Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 31 May 1928, page 15


AIRSHIP ITALIA.!

-.

SEARCH AT STANDSTILL.

STORMS CONTINUE. .

RELIANCE ON FUR-TRAPPERS

Ice Pressure Hinders Ships.

KING'S BAY (Spitzbergen), May 30.

The expedition by the Italian supply ship Citta di Milano which was to search for the missing airship Italia (with 15 men on board is at a standstill The ship was not strongly enough built to withstand the ice pressure Moreover, it is now con-Hideicl that the only men who can help the crew of the Italia if they be alive are a few fm of uppers who are accustomed to the conditions on the coast Trappers are now being organised in order that a seat eli may be begun at once

The Norwegian Government steamer Hobby -and the wooden steamer Because for our Tromso will be manned by special crews and will carry a detachment of Nor wigan soldiers who are accustomed to the Polar regions

If the Italia has come down in South Spitzbergen there is little hope of her sur viv al as the ice there is constantly shifting md a landing from an aeroplane or ship would he almost impossible

So far nothing in the way of search work has been achieved by aeroplanes owing to the storms which have been almost con-tinuous since the Italia set forth on her return journey from the North Pole

The Kings Bay correspondent of the British United Press states that the supposed signal from the Italia which was picked up at 10 minutes past 10 o'clock on Sunday night was not reported earlier owing to the fact that the sealer s wireless apparatus was disordered Other reports discount this story as the Citta di Milano passed Amsterdam Island on Sunday and saw nothing to in locate the Italia s presence there Mcinvvlulo a fierce snow storm is delaying the departure of an investigation si of Age party along the coast the ship Braganza is on the vi as to King's Bay to make in attempt to pierce the pack ice towards In our Josef Land The prevalence of the north westerly gales dis-counts the I hear- that the Italia was blown towards Alaska

Airman's Great Effort.

long: Northwaid Flight

OSLO, May 30

I lieutenant I uet70w Holm flew from Oslo to Tromso, a distance of 1,700 miles, in 23 hours in order to board the Hobby and go to Spitzbergen to take part in search work This is regarded as a magnificent achievement

It is believed that a small machine has already left Spitzbergen under orders to hurry dogs and sledges from the northern coast to King s Bay

A message from the Citta di Mil ino denies that the vessel received any messages whatever from headhunters on or around Amsterdam Island