s plans and sent out an expedition for another hour and then took off at 2.15 May 1927, page 1. sponsored by the American Geographical in the afternoon and flew back on our https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Society of New York. They had much bad course. A heavy south-west wind arose, 59284209 luck. Two planes were seriously disabled reducing our engine speed of 90 miles per by unfortunate landings and one in an hour to an actual ground speed of 65. unsuccessful attempt to take off with a Soon the weather became too thick to heavy load. see the ice for landing. After trying several These accidents, however, all took place altitudes we decided that 3,000 feet was on a regular landing field in Fairbanks, the best level and kept on towards the Alaska, which is in the temperate zone, and coast. The petrol gave out after seven not in the Arctic. In the Arctic itself the hours flying, and we landed safely by good Wilkins expedition last year had only one luck and skilful piloting by Eielson on a accident in 5,000 miles of flying: this was small patch of smooth ice. A blizzard was when Wilkins broke his wrist in taking off blowing. from a prepared landing place at Barrow. It was now 10 minutes after nine. The The Wilkins expedition last year had no night was too dark to see far. We could just accident in the air or in landing. They discern the sun through the clouds on the crossed five times a range of Arctic horizon. mountains so little known that it had been However, I got two sights, which gave given on maps as 5000 or 6000 feet high, our latitude 72.15 North. In the next two while it proved to be about 10,000 feet. days there were stormy high winds and we One of those flights was from Fairbanks, could not see the sun, but figured we were 550 miles north to Barrow and thence 150 drifting eastward. The next sight gave miles out over the ocean, and then back to An advertisement from the(Geraldton Express (WA), longitude 155 West, latitude 72.30 North. Wednesday 25 May 1927, page 1.). Barrow, a flight on which 10,000 square While fixing the engine Eielson froze four miles of previously unknown territory were finger tips badly. They were black and 4 June 1927 seen. blistered and he was scarcely able to use Arctic Exploration. his right hand, but we started out, each CAPTAIN WILKINS’S MESSAGE. CROSSES ENDICOTT AGAIN dragging an improvised sledge, travelling The Prime Minister. This year Captain Wilkins’s plans were over old ice and pressure ridges. Mr. Bruce has received the following radio quietly resumed. He took two Stinson At night we built snow houses and slept message sent by Captain Wilkins from planes to Fairbanks, and he had one Fokker comfortably warm. After three days, with a Fairbanks. Alaska: — there already. Then, with two of his own reduced load, we both hauled one sled and “Our first flight this year of 550 miles planes and one hired at Fairbanks, Wilkins crossed many leads of young ice. into the unexplored Arctic north-west of took again the 5550-mile flight across the After three more days we abandoned the Point Barrow was scientifically successful. Endicott range and the northern prairies to sled and packed our food and clothing. The I expect the next trip from Point Barrow to Point Barrow, once more without accident Norwegian chocolate and biscuits were Greenland will furnish interesting and or any trouble. satisfying foods. We did not stint valuable results, completing my arctic Then, on March 20, with fuel for 1400 ourselves. We saw many fresh bear and work. I hope then to proceed with my miles in calm weather, Wilkins and Eielson fox tracks and many seal breathing holes in Antarctic plans.” took off in a Stinson plane, intending, if all the young ice. One week after we had Horsham Times (Vic.), Saturday 4 June went well, to fly 600 miles north-west then started to travel we came to badly broken 1927, page 2. 200 miles south, and back to Barrow, more and pressing ice. than half this distance over territory never Crossing the moving pack I fell and got https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7 seen by human beings, thus making a great wet to the waist. After changing our socks 3086364 inroad into the largest unexplored area we built a snow house and partly dried out. north of the equator. They had flown 550 For three days we battled over the rough 30 June 1927 miles, and had almost completed the frozen pack, crawling on our hands and WHERE CAPTAIN WILKINS IS AND outward flight, when engine trouble knees most of the time. We crossed many WHAT HE IS DOING developed and they had to make a forced leads in young ice and passed round much Heroic Research Work in Arctic landing. very open water. We saw several seals, but STILL ATTEMPTING TO PROVE There have been two theories regarding as we had sufficient food in our packs did THEORIES OF GREAT POLAR the safety of landing on the frozen sea. One not care to delay to get more. LAND school has held that there are scarcely any Two more sights gave us our position, (By R. E. BYRD and VILHJALMUR safe landing places on the moving arctic and we headed for Beechy Point, where we STEFANSSON) (Copyright by the Herald pack, and the other school, to which arrived tired out. The petrol supply had and N.A.N.A.) Wilkins himself belongs, that landings are 27

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) so numerous that there seldom is a five- floe, where they landed, and during that flying. It will be Etah, North-west mile stretch without a fairly good one. time another strange thing happened, for Greenland, if everything goes like the ice in this quarter is usually drifting clockwork. The outcome of the adventure west, and Wilkins noted in his diary that cannot be known before perhaps they would therefore probably have to land midsummer, when the Danish trading ships in Wrangel Island, but instead it now go up to Etah or the Canadian Government drifted rapidly east. When they had broken ships go to Ellesmere Island. If nothing is up the wooden parts of the plane and made heard then or before that time, it will mean them into sledges, they found themselves either a fatal ending or a successful landing 100 miles east of Barrow instead of several at a distance from which the party are hundred miles west (as might easily have returning, building snow-houses in winter, been the case had the drift been as usual) using skin tents in summer, and living on and 70 miles from shore, or 30 miles sea game. Wilkins estimates the maximum nearer than when they had been forced time necessary for such a return on foot down. will be two years. Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 30 SLEPT IN SNOW-HOUSES June 1927, page 23. They slept comfortably at night in the https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 snow-houses they built. They saw plenty of 43967153 game, and could have obtained seals for food and fuel indefinitely had they needed 11 July 1927 it, but that they had with them enough Expedition to the Arctic biscuits and chocolate to eat and enough Adventures of Flying Explorer engine oil to burn. They were hurrying Graphic Account of Roaring Blizzard because Eielson’s hand had been frozen so Forced down in a blizzard while soaring An advertisement from the (Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), severely that an amputation of fingers over the least known part of the Arctic Thursday 30 June 1927, page 23.). seemed necessary, and because they Ocean in search of undiscovered land, wanted to get back to Barrow so they could In less than five miles they found a place Captain George Hubert Wilkins and his do more flying with their other planes pilot, Carl Ben Eielson, learned what it was that looked good to Wilkins. Eielson made before the summer fogs began. a perfect landing on ice about three and a to be marooned on a drifting floe, and later This hurry made them take possibly to stumble and crawl for twelve days over half feet thick Wilkins took two soundings unnecessary chances on this ice, and and found the ocean there to be about three the broken ice to the Alaska mainland. Wilkins fell through once, getting wet to In the course of that ordeal the pilot was miles deep, which makes it unlikely that the armpits at 62 degrees Fahrenheit below any land can exist in this direction, for afflicted with a severely frozen hand, and freezing. His only comment is that he Captain Wilkins was treated to an their flight, if continued far enough in the knew his garments would dry better on his same direction, would have taken them involuntary sea bath, which he describes as body than otherwise, and that he had no an alarming as well us a decidedly near where Nansen years ago, in the Fram, change of clothing anyway, but that he did took similar soundings. uncomfortable experience. have a change of socks and boots, which The captain who commands the Arctic This sounding made it probable that he made promptly in the lee of an ice those are wrong who, following Harris, expedition organised by the Detroit News ridge. and himself, took flight (says the New have maintained that there is a great After several days’ travel the ice became unknown land in the Arctic, and that those York Literary Digest) from his so rough that the improvised sledge could headquarters at Point Barrow early in the are right who, following Nansen, have not be pulled over it. Wilkins recognised argued that it is in the main a deep sea. morning of March 29 and soon that it was safe to leave the sledge behind. disappeared over the polar horizon! “He So they took the more important AGAIN IN THE AIR had planned a fourteen hour flight which baggage as packs on their backs and would carry him around the rim of a In two hours they were in the air again, scrambled over ridges of slippery ice flying back toward land. After, about 10 triangle enclosing an unexplored Arctic where the crevices between the broken Ocean area of nearly 46,000 square miles, minutes’ flight, the engine gave trouble pieces were filled with snow so soft that once more. There was a second forced and this schedule called for his return at they had to crawl several miles. They sunset, about 8 p.m.” landing. Again Eielson made a perfect would keep their hands on pieces ahead landing. As explained by Mr. A. M. Smith, staff while their knees and feet were on the correspondent of the Detroit News in a This time both worked on the engine, pieces they were just leaving. and made a better job, so that when they radio dispatch from Point Barrow, this was Their course took them directly to the the first of the captain’s proposed series of took off a second time the machine Eskimo settlement at Beechy Point, where hummed along smoothly. But clouds airplane flights “to unlock the last there is a trading station. From here they remaining secrets of the Polar Regions.” gathered, and the wind stiffened made their way to Barrow, where Eielson’s continually, so that they presently realised The weather was ideal at the start, but it little finger was amputated at the mission changed during the day, and by nightfall that they were unlikely to get ashore, hospital. The other fingers were saved. owing to failure of supplies. It was after the expedition’s base was being lashed by Wilkins now plans to cross the 300,000 a blizzard. The explorer’s plane carried a sundown, with heavy clouds in a thick mile [?] section to the north-east, where blizzard, when the engine stopped radio transmitting apparatus, but no there is the best remaining chance of land. message had arrived since the early suddenly. Petrol had run out. He expects to fly diagonally through the This time they could not see anything, morning hours. middle of it from Barrow to 84 deg. N. lat; From that time Wilkins and Eielson were and the landing was pure luck. Instead of and 100 deg W. long., and thence to striking a smooth expanse, as might have lost to the world for a fortnight. The Ellesmore Island, coming down when they, captain had left instructions that, in case of happened by chance, they struck it rough, have to, or possibly flying nearly if not and it was as if by a miracle that they made is non-return, no rescue expedition was to quite all the way to Etah. be sent in search of him, but — to quote a landing safe for themselves, although it If the plane comes down anywhere on crippled their plane. his own language, as given by Mr. Smith: this route, Wilkins expects his party to live “If the Detroit News No. 1 (the plane in Eielson had frozen his fingers severely by hunting seals, and make their way to the when tinkering bare-handed with metal which Wilkins took off) does not return nearest inhabited land. This will be Alaska, before the night of March 31, please ask tools on the metal of the engine at 30 if they have hard luck and come down degrees below zero in a strong wind. Graham (Alger Graham, pilot of the soon. It may be any of the Canadian lands, expedition’s relief ‘plane) to fly first 150 Wilkins and Eielson spent five days on the according to how far they succeed in 28

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) miles along the coast to south-west, and sputter or gasp from the starved hour. The wind was then blowing more then 150 miles along the coast to the east, carburettor; it was sudden silence, except than 30 miles on hour. following the coast carefully. for the hum of the wind vibrating the wing Late in the afternoon two sun “If we are unable to return we will try to wires, Ben snapped the switch from right observations gave us our position as communicate by wireless for ten minutes to left, but there was no response from the approximately latitude 72 degrees 30 of every hour, five minutes before the engine. minutes, and longitude 355 degrees. If our hour, and five minutes after the hour. “If We could feel the sag of the stalling wireless messages were received it was wireless messages are received, you will plane. With coolness and skill Ben steadied possible we might receive help from Point then act as requested by wireless. the falling plane to an even keel and an Barrow. If nothing is heard from us after we easy glide. His eyes were glued to the turn We repeatedly sent the message: ‘Now leave, and no trace of us can be found and bank indicator, because it was too dark about 100 miles north-east Barrows along the coast, it may be taken for granted in the storm to tell otherwise whether or Position tomorrow.’ that we are making out way on foot, and in not our keel was even. Then we could only wait until the that case I wish it to be clearly understood When we came to a few hundred feet from weather cleared. Draining the tanks, we that I do not wish a rescue expedition. “If the ground the horizon neared, and we collected little more than a half-gallon of we do not return, so far as I am concerned, could dimly see it serrated with ice ridges, gasoline. Fuel was our greatest concern. you, Graham and Mason (Howard Mason, but they gave no idea of height or distance. We had 10 lbs. of biscuits, 20 lbs. of the expeditions radio operator), will then Near the ground the air was rough, and the chocolate, 5 lbs. of army emergency be at liberty to return to Fairbanks. plane pitched and swerved. rations, about 3 lbs. of mixed biscuit, You should, however, look to the Detroit Ben was calm, and he corrected with the chocolate, and pemmican”. Just before News for final instructions.” These controls each unsteady move; snow was starting they had thrown away 15 lbs. of instructions were part of a letter which also drifting heavily, and I could not see condensed food, as Wilkins felt certain that included instructions regarding the through the windows at the cabin. I felt with time and patience they could find disposal of Captain Wilkins’s business Ben brace himself against the empty gas- food and fuel on, the icefloes. affairs in the event of his failure to return. tank behind him. I leaned my back against He continues: “We improvised an oil- On the following day, when he was over the rear partition wall of the cabin. burner from a gallon can, using two slats of 20 hours overdue, his headquarters caught Then we waited for what fate had in wood from the cabin roof for wicks. In this a radio message from him announcing that store for us. The left wing struck. It we burned lubricating oil from the piano. engine trouble had forced him down 100 bounced once, and then the plane landed as Water warmed on this stove and biscuits miles north-east of Point Barrow. smoothly as if on a prepared landing field. and chocolate comprised our meal. Then days of silence followed by I gripped Ben’s shoulder and slipped All that night and the next day, March fruitless scoutings by the reserve aviator through the door of the plane to the ice. 31, a high wind was blowing. We selected interrupted by renewed blizzard weather. Driving snow filled my eyes. I could see from our gear what we needed for walking And at last, on April 19, an anxious dimly pressure ridges as high as the plane to shore, and we made improvised sleds civilisation learned that the two all around us. from the lower part of the cowling and the adventurers had reached Beechy Point, 180 The plane undoubtedly struck one as we other from the skis, to which we attached a miles south-east of Point Barrow, having came down, for the fabric of the left wing section of the corrugated duralumin from abandoned the now gasless plane and was torn at the tip. The plane still was on the cabin wall. “We stripped wire from the hoofed it 70 miles over the ice. its skis, but they had turned on their sides, wireless antenna, and with spare sealing Here we take up Captain Wilkins’s own with stanchions twisted and broken. It was lines and cord made a line seven fathoms narrative (copyrighted by the North too dark and the snow-drift was too thick in length, but with this, we could not reach American Newspaper Alliance), beginning for us to give the plane a close bottom through a hole cut in the ice. Our at a point when, after two landings on the examination. We could not determine our drift then was almost due east. ice to wrestle with engine trouble—in the position, of course. About 6 p.m. that day the wind calmed course of which the pilot’s fingers were We climbed back into the cabin with few slightly. Then it blew from the north, frozen—the adventurers were desperately words. We discussed briefly our course increasing to 30 miles an hour by 9 heading for the coast after nightfall. and probable position. We remarked that o’clock. April 1, we woke to hear the hum we had little faith in our wireless. We sent of wind through the wires on our plane; the out repeated short messages to Point machine rocking and shaking under the Barrow, but had no confidence that they pressure. The wind was slightly north of would be received. We tried to tell briefly west more than 40 miles an hour. all that had happened to us. The intense The snow had drifted high, piling about strain of the last two hours of flying over our plane and over the sleds we had made. the Arctic Ocean through the blizzard after The wind veered to the south-west by sunset had left us weak and tired. Ben night, and next morning there was bright looked at me and I looked at him. sunlight and a low wind. We found the Then we began to laugh nervously, and sleds snowed under again and big drifts could not stop for about five minutes. Ben about the plane. We freed the sleds and stretched out in a sleeping-bag on top of packed everything for our tramp ashore. the empty gas tank, and huddled in a An amazingly fortunate drift of the ice corner of the cabin. We went to sleep. had carried us far to the east, and we found we were about 80 miles from the shore. Roaring Blizzard We decided to head south for the trading The day following Eielson and I awoke post at Beechy Point. Sunday, April 3, we to find a roaring blizzard blowing from the were on to the trail by 8.15 a.m. A sharp north-west. Ben and I climbed from the wind north by west nipped our cheeks, plane, and even in the thick, drifting snow chins, and noses. The snow, dribbling over we could see our safe landing the night the ice ridges, was dry and hard, and the before was miraculous. Our plane was on a pack ice was drifting.

Photo taken during the Wilkins – Detroit Expedition patch of smooth ice on which a skilful pilot By 1 o’clock we had had five hours of 1926-28. From the ISO Polar Archives. might land a small machine only under the steady, hard pulling, and enough for the most favourable weather conditions. first day. We stopped, and Ben helped to Engine Quits We dug a hole through 6 feet of ice, and, build the first snow-house he had ever “At 9.2 p.m. the engine quit as suddenly dropping a short line, found we were seen. It was 12 years since it had built one, as if the switch had been snapped off. We drifting north of east two or six miles an but the principle was easy to grasp and had run out of gasoline. There was no easily executed. 29

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

While we were travelling our clothing While I studied the conditions, Ben Hand Amputated was comfortable and warm but hoarfrost stepped on the ice to see if it was safe. He That night I first realised how seriously gathered on the inside of our boots. went in to the knees in a waterhole, but his he had been frozen. He could not hold a Constant care was necessary to prevent boots saved him from a wetting. A careful knife or saw, and was hardly able to carry them from becoming full of ice. Each test showed that by skipping around a little snow blocks for building the house. Four morning we had to turn our boots inside we might cross safely. fingers on his right hand were badly out and beat and scrape them. Then we Soft snow had fallen, hiding the nipped, and the little finger was blistered would dry them by winding them about our character of the ice, and it was necessary to and black”. chests and under our arms. It was a cold- test each step. As quickly as possible we Since the return to Point Barrow, it is fingered job and not especially a pleasant edged across with our feet spread wide and here interpolated; the little finger on pastime, but care of one’s clothing is a ice-picks out-stretched in case we went Eielson’s right hand has been amputated. most essential part of the day’s work through”. Dr. Newhall, who performed the operation, during Arctic travel. When within three yards of the other hopes to save the other three fingers. For nine years Ben had done no harder side Wilkins turned to speak to Ben. Resuming the captain’s story: — physical work than handling the controls of Suddenly the ice under foot gave way, and “Ben was agreeably surprised at the an airplane. he went into water up to the waist. At comfort our frozen house afforded. But he got used to downright work after which, he tells us: — Without experience one never would realise the warmth an igloo can give, even Transfixed With Horror without fuel. “Ben was transfixed with horror. Within my experience it never has been Fortunately the ice was thicker where he possible to get any one at once to discard stood, and did not fall in. My weight was all civilised clothes and adopt the native- spread across the ice, and the ice about me style dress. I did not ask Ben to do this held. I drew my feet out of the water until after two days’ slight inconvenience quickly, rolled over and out to thicker ice. I with riding breeches, woollen sweater and went in again, but this time was near elaborate sheepskin jacket. enough to haul myself to a solid floe. Then we threw away this clothing, and My clothing was soaking wet almost to the dressed in native fashion in complete sets armpits, and my boots were full of water. of Eskimo clothes we had been carrying. The temperature was 10 degrees below We could now discard one of our sleds, zero. I slipped my 80lb. pack from my through the lightening of the load we had shoulders, and threw a line to Ben, which been carrying. a few days of travelling over lines of he fastened to his own pack. When that Our remaining sled we dragged over the moving ice pinched between solid floes. was hauled across, he spread-eagled over ice-floes and pressure ridges us we Photo taken during the Wilkins – Detroit Expedition to sound ice. resumed our trip back in shore. Rising 1926-28. From the ISO Polar Archives. It was a narrow shave for both of us, steam showed we were approaching a caused by our necessary but dangerous narrow irregular lane of open water. A Land-Locked Ice. haste to reach shore. break in the cloud almost dead ahead We came to ice the character of which In the arctic it is necessary to bide your assured me from experience that the water assured us it was land-locked and moving time and proceed with the utmost caution, lane was closed there. off and on shore. Then we encountered ice and you cannot afford to rush things. This lead might open any minute, and which was badly broken and crushed, with The first thing I should have done after we hurried along until we found a section broad rough ridges at frequent intervals. It falling in the water was to roll in a deep, of ice about 50 yards wide spanning the was no longer possible to haul our sled and soft snow-bank. water. The ice bridge was crumbling keep it upright. But I could find no soft snow near, and rapidly, and ridges of ice were piling on To have taken any type sled over some my clothing froze almost instantly. My feet both sides. We scrambled over a squirming of the ridges, in fact, would have meant and legs were slowly stiffening. block, ran over a few yards of unbroken ice chopping a pathway through the ice. We We seized both packs and hurried to some and then over a seething mass, until we decided to make camp and arrange our rough ice for shelter. I had a pair of spare once more found ourselves on solid floes. equipment on Indian-type packs which we boots and two pairs of socks strapped at Finding ourselves on a solid ice-floe had and carry our loads over the ice on our the top of my pack for such emergencies. after having crossed a broken and seething backs. Ben pulled my boots and socks off, and it mass of ice, we cut a hole through a We had hoped to walk, but much of our was not long before they stood up stiff and frozen-over crack und found the floe was way was so rough, with up-ended ice solid. So we tossed them aside. drifting slowly in a westerly direction. I blocks surrounded with soft snow in which My fur parkas and breeches would dry as feared the drift might take us west of Point we sank to our waists, that it was necessary well on me as elsewhere, so after I had put Barrow, but our easterly position and to crawl slowly ahead on our hands and on dry footgear we bundled up our packs nearness to shore gave assurance we could knees. No pen picture can fully describe and proceeded over the rough ice for two undoubtedly reach the coast. the state of ice we found. hours before stopping to build quarters for It was only a matter of time before we A motion picture of our foundering would the night. reached the shore, and we could conserve be considered much overacted, but it was We had abandoned one sleeping-bag, our supply of emergency rations by stern reality for us, to be overcome only by and at night we slept in our parkas with our shooting seals to obtain fuel and food. But persistence and toil. feet in the one bag we had left. We found there was a good reason for haste, as Ben’s Sunday, April 10, we came to a wide this warmer and more comfortable than the fingers were badly frozen. All except one stretch of newly formed ice, still broken in individual bags. Such procedure is all right ached painfully; a good sign they were places by open water. Several seals hopped for a limited time, but it is not the practise regaining life. through into the water to look at us, but we to follow on a long journey. The little finger on Ben’s right hand, had ample food in our packs and did not I had little sleep that night because of my however, promised trouble. I have several disturb them. saturated clothes, but after another day of times performed surgical operations, and To cross this water lead meant a long struggling through soft snow my clothing we had a serviceable surgical outfit in our detour to a place where the edges of the was almost dry. kit, but I hesitated to use it, as I hoped to ice- packs were close together. It was less For several days after leaving our plane we avoid mutilating Ben’s hand if the finger than 50 feet across the spongy ice, but a crossed many bear and fox tracks. In the could be saved. change of wind would have meant a terribly broken ice and snow near the coast greater separation and a wait for several not even bears and foxes were to be found, days on the side we were on. but it was a characteristic I expected to 30

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) find nearer shore. Ben stuck manfully to close relatives stressed the necessity of the job with much fortitude and courage. sound knowledge of navigation. To these A The forecast on the page from (Daily News (Perth, We would take ten or more steps and then inquiries the airmen replied that they WA), Tuesday 27 September 1927, page 1.). tumble, pinched between narrowing cracks would not tempt fortune by taking any hidden in the snow. untoward risks. 1928 Then, perhaps, it would be a ten-minute On Friday, a leading Sydney business crawl on hands and knees over ice ridges man cabled to Mr. Sidney Myer, head of too steep for a dog to follow. the well-known Melbourne emporium, and 1 February 1928 This would be followed by a cautious who had contributed £1500 towards the Capt. Wilkins Will Again Attack Arctic slithering dash across young ice that bent expenses of the flight, when he met the Barrier beneath us like a stretched blanket when aviators in San Francisco, reiterating this NORTHWARD! we slept on it. advice. PLANE NOW TESTED Thursday, April 14, we had to make a He has received a reply from Mr. Myer long detour to get around young ice too reading, “Smith fully alive necessity expert thin to walk on. navigation. Captain Wilkins Arctic Toward evening we came to pressure explorer invited to assist in navigation.” ridges higher than any we had seen before. Newcastle Sun (NSW), Tuesday 6 Ben looked with misgivings, but my heart September 1927, page 1. gladdened, for I recognised it was the edge https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 of the shore ice. 63621213 That night we camped near an old hummock, and built our last snow-house 27 September 1927 on the ice. The next night I knew we would U.S.A. TO AUSTRALIA camp on the bench if we were lucky, and if my navigation was correct. For two days KINGSFORD SMITH’S FLIGHT the weather had been warm and hazy, but In Captain Wilkins’s plane that night it was cold and clear. SEATTLE, Sept. 26. From the top of the hummock we could see Capt. Kingsford Smith; C. T. Ulm, and far to the south an unbroken expanse of Keith Anderson state they will start, next shore ice and low flat tundra beyond. At month, for Australia in the three-motored seven o’clock the next morning we Fokker plane used by Captain G. H. shouldered our packs and trudged eagerly Wilkins in his polar expeditions. Mr. on, resting for it few minutes every half- Anderson is now in Honolulu, and says he hour. expects to take off from San Francisco if There was no more young ice to cross, weather is favourable, otherwise from START THIS MONTH and it was now not a question of danger, Seattle. “They’re wanting me, they are calling me, the awful but one of endurance. We had not rationed It is understood the flight will cover lonely places, They’re whining, they are whimpering as if 9,500 miles from the United States to each had a soul, They’re calling from the wilderness, the our food and each one had eaten as much vast and Godlike spaces, The stern and sullen solitudes or as little as he wanted. We had drawn Australia via Honolulu, New Britain, and that sentinel the Pole.” (A poem in the article.) upon 38 lbs. of biscuits and chocolate, and New Guinea. had thrown away 3 lbs. of emergency Daily News (Perth, WA), Tuesday 27 (Sun Special) rations. September 1927, page 1. LOS ANGELES, Tuesday. On this day we had 5 lbs. of food left, and https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7 Captain G. H. Wilkins, the noted this showed our average consumption was 9514073 Australian Polar explorer, is ready for less than 16 ozs. of food a day. another attempt to conquer the Arctic Shortly before 10 o’clock I saw the region. Lieutenant Eielson will accompany distant shore line, and through field-glasses the expedition as pilot, the position he held I could see two poles and timber that in the previous attempts. looked like the roof of a trader’s house. Captain Wilkins completed the flight After resting for a few minutes we started tests today of the plane in which they will on again, and before long struck a sled trail commence the new expedition early in leading west. February. The tests were declared so Making toward the dark object we had successful that the plane was immediately seen through our glasses, we soon could crated and shipped to Seattle. see plainly the houses ahead of us. It was The actual date of the departure of the the trading-post at Beechy Point”. aviators from that port has not been Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld), Monday 11 announced. July 1927, page 5. Captain Wilkins has made two previous https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 attempts to conquer the Arctic Region. His 82134333 first attempt reached its climax in May of 1926, when all was ready for the final dash over the Polar ice with the object of 6 September 1927 finding land in the unexplored northern PACIFIC FLIGHT regions. Captain Wilkins established two Invitation to Captain Wilkins bases, completed the one at Fairbanks, and SYDNEY. Tuesday. a temporary one at Pt. Barrow, both in Good counsel and mature thought have Alaska. persuaded Captain Kingsford Smith and From the latter place, he intended to fly Lieut. Keith Anderson that the best three- northward in his plane for several hours engine monoplane in the world would not and then to cruise back and forth. Lieut. be a safe conveyance in their trans-Pacific Eielson was the pilot on that occasion, and, flight, if they were not confident of their in a Detroiter plane, he successfully took navigation skill. Captain Wilkins over the Endicott Representations were made to them on Mountains to the jumping off place at Pt. this point by the Sun and the Melbourne Barrow. There the party became fogbound, Herald last month, and during last week 31

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) and anxious weeks passed while they can land on the ice north-east of Point Norge. Wilkins’s first step in a career waited for suitable weather. Barrow, take soundings and look for the probably unparalleled in variety and Several short flights were made, and in fabled Arctic continent to obtain scientific incident gave promise of a determination one of these the engine cowling of the data. that time and adventure have proved to be plane was broken. Newcastle Sun (NSW), Thursday 8 March his most outstanding characteristic. In June the attempt was abandoned. His 1928, page 1. Leaving Adelaide as a youth of 18, with second attempt was equally unsuccessful, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 small capital but large ambition, he although he and his pilot suffered severe 63761054 determined to see the world. Advertised privations, and took great risks in their beauty spots and the halting points of attempts to find land in the northern 23 March 1928 conducted tours held no interest for him. wastes. EXPLORER AIRMAN. Little-known corners of the globe, Several times it was feared that they had unspoiled by the hand of civilisation, Wilkins’s Arctic Exploration. both been lost. virgin in their natural appeal — these were Australians have figured prominently in the places that called to him, and the great air flights, but one of the most manner of his answering may be best persistent Australian explorers by air is described in his own words: Captain G. H. Wilkins. In war time he was “The newspaper reporter gets a front seat official photographer to the A.I.F., and at the important shows in his own town. later searched out of the way corners of the But the man who gets right inside the earth, for botanical specimens for the barrier, who brushes sleeve to sleeve with British Museum. kings and princes, and calls no place home, The writer met him in Brisbane about but is at home in all places, is the Press four years ago, after he had spent several photographer. So I decided to be a Press months in uninhabited portions of North The plane used by Captain Wilkins in his Polar flights. photographer,” And he became a Press Queensland. Although only a little over 30 photographer. years of age he wore a long brown beard, (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Wednesday 1 For two years he roamed the world, probably to dispense with shaving. February 1928, page 1.). “shooting” places and people of topical Later he turned up in the United States, interest, and then, following the increasing https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 and the story of his attempts to explore the popularity of the “movie” weekly gazette, 24222221 Arctic regions by aeroplane a couple of he joined the Gaumont Film Co. In the years ago is well known. Now he is again capacity of cinema operator Wilkins 8 March 1928 cruising over the Arctic ice, and when the secured, from the deck of a following “FINE!” weather is suitable proposes to make a launch, the last pictures ever taken of the Wilkins Preparing dash across the North Pole from Alaska to leviathan liner Titanic as she steamed TRIAL FLIGHT Spitsbergen. down the Mersey on her maiden voyage to Land (Sydney, NSW), Friday 23 March Captain Wilkins is busily pre-paring for New York. his Arctic flight. Yesterday’s test flight 1928, page 5. Three days later those few hundred feet was a big success. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 of film were eagerly requisitioned as a (Sun Special) 11644280. prelude to the picturisation of one of the FAIRBANKS (Alaska), Wednesday, most tragic disasters in the history of the “Fine, now we will soon be ready for the mercantile marine. By means of modes and hop to Point Barrow.” said Captain G. H. a “property” iceberg, the collision was Wilkins, the Arctic explorer, as he alighted screened with effective realism. Then came from his Lockheed Vega monoplane after the Turco-Balkan war of 1912-1913. the first test flight in Alaska. He required As correspondent and photographer to five days to assemble the plane after it was the United Press Association Wilkins given to him, and with his pilot, Lieut. proceeded to the war area, and with his 5 April 1928 Eielson, he will fly next week to his Arctic usual enthusiasm was soon right up in the place where additional gasoline and other AVIATION. firing line. Not for him to stand on a supplies are available. REMINISCENCES OF THE AIR. distant hill and through field-glasses secure Aviators I Have Known. a panoramic view of the battle. He wanted CAPTAIN GEORGE WILKINS. action and close-up movement, and it is By “PROPELLER.” interesting to note that in the Turco-Balkan A recent cable from Seattle states that war he secured the first moving pictures of Captain George Wilkins, the Australian troops in action. For rescuing under heavy airman-explorer, is proceeding to Point gunfire a wounded Turkish officer, Barrow, in Alaska, whence he will essay a Wilkins was decorated with the Order of non-stop flight by aeroplane across the the Mejideh. North Pole to Spitsbergen, a distance of In 1913 he returned from Turkey, and 2400 miles. was selected to accompany Stefansson on A character analysis of the man himself, the Canadian Arctic expedition. The story compiled as a result of intimate contact on of those four years in the Arctic Circle has a previous flying exploit, prompts a been told too vividly by Stefansson himself prophecy of ultimate success. It is not the to warrant comment, but this experienced actual performance alone, however, that explorer’s opinion of the young Australian will evoke admiration, but the bears repetition: “Wilkins is the bravest characteristic determination that lies man I have ever met,” he said, and in these behind this, his third attempt to fly across words we find an undoubted reason for

Captain Wilkins the top of the world. Wilkins’s quick rise from a subordinate Perhaps no man living appreciates the position to second-in-command of the peculiar hazards of the North more fully expedition. Captain Wilkins has decided on an early than does Wilkins, and one commends Cut off from the outside world by the April flight over the blind spot in the Polar whole-heartedly the high degree of courage loss of their schooner, it was not until Sea to Spitsbergen, believing that time the associated with this endeavour to follow, October, 1916, that Stefansson and his best period to play the lengthening daylight under more perilous conditions, the route companions learnt of the war raging in against the annual fog. With longer days he taken by Amundsen in his airship the Europe. Further exploration work was 32

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) immediately abandoned, and Wilkins on account of “colour blindness.” Wilkins nose of the Kangaroo, surrounded by an returned to Australia to enlist in the merely smiled, and a week later went to array of ingenious instruments, many of his Australian Flying Corps. His experience in France as official photographer to the own design. Each succeeding stage of the aviation dated back to 1909. A.I.F. In this position he was thoroughly at flight added to our admiration of Wilkins A London emporium had conceived a home. A roving commission permitted him as a navigator, and one hop in particular unique advertising stunt, and on the to appear in most unexpected places. will always stand out in memory. afternoon preceding Christmas Eve a gaily A “hop over” is in full swing; Wilkins’s Leaving Laranto, in Italy, at 7 a.m. on a decorated balloon was seen floating over camera slides over the edge of a shell hole 680 miles run to Suda Bay, Crete, Wilkins the metropolis. In the basket were two in “No Man’s Land,” and snaps a “digger” passed back a note three hours later stating: figures, one a professional parachutist, making desperate efforts in the mud to “Under prevailing conditions should make garbed in the conventional red robes, cap, emulate the borrowings of a mole, whose Suda Bay at 2.30 p.m.”, and at 2.32 p.m. and white beard of Father Christmas, the home a lately bursting shell has destroyed. the Kangaroo’s wheels rumbled over the other a young photographer. The Prince of Wales inspects an Suda Bay aerodrome. No one grumbled at The parachutist glanced over the side of aerodrome; Wilkins’s camera records an a miscalculation of 2 minutes in a 7½ the basket, noted the crowd of eager embarrassed pilot shaking hands with hours’ flight. The following morning we children assembled on Hampstead Heath, a Edward P. Here, there, and everywhere, left for Saloum, on the African Coast. thousand feet below, gave a last look to his Wilkins plodded in search of subjects, and Two hours later the Kangaroo staggered harness, and grasping the bag of presents that his wanderings were not confined to back to Crete with a crippled port motor, tightly in both hands, leapt into space. the back areas is evidenced by the Military landed down wind out of a flat spin at 100 With a grin of satisfaction the Cross with bar awarded him. miles an hour, and came to an inglorious photographer snapped a perfect photograph The signing of the Armistice was end, standing on its nose in a ditch on the of the take-off, and then proceeded to received by Wilkins with somewhat mixed edge of the aerodrome. As the conditions reload his camera for another picture of the feelings. The Royal Air Force had of the flight specified reaching Australia daring Father Christmas now floating assembled 50 super Handley Page and 100 within 30 days, and as a new motor could slowly to earth. The second photograph Vickers Vimy bombers, each machine not be readily secured, the attempt was was never taken. capable of carrying a ton weight of bombs, abandoned, and Wilkins returned to Relieved of the parachutist’s weight, the and preparations were well advanced for London. balloon shot upwards at an alarming rate, carrying out a terrific air raid on Berlin In 1921 he joined the Shackleton-Rowett and as the instinct of self-preservation during a favourable night in December, Expedition on the Quest, as naturalist. It crowded out the sense of duty to the daily 1918. had long been his ambition to explore the Press the camera clattered unnoticed to the Wilkins had secured the position of Antarctic, and compare conditions with floor of the basket. Seizing the release forward gunner in the leading machine, those existing in the Arctic. This was valve cord, which normally permits gas to and on the enforced abandonment of what denied him, however, through the untimely escape and a descent to be made, the promised to be the most spectacular aerial death of Sir Ernest Shackleton, and back in photographer gave a desperate tug. stunt of the war his disappointment for a London once more, he organised the Nothing happened. The cord had fouled the time was naturally keen. Wilkins British Museum Expedition for the rigging. Whilst political heroes were fighting purpose of collecting rare specimens of The balloon had now ceased its upward desperately on the Versailles front, three flora and fauna in Northern Australia, a flight, and caught in a strong westerly wind young Australian pilots were tramping the work which engaged his attention until at the higher altitude was moving across streets of London in search of an 1925. the Thames estuary to the North Sea. All aeroplane. The incidents of that five During the past two years Wilkins has through year-long night the basket swayed months’ search form a story apart; suffice made many notable flights under adverse and bounced as the balloon sailed along an it to say here that, almost at the point of conditions in the Arctic areas, and the unknown course, and with morning light desperation, we located a generous aircraft worth of this aerial exploration work may the unwilling aeronaut gazed out of the manufacturer, and in due course, the be gauged only by reading the reports of basket at the cheerless sea below. Blackburn Kangaroo was entered in the the Detroit Geographical Society, the Late in the afternoon land came into £10,000 England to Australia flight. sponsors of the expedition. Wilkins has sight. A providential leak of gas had crowded much into his 40 years of life; he caused the balloon to lose height, and soon will crowd much more into the remaining the basket was drifting low over the trees years, and in sincere appreciation of the and hedges. friendship of a brave Australian one sends Presently the anchor made fast in the a message from his homeland to the white- branches of a tree, and a thoroughly mantled vastness of the North —“Good exhausted photographer tumbled gratefully luck, Wilkie.” to the ground. “But where am I? Germany, Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld), Thursday 5 Russia, Norway — goodness only knows!” April 1928, page 61. Overjoyed at his miraculous escape, it https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 would be difficult to describe his feelings, 2946051 when later, from a nearby farmhouse; he learnt that his descent had been made only a few miles from the starting point of the Photo taken from the Blackburn Kangaroo. From the ISO previous afternoon. That is the story of Polar Archives. Wilkins’s first trip in the air, and I feel safe in asserting that by comparison his flight Three weeks before the start Wilkins across the North Pole this year will be was approached to act as navigator. This mere joy ride. move caused some adverse comment. “He Wilkins proceeded to London, with the has had no previous experience in aerial Australian Flying Corps, in June, 1917 and navigation,” said one member of the crew. during the progress of a medical board, “A man who can wander round the North was ordered by a pompous member to Pole in snowstorms and blizzards for four enumerate various colours alternately years and not lose himself will not have exposed on a revolving disc. much difficulty in locating Australia from Wilkins’s scientific definitions of the the air,” was an unanswerable argument, and on November 21, 1919, when we An advertisement from (Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld), colours proved exasperating to the Thursday 5 April 1928, page 61.). examining “brass hat,” and as a result he hopped off from Hounslow, Wilkins was rejected for active service as a pilot, occupied the navigator’s cockpit in the 33

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

23 April 1928 His purpose was the eventual Ross Sea thither has already been traversed “DREAM OF AGES” establishment of a series of weather a dozen times. NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. stations along the Antarctic coast, Wilkins STEFANSSON DELIGHTED. holding the view that Australian climatic ONE REMAINING FEAT (Australian Press Association.) conditions were regulated in large measure Wilkins, on the other hand, cherishes a NEW YORK, April 21. by those in the Antarctic, and that a prior more ambitious, a more spectacular and a “The dream of ages, a north-west pass- knowledge of what was occurring down more worthy plan. He seeks to accomplish age across the world, has been brought there would enable forecasts of great the one great feat still remaining in nearer to practical achievement through the economic value if such observations were Antarctic exploration, flight from Graham pioneering of Captain Wilkins,” said regularly made over a long period and Land to the Ross Sea, the journey which Vilhjalmur Stefansson (the famous carefully co-ordinated and analysed. Such inspired Shackleton, but which that explorer). “I am picturing Polar cross views, however, are not endorsed by intrepid explorer did not live to roads, where future Continent to Continent Commonwealth meteorological officials, accomplish. Both Amundsen and Byrd caravans will meet, shortening the to whom the Prime Minister referred forestalled him in the north, but Wilkins distances by hundreds of miles.” Wilkins’s plan. regards ‘The South’ as a territory Stefansson expressed delight with the Accordingly, Mr Bruce was unable to peculiarly Australian in location, sentiment success, and said that Captain Wilkins was assist him and attempts made by the and future economic value. the best man he had in their Canadian Geographical Society of South Australia Doubtless he will strain every nerve to Arctic Expeditions from 1913 to 1918. (Wilkins’s home State) to raise funds were follow up his success in the north by He referred to General Sir John also abortive. capping it with a similar feat in the south Monash’s statement that Captain Wilkins before the American Expedition, which is “was the bravest and ablest man he (Sir MAGNETIC PERSONALITY well equipped and supported by wealthy John Monash) had had.” Undeterred, Wilkins set out for the backers, forestalls him. Brisbane Courier (Qld), Monday 23 April States and here his magnetic personality, 1928, page 13. past achievements and outstanding https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 qualifications secured a ready response. 1245414 In 1926 he made a first attempt at an Arctic flight, but disaster dogged him. In 1927 he 23 April 1928 succeeded in flying from Point Barrow, WILKINS BEATS ITALIANS several hundred miles out over the ice, and landed and took off the ice with ease. Great Polar Race This year he has been entirely successful WAY NOW CLEAR FOR in accomplishing the major and spectacular ANTARCTIC PLANS flight across the ocean from Barrow to Explorer’s Big Ambition Spitsbergen. He is the first airman to make Captain G. H. Wilkins, the heroic such a flight; he is the first to approach the Australian explorer, airman and Pole from the west; he has made a longer photographer, and his American Polar flight (2200 miles) than any of his companion, Ben Eielson, in crossing the predecessors, and in the course of his North Polar region from Pt. Barrow, journey he, has covered unexplored wastes Alaska, to Spitsbergen have beaten their hitherto seen by no human eye. Italian rivals, led by General Nobile, who As a result of this flight, Wilkins’s are about to fly from Spitsbergen in the prestige has been re-established and he opposite direction in the airship Italia. now has several material assets which will A map allowing the route followed by Capt. “Wilkins thus has his revenge on Nobile, enable him to prosecute his further designs. Wilkins in his flight across the North Pole. who crossed in the airship Norge with Amundsen in 1926, while Wilkins was PROUDEST MOTHER trying unsuccessfully to start, and captures Mrs. Wilkins Active Woman at 86 another air honour for Australia. If he ADELAIDE, Monday.— keeps to the plans he had in mind when he There was no prouder woman in South was last in Australia, Wilkins’s Australia today than Mrs. Harry Wilkins, achievement becomes the stepping stone, mother of Captain G. H. Wilkins, the financially, to the realisation of his greatest famous South Australian explorer, who ambition, a great Antarctic conquest by successfully flew across the North Pole. aeroplane to uncover valuable She would not admit it, but her flushed meteorological data. The aviators are now face and shining eyes told her story. at Green Harbour, Spitsbergen, where they “We mothers,” she said, “do not say arrived at 11 a.m. yesterday from much, but we feel a lot. I am glad that Doedman Solera, an uninhabited island on George has done what he set out to do, but which they had been held up by storms. Commander Byrd (centre) being interviewed. From ISO it was an anxious time while he was away. Polar Archives. The following wireless message has I wish he was at home now. He was only 20 years of age when he first went away been received by the Detroit (U.S.) News, PLANS FOR FUTURE which helped Wilkins: — “Reached and he has never lived at home since. Like They include the aeroplane in which he all his brothers, he is a good son in both Spitsbergen after 21½ hours flying. One made the flight which now becomes his stop was five days on account of bad words and actions. George was a great property; exclusive book, magazine and reader, and he made more use of what he weather. Greetings.” The flight is hailed in newspaper rights of his story and 50 per America as one of the greatest learned at a little country school than many cent, of the profits from lectures and a man has made of a college education.” achievements of polar exploration. cinemas. Wilkins’s great rival is Lieut. Although almost 80, Mrs Wilkins is Commander R. Byrd (U.S. Naval Reserve), wonderfully active for her age. She is the APPEALED TO AUSTRALIANS who forestalled Wilkins in his attempt to When Wilkins had completed his field mother of 12 children. be first to fly an aeroplane to the North work for the British Museum in Arnhem Pole. Byrd now covets the prize of being Land in 1924 he endeavoured to obtain COLD LAND OF MINING CAMPS the first to fly to the South Pole, his Spitsbergen’s barren wastes support and funds for his Australian trans- published plans including a mere dash to Antarctic flight. Uninhabited, barren of all vegetation the Pole and return—a venture of no except flowers, dark for four months of the interest or value since the route from the 34

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) year except for the Arctic Moon and the 24 April 1928 plane’s engines, a tent, a saw, an axe—to frequent Northern Lights, Spitsbergen was THE FAR-SEEING EYES OF cut our way out of the plane in the event of left undisturbed for hundreds of years until CAPTAIN WILKINS emergency. early this century, when coal mining was A forced landing might have meant 18 started. Norwegian interests in coal are months stay in the Arctic before reaching now predominant since Norway was given civilisation. We carried 370 gallons of a mandate over this group of Arctic islands petrol and 12 of oil. Our short wave after the war. wireless was tested and then husbanded for Except for a few trappers, its population the flight. It ran many hours on the actual of a thousand consists of miners. Wives flight, but finally gave out. and families of some officials live there, All these things were done before April but many return to Norway for the winter. A photographic enlargement of the piercing eyes of 5, but until the 15th, when the weather So severe are the conditions of life that Captain Wilkins, the Australian explorer and airman. permitted a start, our rest was fitful and our miners are enlisted for a definite period. work anxious and laboured. We made the Nevertheless there are many volunteers. Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Tuesday 24 first attempts to start on the 7th, but broke Moving pictures provide amusement, and April 1928, page 7. a metal ski and were compelled to replace high wages are paid. During four months https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 it with a wooden one. Four days afterwards of the year it is accessible only to colliers 43995840 we tried again to hop off, but could not lift. and a supply ship. For the rest of the year it On the 13th we tried again but failed is cut off from all communication with the 25 April 1928 again. It was on the 15th, with the weather outer world except wireless. AVIATION AFFAIRS. in our favour, that we climbed into the air. FLIGHT OVER NORTH POLE Our machine acted absolutely perfectly. CONTINUOUS SUN CAPTAIN WILKINS’S STORY. Our estimate of the weather proved correct. For four months of this time the sun Montreal, April 23. A clear horizon greeted us, but soon never rises above the horizon. From the (Copyright: Australian Press Association icepack showed rough and jagged. There end of June until the end of August the sun and New York Times). would have been no salvation if the engine is continuously in the sky. Beginning then The principal object of our flight, says had failed. There were open water leads at with a momentary disappearance, its Captain Wilkins, was to discover whether times and then no leads. periods of absence increase until, about the in the unexplored area of the Arctic existed We saw ice conditions that would middle of October, it appears only for five islands on which meteorological stations indicate that the ice was old, probably minutes. Then it disappears and is not seen might be placed. land-fast ice but later we determined that it until February 22. All labour and food has For this purpose the machine needed to was unquestionably sea ice then we met to be imported. Nature provides an be very light and fast, and capable of clouds that appeared stationary, and it was automatic refrigerator for the food, and covering long distances. It had also to be exasperating to meet clouds at this point. meat is kept in the mines. correctly equipped even to the point of Land in that vicinity would best suit our Since Norwegian interests became including a Polar sledging equipment, and meteorological purposes. Whether any lay predominant, the name has been changed staunchly built to withstand extreme beneath that 120 miles belt of clouds about to its old Scandinavian one of Svalbard, conditions and rough usage. It is, 200 miles out from Point Barrow is still a which means “the cold shores,” As a moreover, so constructed as to eliminate secret; but when atmosphere cleared it was considerable part of the coast is lined with the confusion of compass interference us is seen to be old heavy ice pack. Perhaps this glaciers higher than a ship, the aptness of the case with metal machines. heavy old ice rests on terra firma and is the name is apparent. We carried for directional instruments stationary, but my decision, judging from two compasses, one fast moving and one the fact that no great pressure ridges were AMUNDSEN ADDS HIS PRAISE slow, two altimeters, turn and bank noticed at its edges, is that it is floating. “Remarkable Achievement” indicators, an air speed indicator, the usual It was when approaching Greenland that, (Herald Special Representative) OSLO engine instruments, one large ships we noticed a storm hovering there, and (NORWAY), April 22.— compass, an English air force bubble soon from an altitude of 6000 feet we Capt. Roald Amundsen, the noted sextant, a pocket sextant, four special could see high storm clouds 400 miles explorer, believes that Polar flying watches, a drift indicator, a course and away, and as we swung away from clouded conditions are more favourable now than distance calculator, a nautical almanac, and Grant Land, we saw what Peary had named in May, when fog is prevalent. special charts and tables. the big lead. It stretched from the Apparently Wilkins was not troubled by The machine and engine were neighbourhood of Cape Columbia to ice freezing on his plane, as befell the thoroughly tested before leaving Los Greenland. airship Norge on Amundsen’s Spitsbergen- Angeles for Alaska, for airplanes have We slipped into still cold, 48 degrees Alaska flight in May, 1926. Amundsen individual traits and differ like humans. below zero, but only for a few minutes. says it is impossible to say whether the Our plane received three weeks’ The warm air current about the open water fliers crossed the Pole. They certainly adjustments under Arctic conditions near Spitsbergen soon had us on its lap. crossed the Polar Basin, apparently The business of preparing our other We were at our highest latitude and as following the same line as the Norge. “It equipment was long and careful. Old Peary said, we were soon slipping down was a splendid sporting enterprise,” he Eskimo women carefully examined and the North Pole hill in fine shape. When our added, “valuable to geographical repaired the reindeer skin clothing, and observations of the snow drift and the ice knowledge in view of the important young women stretched with their teeth movement are carefully plotted, some observations probably made.” and arms, our seal skin boots mittens, until useful information should result from our He hoped the fliers would go to Norway, they fitted perfectly. experience of arctic navigation. where they would be most welcome. It was An experienced Eskimo man sharpened It was as we expected, no more difficult, only right that this pair of heroes should the seal spears, fashioned the ice picks, and perhaps easier than elsewhere. Our bubble have succeeded in a remarkable whittled the apparatus for receiving dead sextant acted perfectly. Our charts and achievement, which unlike trans-Atlantic seals from the water. “If the machine maps were well prepared. Our plane in flights, was un-aided. fails,” said the Eskimo. “You must walk normal air was steady in flight. Our Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Monday 23 and carry the equipment necessary to compasses, while not perfect, were more or maintain you.” Our Arctic food supply April 1928, page 1. less dependable. consisted of chocolate, 5 lb. of biscuits, 20 Kalgoorlie Miner (WA), Wednesday 25 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 lb. of pemmican, 20 lb. of malted milk, 24 April 1928, page 6. 43985890 lb. of raisins. Other things included were https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 medicines, a flask of ether, surgical 4013163 instruments, stoves for heating over the 35

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

25 April 1928 26 April 1928 weather soon cleared and the sunshine was Wilkins’s Great Arctic Flight ARCTIC AVIATORS. reassuring. I celebrated the return of the CAPTAIN WILKINS. STEAMER TO BRING OUT sunshine by having a stick of chewing Wilkins Refuses Join Byrd gum. HAS ANTARCTIC PLANS. After the first 13 hours of the flight had OSLO, Tuesday: — passed it became difficult to keep the The Northern Exploration Company’s engine warm, although it was wrapped in steamer Njina has left Norway and will asbestos. The machine grew light when she proceed as near as possible to Green had only 30 gallons of petrol left, and was Harbour to pick up Wilkins, Eielson and approaching our goal. the aeroplane and bring them to Norway. She leaped and bucked like a vicious The vessel is due to arrive on Saturday. horse, and to add to it all, fine snow and Thus the explorers are expected at Tromsø the wind made everything invisible. My early in the coming week. landing was lucky. I was reminded of Captain Wilkins today refused an offer Robinson Crusoe by our stay on Dead from Commander Byrd to join his Man’s Island. It was, however, not warm Antarctic Expedition. He also refused to there. You can imagine my consternation The intrepid explorer is here seen with Miss Genevieve when I nearly left Wilkins behind on Parker, an Alaskan college girl. The picture was taken in sell the aeroplane to Byrd. 1926, when Capt. Wilkins hoped to fly from Point Barrow Wilkins says he does not want to divulge taking off to leave Dead Man’s Island. across the Pole to Spitzbergen, but both the aeroplanes of his Antarctic plans at present, but expects Our efforts to get started would have the expedition were wrecked. He has now accomplished been extremely ludicrous had they not the feat and gained world-wide fame. to start in September. Pending the arrival of the Njina he is having a happy time at been so downright serious. We determined George Wilkins, the Australian Green Harbour. He was surprised to find if necessary, since the Lockheed monoplane could not start without him photographer, naturalist, and airman, comfortable houses so far north. Wilkins, accompanied by Carl Eielson, of the points out that their object was not to reach pushing, and once started he was unable to U.S.A. Air Service, succeeded last week in the actual Pole, but to survey unknown get in, to drop him provisions and arms while I flew for help, but fortunately that making the first flight from Alaska across areas. the Polar region, flying from Point Barrow Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW), did not prove necessary. to Spitsbergen, alighting at Dauholmen, a Our trip has successfully ended, and we Thursday 26 April 1928, page 3. have settled down to enjoy the comforts of small island north of Spitsbergen, in 21 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Green Harbour, which to us has seemed hours, there to remain for five days before 92775926 continuing, owing to tempestuous weather like a foretaste of heaven.” and snowstorms. Wireless messages state that both airmen 26 April 1928 Steamer for Aeroplane arrived well and with their small aeroplane Polar Flight Despatch from Norway undamaged. The plane was fitted with Pilot’s Impressions Oslo, April 24. special wooden skids to enable it to land Engine Gets Cold The Northern Exploration Company’s on snow or ice. Comment by experts is that Light Machine Tossed About Ninja has left Norway with telegraphic instructions to proceed as near as possible the flight is epochal, a definite contribution Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian to Green Harbour to pick up the aeroplane to science, and everywhere the experts join explorer, who flew across the Arctic polar in hailing Wilkins’s persistence and region from Point Barrow (Alaska) to used by Captain Wilkins and Lieutenant Eielson and bring it back to Norway. The courage. Green Harbour, Svalbard, a distance of vessel is due to arrive on Saturday. The machine was the smallest ever used 2,200 miles, with Lieutenant Eielson, has for Arctic exploration, but extremely sent by wireless some impressions of the Thus, the explorers are expected to teach Tromsø early in the coming week. Captain speedy. Wilkins telegraphed that he had trip formed by his companion. Wilkins today refused an offer from discovered no land. Commander Byrd, of the United States, to Green Harbour, April 24. join his Antarctic expedition. He also CAPTAIN WILKINS AND HIS Well rested, we are enjoying the refused to sell his aeroplane to Commander ARCTIC PLANE. comforts of the mess at the Green Harbour radio station, and the splendid hospitality Byrd. Captain Wilkins says that he does not of the Norwegian officials. It is possible want to divulge his Antarctic plans at that we may not be able to leave until after the middle of May. present, but he expects to start in September. Pending the arrival of the Ninja It would be impossible to take off in a the airmen are having a happy time at machine fitted with wheels from snow and ice, and it would be hazardous to attempt a Green Harbour. They are mostly occupied in playing auction bridge. They were landing on any but snow-covered country surprised to find modem and comfortable with the skis we have. So we must wait patiently for houses in a place so far north. Captain Wilkins points out that his transportation by steamship. I include object was not to leach the actual Pole, but herewith Lieutenant Eielson’s account of This picture shows Captain Wilkins on his plane at the our adventure: to survey unknown areas. Questions have Lockhead Aircraft Corporation: works at Los Angeles, been cabled to him from all parts of the “It occurred to me before starting that California. It was stated at the time: “Captain Wilkins world, and he has authorised the wireless expects to fly from Point Barrow during April in an effort there were not many men with whom I to lift-over new land, which he believes is within a radius would be willing to set forth on such a trip, operator to say that he is unable to answer of 1000 miles of the base. The gas capacity of the ship is further questions. where there was always the chance of a 370 miles, and a 'mushier speed of 115 miles an hour can be attained. Wilkins’s proposed route logs 2100 miles.” year’s walk back, but I had had before a — (Wide World Photo.) thorough demonstration of Captain Morse Gold Medal. Wilkins’s ability on the ice as well as his American Society’s Award. Sydney Mail (NSW), Wednesday 25 April accuracy in Arctic navigation. New York, April 23. The American Geographical Society has 1928, page 11. Some of my impressions during the awarded the Morse gold medal to Captain https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 flight I may set down as follows: — when Wilkins, in recognition of his exploration 58399043 we ran into the first mass of clouds I began work in the Arctic and his flight to to wish that it had been my lot to be a Spitsbergen. The medal is named after the chicken farmer and not an aviator, but the 36

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) inventor of the telegraph, and Captain Reply to Mr. Bruce Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 26 Wilkins is the first to receive the award. Canberra, Wednesday. — April 1928, page 6. The following cable message has been https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3 Value to Science received by the Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) 927621 General Nobile Dubious from Captain Wilkins, dated Svalbard. New York, April 24. April 23: — “I much appreciate your 27 April 1928 A representative of the New York Times message. If I but uphold Australia’s “GOLDEN CITY.” has had an exclusive interview with reputation I am well pleased.” Mr. Bruce General Nobile, the navigator of the airship has also received the following message GREEN HARBOUR. Italia, which is to undertake exploratory from the British Secretary of State for Air FEELINGS OF ARCTIC work at the North Pole. General Nobile, (Sir Samuel Home): — “The Air Council EXPLORERS. while giving unstinted praise to Captain tenders warmest congratulations on (From Captain. H. G. Wilkins, Copyright.) Wilkins for his feat in the face of adverse Wilkins and Eielson’s splendid Arctic GREEN HARBOUR, April 25. weather conditions, expressed himself flight.” Our first sight of Green Harbour from guardedly regarding the scientific value of the air was a golden city paved with gold the enterprise. for us. Our five snowbound days on Dead General Nobile remarked that the failure Man’s Island was the fillip necessary, to of Captain Wilkins to sight land was not help us to realise our wonderful good positive proof that there was no large fortune, particularly in view of the storm island or even a continent between Alaska that raged upon our landing. and Spitsbergen. The radio operator at King’s Bay, during He added: — “The fliers may have failed that storm, lost his way en route to the to notice the land they traversed on account village from the radio station, and was of bad vision. The flight from Point frozen to death. Barrow to Spitsbergen was a great feat, but We cannot thank each of the many the trip in the opposite direction is much persons who have sent us messages of more difficult. I know what I will have to congratulations, but we would like to face, but I believe that the scientific results express, through the medium of the Press, will be entirely satisfactory. An airship can our sincere appreciation. halt or cruise over a certain point for a long The Australian Prime Minister Mr. Bruce, from the The flight we made may be the Advertiser (Adelaide), Wednesday 25 April 1928, page 9. time, while an aeroplane is unable to do forerunner of Transarctic transportation on this, and must continue on its course at top a scenic air route, which in years to come speed. United States Airmen will serve curious sightseers, speeding Very Seriously Ill from Alaska’s tundras to the awe-inspiring Long Flight with Serum Greenland. There is, however, still much Quebec, April 24. advance to be made in aeronautical Colonel Lindbergh and Commander engineering and weather forecasting. Many Byrd have arrived at the bedside of the more chapters may still be written in the United States airman, Floyd Bennett, who book of Arctic exploration. became ill with double pneumonia when flying with spare parts for the Bremen in a SNOW DELAYS DEPARTURE. Ford aeroplane. It had been arranged that General Nobile, perhaps, will cover the Bennett should take part in Commander route from Wrangel Island to Dixon, the Byrd’s flight to the South Pole. Russian meteorological station near Colonel Lindbergh took off from New Novoya Zembla, and his expedition is York for Quebec with a supply of serum, more likely to result in the discovery of which will be used to aid Bennett in new islands. We wish him all success, but combating the attack of pneumonia. fear that his misfortune and delay will Lindbergh used an army observation mean that it will be too late in the summer aeroplane, which has a speed of about 50 for productive long distance flying in the miles an hour greater than that of his new Arctic. Sounding of the Arctic Ocean Ryan aeroplane. When he left New York, depths is yet to be done. I feel certain that he expected to average 130 miles an hour. men of experience could fly out from The doctors say that Bennett’s condition is Grant Land to the North Pole, land, make very grave. soundings, and return without too great a risk. Photo from the ISO Polar Archives. 1926-28. Bremen Stormbound The conditions for engines and In the meantime a report from Greenly Triumphs of Australians aeroplanes in the Arctic are not particularly Island stated that the repairs to the Bremen Wilkins Praised as Explorer different to anywhere else. We used the were completed this morning, and that the London, April 23. same quality of petrol and oil as in the aeroplane would be ready to take off as The Times makes the following United States. The Arctic is a mistress that soon as the weather became favourable, comment: — “The achievements of will not be subdued by idle gestures. The but there is at present no indication as to Wilkins and Hinkler are remarkable depth of the snow probably will delay us when this will be. The runners with which triumphs for Australian aviation. Captain leaving here. it was at first proposed to equip the Wilkins’s preparations were very One boat, which was a possible means of Bremen have not been used, but the complete, and in making them he set an transportation, is frozen solid in King’s original wheels have been retained. No example to everyone who engages in Bay, and another ship, that will call at difficulty is expected from taking off from perilous adventures in the air. Long Year City, about 50 miles from here, the ice, which is solid and smooth, with Moreover, he conducted his observations may arrive about the middle of May. It ample unimpeded space. with unremitting care and accuracy. He has may serve to carry us to Oslo, from where Baron von Huenfeld is suffering from stamped himself not only as a man of we expect to ship our plane to New York, the effects of the cold, but he is fit for the initiative, but as explorer in whose and proceed there ourselves. journey. Captain Koehl is in splendid judgment it is possible to place complete Brisbane Courier (Qld), Friday 27 April condition. The latest report from Greenly confidence.” 1928, page 15. Island states that the Bremen is https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 stormbound. 1246908 37

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

27 April 1928 Anybody is a benefactor who shows an that he had seen no land in the Polar Over Arctic Ice American a new and useful way to spend Region. WILKINS’ FEAT. his money. That is evidently the difficult The aeroplane in which the flight was The Australian airman, Captain Wilkins, thing to discover an avenue of expenditure made is the smallest that has been used in successfully flew from Point Barrow which will not pauperise or debase, or ruin exploration in the Arctic. It is a Lockheed across the North Pole regions to Green its own object. Vega, a new aeroplane just put on the Harbor, three parts of which area have Endowing universities, mission, market, and, compared with the Dorni never before been seen by man. hospitals, and philanthropics, has been Wals used by Amundsen, and Commander The machine travelled 3000 feet above worked almost to death by millionaires, Byrd’s triplane Fokker, this monoplane the Arctic wastes and the journey was over and now the object seems to be putting appears insignificant. 2200 miles. No land was seen on route, forward the aviation clock by financing big Stefansson the explorer expressed only frequent leads of open water. His stunts, such as the race to Europe, or Polar delight at the success. He said that Wilkins accomplishment is acclaimed by the whole expeditions. was the best man he had in the Canadian world. Mr. Wilkins seems to have been Arctic Expeditions from 1913 to 1918, and Dungog Chronicle : Durham and promised funds for a chain of Antarctic he referred to Sir John Monash’s Gloucester Advertiser (NSW), Friday 27 weather stations, on condition that he flew statement, that Wilkins was the bravest and from Alaska to Spitsbergen, which he has ablest man Sir John Monash had under April 1928, page 2. now accomplished in spite of the big him. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 difficulties, and amid the acclamation of Wilkins and Eielson will be obliged to 38189903 the world. It has been pointed out that his stay at a small village called Long Year feat has a very great practical value, on the City, near Green Harbour, until the first score that for the first time the great dream few weeks in May, when there will be a of communicating via the Pole on the part general thaw in the Polar Sea. Here 400 of countries far removed in longitude has men from the surrounding mines spend the been fulfilled. winter, as the terrible conditions make Stefansson sees in Wilkins the first work impossible. The airmen have no lonely pioneer of argosies of commercial means of reaching Long Year City at and passenger planes which have shortened present, but, however, they will be well the track from country to country by entertained. The workmen keep dog teams thousands of miles by crossing the Pole and carry on hunting. rather than flying round the earth. Captain G. H. Wilkins told a thrilling Anybody who takes the trouble to story by wireless from Spitsbergen. The examine an orange will see that the semi- object of the flight was to traverse in circle to opposite points in the temperate reverse direction the route followed by the zone is more than half again as long as the airship Norge, when in May, 1926, straight course over the poles represented Amundsen (Norway), Nobile (Italy), and by the stem of the orange. Ellsworth flew from Spitsbergen across the Thus the Poles, hitherto for all time Pole to Alaska. deserted, will become the most important Captain Wilkins states:— crossing stages on the earth, and it will pay “With good weather and good luck and an enterprising man to put up a bowser and by careful navigation we travelled 2,200 refreshment rooms, with central heating miles above the Arctic ice from Point accommodation. One suggests, with all due Barrow to Green Harbour, Svalbard where respect, that the time has come for three quarters of the area has never been Adelaide to honour Captain Wilkins for his seen before by man. distinguished services to humanity, and if We are thankful that the aeronautical and knighthoods cannot just now be secured at engineering skill of conscientious two a penny, then maybe it would be workmen and our accumulated Arctic possible to put up another statue somewhat experience have brought us through in on the lines of the Sir Ross Smith statue to comparative comfort and safety. Yet the one of South Australia’s noblest sons. trip was not without adventure. It took us Bunyip (Gawler, SA), Friday 27 April two days to get into the air before we were 1928, page 9. finally able to lift the machine, which https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 weighed 3,400lb., into the air on April 15 6671292 and we headed straight out on the Great Circle course that would change 22 times 28 April 1928 in 22 hours. For the first 500 miles the air was clear. WILKINS’S ARCTIC FLIGHT. Then clouds arose, but we overcame them Captain G. H. Wilkins, the Australian at an altitude of 3,000ft. We saw no signs explorer, and Lieutenant Eielson (U.S.A.) of islands, but we saw frequent leads of An advertisement from the (Dungog Chronicle : Durham have flown across the Arctic Region from open water, and would like to have made and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW), Friday 27 April 1928, Point Barrow (Alaska) to Spitsbergen, page 2.). soundings but the landing was too north of Norway. The flight was hazardous in view of the possibility of accomplished in 20½ hours. A delay of broken skis. The engine functioned 27 April 1928 five days in receipt of the news was due to perfectly. The sun was clear and the light CAPTAIN WILKINS AGAIN. bad weather, though the aeroplane was even. I took frequent sextant observations Mrs. Wilkins, the mother of the worthy equipped with wireless apparatus. No land by compass.” captain, naively remarks that ‘George is a was discovered. The airmen were forced Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday very determined boy.’ It may well be down on a small uninhabited island north observed that he seems to be, with the of Spitsbergen. 28 April 1928, page 11. projects he undertakes and the hair-raising It is interesting to note that the American https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 performances he has to put through. It is Geographical Society received the 40797954 very evident that in getting these American following message from Captain Wilkins: millionaires to finance him it is not — “No foxes seen.” This was the code altogether an easy job. arranged whereby the explorer indicated 38

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

1 May 1928 Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Friday 4 May In his latest message Commander Nobile CAPTAIN WILKINS HONORED 1928, page 11. wirelessed: — “We reached the Pole and The King has approved of an award to https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 dropped the Italian flag, also the Cross Capt. G. H. Wilkins the South Australian 02307086 which the Pope gave me for the purpose. explorer of the Royal Gold Medal of the “Am sending reverent message to the King Geographical Society in recognition of his of Italy, one to Signor Mussolini informing many years of systematic polar work, him that the Italian flag flew over the Pole, culminating in his great flight over the and one to the Pope announcing that the North Pole. Cross has been dropped.” Northern Territory Times (Darwin, NT), 25 May 1928 Tuesday 1 May 1928, page 3. COMMANDER NOBILE FLIES https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 ACROSS NORTH POLE IN ITALIA. 555227 HIS SECOND FLIGHT OVER ICY REGION IN AIRSHIP. 4 May 1928 Followed Route That Led From Extreme “MY POLAR FLIGHTS.” North of Greenland along the 27th WILKINS WRITES A BOOK. Meridian OSLO, 2nd May. ARCTICA “TOPSY-TURVY” WORLD Captain Wilkins, the Australian explorer, (Pictorial Special Service, Copyright) who recently flew over the North Pole, is KING’S BAY (Spitsbergen), Thursday. spending his time while waiting for a ship Commander Nobile, who cleared King’s in writing a book, entitled “My Polar Bay in the airship Italia at 4.28 a.m. Flights.” Wilkins thinks it would not be yesterday, has crossed the North Pole. This impossible to live in the Arctic regions is the second time he has visited the Pole. near the Pole. He is strongly of opinion The first time was in the airship Norge, on May 12, 1926, with Capt. Roald that future air routes should follow his, The thick line on the accompanying map shows the route because of the excellent landing bases in Amundsen. The Italia remained at the Pole followed by Commander Nobile in the airship Italia from Alaska. from one o’clock till two o’clock this Spitzbergen to the North Pole. The dotted line shows the morning, and is now en route to course taken by the Australian explorer, Captain G. H. Wilkins, on April 15, when he flew in his Lockehead HIS FUTURE PLANS. Spitsbergen. monoplane from Point Barrow (Alaska) across the North NEW YORK, 2nd May. The Italia travelled from the extreme Pole to Spitzbergen, after 21½ hours’ flying. A correspondent of the New York Times north of Greenland, and proceeded to the at Svalbard has interviewed Captain Pole along the 27th meridian. A wireless Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), Friday Wilkins. Wilkins hopes to reach New York message from a special correspondent 25 May 1928, page 4. on 1st July. He is making plans to fly from aboard the Italia states: Prior to leaving for https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Ross Sea to Graham Land, not to rival the pole we spent most of our time aboard 46774609 Commander Byrd’s project to reach the the supply ship Citta di Milano, where we enjoyed every comfort, though South Pole, but their bases may be close 30 May 1928 occasionally we were homesick. We have together. Wilkins will fly from the west WILKINS OFFERS HELP. and follow the coast of Graham Land, to consult the clock and a calendar in order to distinguish night from day. If we feel ROME, Tuesday.— while Byrd will fly inland and south. Signor Mussolini has received a wireless sleepy we must consider whether it is bedtime or rising time. message from Capt. Wilkins offering to KINGSFORD SMITH’S PACIFIC organise an expedition to search for the FLIGHT. It is a topsy-turvy world, with sleep time and work time intermingled. One may go Italia. SAN FRANCISCQ, 2nd May. A cyclone at King’s Bay has caused an Captain Kingsford Smith left Santa for a brisk walk at 2 a.m., and often he is in bed at 3 p.m. in order to begin work at interruption in wireless communication. Monica (California) in his plane the The station aerial is in danger of being Southern Cross for San Francisco. This is midnight. Breakfast is usually at 1 a.m., when the sun is already high in the blown down. the first leg of his projected flight to Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), Wednesday 30 Australia. heavens. May 1928, page 1. On his arrival here today Captain Smith When the Italia was resting in the said he would be on the way to Australia hangar, 600 gas containers, weighing tons, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 within 30 days. had to be taken across the fields to the 7591517 airship for the restoration of buoyancy BY AIRSHIP TO THE POLE. when in flight. Another 600 must be 30 May 1928 BERLIN, 3rd May. prepared against the Italia’s return, so ARCTIC FLIGHT. Captain Nobile, the Italian aeronaut, left Commander Romagna and crew of the Captain Wilkins’ Story. Stolp (Pomerania) at 3.25 a.m. today in his Citta di Milano will be deprived of all “300 MILES FROM POLE.” airship the Italia for Spitsbergen, en route leisure. Full details of Captain G. H. Wilkins’s to the North Pole. remarkable flight from Point Barrow, in Alaska, to Spitsbergen, reference to which AMERICAN COMPLIMENT TO was made in a summary of the aviators’ GERMAN AIRMEN. own story in the Herald of April 24, WASHINGTON, 2nd May. indicate clearly that the Australian and his Today President Coolidge received the companion, Carl Ben Eielson, did not cross crew of the Bremen, the German plane the North Pole. which recently crossed the Atlantic, and In a complete account of the flight, presented them with the Distinguished which has reached Sydney by mail, Flying Cross. This is the first time the Wilkins states that they had planned to go American Flying Cross has been given to The Airship Italia. no closer than 300 miles from the Pole. foreigners. Heading out from Grant Land, which they Afterwards the airmen placed a wreath FLAG AND CROSS DROPPED sighted 13 hours after starting, the aviators on the grave of the ‘unknown soldier’ in (From Commander Nobile.) LONDON, flew close to latitude 85 north, which Arlington cemetery. Thursday. brought them as near to the Pole as they intended to go. 39

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Half page spread in the (Newcastle Sun (NSW), Friday 1 welcomed them, and crowds cheered them Captain Amundsen had always been the June 1928, page 10.) en route to the Grand Hotel where the hero of his youth.

Royal suite was placed at their disposal. He also paid a tribute to the work of the The full account, given with a wealth of The explorers were motored to the home of Norwegian Polar explorers. Three naval description that subordinates the dangers of Captain Amundsen, who held a special aeroplanes circled over Captain the journey to its scientific significance, reception in their honour. Amundsen’s home during the ceremony. casts a little more light on the difficulties The American Minister tendered them a At the banquet both Captain Wilkins and of Arctic aviation. Three times before luncheon, and the city was in gala attire. Lieutenant Eielson were appointed finally rising from the snow at Point The airmen-explorers were the chief guests honorary members of the Norwegian Barrow the plane had failed to lift its at a banquet in the evening. Aeronautical Association Major Tryggve enormous load. Captain Amundsen, as president of the Gran, who was a member of Scott’s South At each try the pair of metal skis fitted to newly founded Norwegian Aero Club, Polar expedition, proposed the toast of the undercarriage was broken. Thirty-three decorated the airmen with the club’s gold “Australia, Captain Wilkins’s Native Eskimos, whose aid was sought at Barrow, medal, saying they were “two of the Land,” and the British Minister, responded. shovelled snow from a laneway 500 feet greatest fliers of our time,” and had long, but even this had to be abandoned, covered more unknown territory than any and the plane was hauled by ten men and other airmen. 25 dogs over the snow to a lagoon five miles from Barrow village. Here another runway 6000 feet long was cut. The work occupied two perfect flying days, and it was not till they had been delayed a week in starting that Eielson guided the machine along the 14-foot wide ditch into the air. Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Wednesday 30 May 1928, page 19. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 6468321

2 June 1928 CAPTAIN WILKINS. A REGAL RECEPTION OSLO EN FETE. OSLO, May 24.

Oslo today triumphantly received Oslo, Norway. Captain George Wilkins and Lieutenant Captain Wilkins.

Eielson on their arrival from Bergen. The He also paid a tribute to the work of the Captain Wilkins and Lieutenant Eielson president of the Norwegian Geographical Norwegian Polar explorers. Three naval Society headed the delegation which responded, the former remarking that 40

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) aeroplanes circled over Captain It is but natural that our hearts should go Amundsen’s home during the ceremony. out to him and that we should be ready At the banquet both Captain Wilkins and with big Australian cheers to greet him Lieutenant Eielson were appointed when he comes to us. honorary members of the Norwegian Aero- Even if the last stage of the flight is not nautical Association Major Tryggve Gran, completed, Kingsford Smith already has who was a member of Scott’s South Polar earned the title of a distinguished expedition, proposed the toast of Australian. Ross Smith, Keith Smith, Parer “Australia. Captain Wilkins’s Native and McIntosh, Hinkler, Wilkins, and Land,” and the British Minister, responded. Kingsford Smith — what a roll of air Chronicle (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 2 June heroes Australia has produced! It is good 1928, page 60. to think that Australia breeds men who find https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 in adventure a challenge to their ability and An advertisement from the (Morning Bulletin resource. (Rockhampton), Friday 8 June 1928, page 10). 0414333 Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Thursday 7 June 1928, page 6. 8 June 1928 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/ Sir George Wilkins. 114201102 Captain George Hubert Wilkins, explorer and airman, has been knighted by 7 June 1928 the King. Sir George was born in South Australia on October 31st, 1888. His has 4 June 1928 HOW CAPTAIN KINGSFORD SMITH TELLS BY RADIO THE PROGRESS been a life of thrilling adventure, of which Birthday Honours the most spectacular and notable feat was OF THE “SOUTHERN CROSS” Captain George Wilkins performed last month when, after several WHILST IN THE AIR. A Knight Bachelor thwarted attempts, he flew across the North Sydney, Monday. Pole from Alaska to Spitsbergen. Sir Lord Stonehaven, the Governor-General, George was second-in-command of has received advice that His Majesty the Stefansson’s Arctic expedition in 1913- King has been pleased to confer the 1917. following Commonwealth honours: — In 1917 he was granted a commission in — Knight Bachelor. — the Australian Flying Corps, Australian Captain George Herbert Wilkins. Imperial Forces, and was seconded to the Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), Military History Department as official Monday 4 June 1928, page 1. photographer, a position which he https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 occupied from 1917 till the end of the war. 6021136 He was awarded a Military Cross and bar. He attempted a flight from England to 7 June 1928 Australia, and was second-in-command of the British Imperial Antarctic expedition in Kingsford Smith Flight. View of a short wave transmitter, with a generator The eyes of the world are on Captain attached, similar to that used in the Southern Cross. 1920-21. Kingsford Smith and his gallant In 1921-22 he was naturalist with the companions in their thrilling attempt to Shackleton-Rowett Expedition, and in achieve another air triumph, the crossing of 1926-27 was commander of the Detroit the Pacific from San Francisco to Brisbane. Arctic expedition. They have triumphed over the supreme Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton), Friday 8 difficulty, the non-stop flight of 3180 miles June 1928, page 10. from Hawaii to Suva. The gap of 1508 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 miles from Suva to Brisbane remains to be 4624792 bridged, and success seems certain. In considering air triumphs, people love 9 June 1928 to pit one hero against another; they love to THE BIRTHDAY HONOURS. discuss which achievement was really the CAPTAIN GEORGE WILKINS greatest. It is a futile pastime, for there are The short wave transmitter is the same machine when it KNIGHTED. such differences in conditions, equipment was used by Captain George Wilkins in his Polar SIR HENRY NEWLAND AND SIR and organisation. exploration flight. JOHN MELROSE. Hinkler’s solo effort, for instance, cannot South Australia will claim three more justly be compared with the Kingsford knights in the Birthday honours conferred Smith flight, or with Captain Wilkins’s by His Majesty the King. They are Capt. flight over the North Pole. Each of these Sir George Wilkins, M.C., Sir John achievements ought to have a special place Melrose, and Sir Henry Newland. Mr. H. in our respect, and we should be perfectly Blinman (Under Secretary) has been content with the thought that each was a created I.S.O. triumph for Australian courage and His Excellency The Governor-General resource. Each was a great feat, and each (Lord Stonehaven) received advice last has its appeal to our imagination. Sunday that His Majesty the King had been It must not be forgotten that Captain pleased to confer the following Kingsford Smith is an Australian. His Commonwealth honours:— Wind-driven generator which supplies the power for the companions are glorious fellows and they short wave transmitter, from photograph taken in San will always be honoured, but flying to our Francisco. To be Knight Commander of St. shores out of space is a fellow Australian Michael and St. George. with eyes bent upon a great purpose, and Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Thursday The Right Honourable, Isaac Alfred Isaacs, with every nerve of his body directed to 7 June 1928, page 14. Senior Puisne Justice of the High Court of the task of leadership in an almost https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Australia. immortal enterprise. 6470340

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The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

the Argentine. The Polar Regions would Over the Pole……………….Sir George To be Commander of St. Michael and probably become the principal West-East Wilkins St. George. air route. All these and more great flying Robert Boyne, Government Representative It was 6,500 miles from England to achievements stand to the credit of on the Canned Fruit Export Control Board. Japan via the Pole whereas it was 11,000 Australians, a nation of six million people miles by ordinary ship flying routes, which having given birth to aerial heroes who To be Commander of the British Empire indicated that these regions might, with the have left very few other records for the rest (Civil Division). progress of aviation, become the regular of the world to capture. Australians have Frank Strachan, Assistant Secretary to the route between Europe and the Far East taken to the air as naturally as the English Prime Minister’s Department. of King Alfred’s day first took to the sea. George Shaw Knowles, Assistant Secretary Sir Samuel Hoare added that Sir George Are Australians going to rule the air as our and Assistant Parliamentary Draughtsman, Wilkins’s flight demonstrated that man had ancestors ruled the waves? Attorney-General’s Department. conquered not only the machine, but, by its Strangely enough Aussies have never Henry John Sheehan, Assistant Secretary aid, the Pole The Point Barrow Eskimos favoured a nautical life like their British to the Department of the Treasury. named Sir George Wilkins “Tnakuta”— forefathers. But with the achievements of otherwise strong, wise man—and they are Sir George Wilkins and now Captain Order of the British Empire (Civil right. Mr. L. S. Amery (Secretary of State Kingsford Smith, to add to the scroll of Division.) for the Dominions) said nobody could aerial fame it is obvious how eagerly and Mrs. Effie Wilkinson. foretell how much human communication naturally Australians hare gone into the air. had been expedited by this daring flight. Before the war the air was a No Man’s Order of the British Empire (Military Land as far as Australia was concerned. Division.) DESPITE MISFORTUNES. There were a few aeroplanes in the country Capt. Ronald Tracy Alexander McDonald. Sir George Wilkins, in his reply, traced but none of them could raise any great the whole misfortunes of the years enthusiasm among Australians. With the Member of the Order of the British 1926/27, when he had to face the criticisms coming of the European conflict, however, Empire (Military Division.) of his friends and the world at large. He things changed rapidly; Aussie fliers Ordnance-Lieut.-Commander George said the flight was not made to prove that distinguished themselves in many a notable Prideaux, R.A.N. aeroplanes could fly under polar feat high up in the clouds above the conditions, which had already been warring armies. To be Knight Bachelor. established. And Australian names began to figure in Capt. George Herbert Wilkins. He had the fixed idea that despatches as accomplished pilots and meteorological stations, both Arctic and daring aviators. When peace was signed To Be I.S.O. Antarctic, would have far-reaching effects many of these proved fliers found Joshua Dyson Farrar, Chief Electoral on the world; for example, they might themselves at a loose end. Officer. prevent the cruel sufferings in Australia After their Henry Latimer Walters, Secretary to the due to droughts. ADVENTUROUS LIFE Works and Railways Department. The flight revealed that it was of the war years they had little inclination impossible to establish a meteorological to go back to their pre-1914 occupations. SOUTH AUSTRALIAN HONOURS. station in the area, north of Point Barrow, And most of them seem to have gravitated To be Knights Bachelor. except on a moving ice floe. back to the element that had previously Dr. Henry Simpson Newland, C.B.E. The next stage was the Antarctic, where, been foreign to them. Some few adopted Mr. John Melrose, of Ulooloo. he hoped a more permanent situation may commercial aviation; others, notably be discovered. In any event, so far as he Kingsford Smith, went stunting for the Companion of the Imperial Service was able to say, it might soon be possible movies. And in the majority of Australia's Order. to forecast the weather for Australia’s wartime fliers there remained that Mr. H. Blinman (Under-Treasurer). benefit. irresistible urge to be up—high up—and Observer (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 9 June Lieut. Eielson, in response, confessed doing. They were not slow to start. In 1919 1928, page 9. that he was unable to grasp the Harry Hawker and Sir Ross Smith startled meteorological and scientific features of the world with unprecedented feats. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 the flight as Wilkins did. “My thoughts Certainly Hawker’s effort to fly the 64883114 were hundreds of miles behind the fast- Atlantic ended in the sea whence he was

moving plane, with an Esquimau girl on fortunately picked up by a passing steamer. 9 June 1928 the coast of Alaska,” he said. But he was showing the way and the world THE ARCTIC He declared he is proud to have did not hesitate to recognise GREAT IMPORTANCE accompanied Wilkins, but does not accept HIS SPORTING ATTEMPT TRIBUTE TO WILKINS any credit, for when Wilkins clamps his Unhappily the dauntless Hawker crashed Government Entertainment Australian jaw and says he is going in 1921, having succumbed to heart LONDON, Thursday. — somewhere, he dare not say he (Eielson) is trouble—it was believed—while taking A most interesting Anglo-Australian not going. part to a race. The flight of Sir Ross Smith lunch was held at the Savoy Hotel to-day, Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW), (killed in a crash in 1922) and his brother, when the Government entertained Captain Saturday 9 June 1928, page 5. Sir Keith Smith, and Lieutenants Shiers Sir George Wilkins and Lieut. Eielson in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 and Bennett from England to Australia celebration of their transpolar flight. 91580463 knocked every other great aerial Sir Samuel Hoare (Secretary of State for achievement endwise. the Air) presided. He paid a tribute to the In 28 days the four daring Australians 9 June 1928 exploits of the guests, who together had flew from England to Australia winning AUSTRALIA CONQUERS THE AIR flown 18,000 miles in the Polar Regions, the Commonwealth’s prize of £10,000. and accomplished three historic Arctic Just as Britain Conquered the Seas Next year Lt. R. Parer followed their journeys. Not only had they flown over a KINGSFORD SMITH ADDS example, this time with one companion part of the world hitherto unseen by the LAURELS TO AUSSIE’S (the late Lt. McIntosh) and in a machine human eye, but had accomplished WONDERFUL AERIAL RECORD that threatened observations of the greatest value to the England to Australia ...... Sir Ross TO FALL TO BITS whole world. Smith any minute. Stefansson had emphasised that the England to Australia (solo)...Bert Hinkler This was another magnificent Arctic could be an important source of the America to Australia……….Kingsford achievement against almost overwhelming world’s food supplies, even supplanting Smith odds. Over the route these men had 42

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) pioneered nearly eight years before Bert through in the face of grave odds. Hinkler Keith Smith and Hurley, the new Knight Hinkler in March last dashed out alone struggled for years saving up enough once wore Australian khaki, winning from Britain to Bundaberg in a shade over money to fly to Australia. Parer, another distinction by superb courage. fifteen days, leaving non-stop records unfinancial Aussie, flew here with shattered all the way along his line of flight McIntosh, in a machine that should never FLAMMENWERFERS! and achieving it all unaided and have left the scrap heap. It is typical of the colossal audacity of unaccompanied. Kingsford Smith is £6000 behind on his the Digger, that Wilkins should Australia, first circumnavigated by a Pacific flight. Even the studied opposition contemplate suggesting to the Allied Point Cook Aerodrome crew, has since of a narrow minded section of the Nations that Germany might reasonably be been encompassed by a number of other American press did not deter Smith who expected to make him a few Aussie fliers, notably Kingsford-Smith and even strove for endurance and non-stop flammenwerfers (flame throwers) for the his business partner, Keith Anderson. records to prove his capabilities to his Antarctic! When Lt. Briggs slipped over from reluctant backers. Like immortal Drake, he plans to singe Melbourne to Perth by air he and his Quite evidently the air is the natural the beard of another Monarch—the icicles passenger (the late C. J. de Garis) made element for the daring happy-go-lucky on the chin of the Ice King. Wilkins will Australians rub their eyes again at this Australian. Our men have never taken to seek by the fierce heat of flame throwers to smaller but important shattering of the sea. Our navy is manned largely by melt the ice and snow so that a safe, distance. English ratings; our naval college has been smooth getaway can be formed for the big And now there is no State than cannot filled with budding officers but there has plane. If successful he will have eliminated point to at least one outstanding Aussie been no eagerness on the part of young perhaps the greatest dread of Polar airman, whose practical pioneering feats men to serve before the mast. Flying—the impossibility of rising from a are unexcelled anywhere in the world. In Perhaps after all it is best that it should forced landing on a rough surface. In his the West Major Brearley and his Airways he so. The vast distances of Australia, the early attempts to reach the Pole before pilots have established a record that is natural isolation are gradually being Byrd and Amundsen—attempts which probably not bettered anywhere, and from broken down by the airmen. were heroic failures—the one thing which the other capital cities Australian pilots are Mirror (Perth, WA), Saturday 9 June 1928, did not disappoint the Australian was his speeding along in the services of page 12. fine wireless set (see photo.). commerce as enthusiastically and as https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7 courageously as in the more hectic times of 6407824 war.

MADE FIRST TRANS-PACIFIC FLIGHT WIRELESS USED BY WILKINS “THE SOUTHERN CROSS,” in which Kingsford Smith flew across the Pacific. Powered by Burgess Radio Batteries, it Squadron Leader Wackett, now in Perth, functioned perfectly. The most spectacular is another excellent example of the wireless success was the announcement of Australian’s aptitude for the air. Wackett is the passing of Amundsen’s huge airship not only a notable flier but he has proved near Point Barrow. A tiny radio sending his capacity to build an airworthy, efficient set, with Burgess Batteries, on a dog plane. sledge, sent the first news to the world. In fact the super-marine in which he flew “The story of David and Goliath over to Perth is an amphibian of his own design. again.” exclaimed the New York World, referring to the dog sledge set as compared Wackett just took to the air in his own mount as casually as the sportive gent who An advertisement from the (Mirror (Perth, WA), Saturday with the immense radio equipment in the 9 June 1928, page 12.). airship Norge. devised the celebrated “Bitza” car so well known in Perth. 10 June 1928 Probably by diligently searching the records of lesser known Australians there WILKINS TO LEAD ANTARCTIC would be brought to light many other EPIC AHEAD reasons why Australia should preen herself Wresting fame and a knighthood by his on the calibre of her airmen. But it is not splendid jump of 2,200 miles from Alaska necessary. to Spitsbergen, skimming the cold bald The more notable of Aussie airmen— crown of the world, Sir George Wilkins is most of them not giving flying a thought planning a new adventure. before the war—have already thrilled the When he reaches New York on July 2, world. Right in the public eye just now are the friendly Antarctic rivalry with Kingsford Smith and Sir George Wilkins. Commander Byrd will probably take final The former, whose magnificent Trans- shape. Wilkins will seek to discover an Ocean Flight is but little, if any, inferior to unbroken chain of continental land at the that of Lindbergh is well known in this South Pole. He will launch his plane State, where till recently he was employed straight towards King Edward VII Land, by Airways, Ltd. The latter is the bearded The journey is expected to be made Polar explorer, whose conquest of the Pole through Bransfield Straits to South SIR GEORGE WILKINS by air was the latest of a serious of great Shetland Island. achievements that earned him a knighthood As always, Sir George will carry Sun (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 10 June on King’s Birthday. wireless and his ever reliable Burgess 1928, page 23. What makes all these great flights the Radio Batteries. Like Kingsford Smith, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 more noteworthy is that they were carried Hinkler, Parer, Lancaster. Ross Smith, 23212162 43

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

The climax of Sir George Wilkins’s ill- explorer, who formerly was a pupil there, fortune on that occasion came when he and was born in the district. crashed in the machine, and was forced to The above picture shows Sir George’s old abandon his attempt to fly across the Pole. home; and below is a photo of the school. The damaged machine was later reconditioned on behalf of Capt. Kingsford Smith, and fitted with three Wright Whirlwind J.H. engines, each of 220 horse- power. The Wright Whirlwind engines now have a remarkable record of achievement. They took Lindbergh and Chamberlain across the Atlantic, Wilkins across the North Pole, Byrd to the Pole, and back, and Maitland and Hagenberg on their first successful flight, from U.S.A. to Hawaii. Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), Monday 11 June 1928, page 5. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 7593938

15 June 1928 The above picture shows Sir George’s old home; and An advertisement for the batteries mentioned in the AUSTRALIAN COMPANY'S GIFT TO below is a photo of the school. article from the(Sun (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 10 June CAPTAIN KINGSFORD SMITH. 1928, page 23.). In the dramatic days when Captain Register (Adelaide, SA), Monday 18 June 11 June 1928 Kingsford Smith was struggling to raise 1928, page 10. funds to buy and equip Wilkins’s huge MESSAGE TO SIR G. WILKINS. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 During their stay in Brisbane, Captain Fokker one of his chief anxieties, was the installation of complete radio sending and 6636728 Kingsford Smith and Mr. Ulm sent the following cablegram to Sir George receiving equipment. Then a cable message, signed by New 18 June 1928 Wilkins: TRANS-PACIFIC FLIERS HONORED, “We both sincerely and heartily System Telephones Pty. Ltd., of Sydney, AWARDED AIR FORCE CROSS. congratulate you on the success of your Melbourne, and Adelaide instantly flight and the subsequent well-deserved removed all his radio worries by providing DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO knighthood. We wish you all the success free of cost a complete sending and AVIATION. you deserve, and will, we know achieve. receiving outfit, and a third emergency MELBOURNE, Sunday. (Signed) Kingsford Smith and Ulm”. watertight transmitting set for use in the Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld), Monday 11 remote event of a forced landing in the June 1928, page 9. ocean. This latter set was equipped with a https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 collapsible mast for an aerial. In an 78672193 interview Captain Kingsford Smith stated

that the radio equipment placed in his 11 June 1928 plane was acclaimed by wireless experts as To the Ends of the Earth. “the most complete ever installed in any SOUTHERN CROSS HAS FLOWN. aircraft,” and Warner, the operator, now USED BY WILKINS FOR POLAR holds a world’s record for transmitting and FLIGHT. receiving. MELBOURNE, Sunday. — Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW), Friday It can be claimed the giant three-engine 15 June 1928, page 6. Fokker monoplane, the Southern Cross, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 has flown to the ends of the earth, for this 95232272 identical machine was flown by Sir George Wilkins in a previous Arctic Expedition. 18 June 1928

HONOURING SIR GEORGE WILKINS.

Captain Kingsford Smith.

The Governor-General (Lord Stonehaven) has received advice that His Majesty the King has been pleased to award the Air Force Cross to Captain Charles Kingsford Smith, M.C., and Lieut. Charles Thomas Phillipe Ulm, in Wilkins’s family home in Mt Bryan from the ISO Polar recognition of the distinguished service Archive. rendered to aviation by their recent trans- Pacific flight from San Francisco (U.S.A.) An interesting ceremony took place at to Brisbane. the Mount Bryan East School, on Saturday

Sir George Wilkins, the Polar Explorer. in honour of Sir George Wilkins, the polar

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The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

4 July 1928 on the two aeroplanes he expects to take Aviation south with him this month. Sir George Wilkins at New York The sets will be constructed by a San New York, July 2. Francisco firm, and will be similar to the Sir George Wilkins and Lieut. Eielson, instruments with which Radio Operator on arriving in New York today, were James Warner, of the historic Southern welcomed at the City Hall by the Acting Cross, thrilled the civilised world in the Mayor. detailed account of the plane’s flight from In replying to speeches of welcome and California to Australia. Radio congratulation, Sir George Wilkins said: “I communication with the Wilkins can never express my gratitude to the expedition will be made possible by the American people for the splendid co- cooperation of the Norwegian whalers operation they gave us. It was one of the operating on both sides of the Antarctic greatest privileges of my life to carry the continent. Stars and Stripes to the Arctic, and I These vessels are equipped with appreciate the confidence which the United combination telegraph-telephone sets with States placed in me.” which they keep constantly in touch with Mr. William MacCracken, Assistant the larger “factory” ships in the Ross Sea Secretary of Commerce, said that the and Weddell Sea territory, near the recent Arctic flight had helped to promote Antarctic Circle. international goodwill by demonstrating The bigger ships always are in touch that men of different nationalities could with the shore stations of the whaling work in harmony on scientific projects. interests, and with the larger stations on Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Deception Island, in the South Shetland group, Sir George Wilkins has been Wednesday 4 July 1928, page 15. C. T. P. Ulm, assured. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 It is from this region that the Wilkins 6476697 U.S. PRAISE FOR AUSTRALIAN expedition will make its first flights to HEROES. establish a base for fuel and supplies NEW YORK, Saturday. 22 August 1928 somewhere in Graham Land, 600 miles “Australia has about New York’s RUMOUR UNTRUE. south of the outposts of civilisation. population but in flying genius Australia’s Wilkins’s Engagement. Nine “catchers” of the whaling fleet will 6,000,000 leave New York’s 6,000,000 far LOS ANGELES, Tuesday. be operating in the vicinity of Graham behind,” says Arthur Brisbane, in an A report is being circulated that Sir Land at the time Captain Wilkins and his editorial in the Hearst chain of papers. George Wilkins the Polar explorer, is pilot, Lieut. Carl Ben Eielson, begin their “Five of the world’s greatest fliers, Sir engaged to marry Miss Susan Bennett, an flight. Keith Smith, Sir George Wilkins, Hinkler, Australian actress now playing in New First arrangements for this service were Kingsford Smith and Ulm, are York. made by Captain Wilkins in Europe last Australians,” he continues. “Good fliers When questioned on the matter, Sir spring. Marconi personally discussed the are important to Australia, living in the George Wilkins said: “We are very good problems involved in keeping in touch shadow of 70,000,000 Japs, and friends, but the matter of engagement or with civilisation. 400,000,000 Chinese. marriage has never been discussed or The distinguished Australian explorer “Six million people with the right flying suggested, and the rumour is untrue.” spent a busy day in San Francisco, talking equipment are more powerful than Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), Wednesday 22 with radio engineers, and navigators, and 100,000,000 without it.” August 1928, page 1. fulfilled several personal engagements. Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), Monday 18 June https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 The next day he proceeded to Seattle, 1928, page 5. 7606840 flying over the Boeing air transport lines. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 Brisbane Courier (Qld), Tuesday 4 7595081 24 August 1928 September 1928, page 12. Sir George Wilkins https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 1326518 Portrait for N.S.W Art Gallery

London. August 22. Sir William Orpen, R.A., on behalf of the New South Wales Art Gallery has purchased Phillip Conard’s portrait of Sir 28 June 1928 Hubert Wilkins, the famous Australian Sir George Wilkins explorer and airman. Royal Geographical Society’s Award Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Friday London, June 18. 24 August 1928, page 7. The Royal Geographical Society today https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 presented the Patron’s Medal to Sir George 14414431 Hubert Wilkins, in recognition of his Polar exploration flight. Sir George Wilkins, in 4 September 1928 responding, separated the Union Jack from Preparing for Antarctic the American and Australian flags, to which it had been attached throughout the Captain Sir George Hubert Wilkins, 18,000 miles of Arctic flying, and handed writes our San Francisco correspondent, plans to keep the world informed of his it over to the president (Sir R. H. Charles) for the society’s museum. progress as he flies across the great wastes Susan Bennett and Wilkins from ISO Polar Archives. Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld), Thursday of the Antarctic, for, on his way to Seattle 28 June 1928, page 23. to inspect part of his equipment for the 24 September 1928 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 aerial exploration of the South Pole Sir George Wilkins 2950016 Regions, Captain Wilkins stopped in San Engagement Announced Francisco long enough to arrange for radio New York, September 22. receiving and transmitting sets to be used 45

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Miss Suzanne Bennett, the actress, a Jeffrey’s Crew explorers wrench from the Antarctic grasp native of Australia, announced today her Jeffrey expects to sail directly the secret of much of the world’s bad engagement to Captain Sir George Hubert southward, visiting Argentine to co-operate weather, they will have performed a Wilkins, the Arctic explorer, also a native with meteorological experts of that nation. monumental task. of Australia, who sailed today for Montevideo will be his last port of call and Montevideo, whence he will join a whaler, he will sail past the tip of South America, No Animal Life and proceed to Reception Island, the base slip into the Antarctic Circle and establish Aside from this meteorological data, the for his exploration flights. Sir George his headquarters on Graham Land on the aims of the expeditions are many: all, refused to discuss the subject. He declined coast of the Weddell Sea. His crew, however, centring about the general term either to confirm or deny his engagement. including ship hands, will number about “explorative.” The region of the Antarctic He added: “We are very good friends, but I twenty-five. is the last challenge to the adventuresome cannot say anything [at?] this time.” Commander Byrd with his fifty-five exploring spirit of man. The Antarctic Miss Bennett confirmed the engagement, men, his Eskimo dogs, his airplanes, and continent is an area as large as the United however. She said: “We became engaged his equipment for spending not only the States and Mexico combined, upon the three days ago. I met Sir George for the coming summer day, but a six-months’ major portion of which the eye of man has first time when he arrived in New York night and another day in the Antarctic, will never looked. from Spitsbergen after flying over the take a much longer route, proceeding to So far as is known from the records of North Pole. No date has been fixed for our New Zealand. Large quantities of his Amundsen and Scott, whose expeditions wedding.” supplies, particularly foodstuffs, already fought their ways to the Pole and back, Mercury (Hobart, Tas.), Monday 24 have been shipped to Dunedin, New Scott giving his life in the return trip, no September 1928, page 10. Zealand, to be taken on there, the last port animal life larger than a spider exists https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 of call. beyond the rim of the Antarctic continent. 9783188 Wilkins, from his Pacific coast starting It is considered certain that the great point, expects to go to Panama, barter there Andes mountain range of South America 26 September 1928 for passage for his retinue, which will not extends into the continent which caps the The Antarctic exceed seven men, and go to Tasmania, South Pole. Geologists will seek to Scientific Exploration Three where he will board a whaler bound for the determine whether the Polar Mountains Nationalities Ross Sea in the Antarctic Circle, about contain the same rich veins of valuable Wilkins to Start from Tasmania November 1, beginning his flight from a mineral ore that are found in the Andes Three adventuresome friends, natives of point probably within 250 miles of further north towards the tropics. countries lying at opposite points of the Commander Byrd’s base about January 1. Other scientists will seek to determine if globe, will within a few weeks be leading Upon arriving in Ross Sea, Sir Hubert there are any fossils in the great expanse expeditions along routes as different as expects to drop overboard his Lockheed indicating that thousands of years ago, their native lands to spend a six month- seaplane, similar to the Lockheed Vega perhaps before the glacial age, the long summer day in the mysterious, south- plane in which he flew over the North Pole continent may have been inhabited or used Polar continent of the Antarctic. from Alaska to Spitsbergen last spring, and as a way of travel between other One of them is Commander Richard fly eastward along the coast towards continents. The first assault upon the Evelyn Byrd, United States Navy, retired, a Graham Land, landing beside one of the mysterious icy realm by airplanes also is native of the United States. Another is forty whaling vessels usually operating at expected to clear up a disputed point Captain Sir George Hubert Wilkins, a that season. Aboard the whaler he expects among experts—whether the continent is native of Australia, born of an old French to be taken back to Montevideo. one body of ice-capped land or whether it family, the De Villiers. The third is is two huge islands separated by an Commander Douglas George Jeffrey, To Remain 18 Months immense river, canal, or natural strait. Royal Navy, retired a native of England. Jeffrey will spend only the Antarctic summer season in his explorations, Common Ties Bind Them returning to civilisation next May. Byrd There are three strands in the tie that expects to remain in the unknown ice binds them together in the public’s mind: continent 18 months with approximately their common purpose of scientific 25 of his men. The remainder will take his exploration in the region of the South Pole, ship, the Samson, a whaler, out of the their friendship and admiration for one dangerous ice pack during the winter another’s previous accomplishments, and nights. the American financial backing for the While Byrd and Jeffrey are working separate expeditions. inward from the great ice barrier from Individually and collectively they deny opposite sides of the Antarctic continent, inferences and assumptions that their Wilkins’s flight will almost draw a line as expeditions are to be in the nature of a the base of a triangle connecting their operating bases, the apex of the triangle Photo from ISO Polar Archives titled Antarctica 1928. momentous race into the unknown. Only being the South Pole. Byrd will say definitely that he expects to Elaborate Expedition The fact that the three expeditions will pay a call at the South Pole. Wilkins does Any adequate description of the almost be in various parts of the Antarctic at the not intend to go near the pole. And Jeffrey innumerable details of preparation for same time is expected to result in a great says he “may possibly” fly over the pole if these explorative trips would require addition to the world’s fund of other phases of his plans are accomplished volumes. Commander Byrd’s Expedition is meteorological knowledge. without mishap. by far the most elaborate. It is estimated it Each expedition will be supplied with Byrd and Wilkins will start will cost £100,000. It has been under way complete and modern radio equipment. approximately at the same time from since the intrepid voyageur of the air Radio communication between the opposite sides of the North American returned to Spitsbergen from his flight over expeditions is expected to enable the continent, Byrd from Now York and Sir the North Pole. scientists who are members of the Hubert from San Francisco. Towards the Resources of the entire world have been respective parties to gain greater value end of September Jeffrey will sail from called upon. In his head-quarters in the from their own immediate observations. New York. Despite the later date of sailing, Biltmore Hotel in New York he seems less The South Polar Region is the home of Jeffrey expects to be on the field of an adventuresome young scientist and the blizzard; it is the birthplace of the operations earlier than his two friends, more like the head of a great business or Indian monsoon; it is definitely related to because he has less distance to travel. commercial organisation, with staffs of floods on the River Nile and to weather secretaries, stenographers, clerks, and conditions throughout the world. If these 46

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) purchasing agents busily engaged from 27 September 1928 Sir George has been rushing hither and dawn to dusk. Mother of Explorer thither between New York, San Francisco, Furthermore, representative in a dozen Burial of Mrs. L. Wilkins Seattle, and Los Angeles, superintending different countries are using the cables and Mrs. Louisa Wilkins, whose death at the the building of his two aeroplanes, which the malls and the trans-oceanic express to age of 86 years occurred yesterday, was he is determined he will pilot to the obtain for him the most perfect equipment the mother of Sir George Wilkins, the Antarctic regions, and endeavour to head of suitable food, clothing, scientific famous explorer. off Commander Byrd in his quest of instruments, dog-sleds, Eskimo dogs, and Born in Britain, she came to South honours of reaching the South Pole and other paraphernalia. A huge tri-motored Australia with her parents at an early age. uncovering its secrets. Ford plane and two smaller ones will be Many years were spent at Mount Bryan Geographers and meteorological experts used. “Success in exploring expeditions,” East, and more recently she lived at are watching Sir Hubert Wilkins’s he says, “like wars, is won in the Parkside. preparations with the keenest anticipation, preparations made in advance.” There are six sons and a daughter, and experts in Great Britain and comprising Sir George Hubert Wilkins, throughout the world hope that the hero of Tons of Supplies Messrs. H. W. Wilkins (Victor Harbor), F. the first transpolar flight in a heavier-than- The following is a list of the supplies and E. Wilkins (Glenelg), F. J. S. Wilkins air machine from Point Barrow, Alaska, to provisions already ordered by the Byrd (Malvern), T. W. Wilkins (Tusmore), A. Spitsbergen, will succeed in obtaining expedition: Wilkins (Goolwa), and Mrs. J. H. important information from the vastness of Three phonographs. Cockshell (Forestville). In accordance with the Antarctic Continent. One hundred and fifteen records. the wishes of the children, the burial at Sir Hubert believes that his researches A small piano. West Terrace Cemetery this afternoon was South should be much more productive of A library of 2,000 books. practically a private ceremony. Rev. C. E. results than similar North Pole study. He A ukulele. Schafer conducted the service at the found no land near the North Pole on A banjo. graveside. Among the senders of floral which a meteorological station could be Five hundred thousand cigarettes. tributes were Sir John Melrose, Emulation established, whereas the known presence One ton of tobacco. Lodge, Norwood, Rigby Limited, and of land to the south renders this project A supply of chewing gum, candy, pines, Sunset Lodge. likely. etc. News (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 27 Although the North Polar Seas are An artificial sunlight machine for sun September 1928, page 5. surrounded by a belt of cold, barren baths and other purposes. lands—Siberia, Alaska, &c—the Antarctic https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Two tons of ham. Continent is girdled by open seas to the 29170088 Three tons of bacon north of which lie the fertile countries of

Five tons of beef. Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Two tons of pork. South America. Five hundred cases of eggs. The absence of a barren belt of land is Two tons of tin butter. taken to indicate a study of whether A ton of powdered milk. conditions in the Antarctic will be more A proportional supply of condensed, productive of results than has been found evaporated, and malted milk. possible in the North. That, at least, is the Fifteen tons of flour. confirmed opinion of Sir Hubert. A ton of kitchen utensils. Sixty thousand sheets of writing paper. To Employ Aeroplanes Eight hundred bed sheets. A plan is under way which, if carried out, Four hundred pillow cases. will provide for meteorological collecting stations at Buenos Aires, Melbourne, and The Jeffrey expedition, the former Cape Town. Each of these stations will British naval commander estimates, will gather information from four stations on cost approximately £40,000. He will use a the Antarctic continent or on adjacent steel steamship for the first time in islands. exploration history to penetrate the These last named stations would employ icefields. He will have a Bellanca J-5 aeroplanes and balloons to examine the airplane, similar to the one used by weather conditions in the upper air. Chamberlin and Levine in flying from A head station in London would New York to Germany, and will have two complete reports from the data thus other planes, one smaller, for gathered, and, it is thought, would be able reconnaissance work, which probably will to make rather accurate forecasts of South be an amphibian. Polar weather. The other plane may be larger. The The importance of an exact forecast, it is Bellanca J-5 will have a cruising radius of pointed out by experts, can hardly be 4,400 miles. Commander Jeffrey is a overestimated. veteran of the second Shackleton For instance, the resultant saving to An advertisement from the (News (Adelaide, SA), expedition, and will have with him four or Thursday 27 September 1928, page 5). Australia from foreseeing a drought year five others of that expedition. would more than pay for the installation The Wilkins expedition will be the least 3 October 1928 and upkeep of the stations. elaborate of the three, but it may prove the Racing for the South Pole Before this work can be carried out it most colourful, inasmuch as the daring Byrd and Wilkins Expeditions will be necessary to obtain a more detailed aviator proposes an aerial photographic From Our Correspondent knowledge of Antarctic geography. At the and mapping flight along the coast of the San Francisco, September 5. present time the shores of Ross Sea, south icebound continent, with no goal but an Despite the constant denials there of New Zealand, are fairly well known: uncertain whaling fleet ahead. appears every prospect of a decided race also King George V. Land to the west, and Mercury (Hobart, Tas.), Wednesday 26 for the South Pole on the part of King Edward VII Land to the east are September 1928, page 6. Commander Richard Byrd and Sir George known. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Hubert Wilkins, the latter having rushed Sir Hubert Wilkins says the Antarctic 9782148 his preparations on the Pacific coast continent, rising as it does to a plateau coincident with the departure of the about 10,000 feet high at the Pole, and American explorer’s ship from New York. covered with ice averaging perhaps 2000 47

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) feet thick, is the greatest refrigerator in the The other plane will be, with few minor aboard until the vessel’s routine had been world, and the temperatures in this exceptions, a duplicate of the first. established, and she was well on her way vicinity, even during the height of summer, Lieutenant Carl Ben Eielson, the Polar to Dunedin, New Zealand, the take-off are rarely above freezing point. pilot, will be chief pilot, and the other pilot point for the South Polar continent. He says that in the Arctic during summer has not yet been chosen. Along with the Slipping away from her Hoboken pier the land is generally free from snow, and planes will go the necessary equipment, shortly after one o’clock in the afternoon more than 500 species of flowering plants gasoline, scientific instruments, food the City of New York was attended as far as are found. Only two flowering plants have supplies, which will be assembled and the Narrows by the official city tug been seen on the Antarctic continent, and taken to Deception Island. Macom, which was to accommodate the these are found only on its most northern With everything in readiness, the many friends of Commander Byrd and the areas. He declares many species of moths, Wilkins party will proceed to survey and departing explorers. butterflies, bumblebees, and mosquitoes lay out their first depot, somewhere in No one, however, wanted to ride on the abound in the Arctic, while only a few Graham Land, and approximately five or Macom, and everybody swarmed aboard mites and spiders and other insects which six hundred miles south of Deception the barque, prying into every corner of the live in the feathers of birds are found in the Island. stocky boat that is to convey the expedition Antarctic. The North Pole plane (No. 1) is already from Dunedin across 3200 miles of equipped with large gasoline tanks. This is Southern Ocean, to the Bay of Whales on Riddles of the Antarctic the plane Wilkins will use to make the the Ross Sea ice barrier of Antarctica. The most important questions exercising final “jump” across the uncharted territory In the party were Mrs. Byrd, wife of the the minds of geographers today are, says of the Antarctic, to seek, if possible, some Commander, and their young son, Dickie; Sir Hubert: — “1.— is there a large answer to the great scientific problem of Mrs. Frederick Guest, backer of Miss Antarctic continent as large as the whole of the South Pole. Amelia Earhart on the flight of the the United States, as has long been Plane No. 2 will be used to carry petrol Friendship to Europe, and a host of wives, supposed, or is this continent divided by and supplies to this base. In all probability sisters, sweethearts, cousins, uncles, and ocean currents flowing beneath the solid two flights will be made between aunts, all eager to stay as long as possible sea of ice? Deception Island and the depot. While the with the men, who are to be gone so long In other words, is the Antarctic land primary purpose of these flights will be on the South Pole quest. mass divided by ocean streams connecting “air-trucking” of the supplies, the explorers the Ross Sea with the Weddell Sea, leaving will take his opportunity of thoroughly Cheered Frantically Graham Land an archipelago of islands? surveying Graham Land. The pier was lined with people, who “This question, technical at first glance, Both monoplanes will be installed with cheered frantically as the City of New York may hold in its answer a key to weather pontoons in these preliminary flights, backed into the Hudson River, and swung forecasts, years in advance. “The although conditions encountered in the slowly around for the run down the bay. observations taken by scientists on South may change plans. When the final A troop of Boy Scouts from Erie, Shackleton’s Endurance expedition, which jump is made skis will be used for the take- Pennsylvania, led in the yelling. Their drifted after the ship was wrecked off and landing, Sir Hubert planning to fly shouts were particularly meant for the ears throughout the length of the Weddell Sea, to Ross Sea, on the Pacific side, where of Paul Siple, their 19-year-old comrade, indicated that their drift was influenced by three of the Norwegian whalers will be whom Commander Byrd selected from all a current running beneath the ice mass awaiting him with petrol and supplies. the scouts of the United States to act as his south of Graham Island. In the meantime the plane remaining at orderly on the expedition. “2. — does the huge mountain system, the depot will stand by until word is Paul, however, was not an orderly on the which includes the Rockies and the Andes flashed by radio that the explorers have day of sailing. He was just an ordinary and the Great Dividing Range of Australia, landed safely on the other side. seaman, giving a hand at the hawsers, continue across the Antarctic continent and Sir Hubert is convinced that with putting a final polish on the deck, and so form a continuous mountain circuit adequate preparation, experience sensibly doing other useful work. When he went about the Pacific Ocean? Another question, accumulated and the perfected machinery aboard on the previous night, his first the answer to which may supply the available today, there is no need, except words were: “Well, give me some old missing chapter in the complete history of through unfortunate accidents, for the clothes.” the world’s formation and its past.” modern explorer to suffer the untold trials He got them, and a mop and pail, too. Sir Hubert says geologists say when and tribulations suffered by explorers of As the barque pointed her stout bows down large masses of coal were laid down there years ago. the river, ships at their piers and ships in was little ice on what is now the South With the solid ice Sir Hubert does not the stream whistled a noisy greeting. A big Pole, and the question is as to whether vast fear forced landings, and he says the world monoplane, one of the four aircraft that coal deposits exist near the South Polar will soon realise that Transarctic flying is will serve Byrd on the southern continent, Region. much safer than flying over established air cut capers overhead. lines, which shortly will be crowded with The aircraft’s controls were in skilful aeroplane commuters. hands, however, for she was manned by Bernt Balchen, Harold I. June, and Dean Heading for Dunedin Smith, the expedition’s pilots, who dipped A dingy little three-master named City of their machine across the City of New New York strutted proudly down the busy York’s bows, banked at dizzy angles over bay of New York carrying the American her stem, and then sped ahead again to colours on its first voyage of exploration to repeat the spectacular performance. Antarctica in more than three-quarters of a Nearing the Narrows, the Antarctic century. bound boat and the escorting Macom Taking the salutes of all sorts of harbour stopped, so that the guests might be taken

Photo from ISO Polar Archives titled Antarctica 1928. craft, the sturdy 160-foot barque put out to off. When the barque resumed speed her sea with Commander Richard E. Byrd and crew scrambled on to her yardarms to Sir Hubert’s Preparations thirty-two of the seventy men who are to wave farewells to the shore party, and then Sir Hubert Wilkins will arrive at accompany him to the South Polar the boat put out for Gravesend, Bay to Deception Island, their main base, in the continent for two years of hard work and have her compasses corrected. spring of the Antarctic with two Lockheed high adventure. monoplanes. Plane No. 1 is the trusted The leader had planned to leave his Salute of the Sea veteran of his Arctic flight this year. It will flagship at quarantine, where half a As she was pulling away the great be fitted with skis, wheels, and pontoons. hundred of his guests bade her goodbye, Leviathan, outward bound, slid gracefully but at the last minute he decided to stay past giving her the salute of the sea—three 48

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) long toots of the liner’s bass-voiced sporting question is “Will Sir George authorities in Sir Hubert Wilkins’s whistle. Hubert Wilkins get there first?” Antarctic Expedition, believing as I firmly The City of New York’s answer was Later another boy stowaway was do that no country stands a better chance to pitched in a high soprano. Passengers on discovered and sent ashore, and still a third benefit by his investigations in those high the Leviathan, which would come back to was uncovered, a husky 20 year-old negro, southern latitudes. New York and be off again for Europe who for three days had fasted and had The expeditions of both Sir Hubert long before the City of New York had survived the cyanide gas fumigation of the Wilkins and Commander Byrd for reached the Panama Canal, came to the boat. scientific exploration in the Antarctic in rails, and, seeing through their glasses the Commander Byrd greatly admired the 1928-1929, have the support and blue and gold banner the legend “Byrd negro, who declared he wanted to be the endorsement of the American Antarctic Expedition,” waved at their first negro to reach the South Pole. He was Geographical Society of New York, to momentary neighbour. Captain Frederick given work and permitted to accompany both of which a substantial monetary C. Melville, a relative of the famous the expedition. contribution has been made by that Melville who wrote “Moby Dick,” was Brisbane Courier (Qld), Wednesday 3 institution. taking the City of New York on her 9,200 October 1928, page 3. In a recent cable dispatch Sir Hubert mile run to Dunedin, and will also pilot her https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Wilkins says: — “Using Lockheed to the Antarctic continent, through the 1361641 seaplane for flight from Ross Sea treacherous pack ice that reaches for following coast to Graham Land. With hundreds of miles off the shore of that machine I myself take Norwegian whaling white land of silence. ship for Antarctic, remaining, with ship He has full confidence in his craft’s until commencing flight in January ending stamina, however, for in her youth and beside one of forty whalers operating near middle age she has sailed northern seas, Graham Land and with who will return under the name of Samson, as the mother Montevideo May next.” In length the flight of a Norwegian whaling fleet. An auxiliary will equal or slightly exceed the one just engine was installed for this trip. finished from Point Barrow to Spitsbergen. Captain Melville himself, although only The coast of the Ross Quadrant that it will in his early forties, has spent more than cover is very little known”. thirty years afloat. He now wore for the Sir Herbert Wilkins will photograph the first time the uniform of a lieutenant- details of ice border, glacial tongues, commander in the Naval Reserves, a mountains, and other features visible from ranking given him recently by authority of his plane. In this way he will be able to the Secretary of the Navy, Judge Wilbur. select sites for the meteorological stations that he has long planned to establish. A Stowaway By continuous observations at these One item not on the cargo list was stations it is hoped to coordinate Antarctic An advertisement from the (Brisbane Courier (Qld), stowed away on the City of New York. It Wednesday 3 October 1928, page 3). weather conditions with those observed consisted of one small boy, who was found simultaneously in Australia, New Zealand, in the coal bunker just before the Macom South America, and South Africa, and 1 November 1928 and the barque parted company. He cried establish a sounder basis for long-range bitterly when they put him on the shore- Antarctic Survey weather forecasts. bound boat. Nobody got his name. Sir Hubert Wilkins on his Way Commander Byrd, on the other hand, is Sitting dolefully on a coil of rope, as the London, Wednesday. making not a single long flight but a series City of New York stood out to sea was a Sir Hubert Wilkins, the Australian of flights, along the line of which a number black and white pup, of doubtful ancestry, explorer, left the Falkland Islands today on of supply stations will be laid down for the Samson by name. On the top of a his way to the Antarctic to conduct survey benefit of the geologists and other companionway lay Minnie, a grey and flights. His next stop will be at Deception specialists who will prosecute detailed white kitten, whose folks for generations Island, where a base will be established. studies on the ground. back must have been habitués of New Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA), The personnel will also include both a York’s back ways. Puppy and kitten were Thursday 1 November 1928, page 1. meteorologist and an aerologist, and a rather neglected amid all the tear-shedding https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/8 number of high altitude flights will be and farewell-taking. 0137195 made for the study of weather conditions Captain Melville hopes to reach Dunedin aloft, upon which light will thus be shed late in October, and when the expedition 7 November 1928 for the first time. has been reunited at the New Zealand port Sir Hubert Wilkins The Antarctic experiences confirmed in preparations will be made for prompt Antarctic Expedition Wilkins the desire to prosecute in departure across the ice-burdened Southern Dr. J. P. Thomson, C.B.E., writes: — particular one phase of polar exploration, Ocean to the Ross Sea, 3600 miles distant. some months ago a writer to the the reconnaissance study of meteorological Commander Byrd hopes that Skipper metropolitan Press—Mr. Lethem, conditions with a view to practical Melville can get the City of New York, Tambourine, I think—deplored the absence application, notably in relation to the which will transport all the men and of Australian financial support to Sir forecasting of Australian weather. supplies over this last leg of the long Hubert Wilkins in his South Polar He says the science of meteorological journey, to the shore of Antarctica by the Expedition, regretting that such an forecast has been through the ages one of first of January. This would give the important enterprise should have to depend the most absorbing occupations of expedition advantage of a good share of upon American backing. humanity, and its possibilities, the the Antarctic summer, and perhaps permit Alas this is too true and deplorable in a prevention of suffering from unexpected an immediate attempt to reach the South movement so full of promise to Australian droughts and subsequent famine, are Pole by monoplane. meteorological research and its probable humane in the extreme, and its economic Commander Byrd admitted that he effects on the economic life of the advantage, enormous. would like to be the first to carry the continent at large. Having for many years It has been my desire to foster the American flag to the South Pole, just as he entertained and expressed the view that the development or polar meteorology by was the first to fly it to the North Pole, but key to long range weather forecasting in making it possible to carry out a series of the primary purpose of the expedition is to this country awaits the investigator of the prolonged investigations in Polar Regions. glean scientific knowledge of the world’s South Polar ice movement and relative The Arctic expedition of 1920 was planned most southernmost continent, but the climatic conditions, I have lately as a preliminary to a longer expedition to endeavoured to interest the Australian the Antarctic in the region between King 49

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Edward VII Land and Graham Land. We came ashore as soon as possible, As a whole, it is a lofty continent, high Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld), Wednesday 7 seeking landing fields and beaches suitable above the ocean, with many ranges of huge November 1928, page 12. for launching the seaplanes. Eventually we mountains, the valleys beneath them filled https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 discovered a convenient place near the with slow-moving rivers of ice. All along 78479241 whaling station, where the machines can be its coast are lofty ice-cliffs, forming the so- dragged from the water and have their called “ice barrier.” pontoons exchanged for wheels. They will Glaciers project themselves far out into then be taxied 300 yards to the snow- the sea, their fronts constantly breaking off slopes, where skis can be fitted and trial to make icebergs, which, floating amidst a flights made. At the far end of the harbour vast expanse of pack ice, are sometimes as the ice flat is unbroken. much as fifty miles long. How long it will remain so nobody No wonder that Captain Cook in his knows, but at present it will serve for long sailing ship found it impossible to take-offs with big loads. The second approach the shores of Antarctica. For machine will be brought ashore tomorrow. steam-driven vessels such an adventure is We expect to make the first flight ever much easier, though not without its made in the Antarctic within a few days.” dangers. At Cape Adair there is a large Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs bay, into which flows a warm current. It Gazette (Qld), Wednesday 14 November was here that Borchgrevinck, the first 1928, page 7. human being to set foot on the unknown continent, made a landing, on February 23, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 1895. 54044310 Most interesting of all the animals of that

frozen South Land are the penguins, whose rookeries are scattered all along its coasts. There are several species of them, the largest being the Emperor penguin, which stands four feet high and weighs eighty to ninety pounds. It has a jet-black head, a lemon-yellow breast, a streak of vivid red on its lower bill, and feathers with the glossy sheen of satin. The penguins live on fish, which they 14 November 1928 catch in ice-cracks and seals’ blow-holes. Two great adventurers, one British, the Their nests are little heaps of pebbles, and they are constantly chasing and scolding other American, are preparing to follow in An advertisement from the Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld), the footsteps of Scott, Shackleton, and one another for stealing pebbles. A Wednesday 7 November 1928, page 12. Amundsen; and, with expeditions fitted out penguin rookery is a noisy place, with the best that modern science has to vociferous with the cries of the birds. 14 November 1928 offer, they will attempt to solve the The female penguin lays only one egg, ANTARCTIC EXPLORERS. mystery of a continent of frozen desolation which cannot be left uncovered for a WILKINS EXPEDITION. which is known to lie round the South minute, lest it freeze. Other penguins, Preparations for Flight Pole. however, are always eager and ready to act MESSAGE FROM LEADER. Sir George Wilkins is leader of the as nurses, and thus the egg is freely passed about. Scrimmages for the possession of a LONDON, Monday. — British expedition, and Commander Byrd, chick are frequent. The chick, for Sir Hubert Wilkins, the Australian U.S.N., of the American venture, both of explorer, in a wireless message from whom are known to readers of The World’s protection against the cold, squats on the feet of the parent, or nurse, and is kept Deception Island via Port Stanley, says: — News. warm by a loose fold of feathered skin. “Our American monoplane, the Los Land of frozen nightmare. So might be Angeles, which Lieutenant Carl Eielson called the strange south polar country over flew over the North Pole, was today the which those intrepid air pilots, Commander first complete aeroplane to touch Antarctic Byrd and Sir George Wilkins, will soon be soil.” flying. It is a vast region of everlasting ice, The Hektoria, upholding its name, amid which many mighty volcanoes uplift entered the harbour on November 6 and their peaks, belching fire and molten rocks. anchored. Then the vessel was moored to Much less than two centuries ago no the beach with six seven-inch hawsers, in human being had ever seen it. There was a preparation for the customary November fable that told of a great land mass storms. surrounding the South Pole, but no ship Hitherto, however, fine weather has had sailed far enough south to get sight of prevailed, enabling everyone on board its mysterious shores. from captain to messboy, and the members It was spoken of as the South Land, and of the expedition, to busy him in every Captain Cook, the famous navigator, waking hour. Our two wireless operators seeking to find it, made the discovery of are industriously locating trouble with 1773. His ship was the first in history to aerials and induction. They have overcome cross the Antarctic Circle. The continent many faults. They heard San Francisco was there, but he found it unapproachable Men were sent ashore in a boat. today for the first time. They expect soon because of the wide belt of ice which to arrange a schedule for direct guarded its coast line. communication. “When the Hektoria was Since then Antarctica, as the South Land In the water the penguins, swimming entering the harbour Eielson, Crossman, is now called, has been circumnavigated by powerfully with their wings, move as fast and Porter saw penguins at close quarters, exploring vessels. Its area is over five as any fish. But great numbers of them are and called up others, who, seeing these million square miles. It very nearly fills the captured and eaten by seals, the biggest of grotesque birds at home, were delighted space enclosed by the Antarctic Circle. which is the so-called “sea-leopard,” with their amusing antics. twelve feet long when full-grown. 50

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Only in a few places has the barrier been The continent has been touched by penetrated and the actual land reached. The explorers in three widely separated path to the South Pole followed by regions—Enderby Land and Kemp Land, Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen leads 40 to 60 degrees east longitude; Wilkes from an opening, at Cape Adair, directly Land and Victoria Land, 100 to 170 south of New Zealand. degrees east longitude; and Graham Land, Hence it is that very little is known of to the south of Cape Horn. Its shores are the geography and topography of the South beset by snowstorms and fogs and winds Polar Continent. Nearly all of it is a blank continually blow with the violence of on the map. Its future exploration and hurricanes. mapping, presumably, must be The whole vast region is one of howling accomplished by observations from the air, gales and incessant bad weather. Drift ice such as Commander Byrd and Sir George reaches the Cape of Good Hope and the Wilkins are about to undertake on the coast of Tasmania. flights to the south end of the earth’s axis. Captain Cook sailed all around the A land mass equal in size to two Antarctic Continent in 1773, and described Europes, Antarctica challenges the it as of an inexpressibly horrid aspect, curiosity and adventurous spirit of the buried in everlasting snow and ice. explorer. An object of importance from the He wrote: — “The ports which may be on scientific viewpoint is to locate the the coast are entirely filled with ice and southern magnetic pole, which is believed snow. If one of them should be so far open to be only about a hundred miles distant as to invite a ship to enter it, the vessel from Cape Adair. It was through that break would run a risk of being fixed there in the environing ice-pack that Sir James forever, or, perhaps, coming out some day Ross, in 1842, accomplished so amazing a as an ice island. The land will never be voyage. explored.” Ross, though he did not attempt to land, The first exploring expedition in far actually reached a point considerably southern seas was undertaken by Alvaro further south than Cape Adair, his two Mendana, a Peruvian, in 1567. In 1598, the The pack ice that stretches far out to sea keeps snips at a sailing ships, the Erebus and Terror, South Shetland Islands, to the south of distance of scores or even hundreds of miles. dodging in and out through the ice pack. In Cape Horn, were discovered by the Dutch. later days the same ships carried Sir John Eight years later the New Hebrides ware In their turn, the seals are preyed upon Franklin’s ill-fated expedition to the located by a second expedition from Peru. by killer whales, which, in Antarctic Arctic, where they were lost, no trace of In 1672, La Roche, a Frenchman, waters, are extraordinarily numerous, them being ever found. reported the finding of South Georgia hunting in packs of ten to twenty, and Sir James named after his two ships the Island. sometimes nearly a hundred. They may twin volcanoes which he discovered in Ten years later, a French ship put down constantly be seen prowling along the edge Ross Bay. Mount Erebus, 12,400 feet high, on the map of the world Kerguelen Land, of the ice-floes, their high dorsal fins was at the time of his visit belching flame in latitude 49 south and longitude 60 rendering them conspicuous. The killer and dense volumes of smoke—a colossal east—named after its discoverer, de whale weighs about a ton, and is the most pyramid of snow and ice, with the fires of Kerguelen. ferocious creature in existence. hell raging out of its summit. The latter thought he had found the long- In that region a frequent and wonderful Separated from it by a saddle of ice-clad sought Antarctic continent, but it proved to spectacle is the Aurora Australis, which hills, on the east rose Terror, the sister be only a barren island of large size. A sometimes assumes the shape of a vast mountain, 10,900 feet high. colony of about seventy people maintains curtain made up of vertical beams of pale Borchgrevinck, the Columbus of itself there now by hunting seals and other golden light, now and then varied with rose Antarctica, was a Norwegian naturalist, animals. and green. The curtain seems to hang from who, for the sake of a voyage to the south Antarctica is a continent on which the sky in enormous folds, running up and polar continent, shipped as a foremast hand nothing lives apparently, except penguins down. As it folds in one direction, it is on a steam whaler bound thither from and a few other birds. It has no vegetation. waved out of sight in another, never for a Australia in speculative pursuit of right Human beings could not possibly live moment at rest. whales. The whaler made a landing at there. One might wonder therefore, of what Volcanoes are numerous on the Cape Adair, and men were sent ashore in a use its exploration would be. Antarctic continent, and off its coasts are boat. One of them was Borchgrevinck, The answer is that whatever may add to many islands that have “burning who jumped over-board before they human knowledge and to acquaintance mountains” of their own. The mystic South reached the pebbly beach, and so managed with the globe on which we dwell is Land is a land where fire and frightful cold to get there first. worthwhile. Also, it is conceivable that wage an everlasting conflict. Here and The Cape is a huge square block of great stores of valuable metals might be there along the coast may be seen glaciers basaltic rock 3780 feet high, with almost found in Antarctica. Geologists declare sealed beneath sheets of lava. In that vertical sides. It conspicuously marks the that to be altogether likely. strange land mountains are actually built to entrance to the bay already mentioned, in “One fact,” says Commander Byrd. some extent of ice and snow. the near vicinity of which Borchgrevinck “lures me to Antarctica, and that is that Ashes thrown out by the volcanoes fall courted twenty glaciers. there are many thousands of square miles cold, forming a solid frozen cake which is Back of the belief, held from very early of land left in the world that have never the best of non-conductors. Hence a times, that there was a continent, as yet been seen by human eyes—an area larger mountain may be formed of a series of unknown, at or near the South Pole, was a than that of the United States and alternate layers of snow and ashes, the supposition that there must be a great land Mexico—and I wish to plant the Stars and latter keeping the snow from melting when mass in that region to counterbalance the Stripes there.” torrents of molten rock flow out of the vast extent of terra firma in the Northern Sir George Wilkins’s objects in the numerous craters. Hemisphere. Antarctic are mainly scientific. He wishes Exploring vessels cannot steam along the Australia, when discovered, was to find the best place on which to erect coast of Antarctica for purposes of near-at- declared to be the missing continent, but meteorological stations. hand observances and mapping. The great when Tasman sailed all round it in 1642 “This mysterious Antarctic continent,” he ice-barrier and the pack ice that stretches that idea was weakened. The finding of says, “is surrounded by open seas, to the far out to sea keep ships at a distance of Antarctica was reserved for Captain Cook. north of which lie the great producing scores or even hundreds of miles. countries of Australia, New Zealand, South 51

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Africa, and South America. A knowledge during the years 1923-1925 through the By the way, this river is over a mile wide of weather conditions in a mysterious almost unknown areas of northern at its mouth in Temple Bay: yet although continent would greatly benefit these Australia for the purpose of collecting the expedition was in the neighbourhood lands. specimens of the rarer Native fauna for the for some time and actually ascended the For instance, if it were possible to British Museum. stream for a considerable distance neither foretell a drought year in Australia, the And a very valuable and interesting river nor bay is marked on the map which saving in kind would pay for the outlay account it, is. It is possible, however, to purports to trace the party’s route. I could required to erect meteorological stations in quarrel a little with Sir Hubert on his understand the river’s absence from the the Antarctic. There are, however, great choice of the word “Undiscovered” in his ordinary atlases, because until Sir Hubert blanks to be explored before this can be title. The term is an exaggeration, for the went there, there seems to have been done. The mystery of Graham Land also country through which the expedition considerable doubt as to its actual position: remains to be solved—is it an island or a travelled can in no sense be deemed to be but when he goes to such trouble to peninsula?” “undiscovered.” It is little known describe the stream, to expatiate upon its Sir George proposes to fly considerable certainly—portion of it is almost terra magnitude and the character of the country distances during his voyage of discovery. incognita — but only a very small portion, through which it runs, and even to give us One of the flights that he proposes to make and even that had known, before Sir a number of unique photographs of the is almost as far as from London to New Hubert went there, the foot of the white scenery thereabouts, it is rather irritating to York. If he is forced down he believes that adventurer. be unable to find its position on his map— he will be able to live on seals and However, this is perhaps to criticise over and the oversight strikes one as being penguins and walk across the wastes until strictly and Sir Hubert’s volume is really rather extraordinary. he gets in touch with whaling ships. Sir so fine an addition to the list of Australiana However, this is by the way — here is George faces the prospect of three years in that it would be ungrateful to press so the paragraph I promised you: — “It was an uncharted land with calm. small a point unduly. while investigating the river that we Commander Byrd, with 14 members of Before referring to the text in any detail I collected the first of a series of a most his expedition, reached Wellington (N.Z.) would like to add here that the book itself, interesting mammal known as the cus-cus, last week in the Norwegian whaler Larsen. qua book, is all that such a volume should or the short-eared opossum. The Australian He will await there the arrival of his own be. opossum is a marsupial which varies two ships from America. Stores will It is finely printed: its illustrations are considerably in its colouring in the subsequently be taken aboard at Dunedin, numerous, and from a scientific and different species: the eyes are large, and the equipment assembled, after which particularly from an ethnological point of indicating its nocturnal habits, and its tail the expedition will leave for the Ross Sea view of the greatest value: there is a good is prehensile at the tip. early in December. map of the route covered, a very complete A member of this family was the first World’s News (Sydney, NSW), index and to crown the whole an appendix Australian mammal known in Europe, and Wednesday 14 November 1928, page 20. has been added showing the detailed was brought over in the seventeenth https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 results of the expedition. To read this century. The cus-cus differs in its habits 30608800/14776486 appendix is a revelation of the from most others of the family, for it is . extraordinary value to science of the variegated in colour and makes its home in the branches of the trees and in dense scrub—not in hollow branches, as do the squirrels and other opossums. We were, rowing steadily up-stream when Young’s sharp eyes detected something unusual in the upper branches of a densely foliaged tree. It differed in appearance from the usual 21 November 1928 expedition’s accomplishments. green-ants nest: so we fired a shot at it to In almost every department of natural The Library see what it might be, and were history, in geology, in botany and in By S.E.N. considerably astonished, when the form of ethnology, the specimens collected and the The Naturalist at Home, Poe and His an opossum unfolded itself and came data obtained were of the most varied and Followers, and a Pawky Scot tumbling down. In its fall it struck a branch complete character and the originators of “Undiscovered Australia”: by Sir Hubert of the tree and fell right into our boat. the expedition in general and the Wilkins. “Great Short Stories of Detection, That night we decided to try possum stew. authorities of the British Museum in Mystery, and Horror.” Edited by Dorothy Young prepared the mess—and what a particular have surely every reason to L. Sayers. “Roamin’ in the Gloamin’,” by mess it was! I have eaten all sorts and sizes congratulate themselves both on their Sir Harry Lander. of animals, from frozen fragments of a selection of Sir Hubert as leader, and on Sir Hubert Wilkins—to give his new title mastodon discovered in the Arctic to the unrivalled addition which he has made in the way he has expressed his desire that whales and rats and mice but nothing that I to their great storehouse of treasures. it should be given—is so particularly had ever tried was so horrible or as tough Although “Undiscovered Australia” is famed for his association with Arctic as that cus-cus stew”. necessarily scientific in style and subject exploration that we are apt to forget that Sir Hubert has done good work here, and and although much of it is fairly “stiff the northern wastes are but one of many of when the occasion has demanded it— going”, yet over and over again one comes the venues wherein he has conducted his seemed to demand it, in his opinion—he across pages of delightfully easy — and manifold activities. has freely spoken his mind. In his often humorous — reading. Consequently his book, just issued, introductory “Preparation,” he describes For a clever and lively description of a entitled “Undiscovered Australia” (Ernest his chagrin at finding that it was almost back block picnic race-meeting I do not Benn — Dymocks), if it should carry no impossible to get trained Australians—that think I have ever read anything better than other claim upon our attention, would have is, scientifically trained—to accompany his the chapter in this book which describes at least this one that it draws attention to expedition. such a function, witnessed by the author at the fine exploratory and research work that He says that the reason was explained to the little settlement of Katherine River in Sir Hubert has done in the virgin spaces of him by a professor at one of the leading Northern Australia. And as a sample of his his native Commonwealth. Australian universities, who said that he easy manner as a natural historian let me However, the book has many other direct had dissuaded several “promising young quote his paragraph referring to the cus- qualities to attract our interest and hold our fellows” from joining the expedition cus, which he found while exploring the attention than this negative one. It gives an because “there is no money to be made in reaches of the Olive and Macmillan River. account of an expedition of which Sir expeditionary work today or even in the Hubert was the leader, and which travelled 52

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) study of natural history. They can earn Antarctic and subsequent conditions in the in Grant Land, and chance being able to decent livings at other things.” great producing areas of the world”. get off again. Whereupon Sir Hubert comments: “No Long range weather forecasting would They had had enough of walking, doubt they can get well paid jobs and a indeed save civilisation many millions a however, and decided to go on, making a comfortable living according to their year. There does not, however, appear to final landing on the mountain enclosed estimation, and they are apparently quite have been any great urgency about either shore of a bay in Spitsbergen, nearer to content with this: they have little desire to expedition, the object of which is to find Green Harbour than they thought. King’s develop into highly trained investigators suitable spots for meteorological stations, Bay was the objective. Getting under way commanding high salaries and special for in the present state of knowledge even again was the difficulty. Captain Wilkins opportunities or indifferent to salary, to a great number of these costly and several times failed to clamber into the devote themselves to science. Most uncomfortable locations would improve plane as it was rising, and gas was nearly Australians are well-off in regard to our present day to day forecasting by only exhausted. creature comforts, and many of them soon “ten or fifteen per cent”. Prior to his two years in the Arctic, reach independent means: yet the absence However, it is clear that Captain Sir Captain Wilkins spent (1924-5) two years of the expressed desire for culture and for Hubert Wilkins is filled with an ardent in the tropics of his native land, collecting higher things, and their contentedness with desire to explore the Polar regions by specimens for the British Museum in North the mediocre, make them perhaps the aeroplane, and has found a reason for and Central Australia. His wonderful nerve poorest rich people in the world today.” doing so that keeps sober and sensible served him well in dealing with hostile This is a hard saying and the reasoning people at bay, and almost — he does not blacks who frightened him more severely which leads up to it does not seem to me to claim quite — satisfies his own rational than Polar ice appears to have done. This be either quite logical or quite fair. Surely self. book is a record of daily detail, much of it it is not much the fault of the “young The results of these two years of mortal very interesting. fellows”—this disinclination to take up the struggle during which two serious failures The description of the great fossil beasts life of scientific researcher—as of the were suffered seem very meagre, as they of the Fitzroy River area is particularly conditions which force that disinclination are candidly stated — that is, if one fascinating. There is a good deal of close upon them. Or which force it upon them as concludes their epic quality. The first but rather superficial observation of native Sir Hubert seems to admit by his failure to discovery noted is that the Arctic has customs in Groote Eylandt and Arnhem deny the assertions of his professorial moods in which it is not a very bad place Land. The work of the missionaries is friend, in so great a majority of cases. for flying. praised. Captain Wilkins relied on Can a man—let alone a people—be “Eighteen hundred miles of the way was collecting an expert paid staff of naturalists justly said to lack a desire for “the higher traversed in clear sunshine. A little more in Australia, but was disappointed. Not one things’—“the higher things” meaning, than one hundred miles of cloud-covered qualified naturalist applied. presumably, the ways and wonders of ice in the centre of the hither to unknown Captain Wilkins’s contention that scientific research—when to devote region between Point Barrow and “adventures” were always due to bad himself to them would mean in all Greenland was the blot on an otherwise management is scarcely borne out by his probability a life of penury and want? clean page of exploration. The clouds met experiences. Wild nature is full of How does Sir Hubert know that many a in other latitudes were over well-known unexpected offences. man apparently “contented with the ground and were only interference because The photographs in both books are mediocre” is not really longing for “the of their obstruction. We had carefully excellent. things that are more wonderful,” but lacks noted the trend of the drift of the ice, and “Flying the Arctic”: Captain George H. the means wherewith to go in search of the direction of the snow drifts, which gave Wilkins: G. F. Putnam’s, Sons, New York: them? us an idea of the movement of the air- Our copy from the publishers. And, anyway, what is “the mediocre,” currents near the surface throughout the “Undiscovered Australia”: by Captain Sir and what are the higher things?” Can Sir season. G. H. Wilkins: London: Benn, 26/. Copies Hubert or anyone tell us for certain? We had failed to find a suitable land from Albert and Sons and Book Lovers’ Sydney Mail (NSW), Wednesday 21 mass on which to establish a Library and Book Store, Perth. November 1928, page 18. meteorological station, but our West Australian (Perth, WA), Saturday 24 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 observations show that it might be possible November 1928, page 5. 58403186 to establish that station on the floating ice. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3 We demonstrated that it is possible to find 2239980 one’s way in an aeroplane on a cross- 24 November 1928 longitude course in the Arctic regions— A Scientific Adventurer even when that course was half-way round Captain Sir George Hubert Wilkins is at the world, and lay over the area where the moment in the Antarctic, where he is compass declination is at its maximum. continuing the work that he performed in Eielson (his pilot) and I have learned, at all the Arctic in 1926 and 1927, when in the events, the sincerity of friendship”. latter year he flew from Barrow in Alaska The story is told in plain fashion. It to Green Harbour in Spitsbergen across the would be better told if it were a little North Pole, a flight described by shorter. The politics of the expedition were Amundsen as the greatest ever made. His difficult. Rivalry between aeroplane firms, motive in both expeditions, though he discontent among backers, quarrels about admits that strict reasons for Polar money, take up too much space. Sir Hubert Expeditions are hard to find, is to suffered more from the earthly contribute to the possibility of long range humiliations necessary to raise funds— weather forecasting. As he puts it himself: Photo taken in the Arctic1913-15. From ISO Archives. such as the sale of autographed photos— “From evidence collected many years than from any of his misfortunes in the sky 29 November 1928 ago, scientific meteorologists deduced the The fifty-page story of the flight over the RECENT BOOKS REVIEWED theory that data collected in Polar Regions Pole is excellently done. By “PAPERCUTTER” — and correlated with meteorological There were two crises, the getting away, information from other latitudes would when the heavily laden machine made its “Flying the Arctic”, by Captain Sir G. H. Wilkins (G. Putnam’s Sons). enable as to forecast the seasons with run between walls of snow fourteen feet In “Flying the Arctic.” Sir G. Wilkins comparative accuracy. The maintenance of apart, and the end of the journey, when polar meteorological stations during recent they met with a storm owing to shortening tells the story of his 2200 mile flight across the Arctic wastes between Point Barrow, years has proved that there is a direct supplies of gas, hesitated whether to land relationship between the Arctic, the Alaska, and Spitsbergen. In itself it was a 53

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) remarkable feat of navigation and augurs Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 29 Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs well for the expedition he in now leading November 1928, page 38. Gazette (Qld), Monday 3 December 1928, in Antarctica with the same capable pilot. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 page 7. From beginning to end it is a story of the 44088961 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 triumph over obstacles both physical and 54052623 financial. In 1926 Sir George set out as leader of the Detroit Arctic Expedition, with three planes, a staff of experts and a blaze of publicity. The purpose of the expedition was “to explore that area of the polar ice-pack never before seen by man.” The object of the expedition was never realised. Fate was against them. First a man was accidentally killed, then, one after another, the three planes were crashed. The accidents were due to those errors of personal judgment which are An advertisement from the (Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), impossible to avoid. Reading between the Thursday 29 November 1928, page 38.). lines, it is easy to see that there was an undercurrent of dissatisfaction throughout 29 November 1928 the members of the party. Message from Wilkins Returning under a cloud, Sir George lost the sympathy and support of his Detroit The Vacuum Oil Company has received supporters, and much bickering was a wireless message from Sir George indulged in. Disappointed, but undaunted, Hubert Wilkins, now proceeding with his he set out to find new backers, and by survey of the Antarctic, from his base at realising all his assets and finding new Deception Island. friends in Los Angeles, he became the The message reads: — “Plume Spirit and proud possessor of another plane. April, Mobiloil contributed perfectly to first 1927, saw him and his old pilot, Carl Ben Antarctic flight in history.” The news is an Eielson, again at Point Barrow. indication that the aeroplanes are ready for After weeks of waiting for favourable their long flights across the unexplored conditions they set out. The record of their regions of the south. The Vacuum Oil Company was called upon by the explorer wonderful flight over barren icy wastes, with their light plane buffeted by to lay down supplies of fuel and oil for the tempestuous weather, their perilous expedition. landing on the rock-bound Spitsbergen Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 29 coasts, their halt in the snow and their November 1928, page 14. arrival at Green Harbor, makes thrilling https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 reading. 9319843 While according due honour to the author, it is impossible to praise too highly 3 December 1928 the skill and judgment of his pilot. He IN THE ANTARCTIC. accomplished the seemingly impossible SIR HUBERT WILKINS’S REPORTS. and demonstrated the practicability of UNFAVOURABLE WEATHER. An advertisement from (Burra Record (SA), Wednesday 5 aircraft under the worst conditions in the LONDON, Friday. — December 1928, page 5.). world. The Australian explorer, Sir Hubert At times they flew in comfort when Wilkins, who is leading an expedition in 4 December 1928 those on the ground found it impossible to the Antarctic, yesterday sent the following Wilkins’s Expedition move outdoors. This book adds a new wireless message from Deception Island: Series of Mishaps chapter to the history of modern — “We did not have turkey for our London, Monday aeronautics. There are many illustrations, celebration. We tried to get seal steaks, but Sir Hubert Wilkins, in a wireless but no maps. the roughness of the sea prevented them message from Deception Island, says: —

from coming inshore, and we perforce had “We spent Friday trying to take off on trial 20 Hrs. 40 Min. Our Flight in the to be content with pemmican. There was a fights, but the treacherous ice shore proved Friendship, by Amelia Earhart (G. high wind, with low clouds and heavy too much for us,” Sir George says. Putnam’s Sons). snow last night followed by a few hours of “Everything looked fine on Saturday, but In “20 hrs. 40 min.” Miss Earhart, the sunshine this morning, but the weather Deception Island is well named, conditions first woman to fly across the Atlantic, tells continues unfavourable for aviation. The changing daily. the story of the flight of the Friendship in harbour ice is breaking and crowding about Our aeroplane, Los Angeles, sustained a charge of Wilmer Shultz and Slim Jordon. the Hektoria, for quarter of a mile, bent propeller and a hole in the wing, and As is inevitable, the worst feature in a eliminating the possibility of transporting its pilot, Lieut. Carl Eielson, suffered a flight of this nature is the monotony. Sea, gasoline from the ship to the solid ice by ducking in the icy sea, delaying aerial sky and clouds form the never-changing motor boat. Low storms are hanging over operations for a week. “We took what we background Graham Land but there are signs of clear thought was a 50-50 chance, but it turned Conversation, smoking and comfort are weather tomorrow. The aeroplanes are out to be a 50 to 1 chance against the impossible. There is little to write about standing on wheels on the runway, but planes. With only the pilot and a few and it is obvious that Miss Earhart was before they can be started, they must be gallons of petrol, the Los Angeles took the faced with this difficulty. fitted with skids and filled with gasoline. A air at 5.30 a.m., intending to land on the ice To overcome it she has given us a gay, whale catcher is now approaching the with wheels, after which it would be inconsequential account of her life and harbour for coal. Bad weather prevented equipped with skis. flying experiences: she holds a pilot’s her shooting any whales. She may serve to “The Los Angeles came down certificate and eked out the scarcity of her break a passage in the ice for the beautifully, and taxied several hundred material with a profusion of photographs motorboat. If so and the weather is good, feet. Then the wheels struck a hole in the and much gossip. we will fly south tomorrow.” 54

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) ice, through which they sank until the wing 1913-17, and thoroughly mastered Across the Polar Continent and fuselage held the plane. The machine Stefansson’s methods. Sir George Hubert Wilkins, who is at slowly nosed over, and Eielson fell through On his return from this expedition he present at Deception Island, proposes to fly the ice, but clambered out no worse for his joined the Australian Imperial Force as across the South Polar continent from wetting.” photographer and observer with the Air Graham Land to the Ross Sea, a distance Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Force, and was awarded the Military Cross of more than 2,000 miles across territory Advocate (NSW), Tuesday 4 December and bar. that no man has yet seen. 1928, page 5. After the war he joined Sir Ernest Carl Eielson is with him again as chief Shackleton’s last expedition, serving as pilot, and one of his two Lockheed Vega https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 naturalist on board the Quest. Afterwards aeroplanes is the machine in which they 35397173 he under took the leadership of an successfully flew from Point Barrow to expedition sent out by the trustees of the Spitsbergen early this year. Both 4 December 1928 British Museum to collect natural histories aeroplanes are to be flown from Deception Wilkins Expedition. specimens in the tropical regions of Inland down the eastern side of Graham Sunken Aeroplane Salvaged. Australia. Land — unexplored heavy pack ice which London, Dec. 3. In 1926 he organised the Detroit Arctic has made it unapproachable in ships. A message sent by Sir George Hubert Expedition, and in 1928 with Carl Eielson The first and only depot will be Wilkins from Deception Island states that as pilot, flew from Point Barrow across the established at the most conspicuous point the aeroplane Los Angeles, which was Polar Sea to Spitsbergen, a distance of 300 or 400 miles south of Deception nearly lost when it sunk through soft ice, more than 2,000 miles. Island. has been salvaged on the beach, and is Dr. H. R. Mill, speaking as vice- Further ferrying flights will depend on little the worse for being partly immersed president of the Royal Geographical discoveries made and on local conditions. in the sea. Society on the occasion on which Sir Finally, one machine will be filled with a The message adds: — “The weather is George Hubert Wilkins received the full load of petrol and Wilkins and Eielson fine, but the harbour is treacherous. We are Patron’s medal for 20 years’ work, of will set out for the Ross Sea. After 24 concerned at our inability to leave, but the which his recent Arctic flight was the hours, the second aeroplane will return to actual salvage work has not worried us.” culmination, remarked: — “I believe there Deception Island. Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tuesday 4 are now only three knights who won their On arrival at the Bay of Whales in the December 1928, page 8. spurs in polar service. Ross Sea, communication will be effected https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3 All are Gold Medallists, all by wireless with the Neilson Alonzo, one of 972930 Australians—Sir Edgeworth David, Sir the whaling ships which left Hobart last Douglas Mawson, and Sir George Hubert month with petrol and stores for the Wilkins. Surely these are the very most explorers. intelligent of the British residents in the If Wilkins is successful in crossing the remote settlements of the Empire with continent, the first news will probably be whom our founders in 1830 were so waved to Australia by the powerful solicitous that we should keep in touch. wireless set carried in this vessel. In our Patron’s medallist we welcome A glance at the map of the Antarctic one of those born explorers who seemed to regions will show what is being attempted. have looked on life first — What will have been accomplished if ‘Through magic casements opening on the Wilkins is successful? foam of perilous seas in fairylands forlorn’. A flight of this nature can only be, of But, surely no more forlorn fairyland, no course, a reconnaissance, but it is a very more perilous sea, ever loomed thro’ the important one, as the region flown over is lists of poetry than that which Stefansson, wholly unknown. his first leader, dares to call the friendly Moreover, the land hereabouts has Arctic. always been unattainable in ships, although We rejoice to know that he has no Captain Cook in H.M.S. Resolution in intention of resting on his laurels, and we 1774 reached 11deg. S. Bellinghausen, wish him the best possible success in his Gerlache, and Charcot carried the flags of projected Antarctic enterprise.” Russia, Belgium, and France respectively southward in this region, but all failed to determine the nature of the land mass south of the pack ice which everywhere bars approach to it from seaward. An advertisement from (Cairns Post (Qld), Saturday 8 December 1928, page 14.). What Lies Beyond?

What does lie south of this impenetrable 8 December 1928 barrier? Are the lands, if there be any, The Mysterious South insular or continental? Is the dominant What Can It Reveal? feature of the Antarctic continent a high Wilkins’s Great Venture range of mountains extending from Cape By Captain John K. Davis Adare to Graham Land? Given 24 hours’ “Whom shall we send?” clear weather after he leaves his base “In search of this new world, whom shall Wilkins should be able to supply answers we find sufficient?” to all of these questions and will be able to Sir George Hubert Wilkins, M.C. and Bar, complete a pioneer survey of one of the Gold Medallist of the Royal Geographical largest remaining unknown areas in the Society of London, whose thrilling world. Detailed work must be done later. Sir George Hubert Wilkins and Lieut. Eielson propose to adventures in many lands have made him fly from Deception Island for 300 miles southward along The great desideratum at present is to lay one of the greatest of Australia’s sons, is the coast of Graham Land, where a depot will be down the outline of the south polar well-equipped for the hazardous Antarctic established. From this depot Wilkins and Eielson, in one continent. of the aeroplanes, will endeavour to fly across the Expedition upon which he is now engaged. Antarctic Continent to the Bay of Whales, a distance of The outstanding merit of the plan is the Born in Australia, he served as second- over 2,000 miles. Captain Cook, with H.M.S. Resolution, choice of an unknown area in the Antarctic in-command to Stefansson during the reached 11deg. S. in the position marked, on January 26, over which to carry out the flight. This 1774, but was unable to get farther south, his way south second part of his Arctic expedition of being barred by an immense field of pack-ice. stamps Wilkins as a man of vision. Even if 55

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) he be not fortunate enough to carry out his other places. In an interval in the snow resembling milky streams, streaked from full programme, whatever portion of the storms Crossan and I flew over Snow the west across the sky. Storm clouds, area he is able to describe for us will be a Island. wind and rain followed closely. I, with Mr. new contribution to polar geography. When we were alighting an enormous Crossan as pilot, at the first indication of Were he and the hardy Norseman, his albatross of the family Ossifraga 12 hours flying weather, will set off pilot, men of less experience, one would be gigantica, known here as “Nellies”, of towards the Weddell Sea. If the machine tempted to describe their task as which there are thousands about the will lift the load and carry it there we hope impossible but both have just returned harbour, smashed into the butts of our to solve the important geographical from an equally hazardous flight over a propeller. question whether Graham Land is part of similar distance in the Arctic. The bird weighed between 10lb. and 12lb., the Antarctic continent.” With fine weather and a moderate and had a wing spread between 8ft. and amount of good fortune, they may reach 10ft. If it had struck the propeller tips or Homage to Amundsen the Bay of Whales in time to welcome the pilot’s windshield it is probable that Oslo. Dec. 14. Commander Byrd and the other Americans there would have been a disaster. It was Homage was paid to Amundsen’s who are at present on the way south. impossible under the low clouds and memory on the seventeenth anniversary of Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 8 without sunshine to judge the surface of the discovery of the South Pole. All traffic December 1928, page 7. the island accurately. was stopped for two minutes at Oslo and https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3 Conspicuous near its edges, however, were Copenhagen. The King, the Crown Prince, 974038 crevasses many hundreds of yards long and and members of Amundsen’s family were wide enough to engulf an aeroplane. We among the gathering at Oslo. must examine the island on foot before At Copenhagen the gathering was using it as a base”. addressed by the Crown Prince, who Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday declared that the northern light was writing 15 December 1928, page 16. Amundsen’s name in flames on the https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 horizon. Amundsen lost his life when 41359890 endeavouring to find by seaplane, the crew of the airship Italia. 17 December 1928 Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Monday 17 Wilkins Expedition December 1928, page 7. Weather Causes Delay https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3 Lack of Landing Grounds. 975858 (Copyright by the Australian Press Association.) 21 December 1928 London. Dec, 15 Unknown Australia Sir George Hubert Wilkins in a message As Seen by Sir G.H. Wilkins from Deception Island dated to-day, states: “Herald’s Review” — Captain Sir George Hubert Wilkins has “The weather was such that all three been everywhere and done everything. whale-catchers had to spend today in Adventure is meat and drink to him, and he harbour. It was not done unwillingly seeks it in the most diverse climes, being because the Norwegians here, their people equally at home amid Polar ice and tropical at home and we ourselves respectfully paid jungle. tribute to Amundsen’s memory. In “Unknown Australia” he gives an Our search fails to reveal a suitable account of his experiences when collecting snow-covered field for the ‘take-off’ on specimens of the rarer native fauna for the skis with a heavy load or with any load at British Museum in 1923, ‘24, and ‘25. His all. The records and statements of visitors first expedition was to the remoter parts of to this place in the last 10 years indicate Queensland, and subsequently he visited that the season is a month earlier than the Northern Territory. An advertisement from the Australasian (Melbourne, usual. Cape York Peninsula yielded little. It is a Vic.), Saturday 15 December 1928, page 16. sterile place, and his party, which had Normally the harbor ice would still be perfect for landing either with wheels or hoped to eke out their supplies with game 15 December 1928 with skis but the ice has already for the pot, were often on short commons. Wilkins Expedition disappeared and although rain usually does He came across several old miners, each Sir George Hubert Wilkins, in a message not fall until after the New Year, this year working alone and jealously guarding the from Deception Island dated December 9, we have had much rain on the soft snow. secret of his wealth. Sworn to silence, he states: — While Lieutenant Carl Eielson and I was allowed to inspect several of the shafts “Although there has been light, hard were aboard the whale-catcher yesterday from which the gold is being won. He snow all day, I went up in an aeroplane we vainly searched Snow Island 50 miles betrays no confidences, but says that these with Joseph Crossan as pilot, to ascertain off shore and other places for a ‘take-off’ men live fairly well for bush conditions, whether ice would form on the machine, field but the snow had melted on all the flat and are satisfied with their lot. and also to examine the island for snow- surfaces leaving black patches of volcanic Incidentally, Sir Hubert disputes the covered landing fields. tufa. The sloping surfaces where the snow statement that the aboriginal does not take The temperature at a height of 1,000ft. accumulates are too sloping or scarred by kindly to agriculture. was 2deg. below zero, but no ice formed deep crevices. I will take the Los Angeles It is true that as a hired labourer he is on the machine. We did not discover a equipped as a seaplane, at the earliest useless, but he will work for himself. At suitable field for skis. The next fine day I possible time, with the heaviest practicable Cowal Creek Mission Station, of which a intend to visit Low Island and Snow load, and make a tour into the Weddell native teacher is in charge, there is quite a Island, 30 or 50 miles distant respectively, Sea. flourishing community, a clean village, to examine the surfaces there. Hours of sunshine encouraged us to pour with well-kept plantations and garden We are all pleased to hear that 200 gallons of gasoline into the Los plots. Lieutenant Eielson has been awarded the Angeles which is now riding on floats. We From the collectors’ standpoint Central United States Congressional Medal. also re-stowed our personal belongings Queensland is far more interesting. The We think that nobody is worthier of it not aboard the machine, but before the second Flinders country is extraordinarily rich in only for his polar flights, but for his several hour had passed long stratus clouds, fossils. On one basalt hillock Sir Hubert years of pioneering aviation in Alaska and 56

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Wilkins traced the outline of a huge certain traits and tendencies in which the 26 December 1928 ichthyosaur, about 35 feet in length, the national character is not seen to the best First in Queensland head, shoulders and hips of which were advantage. He deplored the fact that so The Brisbane Courier plainly visible. many go on the land hoping that in a few 83rd Year of Publication In other instances, only the head and years they will have made enough to live Wednesday, December 26, 1928. shoulders are visible, but excavation would on their means. In the Antarctic probably uncover the complete remains. “One of the most disappointing things to Sir George Hubert Wilkins, the intrepid Unfortunately, as the larger fossils weigh me as an Australian,” he writes, “was to Australian explorer, has opened a many tons, it would be difficult, if not find that so many able-bodied men completely new chapter in Polar impossible, to remove them, but the field ‘retired’ from productive work with only exploration. A few months ago he flew deserves investigation by a skilled just enough money for a bare existence. across the North Pole: and now, according geologist. They form a leisured class without high to the interesting cabled announcement that Sir Hubert spent some time in the culture and without the desires or we published on Monday, he has flown virtually unexplored Arnhem Land. The inclinations that foster art and learning; a 1200 miles across the Antarctic wastes: he natives there are entirely untouched by the class that, while physically comfortable, has discovered six new islands; and he has influences of civilisation. Most of them have no desire for more than the material definitely established the fact that Graham had never seen a white man, and they are and are interested only in the every-day Land is an island, separated by an ice- warlike and fierce. Several of them stalked concerns of life.” channel fifty miles wide from the great his lonely camp one night, and he thought Again, to the Northern Territory he Antarctic continent, a problem that has that his last hour had come. found “conspicuously exemplified that baffled explorers and geographers for But next day he established friendly which is most typical of the habits of the centuries. relations with them, and he describes many Australian junior public servants. If one is He has proved that even in the Antarctic, strange customs and superstitions. One of known, by sight or reputation to be an admittedly the most inhospitable region in their beliefs is that you must be careful to important personage, then the way is made the world, the aeroplane can be harnessed burn the shells of turtle eggs, after eating astonishingly easy and pleasant, but if one for service and that the time honoured them. is suspected of being a foreigner or even an methods of Polar exploration by snow- Otherwise someone who bears a grudge ordinary Englishman, then the ‘boots’ at shoes have passed. In a few hours Sir against you may find them, and place them the hotel, the Government clerk, or the George and his trusty companion, between two trees which rub together. The train conductor will treat one with insulting Lieutenant Eielson, covered a distance that trees will grind them to powder, and when disrespect. The obtrusive insularity of the would have taken weeks of terrible it has blown away the negligent one will cultured but untraveled Englishman is as privations by the old methods; and in those lose his powers of speech and hearing. In nothing to the aggressive independence of few hours he has changed the map of the proof whereof the author was shown a deaf the ignorant Australian.” Antarctic in many important particulars. and dumb boy. White men, he says, can work in the Geographers estimate that the Antarctic Although Sir Hubert was on the best of Territory, but whether they will work is continent, supposed to be considerably terms with the natives as a whole, he another question. He considers the White larger than Australia, and the most happened to incur the displeasure of one of Australia to be a wonderful ideal, but mountainous area in the world, has a them, who promptly went to the tribal doubts whether much progress can be coastline of about 12,000 miles. “rainmaker” and asked him to punish the made in the north without the introduction But no more than 500 miles of that white man. That obliging functionary of coloured labour. coastline had been seen by man. In one performed various rites accompanied by Scone Advocate (NSW), Friday 21 day’s flight Sir George Wilkins has been magic invocations. December 1928, page 4. able to complete more accurate mapping of Shortly afterwards a violent storm broke. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/ the Weddell Sea and the Antarctic It lasted for a week—an unusually long 158009535 continent from the South American side period for this district—in which 30 inches than has been achieved by all the previous were registered. 24 December 1928 explorers. Collecting was out of the question in such Sir George has substantiated the opinion a downpour, and the rainmaker’s prestige of previous explorers about the was greatly enhanced. mountainous, jagged, inhospitable nature Sir Hubert mentions a curious example of the country. of the relation of cause and effect. It is entirely different, of course, from Australian native animals carry little fat. In the Arctic regions. The area within a radius the King River district wild bees are not of more than 1000 miles of the North Pole plentiful. The inhabitants of this region are is a very deep ocean, probably of a depth not well fed. The enforced living upon lean of two miles or more. That ocean is partly meat and roots, a dietary deficient in fat landlocked, by Asia on the one side and by and sugar, has led to the development Greenland, Baffin Land, and the Hudson among them of several peculiar customs, Bay Archipelago of islands on the other one of which is promiscuous cannibalism. side. With most of the peoples among whom This has a warming influence on the this practice prevails it has a symbolical atmosphere, which is about 20 degrees significance. But these are prompted by the warmer than the atmosphere at the South unconscious wish to satisfy a chemical Pole, which consists of rugged need. They do not kill to obtain human mountainous land. Near the South Pole the flesh, but eat dead bodies and even disinter land rises to an altitude of about 11,000 buried corpses to appease their appetites. feet, and the atmosphere is several degrees The consumption of human flesh is below freezing point. Possibly it is this governed by strict rules. Anyone may eat WILKINS'S FLIGHT ACROSS GRAHAM LAND: An intense cold that discourages both animal murdered persons and grown men and artist's conception of Sir George Wilkins's plane as it must have appeared on his great 1200 miles flight in and vegetable life. women. But only men may eat babies; Antarctica. Sir George tells us that in the Arctic women may not eat young boys, and the pack-ice there is no scarcity of game; but flesh of young girls is retained for the Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Monday 24 the Antarctic, he says, is destitute of exclusive use of the old men of the tribe. December 1928, page 16. animal life, excepting here and there along Sir Hubert is a good Australian, and his https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 the coastline. exploits have conferred distinction upon 44021766 the land of his birth. But he is not blind to 57

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article)

Sir George has established his main base Sir George Wilkins has settled that by and work that gives what they do its on Deception Island, which lies between his discovery that Graham Land is an special value. Cape Horn, the extreme southern point of island, and separated from the main From the days of the Elizabethan seamen South America, and the most northerly continent. The scientific world will await to the present, British adventurers have point of Graham Land. That is, roughly, with interest his later messages. never sought glory. Frobisher and Davis 1400 miles from the South Pole. Brisbane Courier (Qld), Wednesday 26 and the rest of the Virgin Queen’s Another base will be established on land December 1928, page 10. immortal hand had no idea what great in the Ross Sea, which is on the New https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 figures they were cutting in history. Zealand side of the Pole; and working 1345900 Drake’s famous voyage round the world between those two points Sir George hopes was made owing to the fact that he could to survey that enormous tract of 28 December 1928 not hope to get home the way that he came. mountainous land that is vaguely mapped British adventurers have always had Sir Hubert Wilkins as King Edward VII Land. some definite, limited personal objective in Captain Sir George Hubert Wilkins, In their great flight last week Sir George the region or on the frontier of practical M.C. whose messages from the Antarctic and Lieutenant Eielson swept for 600 miles possibilities—a North-West passage to flicker daily into print, is an Australian over the Weddell Sea and along the ice- discover, or a colony to plant—some new who first made a name for himself as [a bound coast of King Edward VII Land, thing to find: a task as yet undone to do. war photographer with the] Imperial Force mapping land that had probably never The large guesswork of the Spanish and in France. before been seen by human eyes. the Portuguese was not for them. A war photographer’s work is what he Then they noticed signs of a blizzard, The British adventurer having fixed on his makes it: his orders are his own, and such a and were forced to turn again for their purpose carefully calculated how many work is not easy when nerves are exposed main base. Though they were flying at a sides of bacon and barrels of powder he to heavy bombardment. There is all the height of 8000 feet, many of the mountains would need to carry it through. difference in the quality of courage that is towered above them, and they swept over Sometimes the planning seems in the brave under orders, and the kind of numerous glaciers, with gaping crevasses, light of events to have been pitifully courage that is self-directing. the terror of the old-time plodding inadequate, but at least the carefulness of it An Australian general declared Wilkins explorer. ensured a workmanlike start. to be the bravest man he had ever known. Despite all that, and the discovery of six Thenceforward the difficulties of each day Owing to this intrepid photographer, new islands, Sir George says, “We have could be taken as they came, and met with Australia has a pictorial record of the war settled the most interesting of our firm resolution, level judgment, and that must be unique. Wilkins’s camera did problems, but we returned gloomy, extraordinary “staying power.” not lie because he forced it to speak the depressed, find disappointed because there Captain Wilkins stands in the succession truth in the face of the stark realities of was not sufficient petrol to take us to Ross to these gentlemen adventurers. He has war. Sea.” Sir George is not an impatient man; always desired to know closely and To the understanding observer, the he is content to wait weeks for a propitious thoroughly something not known before. quality of Wilkins’s pictures of battle opportunity. Before his Arctic adventure, he was in realities tells the plain and impressive truth But certainly when he is on the job he Northern Australia collecting specimens of the courage of the man who made likes to complete a lot at once. Above all for the British Museum in just those brilliant use of the complicated technique he has the true geographer’s passion for regions which was least explored. of the expert photographer in discovery and accuracy; and although the There are one or two graphic photographing shell bursts which risks are tremendous, especially from the descriptions of the terror that flieth by threatened himself and his instruments blizzards that arise so quickly in that night in those passages of his book wherein with flying slivers of red-hot steel. A man region, it is obvious that he is concerned he tells of blacks crawling round his camp who sees and thinks with an imagination so principally in the scientific observations during the night. They are classic sharp does not belong to the fearless type. that he is making. descriptions of fear, but only a very brave Fearlessness is the compensation for On the New Zealand side of the Pole man could have waited calmly for dawn defective intelligence. another intrepid explorer, and a friendly and gone to meet his enemies unarmed. Captain Wilkins tells of a forced landing rival of Sir George in both the North and Captain Wilkins went from the Northern In the Arctic darkness in terms of nervous South Pole explorations, has established Territory to the Arctic Circle, to answer the suffering: — “For twenty minutes we his main base somewhere in the Ross Sea, question important for science: whether floated down through utter darkness: a close to the main base used by Captain there was any land mass round the North grey forbidding darkness. Not black like a Scott. Pole. winter’s, night, but a nerve-wracking, He is Commander Byrd, an American After two disastrous failures in the air, sense-dulling density. Beneath us lay aviator and a courageous explorer. He and a complete financial crash, he and his what? Rough ice we knew and perhaps a intends to devote his energies and wonderful Norwegian pilot Eielson lane of open water. Injury, minor, or fatal, observations to King Edward VII Land and succeeded in flying 2,200 miles across this seemed imminent but we were resigned Victoria Land, and the area between his great “blind spot” of the world from helpless in the hands of our Maker. His to main base and the South Pole. In such a Alaska to Spitsbergen. dispose of without effort on our part. There vast area, about which so little is known, The long accounts that he writes of the was nothing we might do to help there is ample room for the two two “takes off”, one at the beginning, the ourselves.” expeditions. other within sight of the goal, are The courage of such adventurers as Sir Commander Byrd, however, has selected revelations of that kind of nerve that can Hubert Wilkins consists first in a kind of the side about which the world has heard think in accurate detail under the stress of passionate devotion to the work in hand, most, however little that may he, and it is imminent peril. He prefaces that book with and second in a discipline of intense doubtful if his discoveries will be as St. Paul’s sentence. “Now faith is the concentration which while enduring dramatic as those of Sir George Wilkins. substance of things hoped for, the evidence torment from sensitive nerves, can Most Polar scientists agree that the most of things not seen.” maintain the judgment’s grasp of the detail, interesting point in dispute is whether the Having made all plans, defined his of the business. “Andes” of Graham Land form part of the objective and acquired the necessary skill, It is not because Britons excel other Antarctic continent. Captain Wilkins casts himself into the void races in courage that they have produced On that side the land approximates to the on the wings of faith, and connects plan the peculiar type of adventurer of which South American type; on the Ross Sea side and achievement with the strong and Sir Hubert Wilkins is an example. it approximates to the Australian type. slender thread of resolution. Rather it is the prosaic and matter of fact Where was the break? That was the point The long message published last strain that belongs to their temperament in dispute. Monday is an account of his typical kind of triumph. A “take-off” on wheels began the 58

The Wilkins’ Chronicle (A selection of Trove Articles, Incorporating Advertisements and Cartoons from the day of the Wilkins’ Article) flight of twelve hundred miles, skirting 29 December 1928 Photos below from the ISO Polar Archives. carefully along the edges of storms which Actic 1926-28. Wilkins’s Flight might have wrecked the enterprise, while the careful eyes noted the bearings of shores and mountains never before seen by human eyes. Graham Land came into geography as an island. Other parts of what was thought to be a solid continent broke up into island groups. Geological and meteorological observations were meticulously recorded. Such men require the excuse of utility for their discoveries. But their utilities are far in advance of what their fellows desire at the time to use. Raleigh dreamed of a colonial empire and strove unsuccessfully to found one while those who financed him thought only of gold. Captain Wilkins dreams of meteorological stations in the Antarctic which will make possible long distance weather forecasting. That aim is practical enough when it is realised it will mean millions of pounds in money and security to farmers and pastoralists. But as an objective it is far in advance of present weather knowledge. Under present conditions, Antarctic meteorological stations would have only an Until the flight of Sir George Hubert Wilkins, it was immediate research value. They could not supposed that Graham Land was portion of the Antarctic yet forecast crop prospects. But Sir Hubert continent, the surmise being that the land continued to Wilkins sees that one day they will. No King Edward VII Land and Leopold Land along the dotted lines. The black line shows the previous limit of government is likely to follow up his exploration. The letter “A” in the map denotes the findings at once, and spend the money position of Weather Island mentioned by Sir George necessary to establish these stations. But Hubert Wilkins, and the letter “B” marks the approximate southern limit of his flight. From “B” to the some day they will be established. South Pole is about 1,600 miles. Meantime the questing spirit, sustained by its own reasoning, blazes its own trail of The following wireless message from knowledge through the unknown, steering Deception Island was received on by “the light that never was on sea or December 20 from Sir George Hubert land.” Wilkins, the explorer, who is leading an West Australian (Perth, WA), Friday 28 expedition to the Antarctic to make December 1928, page 8. meteorological observations: — https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3 “Graham Land is separated from the great

2248079 Polar continent by an ice-filled channel. A

question that has puzzled geographers for ages was solved today by a flight in the Lockheed monoplane San Francisco beyond the volcanic mountain of Graham Land, enabling us to see 650 miles south over the Antarctic continent. It was proved conclusively that the range does not extend uninterruptedly. It had previously been the belief of science that the mountains of Graham Land extended towards the Pole, and perhaps beyond. A fortunate set of circumstances enabled us today to disprove that, and also gain an important sight of the geographical formation of the little-known land of ice. Had the flight been made from Ross Barrier it would have enabled us to see the vicinity of the Pole, but we are very happy 29 December 1928 over the discovery that the day has SIR HUBERT WILKINS. brought”. PORTRAIT IN OILS BY MR. PHILIP Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday CONNARD, R.A. 29 December 1928, page 11. Purchased by the Trustees of the National https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Art Gallery. 41360735 Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Saturday 29 December 1928, page 16. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1

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