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THIS WATER COLOUR OF SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION HUT AT CAPE EVANS WAS PAINTED EARLY THIS YEAR BY A NEW ZEALAND ARTIST, R. M. CONLY. HE FLEW SOUTH TO DO A SERIES OF PAINTINGS ON THE ROLE OF THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE AND NEW ZEALANDERS IN THE ANTARCTIC.

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HDWnHDlSIMHDS" eeiilIWiiLB(S*iPII(Bd* (Successor to "Antarctic News Bulletin")

65th ISSUE March 1972

Editor: H. F. GRIFFITHS, 14 Woodchester Avenue, Christchurch 1. Assistant Editor: J. M. CAFFIN, 17 Wilfrid Street, Christchurch 4. Address all contributions, enquiries, etc., to the Editor. All Business Communications, Subscriptions, etc., to: The Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society. P.O. Box 1223, Christchurch, N.Z

CONTENTS ARTICLES FRANK WILD: INCURABLE ADVENTURER 162 MUSEUM HONOURS 'A VERY GALLANT GENTLEMAN' 172 SUMMER CARETAKERS 176 ANTARCTICA OBSERVED BY N.Z. PAINTER ,7C

POLAR ACTIVITIES NEW ZEALAND 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 177 AUSTRALIA 154, 155, 169 U.S.A. 156, 157, 171, 183, 184 UNITED KINGDOM 158, 159, 160 U.S.S.R 167, 168 F R A N C E 1 6 9 SOUTH AFRICA 170, 183 JAPAN 174, 184

GENERAL PHILATELY T O U R I S M 1 / 5 OBITUARY 180 ANTARCTIC BOOKSHELF 181

Publication of this issue coincides with the 60th anniversary of the loss of Scott's party on its return march from the South Pole. We have noticed the occasion in several ways: Our cover picture is from a recent painting of the hut at Cape Evans from which the Polar team set out on the journey which was to end in tragedy; we feature an article on Frank Wild, who served under Scott in the Discovery expedi tion, 1901-04; and we direct attention to a museum in England which honours the gallant Captain Oates. March 1972 Busy summer season at Scott Base and Vanda A successful meteorological programme at Vanda Station, continuance of upper atmosphere studies at Scott Base, installation of a wet laboratory for the University of Canterbury at Cape Bird, and establishment of a refuge hut at the lower end of the Wright Valley, were among summer season activities of New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme teams. In a report last month Major J. R. M. Barker, leader at Scott Base, says the weather generally has been good, and has allowed a busy programme to be completed, although with fewer men than usual.

This season another scientific pro Range completed its work on the river gramme was added to the list when flow into Lake Vanda. and on the move equipment was installed at Scott Base ment of three glaciers in the mountains to receive very low frequency signals overlooking the lake. induced by electric storms in the iono A Japanese exchange party again spent sphere. The programme was to have a useful season carrying out geochemical been initiated at Siple Station during the studies of Lake Vanda. It was also able summer, but as the station will not bc to visit other lakes in the dry valleys manned this winter, the equipment has for similar work. been installed at the base for 12 months. Two Austrian documentary film Much work has been done round the makers, Mr Rheinhold Materna and his base to improve the storage of supplies, brother, Dr Walter Materna, spent most and base buildings have been improved of the season at Scott Base. They made and renovated. Three 8ft by 8ft huts a documentary film of all the scientific were prefabricated in the garage, and and base activities which take place in then dismantled and flown by helicopter summer. to sites in the field where they were United States air support for the New re-erected, tied down and painted. Zealanders changed in pattern this sea One hut was placed at the lower end son. Most of the resupplying of Scott of the Wright Valley as a refuge hut. Base was done by Starlifters, leaving only and another was placed at Cape Bird for a small quantity of cargo to be brought use as a wet laboratory by the University in by sea at the end of the season. of Canterbury marine research unit. The The change to twin-turbine helicopters third was rebuilt at Vanda Station to by the Navy's VXE-6 Sqaudron meant house the small generators. that the New Zealanders had to spend The dogs at Scott Base have continued some time becoming accustomed to the to thrive and have had some use this change in loading technique. But when season, when they took a survey party this was achieved, the normal excellent on to the Ross Ice Shelf to resile snow co-operation with the helicopter crews movement markers. They have also been was achieved. used extensively by base staff for recrea tional runs. VISITORS AND BRIDGE Vanda Station has been manned during Vanda Station was closed for the the summer, and a successful meteoro winter on February 9, and the leader. logical programme was carried out. The Mr C. Johnson, returned to New Zealand hydrological and glaciological party with memories of four months of a working at Vanda and in the Asgaard never-ending stream of visitors, warm March 1972 temperatures, excellent food, and water level rose about 2ft, and a very pleasant evenings of bridge. Before he large moat formed. Mr Hawes made came to New Zealand in 1962 he spent several wet suit dives from the raft of four years with the British Antarctic 44-gallon drums built by the New Survey, two of them at Halley Bay Zealanders and Japanese to retrieve where mail arrived once or twice a year, undisturbed cores of sedimentary and there was nothing but tinned food. deposits. These will be used to correlate Life at Vanda Station was very agree the amount of sediment deposited in able, according to Mr Johnson. The previous years with the (low of the Onyx. meals were nothing short of excellent, All major lakes were visited at the there was plenty of fresh food, and mail beginning and end of the season to arrived every week. The maximum sum record local changes. Climate screens mer temperature was plus 6deg C. were also installed at Lakes Bonney and Vida. Normally it would be zero or minus one degree C. The Jeremy Sykcs. Alberich, and Messrs Johnson, D. Davidson. B. Heimdall Glaciers in the Asgaard McGuire and R. W. Thornton played Range were surveyed twice for mass balance figures. Visual observations bridge almost every night. Two of the indicate positive balances this year. team could play, and they taught the other two. Photo-theodolite mapping of selected The men had no time to get bored, glaciers was continued to detect any margin fluctuations. and often felt that the station was more like a motel-cum-coffee bar. They had periodic visits from Japanese scientists, men from the dry valley drilling project, and American and New Zealand parlies. POLAR MEDALS SCIENTIFIC WORK The glaciology and hydrology team AWARDED working from Vanda was in the field Captain T. Woodfield. master of the from October 28 to February 9. All the- Royal Research Ship Bransfield, and planned projects were completed success previously in command of the R.R.S. fully by Messrs J. Hawes (glaciologist- John Biscoe, is among 12 members of hydrologist), W. R. Thompson (hydrolo- the British Antarctic Survey who have gist) and L. K. Cairns (surveyor). been awarded the Polar Medal for out Mr Hawes reports that a levelling standing services. His award is for traverse was carried out from the lower service in the period 1955-68. Wright Valley across the Wilson Pied The John Biscoe is remembered by mont to the Bay of Sails to complete New Zealanders as the first H.M.N.Z.S. data for an accurate (above sea level) Endeavour. It took Sir Edmund Hillary height for Lake Vanda and its environs: and his party south in 1956, and was the The height is now set at 310ft. New Zealand Antarctic support ship The Onyx River arrived with a rush until 1962. on November 29, one week earlier than The other B.A.S. men who have been in the two previous seasons. The peak awarded the Polar Medal for service instanteous discharge for the season (200 between 1963 and 1965 are: Dr G. T. cusecs)was recorded during the first week. Bowra (medical officer), M. Fleet, R. R. Flow then settled down to a mean daily Home. L. M. Juckes, A. F. Marsh, M. flow of about 20 cusecs. After a very R. A. Thompson, R. Worsfall (geolo gradual recession the river ceased flowing gists), D. R. Jehan (meteorologist), H. over the weir at midnight on February M. O'Gorman (wireless operator). R. G. 8. B. Renner (geophysicist), and R. F. S. During the summer the Lake Vanda Stocks (builder). March 1972 MAJOR FOSSIL FIND IN VICTORIA LAND A discovery of major importance—fossils in Northern Victoria Land, an area of Antarctica where no marine fossils have been found before— was made in the Evans Neve area this season by a geological party from the 16th expedition sent south by the Victoria University of Wellington. Another party, working in the Boomerang Range, about 150 miles west of Scott Base, dug out of Shapeless Mountain probably the most varied collection of fossil plants yet found in the Trans-Antarctic Mountains.

The most important fossils found by Several tree trunk impressions nearly 10ft the Evans Neve party were brachiapods long lay exposed on sandstone surfaces. (shell-fish similar to some bivalves) and Previous work by New Zealand and trilobites (primitive extinct arthropods United States geologists indicates, says like wood lice). They were discovered on Dr Barrett, that the lens in which the a bluff of the north side of the Mariner plants were found was 200 million years Glacier eight to ten miles south-west of ago part of a swamp on a flood plain at Mount McCarthy in the Bowers Group least 497 miles long. rock sequence. TOBOGGAN TROUBLE Dr M. G. Laird, of the Geological The Evans Neve party consisted of Survey, who led the party, says a Dr Laird, Dr P. Andrews, also of the preliminary study suggests a Late Geological Survey, and Messrs P. Kyle Cambrian (about 500 million years ago) and P. Jennings. Its main aims were for for the upper part of the Bowers Group. Mr Kyle to examine and sample This shows that the Bowers Group forms McMurdo volcanic rocks on Mount the northernmost portion of a marine Overlord and on the Pleiades, and for basin which extended for at least 1850 Drs Laird and Andrews to study expo miles across the Antarctic Continent sures of the Bowers Group. A subsidiary along the line of what are now the Trans- aim was to make a geological recon Antarctic Mountains. The basin almost naissance of the previously unvisited certainly spread into South Australia, southern Salamander Range, and of the and is evidence that the Australian and nunataks in the northern half of the Antarctic continents were once adjacent. Evans Neve. A United States Navy Hercules flew FERN-LIKE PLANTS the party from McMurdo Station to the Dr P. J. Barrett, leader of the other Evans Neve with its three motor tobog VUW party, who has been appointed gans and five sledges on November 17. It director of the university's new Antarctic was in the field for 34 days and was Research Institute, says in his report picked up on December 21. Because of that the Shapeless Mountain fossils toboggan breakdowns, particularly clutch included large slabs of silstone with failures, the party was immobilised for entire fronds of pteridosperms (seed- eight days, and only about half of the bearing fern-like plants), and many programme envisaged could be carried smaller fern-like leaves of several varie out. ties. In addition there were very abun But Dr Laird says in his report that dant primitive gingko leaves, and although only 13 days were spent on bamboo-like stems, of which the "horse geology, the trip was highly successful tail" is the only modern equivalent. in one of its main aims—to establish BP«H. F*JWZW*"V* r»f^^^r^

March 1972 the age of the Bowers Group. The fossil Askin. and Messrs D. Wright and A. discovery was one of the most important Chinn. Mr D. Bamford, a geology geological finds in recent years, and student, joined the party for the last would at last enable geologists to corre month. Four United States Navy heli late the sedimentary rocks of Northern copters flew the party and its equipment Victoria Land with those of the rest of to the base near Shapeless Mountain, and the Trans-Antarctic Mountains and with it spent the next five weeks working and rock sequences in Australia. The travelling by motor toboggan in the area. expedition also filled a gap in the Dr Barrett says in his report that the geology of the Evans Neve. area was selected for the study of the upper few hundred yards of the 6500ft- YOUNGEST FOSSILS thick Beacon sequence of flat-lying sand The fossils discovered at the head of stone and siltstone, which is from the Mariner Glacier are the first body Devonian to Jurassic (450 to 180 million fossils to be discovered in the Bowers years) in age. The purpose of the expedi Group, and the first (apart from some tion was to search for more plant fossils, plant remains) to be found in Northern and to study and explain the field rela Victoria Land. They are the youngest tions between the sedimentary and fossils so far described from the Trans- volcanic rocks at Shapeless Mountain. Antarctic Mountains, and may date ihe The shapeless appearance of the last marine sediments deposited before massif, which is about six and a quarter mountains were raised on the site of the miles across, is the result of the disturb previous marine trough. The discovery ance of the normally flat-lying Beacon also indicates that shallow seas covered strata by vast explosive volcanic erup at least part of Victoria Land at this tions which ended the Beacon sedimen time. tation in the Jurassic period. In places Another important discovery, says Dr beds dip up to 50deg, and blocks up to Laird, was the presence of Bowers Group nine and three-quarter feet across have rocks in the northern part of the Evans broken through the more nearly hori Neve, lying far to the west of previously zontal strata in three places. These are known occurrences. The previously regarded as vents for the explosive unvisited southern end of the Salamander eruptions. Range was found to consist not only of granite, as previous maps showed, but also of dolerite. COAL BED FOUND After Drs Laird and Andrews returned After the discovery of the fossil plants, to New Zealand in late December. the party found a coal bed nearly 23ft Messrs Kyle and Jennings spent another thick lower in the Beacon sequence, at six weeks on the volcanics project in nearby Mount Fleming. Anothers lens the McMurdo Sound region. They containing more primitive simple types visited Capes Barne. Bird. Royds, and of leaf, still very well preserved, was Crozier to drill small cores in the lava also discovered. Leaves of one species flows. Measurement of these will place were up to I5in long. limits on the age of the lava flow and Siltstones at a number of localities help interpretation of the area's volcanic- were sampled for processing to extract history. fossil spores and pollens. These' and the Mr Kyle was able to visit the active leaf fossils will bc compared with simi summit crater of Mount Erebus. This lar, and in some cases identical, forms allowed him to sample lavas that Sir from Australia, where the sequences of James Clark Ross saw erupting from the similar age are more fossiliferous and volcano on January 27, 1941. better known. This study will also check The VUW party which worked on the on the degree of similarity between Beacon strata in the Shapeless Mountain Antarctic floras and those of the other area comprised Dr Barrett, Miss R. fragments of the Gondwanaland super- March 1972 continent (Australia, India. South Africa mud-cracked surfaces in the middle of the and South America) which has been lower Beacon sequence, indicating expo drifting apart for the last 100 million sure to the air, and an environment years. where deposits are not entirely marine. After Christmas, Miss Askin and The party also mapped and described Messrs Bamford. Bright and Chinn previously unvisited areas in the Warren worked for four weeks at five localities Range and the upper Ferrar Glacier. around the Skelton Neve, south-west of Victoria University has initiated a Scott Base, moving by helicopter from geological mapping programme at a place to place. They studied the lower scale of 1:250,000 in this part of Beacon strata, most of which has been Antarctica, and is obtaining the co-opera regarded as a shallow marine deposit, tion of other New Zealand and American although work over the last few years has geologists. Field work for the Mount shown the uppermost fish-bearing beds Harmsworth sheet was completed this to be a river plain deposit. season and added to the data for two This season's party found extensive additional sheets.

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SEALS SAFEGUARDED BY NATIONS' CONVENTION

A new convention to safeguard all square miles. These conservation species of Antarctic seals has been measures will be extended under the new adopted by the 12 Antarctic Treaty convention to another eight million nations after a nine-day conference in square miles. London. The convention will ensure The convention will come into force that if commercial sealing begins on the after seven of the countries represented sea ice surrounding the continent, the at the conference have signed and rati killing of certain species will be pro fied it. The convention will be open hibited, and the taking of other species to signature by the Governments repre will be subject to strict limits. sented in London, and to access by any The conference agreed that not more State with the consent of all the con than 175,000 seals should be killed tracting parties. annually. Under the convention the Countries represented at the confer Ross seal, the elephant seal, and the ence were: Argentina, Australia, Bel fur seal cannot be killed, and killing gium, Britain, Chile, France. Japan, New quotas have been fixed for the crab- Zealand. Norway, South Africa. Soviet eater, Weddell. and leopard seals. Union, and the United States. In 1964 the third consultative meeting of the treaty nations in Brussels agreed on measures for the conservation of seals, penguins, and bird life in the A seal census in the Bellingshausen Antarctic. These measures protected Sea was made this season by three heli seals on all the beaches south of Lati copters from the United States Coast tude 60deg S. The new convention now Guard icebreaker Southwind. They includes seals on the sea ice. recorded 3362 seals in an area of 204 The Brussels conference established in square miles or nearly 16.5 seals a Antarctica the world's largest fauna and square mile. This figure was higher flora conservation area of five million than the Weddell Sea count. ■J*Wl|P *J'

March 1972 Plans for co-ordinated scientific activities A more co-ordinated effort between American and New Zealand scientists in their future scientific activities in the Antarctic may be one result of the planning conference held at McMurdo Station in January. The conference, held in the Antarctic instead of New Zealand for the first time, was concerned with the more efficient and economic operation of United States and New Zealand scientific and support programmes. There has been considerable co-oper in past Antarctic programmes but it ation between the Americans and the has been unable to attract the very best. New Zealanders in past years, but there The basic problem of attracting the best have not been many joint programmes. men has been related to the money this These are being planned for future sea country has been able to offer. With sons, according to Mr R. B. Thomson, additional finance and the joint ventures superintendent of the Antarctic Division, this problem may be overcome. Department of Scientific and Industrial Support for the American and New Research. Zealand programmes was also discussed Two joint programmes in which New at the planning conference. As a result Zealand scientists are involved are the the United States Navy support force is international dry valley drilling project, expected to consider the use of New and the drilling programme on the Ross Zealand-based facilities — such as com Ice Shelf. Mr Thomson said after his munications and aircraft maintenance— return from the conference that a instead of providing its own units in number of upper air physics pro Christchurch or sending material back grammes, including meteorology, will to the United States — a time-consum also be more co-ordinated than in past ing and costly procedure. years. New Zealanders now man Ameri It might be cheaper for the support can equipment at Scott Base; next year force to have this work done in New New Zealand equipment for upper air Zealand. Any savings could be applied physics studies will be operated by to the scientific programme. American scientists at Siple Station. Mr Thomson believes that future Antarctic research programmes will change significantly because of the need for more sophisticated equipment and FIRST ANTARCTIC closer understanding of each nation's SECRETARY programmes. Greater co-ordination is the best way to achieve quickest results. The first woman secretary to visit the An increase in direct support of the Antarctic was there in January—com joint programme — probably more plete with notebook, pencil, dictaphone, flights by the Royal New Zealand Air and typewriter. Miss Margaret Lanyon, Force — is hoped for in the future. Mr who has worked for the United States Thomson says that additional finance Antarctic Research Programme in will be needed to keep in step with Christchurch for about 10 years, fol increased costs and salaries. And the lowed in the footsteps of women scien prospect of joint ventures should attract tists and journalists when she spent five better-qualified and experienced scien days at McMurdo Station doing major tists next season. secretarial work for the annual planning New Zealand has had good scientists conference. March 1972 Shallow water diving trials at Cape Bird A preliminary shallow water diving programme to determine the feasibility of using scuba divers for underwater research was an important part of the work done at Cape Bird this summer by the University of Canterbury's zoology department. Mr .1. K. Lowry, who was in charge of the field party, reports that the results were encouraging. In the 1970-71 season the department had to be cut through the push ice, began a general benthic survey of the using a petrol-driven drill and chain inshore waters in the immediate area saws. Clionc took the water on Nov of Cape Bird down to 950ft. a quanti ember 31. and light ice and generally tative study of certain benthic fauna! good weather provided quite reasonable associations, and a summer season plank boating for the remainder of the season ton study. A small laboratory was Sagar began his ecological study of added to the field station hut by the Paramoera walkeri on November 31. Antarctic Division of the Department He obtained a large amount of data on of Scientific and Industrial Research, age classes within the population, on and the summer party used successfully summer growth rates, and on the rela for inshore research the trimaran Clionc tive abundance of the species throughout provided by the University of Canter the season. In addition he set up and bury. maintained a Paramoera community in the wet laboratory. Early in his study BENTHIC SURVEY he found that a large percentage of the This season the Antarctic Division population was infected by at least two installed a small wet laboratory on the species of epizoic protozoans, which beach, and electricity for the whole- were incorporated into the study. station was supplied from a diesel Farrelly started his study of summer generator provided by the University push ice deterioration and the conse Grants Committee. quent beach formation soon after his The summer programme was divided arrival. He set up transects along three into four major projects. They were miles of beach and began weekly the completion of the benthic survey, measurements of changes in the push an ecological study of Paramoera ice, as well as sediment collections from walkeri, a very abundant sub-tidal exposed beach. In addition he was able amphipod crustacean, a study of push to collect inshore sediments while diving, ice deterioration and beach formation, and from dredge samples taken on the and the shallow water diving pro Clione. gramme. Tide measurements were also made Messrs Lowry and R. R. Voller during part of the season by Farrelly opened Cape Bird station on October and Lowry. These were made in con 27, and the other members of the per junction with observations at McMurdo manent summer party. Messrs P. Sagar Station, thus giving some comparative and W. Farrelly. arrived two weeks data between the two areas. Lowry later. Professor G. A. Knox, head of says it is hoped that a more sophisti the zoology department. Messrs J. cated approach to this problem will be Burnip, the department's photographer, made next season. and D. Tattle, were at Cape Bird for For the diving programme Tattle part of the season. made eight dives, using the Clione as a To launch the Clione an ice ramp diving platform. Farrelly and Lowry March 1972

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Good Antarctic boating weather. Clione, the University of Canterbury trimaran, at sea off Cape Bird. She was used this season as a platform for shallow water diving trials. made four dives each. The dives lasted brates and fish collected in the benthic an average of 20 minutes each, and survey. ranged in depth from 191ft to 75ft. The field sampling for the survey was The deepest dive was made on a sloping completed by Voller and Lowry, and bottom inhabited by scallops and a very some of the collections at Cape Bird abundant burrowing sea anemone. were sorted. More sorting, identifica In slightly shallower water on a more tion, and cataloguing will be done this level bottom scallops and anemones dis winter. appeared, and in their place red sea On January 12 Lowry went to Cape urchins and magenta sea stars occurred. Hallett aboard the United States Coast In still shallower water between 19ft and Guard icebreaker Northwind. There he 32ft a bed of luxuriant green algae took a series of quantitative benthic covered the bottom, providing a habitat samples for comparison with samples for two species of fish, a snail, and a taken at Cape Bird the year before. bright red amphipod. It is in this shallow water habitat that the depart ment hopes to concentrate its diving An iceberg 2000ft long, 1000ft wide programme next season. and about 80ft high has come to rest in A photographic record of much of front of Scott Base. Since the ice broke the summer party's activities was made out on February 17 there has been open by Burnip. who arrived at Cape Bird water for five miles in front of the base. late in November, and stayed until the A storm on the first two days of March third week in December. In addition with winds gusting to 45 knots brought he photographed many of the inverte the iceberg closer in. March 1972

AUSTRALIAN NEWS Prince Charles Mountains party's work completed Favourable weather, and full air support by three helicopters and one aircraft, contributed to the successful completion of the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition's 1971-72 summer programme in the southern Prince Charles Mountains several hundred miles south of Mawson. The field work included extension of a geodetic control survey, glaciology, biology, and geophysics. This summer's programme is described Aboard the Nella Dan were 12 of the as one of the most successful undertaken 25 men for Mawson. including the officer by ANARE. The amount of work in charge. Mr N. Roberts, and 10 of acomplished was beyond the expectations the 12 men for Davis, with the officer in of those who planned it. The main part charge, Mr D. Gillespie. Others in the of the programme was completed, and expedition were the Prince Charles a subsidiary part, which had lower Mountains team, men for summer work priority, was also fully carried out. at Mawson and Davis, and an Army The Prince Charles Mountains party amphibious detachment under Lieutenant of 18 was led by Mr A. Humphreys, R. J. Brooks, to assist with the transfer senior engineer of the Antarctic Division, of men and cargo at the bases. Captain and included geologists from the Bureau P. Clemence was in charge of the three of Mineral Resources, and surveyors helicopters, and Captain D. Leckie was from the Division of National Mapping. the pilot of the Pilatus Porter. A support group from the Antarctic After battling through several miles of Division, and pilots and engineers for pack ice the Nella Dan moored beside the three Hughes 500 helicopters and the a large ice floe 32 miles north of Mawson Pilatus Turbo-Porter fixed-wing aircraft on December 26. Christmas mail and completed the party. food were flown first to the 1971 team who had been isolated for nearly 11 AIR OPERATIONS months, and then the helicopters began Air operations for the establishment of to ferry 55 men and seven tons of cargo the base camps at Moore Pyramid and to the base. The Pilatus Porter was Mount Cresswcll, about 200 and 360 unloaded onto the floe to have its wings miles respectively from Mawson, were refitted. They had been removed to pre planned by the division's aviation officer, vent damage by heavy seas on the voyage Group Captain R. F. M. Dalton, south. R.A.A.F. (retd.). He retires from the division next month. SUMMER CAMP Heavy pack ice was encountered this After a trial flight Captain Leckie flew season by the Nella Dan on her voyage the Pilatus Porter to Moore Pyramid, south with the 1972 relief parties for which was the centre of the 1971 survey Mawson and Davis. She sailed from operations. After the base camp had Melbourne on December 10 with the been re-opened and a party established relief expedition led by Mr D. F. Styles, there, Captain Leckie tried to fly to then acting director of the Antarctic Mount Cresswcll. from where the 1972 Division. survey teams were to operate. He ran •m»-T"w

March 1972 ANTARCTIC into heavy cloud about 120 miles out Melbourne in the Thala Dan on January and had to return to Mawson. 7. When the ship reached the pack ice On its second attempt the aircraft, outside Casey on January 16 her two carrying a small party, reached Mount helicopters were used to locate open Cresswell. and the summer base camp leads through the ice to and from the was established. Two days before the base. Nella Dan sailed, a report was received Later the aircraft made flights from from Mawson that a tractor train had the base to outlying areas where geolo returned after a traverse of more than gical, glaciological and biological surveys 800 miles to establish a depot of food, were carried out. A small Army amphi fuel, and equipment at Mount Cresswell. bious detachment under Lieutenant I. During the next few days the three Peachey, used two landing craft to assist helicopters ferried men and supplies to with unloading and transport stores. the base until it was operational. With the 1971 Casey expedition, led by Mr J. Walter, and three men from BLOCKED BY ICE Macquarie Island, the Thala Dan The Nella Dan left the Mawson area returned to Melbourne early last month. on January 2 for Davis, but after sailing She sailed a few days later for the about 50 miles was blocked by a belt French Antarctic station of Dumont of heavy pack ice 25 miles wide. At her d'Urville. eleventh attempt to free herself, she forced a narrow lead through the ice. and reached Davis on January 13 to relieve the 12 men led by Mr L. Gardner who. DIVERSION TO during their year, carried out pro grammes of meteorology, upper atmos CASEY phere physics, and glaciology. During the Nella Dan's stay the Army detach Early this month the Nella Dan was ment installed bulk storage fuel tanks, diverted and improved the water storage facilities. Casey to picK u] She was on her final relief trip from When the Nella Dan sailed for Fre Mawson to Melbourne when a deci mantle the medical officer at Davis, Dr sion was made to bring the man back R. Waterhouse, remained until his relief. to Australia. Dr J. F. Jackson, arrived on the ship's A senior diesel mechanic, Mr R. final voyage south last month. On the Waring, of Cooma, New South Wales, return trip to Melbourne this month Dr was instructing a new tractor driver Waterhouse went ashore at Macquarie when he caught his right foot in the Island to act as medical officer for the track of the tractor and injured it remainder of the year. severely. He was treated by the medical The Nella Dan reached Fremantle at officer at Casey, who reported that his the end of January, and sailed again at condition was satisfactory. the beginning of last month. She took Later, however, an orthopaedic sur Dr Jackson, one man for Davis, and the geon in Melbourne was consulted about remaining 12 members of the 1972 Mr Waring's injury. As the accident Mawson party. Mr W. Young, senior was likely to restrict his activities for technical officer of the Antarctic Divi several months, it was decided that he sion, led this expedition in the final should return to Australia. phase of the 1971-72 operations to relieve The Nella Dan, which had sailed the remainder of the 1971 Davis and from Mawson, and to call at Macquarie Mawson parties, and the Prince Charles Island, then headed for Casey. Her Mountains survey team. helicopter flew 18 miles to the base Led by Mr G. Smith, a senior techni and picked up Mr Waring, and the cal officer in the Antarctic Division, the voyage was resumed. She was expected relief expedition for Casey sailed from to reach Melbourne on March 14. March 1972 U.S. Navy's 18th year of support for scientists More than 25 American scientists and about 2000 men from the United States Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army and Marines, were involved in this season's Antarctic operations. The Navy's 18th consecu tive year of logistic support for the United States Antarctic Research Pro gramme began on October 8 when summer work began at McMurdo Station, and ended officially on February 29 when the station was left to its winter isolation. This year the Navy will leave 181 of damaged when attempting an open field its men to spend the winter at McMurdo takeoff after it had left fuel and sup Station, the Amundsen-Scott South Pole plies. It was written off. and the remain Station, and Palmer Station off the ing missions were completed by airdrops. Antarctic Peninsula. The National Navy Seabees—200 officers and men Science Foundation will have 20 scien of Mobile Construction Battalion 71 — tists at the same three stations, and one arrived at McMurdo Station in October at the Soviet Union's Novolazarevskaya to start the summer construction pro Station on the coast of Queen Maud gramme. Work began on the new geo Land. desic dome complex at the Pole Station Scientists from 21 universities and on November 9 and ended on February research organisations carried out studies 15. Construction of the new Siple Station this season at six stations, and aboard near the Ellsworth Mountains in Marie icebreakers in the Ross. Amundsen, and Byrd Land started on December 13 and Bellingshausen Seas. halted on February 11. The building of a new incinerator and FLIGHTS DELAYED a sewage treatment plant headed the con The early weeks of the season were struction projects at McMurdo Station: hampered by a five-day snowstorm which Others included new berthing facilities at dropped more than 20in of snow and the Williams Field airstrip, a new heli left drifts up to 15ft high in the McMurdo copter pad at McMurdo Station, and a Sound area. This storm brought all new fire station-telephone exchange flights from Christchurch to the Antarc building. tic to a complete standstill. At one time nine aircraft were waiting at Christ TRANSMITTER SITE church with men and supplies, and more Another 150ft section was added to than one million pounds of cargo the seaboard of the Elliott Quay pier in accumulated during the period. Winter Quarters Bay, and the Seabees On November 1 a Navy Hercules air prepared a new communications trans craft made an open field landing in mitter site. They also laid an oil line Wilkes Land to deposit a French traverse from McMurdo Station across the hill to team. This 10-man party began from New Zealand's Scott Base, and did much Carrefour, a small advance base about work on fuel lines and roadways around 25 miles from Dumont d'Urville. the the station. first stage of a journey which will end American scientists conducted six next season at Russia's Vostok Station, major research projects at the South Pole about 1000 miles across the ice-cap. Four Station this season. These included deep- Navy resupply missions were flown to the core drilling in the ice-cap by the U.S. party. On the first a Hercules was Army's Cold Regions Research and March 1972

Engineering Laboratory; the University of Nevada's study of natural concentra Automatic station tion of silver and iodine in Antarctic pre cipitation; and the University of Rhode uses satellite Island's tracing of metals and halogens in the atmosphere. Other projects were: Photometric observation of the aurora by for U.S. signals the Lockheed Missiles and Space Com For the first time an unmanned, fully pany; a 30-day measurement of sub automatic scientific station in the micron particulate matter in the strato Antarctic has exchanged signals with a sphere by the University of Wyoming; and a study of atmospheric radon by the university laboratory in California. The French National Centre of Scientific link between the unmanned station near Research. McMurdo Station, and the laboratory was made via a satellite positioned HELICOPTER MISSION 22.300 miles above Hawaii. Four Navy helicopters flew a "sky- Stanford University, with grants from train" mission on November 18 to deliver the National Science Foundation, has New Zealand scientists and their sup been developing the prototype unmanned plies to the mountain ranges of Victoria station since 1969. Research on it has Land for a two-month geological cost SUS300,000. mapping survey. Three men and a For the last two years the prototype woman, plus 48001b of supplies, were station has been set up at Byrd Station, landed at the base of Shapeless Mountain where snow loadings on the pedestal 150 miles west of McMurdo Station. foundations were measured, and tests This season three Coast Guard ice were made of wind loadings on the breakers—Northwind. Staten Island, and antenna which has to maintain align Southwind—supported the Navy's opera ment with the satellite. tions. Three days after Christmas the Northwind and the Staten Island began This summer the station was trans ferred to Arrival Heights, about two breaking a 16-mile channel through the miles north of Scott Base, and set up ice in McMurdo Sound to Ross Island on the edge of precipitous clifls facing and McMurdo Station. By January 8 the north. Signals were relayed through the 7ft thick ice was broken out of the sound. synchronous satellite to California all The Northwind and the Staten Island through January. The station, which then worked in the Ross Sea escorting has 32 channels, was then closed until supply ships and assisting scientific pro February 15. when the satellite was grammes until the latter part of February. replaced. Hallett Station was restocked and re Unmanned automatic stations have fuelled on February 21 when the North- been designed to augment the work wind picked up the 18 men who had carried out at manned stations. They spent the summer there on her way to will lessen the logistic support needed to New Zealand. maintain manned stations. The Southwind spent the summer The new station may bc used for an assisting with scientific projects in the international research programme if the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas. She participating countries have the neces assisted the cargo ship Wyandot to sary compatible equipment. Already resupply and refuel Palmer Station early the Antarctic Division of New Zealand's in January. More than 14.000 tons of Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has been invited to take part cargo was carried to the Antarctic in in such a programme. It is now evaluat the final weeks of summer by two Mili ing the cost and how effective participa tary Sealift Command cargo ships—the tion might be in New Zealand's Private John R. Towle and the Wyandot. Antarctic research programme. March 1972

BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY OPEN WATER SPEEDS RELIEF OF BASES The building of several new huts has been one of the projects of the British Antarctic survey this summer. The programme has been greatly assisted by light ice as far as the southernmost bases.

There has been very little sea ice again on this voyage. This early access to this season and the B.A.S. ships have Adelaide enabled the ship to deliver a been able to move freely in most areas. quantity of urgent stores, which were to All bases except Halley Bay were have been flown in from Anvers Island, relieved before Christmas, the Mar thus saving valuable flying time and guerite Bay bases on December 3—a fuel. Surprisingly, no pack ice was record early date. encountered but brash ice driven on The R.R.S. Bransfield arrived at King shore by strong winds at Adelaide com Edward Point, South Georgia, in mid- plicated unloading. November and landed field parties at On December 6 the ship put in again various points around the island. Among at the Argentine Islands to unload stores, them, a Dutch party was landed at the and then returned to South Georgia to Bay of Isles to film local wild life, and rendezvous with the R.R.S. John Biscoe. a party of B.A.S. geologists was landed The Biscoe had first arrived there at at Royal Bay on the east coast. the end of November, and had subse Summer visitors landed at King quently been carrying out a benthic Edward Point included Professor M. survey near the South Orkneys. Weller, of Iowa State University, who A party of botanists was transported is making a study of southern wild fowl to the south-east of the island, and spent in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, some time before working northwards and the Auckland Islands. Another towards Royal Bay. A party of zoologists senior visitor, Dr. W. Block, of Leicester was also taken to Bird Island, at the University, is working on the respira western extremity of South Georgia, tion of collembola at Signy Island and where more than 8000 fur seals were South Georgia. tagged or marked. The ship then visited the South Orkney Islands and relieved the Signy FIRE DESTROYS HUT base, before proceeding to the west The Biscoe remained at South Georgia coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. A party transporting field parlies to a number of three was landed on Anvers Island of localities, and later resumed trawling to open up the old British base again off the South Orkneys. In mid-January, as a summer air facility, for the Twin- she called at Anvers Island to pick up Otter and Turbo-Beaver flying south the two men who had reopened the base. after their winter overhaul in Canada. Unfortunately, shortly before the ship The last leg of the flight, between South arrived, and while repairs were being America and Adelaide Island, took place carried out, the hut caught fire and was at the end of November. destroyed. The Bransfield then visited the Argen The men, who were unhurt, were for tine Islands base, and as Marguerite tunately able to take refuge at the Bay was reported to bc open, was also nearby American Palmer Station. The able to relieve the two southern bases. ship also picked up a man who had Adelaide Island and Stonington Island, been flown from Adelaide Island to March 1972

Palmer with an eye injury. He was weather allowed flights further south, later taken to Ushuaia and flown home it was possible to start supplying the for medical attention; he is now await field parties. A depot was also laid ing a corneal graft. in preparation for next summer's pro Additional stores were then taken to jects. the Argentine Islands, Adelaide and Dr. Swithinbank then installed his Stonington, but unloading at the Mar glaciological echo-sounder in the Twin- guerite Bay bases was hampered by Otter, and in trial runs over George VI rough seas. Stores taken to Adelaide Sound found that the best results weie included extra fuel, as 5000 gallons had obtained on very low-level flights. A been lost through a small fuel-tank leak. number of good profiles were obtained, in particular over the Fuchs Ice Pied SUMMER VISITORS mont, Adelaide Island, where the ice The Bransfield meanwhile returned to had previously been found too "warm" the Falkland Islands for Christmas. for good penetration. After Christmas, more stores and sum Bad weather again prevented flying mer visitors were collected from Punta during the first two weeks of January, Arenas and the ship then returned to although the aircraft were able to return South Georgia. The summer visitors to Adelaide on January 3. In mid- included Dr. R. Adie. the survey's chief January there were further flights in geologist and deputy director; Mr W. support of the field parties, and a depot Sloman, chief administrative officer; Mr was laid at Mt. Jackson, about 100 rmles P. Whiteman, engineering officer; Mr due east of Fossil Blull. R. Piggott, of the Radio and Space Research Station, and adviser to the GEOLOGICAL WORK B.A.S. on ionosphcrics; and Professor T. Five sledge parties continued work Kaiser, of Sheffield University, whose from Stonington Island in variable department has a VLF programme run weather. Two geologists worked on the ning at Halley Bay. east coast of the Peninsula while two Another senior scientist, Dr. C. M. others who were working in George VI Swithinbank, the B.A.S. chief glaciolo Sound discovered more Cretaceous gist, had gone south to Adelaide Island fossils at Carse Point. A third party of on the Bransfield's first voyage to con geologists spent two months in the area tinue the radio echo ice sounding pro south-east of Marguerite Bay and then gramme. Another member of the per travelled to Mt. Jackson. manent stall", Mr P. Tilbrook, a zoolo A geophysical party spent a month gist, has spent the summer at Signy on western Alexander Island, and later Island. reconnoitred the area inland from The Bransfield then sailed for Halley Mobiloil Inlet on the east coast of the Bay, and once through a belt of pack peninsula. A survey party of five men ice to the south and east of the South succeeded in closing the tellurometcr Orkneys, made good time and arrived at traverse across the Wordie Ice Shelf Halley Bay on January 21. Unloading and George VI Sound. When the sum was completed in three days and the mer melt prevented further work in the ship again reached the belt of pack ice sound, the party moved to the southern '.on January 28. As visibility had, part of the Palmer Land plateau to deteriorated this slowed her down con extend the control scheme already siderably, but she reached Signy on begun in that area. January 30 and South Georgia two days At the base, ten tons of supplies were later. moved up to the airstrip on North-east The two aircraft arrived at Adelaide Glacier, ready for transport south. The Island at the end of November and the airstrip and some of the stores had to first flight to Stonington Island took be moved five miles further up the place almost immediately. On Decem glacier in January when a number of ber 10, when an improvement in the crevasses opened up. March 1972

An airstrip was also marked and are deteriorating badly and will have stocked in eastern Alexander Island to be replaced next year. between Ablation Point and Fossil Bluff. The R.R.S. Shackleton. the former A small hut was erected to house three B.A.S. ship now operated directly by glaciologists who will work in the area the Natural Environment Research for a year. Glaciologists also worked Council, has also spent the summer in to the east of the northern end of the the Antarctic. She has been continuing, sound in January. for the thirteenth year, the programme of sea seismic and magnetic work in the TRIPS FROM HALLEY BAY Scotia Sea and Drake Passage, under the No major journeys have been under direction of Professor D. H. Griffiths, of taken this season since the establish Birmingham University. ment of an inland field station in H.M.S. Endurance visited all bases October, but there have been a number except Halley Bay and assisted field of shorter journeys. Two men measured parties at South Georgia. Attempts sea temperatures along the ice front by her helicopters to ferry stores to and two others used a grab to collect Hodges Glacier were restricted by per sea-bed samples. This latter party, sistent bad weather. In January, she travelling by Skidoo motor toboggan, began a hydrographic survey in the covered a record 120 miles in one day Debenham Islands area of Marguerite on the journey back to base. Bay, but later sustained some damage Two surveyors travelled 300 miles when she ran aground and consequently had to curtail her programme. .napping the present ice front north of base and two man-hauling parties visited Visits by foreign ships included the the Dawson-Lambton Glacier—a round Piloto Pardo, the Hero, and the United States icebreakers Staten Island and journey of 160 miles. Short field trips were also undertaken for physiological Southwind, all of which called at the Argentine Islands' base. The South- projects. wind's helicopters took in three Ameri Unhappily, in February one of the can zoologists, who spent a few days best dog teams was lost in a crevasse studying local seal populations. The Jiring work along a glaciological stake niie. Fortunately, the two men in charge Chilean ship Yelcho visited Stonington Island, and a Russian research vessel, of them were not injured. the Akademic Knipovich, called at King In addition to the small hut erected Edward Point on a number of occasions. for glaciologists in George VI Sound, a field hut was also built for the study of Hodges Glacier, inland from Gryt viken, South Georgia. Also at South Georgia, a new wet-laboratory, two new SCOTT BASE RADIO 125kw generators, and a chicken-house were installed at the King Edward Point SYSTEM base, and the eroding shoreline was An ultra-high frequency two-way reinforced with piling. radio system has now been installed at Scott Base. It will provide instant short- CONSTRUCTION WORK range communications in and around A new stores hut was erected at the the base. Argentine Islands, and maintenance work Tiny, pocket-size sets will be used done on several existing buildings. A mainly near the base although their new electrolytic hydrogen generator was range is sufficient to reach the dog lines installed. more than a mile away, and Williams At Stonington Island, a large two Field on the Ross Ice Shelf. Dog storey extension has been added to the handlers and mechanics have found the base hut. system particularly useful, and it will The buildings at Halley Bay. which provide an additional safety factor in were erected at the beginning of 1957, the winter. March 1972 Famous Polar explorers

Four famous polar explorers—Sir ground is adapted from the track chart James Clark Ross, Sir Martin Frobisher, of the 1910-1913 expedition. Henry Hudson, and Captain Robert Fal The stamps were designed by Miss con Scott—arc commemorated by a new Marjorie Saynor, a freelance designer and illustrator, who was trained as a series of stamps issued by the British mural artist. Previously she had done Post Office on February 16. This is the period portrait figures and illustrated first special issue devoted to the pioneer maps. When the naturalist and artist, ing work of British seamen and navi Peter Scott, son of Captain Scott, was gators in opening up Arctic and shown Miss Saynor's work, he said: It Antarctic territories, although Captain is an excellent series and I am very James Cook was honoured by an earlier proud." stamp in 1968. Ross is the subject of the 3p stamp. His portrait is taken from a print held by the Royal Geographical Society of VOLUME 5 INDEX an engraving by Henry Cook of the painting by J. R. Wildman in the The index for Volume 5 of "Antarc National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. tic" (1968-70) has been completed, and The background map is that of the will be printed shortly. Subscribers South Polar Sea printed in 1841 by who wish to have a copy should write order of the House of Commons. to the New Zealand secretary, P.O. Box Scott's portrait on the 9p stamp is 1223, Christchurch. The price will bc taken from a photograph held by the 35 cents in New Zealand currency or Royal Geographical Society. The back the local equivalent. March 1972 FRANK WILD: INCURABLE ADVENTURER By A. G. E. JONES When Captain Scott and his party reached the South Pole on Janu ary 18, 1912, they had man-hauled their sledge just 97 miles beyond a point, on the bleak Polar Plateau that had been reached three years earlier by another gallant band of four Englishmen. Forced to turn back by shortage of food and atrocious weather when so close to their goal these four were Ernest Shackleton, Jameson Adams, Eric Marshall — and Frank Wild. Skelton is a village at the foot of the to Melbourne when he joined her crew Cleveland Hills in the North Riding of of 60 officers and men. She left the Yorkshire. Even though it is two or River Thames on October 7, 1889, calling three miles from the coast, its position at Plymouth on her way down the Chan on a rise in the land gives it a glimpse of nel and arriving in Australia early in the North Sea. It is in a part of York 1890. Wild's later service in merchant shire which has given the country many ships cannot now be traced, but in time of its best seamen; ten miles away from he became senior officer. (3) Skelton is Staithes where James Cook, At the turn of the century there were Britain's first Antarctic explorer, was some outstanding men on the lower born, and a further ten miles off is deck in the Royal Navy, long-term Whitby whence Cook sailed as a sea engagements, belter conditions, and man. (J) higher pay having attracted men who It was here that Frank (or John looked on the service as a career. Wil Robert Francis) Wild was born on April liam Lashly (whose diary was published 18, 1873, and where he was baptised on recently), Thomas Crean and Edgar May 7. His father was a schoolmaster, Evans became well known in Scott's and it was presumably in the village second expedition. school that he had his early education, though in his later years he may have NAVAL SERVICE had to go farther afield for a higher Frank Wild entered the Royal Navy school. It was intended that he should as an A.B. on August 7, 1900, on a follow his father's career and he had 12-year engagement, joining H.M.S. some experience as a pupil teacher, but Pembroke, a shore station. In less than as that was not to his liking he went to three weeks, because of his exprience sea at the age of 16. In doing that he and ability, he qualified as "trained man" was following a family leaning, since and in September he joined H.M.S. Wild on his mother's side he was a direct fire, the title then given to the barracks descendant of James Cook and one of at Sheerness. In January 1901 he quali his uncles had made three voyages to fied as Probationary Seaman Gunner the Arctic—probably in one of the last 2nd Class and three months later as Hull whalers. (2) Seaman Gunner 1st Class. After 14 days' leave he joined H.M.S. Vernon, the EARLY YEARS Royal Navy's gunnery school at Ports Frank Wild began as a seaman and mouth, then being revitalised under the in 1889-90 made a voyage to Australia. influence of Captain Percy Scott. (4) The Sobraon (2131 tons) Captain J. In 1898 the Royal Geographical Elmslie, was fitting out and taking cargo Society and the Royal Society agreed to in the West India Dock for a voyage dispatch a British National Expedition, March 1972 which later received financial assistance from the Government. The Discovery was built at Dundee and Clements Mark ham (who was the moving spirit in this enterprise) gave the command to Lieuten ant R. F. Scott, R.N. As an educated man and a thorough sailor, Frank Wild was attracted by the prospect of Antarctic exploration and he joined the Discovery as a seaman on July 27, 1901, at Lon don. He was "lent" by the Royal Navy and for three years was borne on the books of H.M.S. President for service, pay, promotion and pension. He was engaged as an A.B. at £8 a month and went on board on September 30, being discharged at London on September 30. 1904. During this time he went through three Antarctic summers and two win ters. Scott felt unable to command men without the Naval Discipline Act and, even though the Discovery was a yacht registered as a merchant ship, the crew came largely from the Royal Navy and the ship was run on naval lines. In con sequence, Frank Wild on the lower deck Frank Wild was well removed from the officers, and there was little reference to him in Scott's narrative. (5) and could take good and bad fortune with a smile. Courageous and resource In 1902 Wild was in a sledge party ful, he was quick to anticipate the right under Lieutenant Royds and Dr Koett thing to do. The photograph of the litz, and was in another party (with crew of the Discovery shows him as a Lashly and Evans) which went with man older than his 28 years, his life at Royds to Cape Crozier. In 1903 he was sea having taught him a sense of respon in a supporting party on a depot sibility and independence, (7) journey to Barne Inlet. It was only when Vince was lost that Wild attracted [Wlien the expedition's periodical, the notice. With his attention to detail which "South Polar Times," was produced dur was so useful later on, he had armed ing the winter under Shackleton's editor his boots with a few light nails, and ship, one of its contributors was Frank when the accident occurred he took the Wild, who wrote upnder the nom-de- lead and gave his companions a helping plume of "Shellback."—Ed.\ hand. When the party got back to the WITH SHACKLETON Discovery Scott found that Wild was the one man who was cool and collected. The fourth mate in the Discovery war. Ernest H. Shackleton who had spent (6) eleven years in the Merchant Service In the Discovery Frank Wild found and, having no difficulty in rubbing his plac^ in life as a man of action and shoulders with the lower deck, knew a adventure. He was a little man, keen good man when he saw one. When and alert, very stocky and strong, with Shackleton planned his own Antarctic extraordinary powers of adaptation to expedition, he asked Wild to become a severe conditions; he picked up a good member. For those two years, 1907-09, working knowledge of many subjects. he was borne on the books of H.M.S. March 1972

President for time only. Since Shackle Blizzard" does not throw much light on ton did not have Scott's "pull" with the life at the western base. The winter Navy the years did not count for pen seems to have been spent amicably and sion and promotion. He was in charge in the spring, when sledging began of provisions in the shore party, but his Wild's parties discovered and surveyed wiry physique, his seamanship and more coast than Mawson's party. In his general ability and his interest in sledg book, Mawson spoke of Wild's high ing made him an invaluable member of merits as an explorer and leader". Dur the party. ing this time Wild became the oldest After making some early depot jour resident of Antarctica, having spent neys. Wild, Adams and Marshall joined more than four years in the South. (u) Shackleton's sledge party which achieved lat. 88°23' S. the farthest south then THE GREATEST ADVENTURE reached. This is a story which has been Wild returned to England in 1913. told so often, in "The Heart of the when Shackleton was planning his sec Antarctic" and elsewhere, that it does ond and most ambitious expedition — not need to be repeated; but it docs the British Trans-Antarctic Expedition bring out his stamina, reliability and which was to cross the continent from dependability. (8) the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea — and Frank Wild joined him as second-in- SOUTH WITH MAWSON command. This is another story which In the years between Scott's and does not need to be repeated at length. Shackleton's expeditions Wild spent The Endurance was beset in the Wed most of his time in shore establishments, dell Sea on January 18. 1915, and becoming a petty officer and gunlayer. crushed on November 21. The crew- He had a year at sea in the Ocean, but camped on the pack ice until April 9. otherwise he led the dull peace-time life 1916, when open water forced them to of men in barracks. Even though the take to their boats, Wild steering the Navy was expanding, promotion was James Caird with the other boats to largely by seniority, and with that dull Elephant Island. Shackleton wrote that prospect in front of him Wild bought "Wild sat at the rudder with the same himself out on his return from the An calm, confident expression that he tarctic in 1909. (9) would have worn under happier condi On the scientific staff of Shackleton's tions; his steel-blue eyes looked out to expedition was a young geologist, the day ahead . . . He seemed unmoved Douglas Mawson, a fellow Yorkshire- by fatigue and unshaken by privation man, then a university teacher in Aust ... I remember that Wild always rose ralia, a man who did good work not superior to fortune, good or bad . ." only in his own field but as a sledger. When they reached Elephant Island Mawson was so impressed with what he and landed at Cape Valentine. Shackle saw of Wild that he invited him to take- ton sent Wild along the coast in the charge of the western party in his Stancomb Wills and he found a better Antarctic expedition of 1911-14. Maw beach (at Cape Wild) and it was here son landed his main party in Adelie that the majority of the party lived Land and the test of Wild's courage until they were relieved. When Shackle came when he had to choose between ton decided to make his boat voyage to setting up his base on the Shackleton South Georgia Wild should have been Ice Shelf off Queen Mary Land—with first choice, but Shackleton picked him all the risk of part of the ice shelf as the man to hold together a weakened breaking away—or returning home. party on shortened rations. Wild and his party unanimously agreed Shackleton wrote of his complete con to use the ice shelf as their base and fidence in Wild, and this was a test of his they survived the year. (10) leadership. He had a large party of men It is difficult to assess Wild's work in with no shelter other than an upturned this year since "The Home of the boat, with all the difficulties of living March 1972 close together in very difficult circum 69° 18' S., long. 17° 11' E., whence he stances. There was always the uncer sighted the ice shelf of the continent off tainty as to whether the Boss had been Princess Astrid Coast. Then, moving to able to reach South Georgia and would the west, he pushed on to lat. 68° 32' S., be able to bring assistance, but Wild's long. 0°5' E., where he was held up by cheery optimism held the party together impenetrable pack ice, and although he for months. All were alive and cheerful did not claim it as land, he sighted the when Shackleton came for them. Wild's Princess Martha Coast. work on this expedition was recognized Returning to Cape Town, Wild plan by the grant of the Back Award of the ned to visit Marion, Crozet and Heard Royal Geographical Society. (12) Islands and the coast of the continent The Great War had started very between Enderby Land and Coats Land. shortly after the sailing of the Endurance But he was worn and weak from the from England and when Shackleton's trials of the voyage, and after virulent crew returned in the latter part of 1916 influenza decided to return home. the war seemed to have no end in sight. Shackleton would probably have done Wild re-joined the Navy, being given a no more. Wild received a telegram from temporary commission as lieutenant. King George: R.N.V.R., and (like Shackleton) was "While it grieves His Majesty to think sent to the North Russian front early in that your gallant leader was not spared 1917 as principal naval transport officer, to bring you home the King considers a post in which his special ability and that your record of achievement and experience could be used. (1S) the indomitable spirit displayed by all In 1918 the British Northern Explor members of the expedition were in every ation Company Ltd. decided to exploit way worthy of his great example." the rich mineral deposits in Spitsbergen, Wild had become a Companion of under Mr Salisbury Jones, the chairman. the Order of the British Empire in 1920 He chartered the Ella (Captain Thomp on his return from Spitsbergen, and now son) with Shackleton, Wild and Mcllroy. he was given the Freedom of the City The ship left London in July 1918 and of London and the gold Patron's Medal after Shackleton had been recalled by of the Royal Geographical Society The the War Office they continued to Spits Patron's Medal was awarded to Peary. bergen with Salisbury Jones in charge Scott, Amundsen, E. A. Wilson, Mawson The British flag was hoisted at Elblott and other polar explorers but (through Harbour, and the German wireless the influence of Clements Markham) not station and properties destroyed. Frank to Shackleton and to this extent the Wild, in charge of the prospecting parly, award to Wild recognised the work of the spent the winter usefully in Lowe Strait "Boss", (is) but the company did not produce com mercial results. (I4) THE LAST YEARS From this time onwards nothing went WILD TAKES CHARGE right for Wild. He went to South Africa, After this failure. Wild and Mcllroy but his farm did not prosper. His capi tried cotton planting in Nyasaland in tal invested in cotton planting in Zulu- 1920, but this was not a success. How land did not pay and two years of ever, Shackleton who was planning his drought followed by floods put an end Quest expedition sent for Wild, who to that enterprise. For a time he did went as second-in-command. This was contract work on the Zululand line, and an expedition which might not have was a barman in an hotel in Gillol. achieved much in any case as the Quest When the Danish training ship. was an old, small vessel with limited Kobenhavn disappeared Frank Wild was power, and the death of Shackleton upset invited to search for her, but negoti the plans. Frank Wild took charge and ations fell through. Then he moved to did what he could. From South Georgia Johannesburg, and to Rhodesia for sev he pushed the Quest as far south as lat. eral years. Not only did he lose his March 1972

savings, but lost much of his faith in Finally, let us not forget that Frank himself. Even so, he retained his un Wild's Antarctic experience spanned the flinching determination and never-failing whole period of what has been described sense of humour, which was sometimes as the "Heroic Era", when men pro perhaps a little acid. His friends in gressed across the icy Polar wastes with Britain were anxious to help him, but sledges pulled by dogs or ponies, and he would not accept help. when these failed, by themselves. In March, 1939. he was granted a This period began with the Discovery Civil List pension of £170 per annum, expedition in 1901 and virtually came to at which time he was working in a mine an end with Shackleton's 1914-17 abor near Klerksdorp. He had pneumonia for tive attempt to cross the Antarctic three days and died there on August Continent. 19, 1939. He was buried at the Brixton Cemetery, Johannesburg, a few days [The author records his grateful thanks later, the funeral being attended by to Mr R. J. Bruce for help with Wild's officers and sea cadets of the Witswaters- service career.] rand branch of the Navy League of South Africa. Wild left a widow. (16) REFERENCES AN ASSESSMENT (1) Samuel Lewis. A Topographical Diction ary oj England, London. 1849. vol. IV, p. Wild was fortunate to have been born 114. Kelly's Post Office Directory of the West Riding of Yorkshire, 1877. Inform when he was. If he had been born ten ation kindly sent by the Rev. M. Stark, years earlier he would have been too old rector of Skelton-in-Cleveland. (2) "Times", August 21, 1939. Rev. M. Stark. to start on Antarctic exploration. If he (3) Customs, London, Bill B., February 6, had been born 20 years later he would 1889. October 7, 1889. Lloyds Register. 1889-90. "Geographical Journal" March. have found that the era of small pioneer 1940, pp. 238-240, obituary by R. E. ing expeditions had passed. In time he Priestley. (•') Information kindly sent by Lieutenant I. would have become a master in the S. MacFarlanc. R.N., office of the Merchant Service, but probably little Admiral Commanding Reserves. (5) R. F. Scott, "The Voyage of the Dis more. He was fortunate in meeting a covery". Agreement and Account of Crew, man like Shackleton who could see his Discovery, 114675, dated July 22. 1904. (6) R. F. Scott, op. cit., chapters. VI, XII, merit and who did much to help him. XVII. This was reciprocated in an immense (7) "Times". August 21, 1939. "Geographical Journal", March. 1940. loyalty to the Boss to whom he was an (8) I. S. MacFarlanc. "The Heart of the admirable second-in-command. He had Antarctic", E. H. Shackleton. London. 1909. tremendous admiration for his wonder (9) Lieutenant I. S. MacFarlanc. ful leader, and when Shackleton died (10) "The Home of the Blizzard", Douglas Wild was lost. He had a simple confiding Mawson, London, 1915. (11) Mawson, op. cit. nature which was his undoing in the (12) "South", Sir Ernest H. Shackleton. Lon don. 1919. "Polar Record". January, commercial world. 1940. pp. 280-281. obituary by J. M. Wild's unfailing optimism was of Wordie. (13) Navy List, April 18. 1918. "Times", Aug immense value; in fact he seems to have ust 21, 1939. Lieutenant I. S. MacFarlanc. been better in adversity than when (14) "Times", October 1, 1918, October 3, 1918, August 21, 1939. "Shackleton". expeditions were running well. But he Margaret and James Fisher, London, 1957. appeared to lack the natural capacity for P. 430. (15) "Shackleton's Last Voyage", Frank Wild. leadership. When he appeared in photo London, 1923, M. & J. Fisher, op. cit., p. graphs with Shackleton he was clearly 461. Sotheby's catalogue May 3, 1971. the second man; when he was in charge (16) "Geographical Journal", March, 1940 "Times", August 21, 1939. M. & J. Fisher, of his own parties he sat with the "boys" op. cit, p. 461. "Cape Argus", August 21. and did not stand out as Scott and (17) M. & J. Fisher, op. cit, pp. 46-47. "Polar Shackleton did. But in all the photo Record". January. 1940. Frank Wild. op. graphs his clear, steady gaze showed a cit., p. 127. "Cape Argus", August 21, man who knew he was capable of getting [N.B. I have not given page references for most the job done quietly, without fuss or of the narratives as they are easy to obtain and shouting., (17) are found in so many editions]. March 1972

SOVIET NEWS Two-month exploration in MacRobertson Land Soviet scientists have completed a two-month exploration programme in MacRobertson Land, a region that has not been studied in depth previously. Geologists, biologists, and surveyors covered an area of about 100,000 square miles, using helicopters and light aircraft. The Soviet press agency. Tass, reports obtained included ice more than 15.000 that the main base camp was established years old. on the Amery Ice Shelf, one of the Buried spores, bacteria, and dust par largest glaciers flowing from the Antarc ticles of terrestrial and even cosmic tic ice sheet into the Indian Ocean. From origin are being studied by this tech this camp parties were flown into the nique in the Antarctic. Study of the ice area between the Lars Christensen and core makes it possible to obtain a pic Ingrid Christensen Coasts during the ture of the past radiation and heat con summer season. dition of the earth. Temporary field camps were estab Ice drilling with extraction of ihe core lished in the Commonwealth Mountains is an intricate process. A special thermo- and the Prince Charles Mountains to the drill was developed at the Leningrad north. A camp was also set up on Beaver Mining Institute for the purpose. The Lake, one of the few open bodies of drill penetrates the ice at the edges of water on the Antarctic Continent. the well, leaving the core intact. The Soviet scientists worked in an Professor Boris Kudryashev, one of area where Australians previously carried the designers of the drill, is convinced out geological surveys, uncovering some that thermal drilling will make it pos of the oldest rocks, dating from the sible to penetrate the entire ice layer, Archean era, that have been identified in which, at Vostok, is more than 14 miles the Antarctic. thick. It will then be possible to reach the Antarctic bedrock in the area.— According to Tass, geologists con tinued the earlier surveys and located News from the U.S.S.R. a number of mineral deposits. LASER ICE STUDY The deepest penetration by the expedi- Lasers will be used on a large scr'- jpears to have been Komsomolsky Peak, a 10,000ft mountain jutting out of this year by the Arctic and Antarci... the ice-cap 500 miles from the coast. Research Institute to obtain a clearer Tass says the peak was discovered by picture of glacier movement in wide Soviet pilots in 1958, but only now have areas of the Antarctic. Last year lasers scientists been able to reach it from the were used in this way for the first time in the Antarctic, and already the first ground. results have been encouraging. With lasers it is possible to estimate DRILLING AT VOSTOK the degree of glacier stress, determine A drilling rig, operated by scientists how fast it is moving, and all changes at Vostok Station, has penetrated in the direction or the speed with which through the ice cover of the Antarctic it is progressing. The beginning of to a depth of 1720ft. The well was drill movement of a glacier can be recorded ed 11,375ft above sea level, and the core from a distance of several miles. March 1972

Last year's experiments show that The remainder of the suit is made of there was no regularity in the movement conventional fabrics. of a glacier. At times it moved for The electro-conductive fabric is sewn several minutes, and then stopped for in thin ribbons to the back of the vest. several hours. There were periods when Heat comes from a dry storage battery the movement continued for hours. weighing from 31b to 61b, which can Special laser doppler systems have be carried in sections like a hunter's been developed for this work. A fixed bullet pouches. laser sends a beam continuously which is reflected back by a mirror set up on the glacier. Glacier movement changes the phase of the reflected beam, and from this the movement can be cal Ice thickness culated easily. The system will make it possible to survey use lasers to study such important ques East Antarctica's ice cap has been tions as the dynamics of ice masses, the found to be considerably thicker than rate of drift of sea glaciers, the stress previous information suggested. Scien cf ice covers, and the dynamics of snow tists from the Scott Polar Research In avaianches.—Soviet News. stitute found much of the ice cap in Wilkes Land, over which they flew this RECORD TRIP season, to be between 11,000ft and Early in January a tractor-drawn 12.000ft thick. sledge train arrived at Vostok from On its third trip south to measure the Mirny with food and equipment. Nine thickness of the Antarctic ice the insti tractors completed the 900-mile journey tute team, led by Dr S. Evans, found in the record time of 34 days. They that part of the ice cap was a record returned to Mirny without incident, 12,150ft thick. Although the team could making a round trip of 1875 miles, the complete only 160 hours flying in the Russian news agency, Novosti, reports. United States Navy Hercules specially fitted with radar equipment developed by NEW SHIPS the institute, the airborne survey gave Two ships used by the 17th Soviet clear and useful records of ice thickness Antarctic Expedition this season were and also penetrated the ice to deeper newcomers to Antarctic operations. levels than ever before. They were the Gruziya, and the Navarin, In this summer's research good inter which carried the advance party. Both nal reflections were received from the are non-naval cargo-icebreaker types. ice sheets, which showed pronounced Mainstay of the Soviet expeditions since layering of the ice as with rock strata. 1956 has been the Ob. The Professor The use of a computerised inertial navi Vize has now become a regular Antarc gation system in the Hercules enabled tic visitor also. the aircraft's flight lines to be deter mined with far greater accuracy. "PENGUIN" SUIT Late in December the six scientists An electrically-heated light-weight of the team spent an unexpected eight "penguin" suit has been developed by hours at Vostok Station, where they the Ukraine Academy of Sciences for sampled Russian hospitality and ex use by members of Soviet Antarctic changed scientific table talk. The Her expeditions. It will keep a man warm cules was on the way back to McMurdo in a temperature of minus 55deg Fah Station when it was directed to the renheit, according to Tass, the Soviet South Pole Station because of bad wea news agency. ther. It was 70 miles from Vostok when Key parts of the suit are the vest and advice was received that the South Pole the shoe insoles, which are fashioned Station was closed, and therefore it had with electro-conductive clastic fabric. to divert to the Russian base. March 1972 New Australian Division Director A leading Commonwealth scientific tories and then at the Aeronautica\ administrator, Dr R. I. Garrod, has been Research Laboratories, both Department of Supply establishments. appointed director. Antarctic Division. In 1966-68 Dr Garrod was defence Department of Supply, in Melbourne. research and development attache in the Dr Garrod has been Senior Assistant Australian Embassy, Washington. Then Secretary, Science Division, Department he was appointed to the new position of of Education and Science, Canberra, head of the Science Branch (later Science since 1968. Division), Department of Education and Dr Garrod will take up his duties Science. In this post he had administra within the next few months. Until then tive responsibilities for activities associ Mr D. Styles will hold the position of ated with Commonwealth scientific director. He has been acting director policies, and support for scientific since the death of Mr B. Rofe in August research. last year. Dr Garrod led the Australian delega Dr Garrod, who is 54, obtained his tion to the 7th General Assembly and Ph.D. in physics at the University of International Congress of the Inter London in 1947. From 1939 to 1947 he national Union of Crystallography in worked in England, first on the private Moscow in 1966. In 1971 he was the developments of electrical and electronic scientific representative on the Aus instruments, and then did research in tralian delegation to an international metrology, metallurgy, and engineering meeting in Manila convened by the at the National Physical Laboratory. Government of the Philippines to con When he returned to Australia in 1947 sider the establishment of an inter he was in charge of the crystal physics governmental Association for Science group at the Defence Standards Labora Co-operation in Asia.

FRENCH COMPLETE TRAVERSE In spite of high winds, ground fog, The French began their traverse on blowing snow, and delayed resupply November 1 last year from Carrefour, missions, the first stage of the French the small advance base about 25 miles scientific traverse across Wilkes Land from Dumont d'Urville. On the United towards the Soviet Vostok Station was States Navy's first resupply mission on completed slightly earlier than expected. December 4, when the party had covered The traverse party led by Roger Gillard 1150 miles, a Hercules aircraft was lost received its last air drop of supplies on while making a jet-assisted take-off January 12, and began the homeward from the ice-cap. journey a few days later. It expected to After this mishap the remaining re reach Dumont d'Urville late in February supply missions were accomplished by Ten men, including a doctor, two geo- air dropping the materials. Three drops desists, two glaciologists, two electri of supplies, food, and fuel, were made cians, and two mechanics, made the 500- at 100-mile intervals along the traverse mile traverse, which was the first stage route. The severe climate of Wilkes Land of a 1000-mile traverse to Vostok. The produced almost "whiteout" conditions, last stage will be completed during the and several times the Hercules pilots had summer of 1972-73. It is part of the difficulties in locating the traverse International Antarctic Glaciological party. As a result the resupply missions Project planned by France, the United were often delayed, and the traverse States, the Soviet Union, and Australia. party made slower progress. March 1972

SANAE 13 South African expedition largest ever dispatched South Africa's 13th Antarctic expedition—a R250.000 31-man team, the largest ever mounted—sailed in the research ship RSA for Sanae Base in western Queen Maud Land from Cape Town on January 6. The 2300- mile voyage was expected to take about 14 days, depending on the state of the pack ice, and the RSA was due back this month with the present Sanae team, which has spent 15 months in the Antarctic.

Included in the new group are 11 Before the expedition sailed Mr C. J. scientists who will carry out weather, J. van Rensberg, Under-Secretary for topographical, and other surveys, seven Transport, and head of the Antarctic artisans to man a base improvement and Division, said: "We have a keen team, maintenance programme, and 13 logistic and morale is of the highest." and administrative staff. The RSA also carried 20 tons of whale meat and several MARION ISLAND tons of imported dog food for the 25 The men on Marion Island in the sub- Labrador huskies which remain perman Antarctic welcomed letters and parcels ently at Sanae. from home, and some French visitors on The expedition leader is Mr R. J. December 16 when the French supply Brandt, who will act as an administrative ship Gallieni arrived with members of executive for the 15 months in which the the new team. The seven men on the group will be on the ice. A British island had been eagerly awaiting the scientist, Mr C. Read, is going to the arrival of the Gallieni, which was sighted base under a scheme in which scientists before 3 a.m. from other countries arc invited to visit other Antarctic bases. Preparations for landing the new team and stores began at first light. A heli BUILDINGS BURIED copter landed the four biologists, an interpreter, the captain, and some mem Because of the constant accumulation bers of the French expedition to Kergue of snow the original living and working len Island, near Marion House. Stores quarters, built in 1961, are now more and fresh fruit and vegetables were than 50ft under the surface. New quarters rapidly ferried between the ship and the were built last year, and these will be island while the visitors looked around occupied and added to by the new team. the base. Within an hour the Gallieni South Africa's contribution to scienti sailed eastward after what was apparently fic knowledge of the western Queen her last annual visit to Marion Island. Maud Land region—where summer The new team members, Johan Grob- temperatures average minus 15deg C, belaar. Valden Smith. Anthonie dropping to minus 60deg in winter— de Villiers and Roger Croome were has gained an international reputation. Australian and New Zealand weather heartily welcomed and soon settled in. forecasting draws heavily on South Roger Croome is an Australian who African data, and seismographical arrived in South Africa recently from information is regularly transmitted to Tasmania. He spent some time at the the United States. Australia base on Macquarie Island, and March 1972

is familiar with conditions on a sub- and ice-cream, washed down with Antarctic island. champagne. The old year was ushered Christmas Day was spent quietly, and out in traditional style, and the men the old and new members of the team sent good wishes to their families, and enjoyed a gigantic Christmas dinner of their comrades at Sanae and on Gough crayfish, chicken, roast mutton, salads Island. AMERICAN ENGINEER STILL HOPES TO REACH POLE An American's dream — to be the first man to reach the North and South Poles by land — may be realised next season provided Mr Walter Pederson can find a sponsor. Mr Pederson, an engineer, who was a mem ber of the snowmobile expedition to the North Pole in 1968, had per mission to make a 900-mile snowmobile journey to the South Pole from McMurdo Station this summer, but cancelled the expedition towards the end of December. Twice the Antarctic Policy Group in departure from the United States when Washington declined Mr Pederson's his principal backer, who was to pro application to make the journey. In vide more than one million dollars, left January last year he arrived in Christ the country. church but was refused permission to The next chapter in the Pederson story make the journey because of lack of was the sale of the snowmobiles, sledges, planning and the lateness of the season. clothing, food, and equipment, to the He returned to the United States, leav Antarctic Division of the Department ing behind in storage live snowmobiles, of Scientific and Industrial Research. eight sledges, food, clothing, and equip Mr Pederson said that his next expedi ment. tion would have new equipment, and After the Antarctic Policy Group the same team which had stood by twice approved Mr Pederson's plans subject before. He would also need a new spon to certain conditions, he indicated that sor who might be difficult to find. he intended to fly to McMurdo Station That was the story Mr Pederson told by way of South America using a ski- to one newspaper in Christchurch. But equipped Twin Otter chartered from an he told the representative of a Sunday Alaskan airline, and transporting his newspaper that he would come in from equipment from Christchurch in a char Chile to the Ross Ice Shelf, and then tered Hercules. travel 650 miles alone by snowmobile to Towards the end of last year Mr Ped the Pole. The journey would take about erson visited Christchurch again to dis two months; because of crevasses and cuss his plan with Rear-Admiral L. B. pressure ridges he might take three days McCuddin, the United States Navy to travel a few yards. Antarctic support force commander. A more official version is that Mr Then just before Christmas he advised Pederson will fly to Byrd Station by way Rear-Admiral McCuddin that he had of Palmer and Siple Stations, and start cancelled his expedition because of un from there. The Byrd Station-South foreseen circumstances beyond his con Pole route has been followed before by trol. the first Americans to travel overland. In January Mr Pederson suddenly ar In 1960-61 Major Antero Havola, a rived in Christchurch again, and dis United States Army trail expert, led ten closed that the expedition had been men in two D-8 tractors and a weasel cancelled 12 hours before his planned on an 800-mile trip, in 35 days. March 1972

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"The Wakes," in the English village of Selbornc, Hampshire, where the Oates family collections are housed. MUSEUM HONOURS "A VERY GALLANT GENTLEMAN" One of the stately homes in the little English village of Selborne, in Hampshire, is "The Wakes," part of which dates back to the early 17th century. It is the former home of Gilbert White, the 18th century clergy man-naturalist and author of "The Natural History and Antiquities of Selborne." In 1954 an appeal was launched for parts: those relating to Gilbert White funds to enable the house and grounds and those commemorating the Oates to be purchased and endowed as a family. perpetual memorial to Gilbert White. The Oates collections contain por Mr Robert Washington Oates, a cousin traits and other personalia of the family of Captain Lawrence Oates, the Antarc dating from the 18th century, but are tic explorer, who died while returning principally concerned with Captain from the South Pole with Scott, made Lawrence Oates and Francis Oates. available substantial funds and with F.R.G.S. (1840-1875). these the property was secured and Francis Oates, an uncle of the Antarc "The Wakes" was opened as a museum tic explorer, was a zoologist who ;m September 6, 1955. The collections explored the Zambesi Valley and the in "The Wakes", therefore, are in two area in the vicinity of the Victoria Falls "^"*~

March 1972

in Africa, where he died from fever. He An envelope addressed to Captain amassed large collections of natural his Oates' mother from Victoria Land in tory specimens and his letters and 1911. journals were published in 1881 under "On the Way to the Pole" sketched the title of "Matabele Land and the by Edward Wilson. Victoria Falls; a Naturalist's Wander Photographs by Herbert Ponting, the ings in the Interior of South Africa". expedition's photographer. This book provides one of the first ac A memorial cross made from a por counts, by a trained observer, of any tion of a bulkhead from the Terra Nova. part of Rhodesia. Francis Oates was the Bookcases containing Captain Oates" fifth white man to view the great Vic books on military history. toria Falls on the Zambesi. Painting of the yacht Saunterer which Oates bought in partnership with his EARLY DAYS brother Bryan, when he was 17. The two Lawrence Edward Grace Oates was boys spent many happy times sailing it born at Putney on March 17. 1880. the along the south coast of England. elder of the two sons of William Edward In addition there is one of the Oates. Two daughters completed the sledges used by Scott's Polar team in family of four. 1911 and which was brought back by Love of the untrodden places of the the search party. earth was Laurie's natural heritage. When he was 16 his father, a big-game, hunter and traveller of note, left to join his brother in South Africa but died of fever in Madeira. Laurie had from earliest boyhood wanted to be a soldier. After an edu cation at Eton, he travelled widely be fore joining the Army, and in 1900, he was posted to the lnniskilling Dragoons. He served in the South African War and later in Egypt and India. His love of Old crater as adventure made him apply for a pos rubbish dump ition with Captain Scott's expedition to the South Pole in 1910. For the next three years non-combust ible rubbish from Scott Base will be HERO'S DEATH tipped into the enlarged mouth of a The story of this tragic venture is former crater two miles and a half too well known to need repeating, but away. In previous years rubbish from it is sufficient to say that on the des New Zealand's main Antarctic base has perate march back from the Pole, Oates, been dumped on the sea ice from where weakened by scurvy and frostbite, and it dropped into McMurdo Sound when finding himself a hindrance to the the ice broke up. chances of survival of his three com Mr R. B. Thomson, superintendent of panions (one man. Seaman Evans, had the Antarctic Division of the Department died earlier) walked out into the bliz of Scientific and Industrial Research, zard that kept the party tent-bound on says that rubbish which can be burnt March 17. 1912. will be taken to the high-temperature Material in the museum relevant to incinerator built at McMurdo Station Captain Oates includes: this season. The non-combustible rub His portrait in uniform, and the bish will be put into the crater mouth portraits of his parents. in covered layers. Enlargement of the His sword and Queen's Medal with crater mouth is expected to provide for clasps, awarded for gallantry in the the disposal of three years' accumulated Boer War. rubbish from Scott Base. March 1972

JARE 12 REPORTS Fuji meets tougher ice on Syowa relief trip Last season Japan's icebreaker, the Fuji, was trapped in pack ice for 39 days after leaving Syowa Station. This season she made rather slow progress through fast ice about 6lft thick near the station, and the formal change-over of the 12th and 13th Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions was expected to take place later than the scheduled date of February 20. A report from the Polar Research 80 miles, being in flight for 5min 47sec. Centre of the National Science Museum A glaciological party stationed at in Tokyo on February 9 stated that the Mizuho. the small inland station about change-over of the two expeditions, 185 miles south-east, since September which began on February 1, was returned to Syowa on January 24. expected to finish on February 10. A party led by Mr H. Narita. the Almost all the cargo from the Fuji had JARE 13 glaciologist. left Syowa on been airlifted by helicopters to the sta January 14 with cargo for Mizuho. tion, and only the heavy snow vehicles, which was reached on January 14, and construction materials, and bulk fuel had joined the JARE 12 party. Both parties to be unloaded. Most of the JARE 12 remained until January 20 and returned winter party were now on board the to Syowa on January 24. Mizuho was Fuji. unoccupied early last month. The Fuji made a fairly easy pene Earlier Mr Narita led a party of six tration of the pack ice, and reached the to investigate the geology, geomor- edge of the fast ice on December 31 phology, glaciology, and biology of last year. Mail, fresh vegetables, fruit, Hinode Point (68deg 07min S, 42deg and other fresh food were delivered to 38min E) on the Prince Olav coast. the station on the first helicopter flight, The party remained there from Decem which was made on New Year's Dav ber 31 to January 10. from a site about 55 miles from Syowa. Mr Zenbei Seino, leader of JARE 13 RUSSIAN VISITORS and Captain F. Maeda, master of the A Russian Ilyushin-12 landed on the Fuji, were on the first flight. sea ice near Syowa on December 21. A Cargo delivery, construction at the party of 12 Russians stayed at the station station, and field observations were being from midnight to the early morning of made on schedule early last month, and December 22, spending several friendly the Fuji was expected to. arrive about and pleasant hours chatting in sign February 12 after almost one month's language. icebreaking through fast ice. The ice On January 29 a Russian helicopter, wa« tougher than expected. much like the Fuji's Sikorsky S61A. flew into Syowa on its way to set up a WORK OF JARE 12 summer camp for two men on the Riiser- This season JARE 12 launched six Larsen Peninsula. The helicopter left S2I0 and one S160 upper atmospheie Molodezhnaya with ten men, and eight sounding rockets. The last S210 rocket visited the Japanese station. On the was launched successfully on December return flight to Molodezhnaya the heli 3 last year. It reached an altitude of copter visited the Fuji. •f TO"

March 1972

Rain is rare in the Antarctic, but there Preparations for the 14th Japanese was a fall at Syowa on January 8 when Antarctic Research Expedition have the positive air temperature was between begun already. Candidates for the four and five degrees Centigrade. This expedition have been assembled, and was the third fall of rain to be observed. they will begin their winter training Rain fell previously on January 10, 1958, early this month in the Japanese Alps and January 21-22, 1959. on Honshu Island.

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TOURIST SHIP AGROUND IN SOUTH SHETLANDS Antarctica is still a dangerous place. Tourists on a luxury summer cruise to South Georgia and the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula last month were sharply reminded of this when the 2500-ton Lindblad Explorer, caught in a 60-knot gale, ran aground in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetlands. Wealthy international tourists, mostly When the Piloto Pardo arrived she took Americans, who had embarked on a aboard 104 passengers and 40 of the "cruise that is different" spent eight crew. Captain Aas and seven men hours in freezing temperatures and high remained aboard to assist the Yelcho winds at an old British Antarctic Survey in her efforts to refloat the Lindblad base on the island. They were rescued Explorer. by the Chilean Navy transport Piloto By February 14 ships from four other Pardo and then had a stormy trip to nations had joined the Chileans. They Punta Arenas in cramped conditions and were the Argentine Navy's ocean-going with limited food. tug Commandante General Zapiola. the Hit by the storm on February 11 as Royal Navy's ice patrol ship Endurance, she cruised near King George Island, and unidentified Soviet and American the Lindblad Explorer began taking ships. water before daybreak. Her engine- Two attempts by the Yelcho to refloat room was flooded, and when she the Lindblad Explorer failed. A third grounded on the rocks her propeller attempt by the Yelcho and the Zapiola and rudder were badly damaged, and was abandoned when 30-knot winds and she was holed in several places. pack ice threatened the ships' safety. All the passengers, and most of the The Yelcho was forced to abandon a crew, were put ashore in the ship's life fourth attempt when a huge iceberg boats. Meanwhile a radio call for help drifted dangerously near her. by Captain Bjarne Aas had been When the Yelcho sailed for Punta answered by the Piloto Pardo and the Arenas on February 15 in company with Chilean ocean-going lug Yelcho. which the Piloto Pardo. Captain Aas and seven reached the Lindblad Explorer a few- of his crew remained aboard the Lind hours later. blad Explorer to await the arrival from Before the Chilean ships entered South Africa of a West German salvage Admiralty Bay Captain Aas decided his tug. A Chilean Navy report on Febru ship was safe enough for the passengers ary 28 said that the Norwegian ship to be brought back from the island. had been refloated and was under tow. March 1972 Summer caretakers work on 'Mayfair Dwellings9 By R. G. McElrea There was not a cloud between New Zealand and Scott Base. Not that we had much opportunity to observe the scene from the few port holes in the Starlifter. But our cameras recorded endless glaciers and mountain ranges, a dazzling white and blue. Soon the pack ice came into view and the coast fell away on our starboard side.

The five-hour journey gave me and from that distinctly New Zealand out my companion. Harry Burson, time to post, past the dog team and skirting the consider the tasks ahead, as "caretakers" snow-covered volcanic slopes, the snocat to the historic huts. These buildings covers the distance in 10 minutes. are pages from the past; unique, irre The interior of the Discovery Hut placeable. Their condition is a tribute eloquently tells the story of grim days. to the men who built them and those Inside it is stark and dirty. Teddy who 50 years later, restored them. Evans called it a "Mayfair Dwelling". What then, were we to do? Our Seal carcases are piled against the principal task at Scott's 1901-04 Dis wall, and nearby is the crude blubber covery Hut was to snowproof the build stove. The layout is almost identical to ing, thus preventing time-wasting hours that described by Griffith Taylor in in the spring, digging out snow. At "With Scott: The Silver Lining". We Cape Royds and Cape Evans we were emerged filthy, covered in blubber soot to work primarily on the surrounds of from the sacking which surrounds the the huts, extracting valuable relics and kitchen and lines the "sanctuary." the discarding the residue of litter. only partitioned room in the main part Our appointment was to one of the of the hut. few non-scientific positions under the The bulldozer has carved a main high New Zealand Antarctic Research Pro way around the perimeter of the build gramme. Our interests being mainly ing and the magnetic and other out historical, we had constantly to guard buildings have disappeared. against destroying valuable relics. Tidying under the verandah of the From the sea ice road, leading from building we came across some charred Williams Field, we spied the Discovery spars, possibly relating back to that day Hut nestled on Hut Point Peninsula. on March 1, 1909, when Shackleton was Three hundred yards away, where the desperately trying to attract the atten Discovery had been moored for two tion of the Nimrod. "... At 9 a.m. winters, smouldered the McMurdo we got the magnetic hut alight, and put Station rubbish dump. up the Bag. All our fears vanished The pollution had started 70 years when in the distance we saw the ship, before; "... now the traces of man mi raged up." arc all too obvious; here is a little heap We cut a piece of 70-year-old timber of dirty rubbish, there an empty tin to repair a floorboard. It smelt like with a gaudy label, and everywhere the freshly milled wood. soil of traffic staining the purity of the Twenty miles north at Cape Royds, snow." So wrote Scott in "The Voyage the sea ice had recently broken out, of Discovery". with spectacular effects of icefloes, That night I spent two hours skiing penguins and seals. on the Scott Base ski-field. Two miles We spent two days of bleak weather tm$-.m mm i j.v '^^giqw"Jipi 11 - ^H I

March 1972 working in and around the hut. The scientific and medical equipment and third day was cloudless and the scenery even two bicycle wheels. A sheet of superb as we made a count of nesting paper recorded in pencil a game score Adelie penguins, for the D.S.I.R. of three of Scott's men. Gran, Hooper The "Mrs Sam" stove, the centrepiece and Crean. of Shackleton's hut. received a thorough These huts, each reflecting something brushdown by my companion. A tiny of the different personalities and laboratory behind the stove is in sharp approaches of Scott and Shackleton. and contrast to Scott's extensive laboratory the desolate beauty of their environs, area in the Cape Evans hut. will long remain in our memories. Hams hung on the wall in the kitchen, and Ernest Joyce's name can be seen on a cloth hanging from a shelf in what was known as "The Rogues' Retreat." With the gradually warmer tempera tures of recent years, many of the boxes scattered around the Cape Royds hut are Soft snow foils coming free from the permafrost and arc being left to the mercy of the wind. Mt Terror climb The resulting litter is undesirable but the stores in their wholesome condition Deep, soft snow foiled an attempt by three men from Scott Base to climb tell a story, as do the few boxes near Derrick Point and Back Door Bay. part of the 180 tons of stores landed from the Nimrod. We packed into a wooden box some 40 items of food from an out lying food dump to prevent further deterioration. We felt like 19th century to return to their base camp when 1500ft from the summit. grocers. Many hours were spent clearing A party of five, led by Mr B. E. Jef- broken glass, rusted tin and other debris feries, deputy leader of the Scott Base from and around Pomy Lake in front summer party, left with two motor of Shackleton's hut. From under the toboggans and sledges on December 26 ice we retrieved a dog's skull, now for the attempt on Mount Terror. They placed back in the kennel, and a petrol began their climb from the Ross Ice tin probably used with Shackleton's Shelf at Cape Mackay, 28 miles from pioneer Arrol-Johnston car. In all. 44 the base. Snow conditions were so bad types of items were placed in the hut at the foot of the mountain that the and more than a half a ton of rubbish party barely reached 1000ft by the end disposed of. of the second day. Scott's last expedition hut at Cape Both toboggans hooked in tandem Evans is silent, brooding. We did not were needed to pull each sledge in sleep in any of the historic huts, but a relays up the steep snow terraces. By copy of "The Worst Journey in the the middle of the second day the party World" by Cherry-Garrard was useful had gained only another 500ft and the bedtime reading, helping to bring the toboggans could climb no higher. hut alive. The base camp was established at this From the debris outside the Cape point, and Messrs Jefferies, L. R. Evans hut. we retrieved a Morse key McGhie (Dunedin), and R. D. Parkin board and another memento from son (Tai Tapu) continued on foot. They Shackleton's Aurora party: a box marked left R. Chambers (Dunedin) and J. "Trans-Antarctic Expedition. S.V. Foster (Winchester) at the base camp. Aurora. Hobart." After the climbers returned to the base Most of the relics originated in Scott's camp, the party had a day's rest and day. Clothing. implements, books. then returned to Scott Base in two days. March 1972 Antarctica observed by a New Zealand painter By R. M. CONLY The opportunity of going to the Antarctic comes rarely to the artist. When asked to prepare a series of paintings on the role of the Royal New Zealand Air Force and New Zealanders in the southern continent f first viewed the prospect with some excitement and several misgivings. Visions of the work by previous much material as possible, to see as artists sprang to mind—from Edward much as I could — subject to the whims Wilson, a superb artist and recorder of of a climate renowned for dictating the nature, who left a rich heritage of terms under which men worked. sketches and subtle watercolours on the In the next few days I was to experi Antarctic, to more recent American and ence first-hand the changing moods of New Zealand artists, who have portrayed the weather, and the kaleidoscope of on canvas the stark splendour and beauty colours offered by an environment unlike of that forbidding land. any other. Twenty-four hours of daylight Here was a challenge unlike any I had produced a variety of light and shade, undertaken before. I had come to terms the night-time sun casting a softer and with painting in New Zealand and in more interesting texture on the country the islands, in Malaya and Vietnam in side. tropical heat. But what would it be like "CHILL FACTOR" working in snow and ice with freezing I was also to experience the "chill temperatures and the infamous cold factor" brought about by the wind, wind? which could whip up the snow and cause The clothing supplied by the Antarctic the temperature to drop rapidly, making Division certainly made one realise that it impossible to paint outdoors despite working conditions could bc chilly — the clothing. The uncanny clarity of the "and if you are working on Williams atmosphere was a mystifying element: Field, the temperature is 20deg colder 30 miles seemed like 10 miles, and out there!" I was told. Being issued with heights were difficult to estimate. four sets of gloves — from knitted ones The awesome Western Mountains in to the massive canvas mittens — caused the distance, with its serrated peaks and speculation on how to wield my paint glaciers flowing down to the Ross Ice brushes. Only time would tell. Shelf, was a continuing source of attrac And so on one hot nor'-westerly sum tion. Bathed in the gentle rays of the mer's day. we left Christchurch in an night sun, converting the skyline into R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules packed to the back a tapestry of unpaintable pastel shades, doors with cargo and mail. Seven un it was often shrouded in blue-greys of eventful hours later, we stepped out at mist and low-lying cloud. Williams Field into driving snow and In the immediate foreground the bitterly cold temperatures. Antarctica! sombre dark colours of the volcanic Low cloud and wind-blown snow- rocks contrasted sharply with the icy blotted out all signs of habitation and blues of snow and ice, relieved by the the surrounding landscape; and only the subtle greens and mauves of the pressure warmth of the greetings from the leader. ridges circling Scott Base. Above, the Jim Barker, and his men from Scott cobalt blue of the sky contained cloud Base gave me encouragement for the task patterns blown into interesting form ahead. ations by the wind. I had only three weeks to collect as My first impressions were lasting. J,«^il^!J».i

March 1972

How insignificant the collection of huts to paint. The seals, basking on the ice at Scott Base seemed in comparison with in front of Scott Base, moved only to the magnificent vista from the hills, scratch themselves with a flipper, or to looking across the vast ice shelf to Wil warn oil' the skua gulls. The huskies liams Field in the middle distance, and had powerful bodies, sturdy legs and the snow-capped hills beyond. The heads revealing individual character. colour was relieved only by the constant They tugged at their chains, eager for play of sparkling light and shadow, and the stark white line of the edge of the permanent ice shelf stretching to the COMICAL PENGUINS huddle of huts forming the Williams Surely the comics of the Antarctic, Field base. the penguins were ever inquisitive and Dominating all was majestic Mount exploring. With their waddling walk Erebus, its slopes alive with colour and and hops and jumps, they moved about capped with a white plume which chattering incessantly discussing, pre streaked across the sky past the black sumably, the strange intruder on their mass of Castle Rock. And how decep land. Overhead, the skua gulls swooped tively high Mount Erebus was, more and wheeled, watching for prey and hop than 1 3,200ft. ing for a victim to stray from the rookeries. Such subjects provided a fund BRIGHT COLOURS of material for any artist. Life at Scott Base and Williams Field Unfortunately, I could allow only three was a continual source of colourful days to visit the historic huts at Cape activity, with the bright reds and yel Royds and Cape Evans. Shackleton's ftut lows of the vehicles contrasting with the framed in the protective hollow of dark green of the painted buildings. The volcanic rock, and backed by the tower multi-coloured clothing of the men, and ing white bulk of Mount Erebus, the day-glo reds of the visiting heli deserved more time. The textures of the copters all served to add interest to smooth blizzard-worn walls of the hut. any picture. The men of Scott Base pro and the orderly clutter of the surround vide wonderful subjects for the portrait ing provisions, gave a sense of time painter. Such magnificent heads, weather- and nostalgia. Two of us spent an iso beaten to a rich tan, with a variety of lated New Year's Eve here and exchanged beards and hair-styles each expressing greetings over the radio with other field vocation and character. parties, speaking above the chatter of Here were subjects to match any the Cape Royds penguins. medium—oils, pastels, conte and even water-colours. For quick colour sketches, DIFFERENT SETTING I found that water colours were possible, While flying into Cape Evans by heli as, like Wilson, 1 felt they gave a clarity copter, one is immediately conscious of Mid translucency that suited the purity, a different setting, chosen by Scott for of the subject. With a thermos flask of his base hut. Situated on the beach, in hot water and under suitable conditions. what appears a bleak, austere location, I could work to my satisfaction—but the hut is surrounded by the untouched with some shattering results at times. evidence of earlier explorations—tins, With the temperatures constantly be packing cases, old skis, seal carcases and low freezing point, I soon found that bones, bottles and glass, and the anchor brushes froze solid, or slivers of coloured of the Aurora still firmly embedded on ice attached themselves when least ex the sandy volcanic beach. pected, and sometimes washes lifted off Outside, bales of hay can still be seen the paper in layers of sparkling frost. in the stables; a locally-made wheel Rarely was a subject without some barrow stands by the front door; and evidence of animal life, which was a on entering, one feels very close to the continual interest, both to watch and atmosphere which must have surrounded March 1972 those heroic men 60 years ago. What a me, it released in rich measure its boun challenge to interpret on canvas for all tiful store of icy beauty and majesty. To to experience! The sky was sullen and depict this on canvas is the artist's chal ominous, befitting the subject. lenge. The weather for the last five days at 1 am indebted to the superintendent Scott Base did not permit me to fly to and staff of the Antarctic Division, the Wright Valley to collect material on D.S.I.R., to the R.N.Z.A.F.. for their the work of the field parties. Perhaps this help and for making my trip possible: must wait for some future journey. and to the leader and men at Scott The Antarctic is a challenge to the Base, who made my stay such an en explorer, the scientist and the artist. For riching experience.

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OBHTIARY RODERICK CARR SAILED WITH SHACKLETON One ol" the veterans of Shackleton's plane which was equipped for photo last expedition in the Quest, Air Marshal graphy and navigation over ice. Wilkins Sir Roderick Carr, died in England to had been engaged as biologist to the ex wards the end of last year. He was 80. pedition, but Shackleton had also offer A New Zealander from Feilding, Carr ed him the opportunity to fly the air was engaged as pilot of the expedition, craft. but he never had a chance to fly his When the aircraft could not be used aircraft because certain parts had been Carr turned his hand to nearly every sent to Cape Town and the ship was task in the expedition, geology, meteor unable to collect them. ology, helping the surgeons, skinning Carr served with distinction in both specimens, sounding and repairing the world wars, first with the Royal Naval sounding machine, and general jobs. Air Service, and then with the Royal The frequency with which his name Air Force, which he joined on its form appears in Frank Wild's book is an ation. He served with the New Zealand indication of the man. forces, and then learned to fly with the In 1927 Carr commanded the first R.N.A.S. In 1918 he went to North Rus R.A.F. attempt on the world non-stop sia with the British force which sup flight record from England to the Persian ported the White Russians against the Gulf, but only achieved 3,400 miles. Bolsheviks. Before the Second World War he served Shackleton first met Carr in North as a carrier pilot in H.M.S. Eagle on the Russia, where, as a major, he was flying China station. He was in the advanced the only fighter in the British squadron. air striking force during the retreat Later he became chief of the Lithuanian across France in 1940, and towards the Air Staff, and was planning to leave this end of the war was Deputy Chief of Staff post and go into business when Shackle (Air) at Supreme Headquarters, Allied ton invited him to go to the Antarctic. Expeditionary Force. His last appoint With Sir Hubert Wilkins he worked on ment before his retirement in 1947 was the preparation of an Avro Baby float Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Tndia. { u:tmjj^mpmm^)i\...y

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ANTARCTIC BOOKSHELF

"THE VOYAGE OF THE CHALLENGER" by Eric Linklater Publication in September to mark centenary. September, 1972, marks the sailing pulled up minerals from the sea bed.;, 100 years earlier of a most important new animal species came up with the oceanographic expedition. nets, icebergs and volcanoes were en The Challenger expedition was spon countered and studied and in over a sored by the British Government and hundred landfalls, the flora, fauna and organised by the Royal Society in col-* the primitive people of five continents laboration with Edinburgh University were described. The first manganese where the science of oceanography orig nodes, so important as indicators of the inated. H.M.S. Challenger was a three- ocean's riches, were discovered on this masted corvette with auxiliary steam voyage. It was a pioneer exploit of over specially designed and equipped for whelming marine importance. research. She was manned by naval men To commemorate the Challenger cen under Captain George Nares, and the tenary John Murray will publish in scientific team was led by Professor September "The Voyage of the Challen Wyville Thompson and Professor John ger" by Eric Linklater. This important Murray who succeeded him. work is not a summary or resume of She put to sea in September, 1872 and previously published material, but a her voyage, lasting three years and a new book in its own right. half, encircled the world, crossed the It will contain 32 pages of four-colour equator eight times, visited high lati plates and 176 monochrome illustrations tudes in both hemispheres. She was the in the text. The price is expected to be first steamship to cross the Antarctic Circle. about SI2. The American publishers will The Challenger's mission was to ex be Doubleday & Co. plore the ocean, measure depths and Publication date will coincide with the movements of seas, and investigate the International Oceanographic Centenary nature of the sea floor. But her objec Congress which will bc held in Edin tives were soon extended. Her dredges burgh in September.

STORY OF VOYAGE INTO ICE BY RSA During the years before the Second has described in "The Eternal Ice", World War, and for more than 20 years something of the dangers, the monotony, after, hundreds of young South Africans and the awe-inspiring beauty of a voyage have been to the Antarctic. They have into the ice. sailed south in whale catchers and whal Captain McNish commanded the RSA ing factory ships or on scientific expedi on her first hazardous voyage to tions. But few, if any, have made any Antarctica with South Africa's third serious attempt to record their experi national Antarctic expedition in the ences in Antarctic waters or at Sanae summer of 1962. He took the I3lh Base in Queen Maud Land. Now at expedition south early this year. last, Captain K. McNish, master of "The Eternal Ice" is published by South Africa's own polar ship, the RSA. Tafelberg-Uitgewers. Cape Town. March 1972

MARION AND PRINCE EDWARD ISLANDS "Marion and Prince Edward Islands," six members of the expedition, which a voluminous and richly illustrated was financed by the South African report on the South African biological Department of Transport. and geological expeditions of 1965-66 to To mark the publication of the book Marion and Prince Edward Islands in Dr C. Brink, president of the Council the sub-Antarctic, has been produced by for Scientific and Industrial Research, Professor E. M. van Zinderen Bakker. which is affiliated to the Scientific Com His co-editors were Messrs J. M. Winter- mittee for Antarctic Research, presented bottom and R. A. Dyer. copies to the Minister of Transport (Mr Fifty-one scientists from various coun B. Schoeman), the Deputy Minister (Mr tries contributed to the interpretation of H. Martins) and the Secretary for Trans the scientific observations made by the port (Mr J. Driessen). NEW SOUTH AFRICAN RESEARCH JOURNAL A review of the first ten years of comfort in Antarctica; the effects of a Antarctic research by South Africa partial solar eclipse on the ionosphere appears in the first issue of the "South at Sanae; gravimetric determination of African Journal of Antarctic Research." ocean tidal effect on the Fimbul Ice Shelf. Princess Martha Coast, Queen a new publication produced by the Maud Land; and geomagnetic secular Council for Scientific and Industrial variations at Sanae. Research under the auspices of the The journal also contains reviews of Scientific Committee for Antarctic a publication on quaternary studies of Research. The purpose of the journal the Antarctic, and of a monograph on is to disseminate information on South the South African expedition to Marion African Antarctic research and related and Prince Edward Islands in 1965-66. activities. The "South African Journal of Other items in the journal include Antarctic Research" is obtainable from scientific results of the South African the Distributor of Publications. C.S.I.R.. Antarctic ionosphere programme, 1962- P.O. Box 395, Pretoria, at a cost of R2 70; studies of clothing and thermal

Scott anniversary medallions A medallion to mark the 60th anni- The 5000 British medallions will be versary of Scott's journey to the South inserted in a commemorative first-day Pole in 1911-12 has been struck in Lon- cover. These covers were flown over the don for sale in the Commonwealth this Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, year. It has been designed and sculp- and then dale-stamped at Scott Base, on tured by Scott's son, Peter Scott. January 18. the day on which Scott Another medallion has been struck reached the Pole. A new set of stamps by the Franklin Mint in Philadelphia to for the Ross Dependency was issued on commemorate the anniversaries of the that date, and each cover bears the new- arrivals of Amundsen and Scott at the 18c stamp showing a tabular iceberg. Pole. This medallion, designed by a These covers were later sent by air from New Zealander, James Berry, bears a Christchurch to London, likeness of Amundsen on one side. On Part of the proceeds from the sales of the other is a facsimile of the Scott both medallions will go to the appeal statue in Christchurch superimposed on fund for the extensions to the Canter- a scene depicting the other members of bury Museum, which will include a Scott's party. national Antarctic centre. March 1972 GEODETIC DOME COMPLEX AT SOUTH POLE IN 1974 Early in 1974 a $3.5m geodesic dome complex will replace the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, now buried under 20ft of ice and snow. Built in 1956 and opened on January 23. 1957, the fabricated buildings of the present station have gradually been crushed by the weight of drifting snow.

This season Seabees of the United removed, and a box-like structure called Stales Navy's Mobile Construction Bat a top-hat was built above the buildings talion 71 completed one-third of the from the roof tops, creating a void building of the geodesic dome complex. between it and the snow surface in an The geodesic dome design, tested with effort to reduce the pressure of the snow a one-tenth scale model last year, was which had built up to 20ft. chosen because of its resistance to ihe When the aluminium framework dome drift of snow. It is expected to last 10 is finished and ready for use it will be to 15 years. 164ft in diameter and 50ft high. It will TheSeabees started work on the new bc covered with a thin aluminium skin station in November last year. Minus over ribbed corrugated steel arches, and 50dcg temperatures and blowing snow will house three two-storey steel panel delayed the air delivery of supplies and type buildings. The largest will bc a equipment from McMurdo Station, and science laboratory and living quarters. the Seabees had to work under most Another will hold the galley, post office, difficult conditions Quite often thev and meeting hall, and the third will could remain outdoors for only half an serve as the communications centre, hour because of the temperature, and ship's store, and library the altitude of nearly 10.000ft made Two connecting tunnels will lead from them gasp for oxygen when straining to the dome, one to a sky laboratory and move heavy steel structures. Special lounge, and the other to a tunnel 726ft tools were 'lesigncd to facilitate work long and 46ft wide which will house a in heavy and cumbersome polar clothing. mechanic's shop, generators, a bio medical facility, and a fuel storage SNOW PRESSURES section. Underneath these structures Falling snow is no problem at the will be a tunnel system to carry all the South Pole station; only two inches a utility lines for the station. This tunnel year have been recorded. But drifting system is now 80 per cent complete. snow soon became unmanageable. It The dome and tunnels will not be clogged the areas between the buildings. heated. They will serve as an insulated Covered passageways and storage tunnels "balloon" against the extremes of tem were built, but the snow then piled up perature outside. on the buildings, causing tremendous Before the new station is finished the pressures. Eventually the weight of Seabees will also build an emergency snow and ice crushed roofs and ruptured camp a short distance away. This will walls of the buildings below. be capable of sustaining 16 men for In 1963 some tunnels and storage eight months of winter if necessary. areas were re-roofed with steel arches Twenty-one Seabees also worked on to extend the life of the station, and the construction of a new Siple Station. snow was removed several times from The new station, about a quarter of a the tops of the buildings and tunnels. mile from the existing site, will be occu Then in 1969 and 1970 the snow was pied in the 1973 winter. March 1972

STOP PRESS Fuji Caught In Fast Ice For the third time in three successive At midnight on March 14 the Fuji seasons the Japanese icebreaker Fuji was still three miles from the edge of was caught in fast ice after relieving the fast ice. Her position was 68dcg Syowa Station. On March 7 she 33min South. reported that she was about 20 miles from Syowa, low on fuel, and making about one mile a day in her elforts to reach pack ice 30 miles ahead. Her Future research position was 68deg 44min S—38deg 35min E. trends When advice of the Fuji's plight was The main trend in future scientific received by the United Stales naval research in Antarctica will be towards support force headquarters in Christ integrated international programmes church, the Coast Guard icebreaker aimed specifically at solving major prob Northwind was ordered to stand by at lems. Mr J. O. Fletcher, head of the Lyttelton. In Japan the Maritime Seif- Office of Polar Programmes for the Defencc Force had the destroyer Takat- National Science Foundation, says that suki, the training ship Katori, and the basic exploratory work in the scientific oiler Hamana in readiness. disciplines is gradually coming to an By March 13 the Fuji was making end in the Antarctic. better progress. She reported that she Mr Fletcher, who visited the Antarc was only three miles from pack ice. tic this season to see the science pro In the 24 hours to 10 p.m. on March 13 gramme in action, said on his return she had covered 5.7 miles, compared that the foundation's Antarctic research with half a mile the day before. programme had enough planned work ahead to last it for the next 20 years. But for the time being the main thrust U.S. ANTARCTIC of the scientific programmes would be devoted to trying to understand the role BUDGET of the Antarctic in global ecology— Funds allocated for United States such as its influence on oceans and the research activities in the Antarctic have circulation at the atmosphere. been reduced only slightly in the United When he arrived in New Zealand Mr States Budget for 1973. Provision has Fletcher said there was a greater tend been made for the spending of about ency these days to think in terms of SUS25.5 million (SNZ21.7 million). This "Spaceship Earth." More knowledge is SUS1.3 million (SNZ1.1 million) less was needed to understand its life sup than the amount allocated for the 1972 port system, and Antarctica was a financial year, which ends on June 30. region which could make a significant The reason for the estimated lower contribution to such understanding. expenditure in the new financial year is Mr Fletcher believes there is a com a reduction of SUS1.8 million (SNZI.5 mon desire among scientists for more million) in the cost of the logistic frequent access to the Antarctic through support provided by the United States out the. year, rather than for intense Navy. In the 1973 financial year the activity in the summer months only. He cost of this support is estimated to be plans to discuss with the United States about SUS17.5 million (SNZ16.9 mil Navy, which provides the logistic sup lion). The navy is responsible for the port for the scientific effort, the possi re-supply of Antarctic stations, construc bility of regular access to the continent tion of bases and field ;amps, and all instead of the occasional mid-winter transport. flights. "ANTARCTIC" is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. It is the only periodical in the world which gives regular up-to-date news of the Antarctic activities of all the nations at work in the far South. It has a world-wide circulation. Subscription for non-members of the Antarctic Society, NZ$3. Over seas NZ$3.50, includes postage (air mail postage extra). Details of back issues available may be obtained from the Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society, P.O. Box 1223, Christchurch, New Zealand.

The New Zealand Antarctic Society The New Zealand Antarctic Society was formed in 1933. It comprises New Zealanders and overseas friends, many of whom have seen Antarctica for themselves, and all of whom are vitally interested in some phase of Antarctic exploration, development, or research. The society has taken an active part in restoring and maintaining the historic huts in the Ross Dependency, and plans to co-operate in securing suitable locations as repositories of Polar material of unique interest. There are two branches of the society and functions are arranged throughout the year. You are invited to become a member. South Island residents should write to the Canterbury secretary, North Islanders should write to the Wellington secretary, and overseas residents to the secretary of the New Zealand Society. For addresses see below. The membership fee is NZ$2.00 (or equivalent local currency). Subscription to "Antarctic" is a further $2.50.

New Zealand Secretary Miss J. Garraway, P.O. Box 1223, Christchurch.

Branch Secretaries Canterbury: Mrs E. F. Cross, P.O. Box 404, Christchurch. Wellington: Mr F. O'Leary, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington.