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PENGUINS ON AN ICE FLOE AT CAPE BIRD, ROSS ISLAND, WHICH MARKS THE ENTRANCE TO McMURDO SOUND. NEARBY IS NEW ZEALAND'S BIRD STATION, BUILT IN THE 1965-66 SEASON, AND USED EACH SUMMER BY MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY ANTARCTIC BIOLOGICAL UNIT. ANTARCTIC DIVISION, D.S.I.R. PHOTO—R. K. McBRIDE

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DRAWN BY DEPARTMENT OF LANDS * SURVEY WELLINGTON. NEW ZEALAND. AUG 1969 3rd EDITION eeiiiWiiiB©*ira(B^ (Successor to "Antarctic News Bulletin")

68th ISSUE December 1972

Editor: H. F. GRIFFITHS, 14 Woodchester Avenue, Christchurch 1. Assistant Editor: J. M. CAFFIN, 35 Chepstow Avenue, Christchurch 5. 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 ■ ■ ■ SCOTT BASE LEADER'S YEAR .... BwsflM 274, 275 FLOATING LABORATORY 278, 279 POLAR ACTIVITIES NEW ZEALAND 262, 263, 264, 265, 277', 289, 291 UNITED STATES 266, 267, 268, 273, 296 BELGIUM 267 UNITED KINGDOM .... 269, 273, 280, 2811, 282, 283 AUSTRALIA 283 JAPAN 284, 285 FRANCE :■■'■:•' Bt»'V 286 SOUTH AFRICA ^^^^^^^^M 288 SOVIET UNION ...). 138 ^ 290 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS EBBfl 268, 276 SUB-ANTARCTIC AUCKLAND ISLANDS ML? 272 MACQUARIE ISLAND **■ '"W^ 1 ■jPraS 289 GENERAL ^jfcs^pfes^ TREATY NATIONS MEETING 270, 271 TOURISM 287 ANTARCTIC WEEK ■421 THE READER WRITES wm ANTARCTIC BOOKSHELF 29'1, 295, 296

Once again we have reached the end of another year, and the 68th issue of "Antarctic," which has faithfully chronicled the story of Antarctic exploration and research since 1956. The Editor would like to be able to wish all readers, wherever they are, unqualified season's greetings, but he is reluctant to have to announce that because of rising costs the price of "Antarctic" will be increased as from the first issue for 1973. Details of the new subscription rates are given on the inside back cover to which your attention is directed. We regret this increase which is due to circumstances beyond our control. ■^-•:c December 1972 Other Nations Working With N.Z. Research Programme Co-operation with scientists of other nations has been a feature of the New Zealand Antarctic research programme this season. Russian and Japanese scientists are working in the dry valley area of the Ross Depend ency with New Zealand assistance. New Zealand is taking part in a French experiment to determine the drift of icebergs in the Southern Ocean, and Italian scientists have been studying the New Zealand programme. New Zealand is also involved in drilling projects on Ross Island and in Antarctic waters.

An Italian scientific team may partici sity arrived there early this month. The pate in the New Zealand programme university's fifth expedition to the Ant next season. Originally the Italian arctic is led by Dr C. H. Hendry, a National Research Council had plans to geochemist. establish its own base in the Antarctic. Other members of the party are Dr A survey this season, however, has indi P. L. Hosking, of the University of cated that this would not be economic. Auckland, Mr T. I. Oliver, and Mr A. For several weeks Dr C. Stocchino, Hogg. chief hydrographer of the Institute of The Waikato scientists will make a Oceanography, Genoa, and Dr M. short visit to the Victoria. Wright, and Manzoni, a geologist, have studied the Taylor Valleys. They will work in the NZ programme at Scott Base and Victoria Valley for three weeks exam outlying stations, and field camps. They ining rock degradation and salt depo will recommend to their National sits. Then they will move to the other Research Council that a team of six to valleys for separate studies. eight scientists be formed to work from New Zealand participation in the Scott Base next summer. French iceberg drift experiment involves Because of logistic difficulties Italy the placing of a transponder on an ice could not establish a base in the area berg in the Ross Sea. A transnonder is where its scientists could work. The an electronic device which will receive problems of transporting men and sup specific signals by satellite and transmit plies would be too great. Therefore Drs replies automatically. Members of Stocchino and Manzoni will work out Expeditions Polaires Francaiscs placed a research priorities so they can be incor transponder on a large iceberg in March porated in the 1973-74 New Zealand pro this year soon after the relief ship Thala gramme. The plan would be to pay for Dan left Dumomnt d'Urville for Hobart the use of New Zealand facilities in ("Antarctic" June, p. 197). In seven the Antarctic. months this berg drifted about 1000 A Soviet micro-biologist will work miles. with the New Zealanders at Lake Vanda The French will use three of the this season. He will fly south next transponders this summer on icebergs month and will remain at Vanda Station at various latitudes off Adelie Land, for two months. Russian geologists have and up to 10 will be used by scientists worked at Vanda Station previously. of other Antarctic Treaty nations. Two Japanese scientists will also work Measurements will be taken daily, bar in the dry valley area, and two or three ring accidents, until June 30 next year. others may join them. Another New The E.O.L.E. satellite which interro Zealand party from Waikato Univer gates the transponder can determine the December 1972 ANTARCTIC

location of an iceberg to within one toria University party, which dis kilometre three to five times a day. covered marine fossils in the Evans Information will be transmitted from Neve area. the transponder by the satellite to Scott Base was like a miniature ground receiving stations, particularly to United Nations headquarters for a time those of the National Space Research last month when the New Zealanders Centre in Brittany. were hosts to 14 delegates to the seventh Mr R. B. Thomson, superintendent consultative meeting of the Antarctic of the Antarctic Division, D.S.I.R.," Treaty nations in Wellington. New Zealand's flag outside the base was says that one of the main attractions of the experiment is joined by those of the 11 other treaty that it will continue long enough to nations. show what movement of icebergs takes Before the delegates visited Scott Base they encountered Antarctic ice in place in winter. Satellite pictures and observations from ships have given this their drinks at a reception in Welling information in summer, but there arc no ton. It was a 1501b block of ice cut satellite pictures in the winter darkness. from the pressure ridges in front of the base with a chain saw, wrapped in Now, for the first time, says Mr Thom son, there will be accurate details of plastic, packed in a wooden box, flown winds and ocean currents during the to Christchurch aboard a Military Air winter. lift Command Starlifter, and then on to Wellington. PROJECTS STOPPED While a new project has been added to the New Zealand research programme this season, two others have not pro ceeded. The loss of the University of Canterbury marine biology unit's tri maran when it was blown away from HISTORIC SITES Cape Bird and adbandoned has stopped this season's research. Another pro MARKED ject in the Bowers Mountains of North ern Victoria Land was cancelled last Three bronze plaques marking his month because damage to one of the toric sites in the Ross Dependency were United States Navy's three Hercules air placed in position at Cape Royds, Cape craft meant that air support could not Evans, and Observation Hill, near Mc be provided. Murdo Station, by a team of New Zea When the aircraft was brought back landers from Scott Base last month. to Christchurch to have its damaged port The marking of seven other historic undercarriage repaired, Drs M. G. Laird places in accordance with recommenda and P. B. Andrews, of the Geological tions made at the sixth consultative meeting of the Antarctic Treaty nations Survey, Mr J. Bradshaw, of the Univer in Tokyo is expected to be completed sity of Canterbury, and Father M. F. before the end of next season. Mahoney, a field assistant, had to come All the plaques, which bear the rele home from Scott Base. vant information in English, French, The Northern Victoria Land project Spanish, and Russian, have been fixed involved the mapping, structural inter firmly in rock to prevent storm damage. pretation, stratigraphy, photography, One has been placed at Scott's hut at and sedimentation of the Bowers Cape Evans, another at Shackleton's Mountains. It had to be removed from hut at Cape Royds, and the third on top last year's summer research programme of Observation Hill to mark the jarrah because of economic cuts. Drs Laird and cross erected there in 1913 to com Andrews were able to spend 13 days in memorate Scott and the South Pole the Bowers Mountains but with the Vic party. December 1972 Men Drift for Five Days on Ice Floes in McMurdo Sound For five days four men—an American, two New Zealanders, and an Englishman—drifted helplessly on ice floes in McMurdo Sound when their trimaran was swept into pack ice and had to be abandoned. Starving, frostbitten, and near total exhaustion, the men from the University of Can terbury marine biology unit at Cape Bird, were picked up from a small ice floe by a United States Navy helicopter on the afternoon of December 2 after an aerial search by British and American aircraft for nearly 30 hours. After they abandoned their 16+ft on the temperature recording graph was trimaran, Clione, Messrs J. K. Lowry, dated November 26. P. M. Sagar, G. D. Fcnwick, and R. W. Major P. G. Frazer, leader at Scott Farrelly, drifted on an ice floe for Base, who saw the men on November several days. Huge waves started to 23 when he flew by helicopter to collect break up the ice so they had to leap the party's voting papers for the New from floe to floe to survive. A killer Zealand General Election, immediately whale followed them, an iceberg ram approached Captain A. N. Fowler, the med and splintered their small floe, forc United States Navy support force com ing them to scramble on to the largest mander, who ordered a search to be piece, and they ate raw penguin flesh made. Hercules aircraft from the Royal when their food ran low. They had no Air Force and the United States Navy, sun glasses, and used pieces of cardboard helicopters, and a Military Airlift Com with holes punched in them to protect mand Starlifter took part in the mis their eyes against the burning light. sion. The leader of the unit at Bird Station, SPOTTED ON FLOE nearly 50 miles from Scott Base at the Nearly 24 hours after the search began entrance to McMurdo Sound, was Mr the missing men were spotted by a Lowry, who is 30, and was born in trained ice observer, Chief Acro- Kansas City, Missouri. He is a graduate graphcr's Mate A. C. Boeger, who was of the University of Richmond, Virginia, returning to Christchurch aboard an and was spending his fifth summer in the R.A.F. Hercules piloted by Squadron Antarctic. Mr Sagar, who is 22, was born Leader P. Forrester. Their small ice floe in Burnley, Lancashire, and is a Univer was then three miles west of Cape sity of Canterbury graduate. Messrs Royds. Their remarkable journey had Fenwick, 22, and Farrelly, 22, are taken them westward from Cape Bird, students. All three were at Bird Station south through Wohlschlag Bay, along last season. the Ross Tsland coast, and then westward On the evening of November 27 the again. four men launched the trimaran for the A United States Navy VXE6 Squad first trip of the season. Their last radio ron helicopter piloted by Lieutenant A. communication with Scott Base was on Costlow and Lieutenant (j-g) J. November 25. They were not known to McComas, landed on the ice floe, picked be missing until December 1 when a up the men, and flew them to McMurdo helicopter made a cargo flight to Cape Station where they were taken to the Bird. The huts were deserted, the hospital for treatment and rest. In addi trimaran was missing, and the last entry tion to the effects of hunger and ex- 'c*-*

December 1972 haustion, they were suffering from minor Then at last the men saw the rescue frostbite and snowblindness. helicopter fly all the way to Cape Bird Later Mr Lowry told Mr B. R. Lay- and return in a great hurry. They bourn, information officer at Scott Base, thought it would not be long before they what happened. Soon after the trimaran were found. left Cape Bird both of its outboard A few days after their rescue the men motors cut out. Fuel tanks and motors returned to Christchurch. Because of were switched, but nothing happened. the loss of their trimaran, which has Then a northerly breeze swept the tri been in use since the 1970-71 season, maran south into the pack ice. they will not be able to continue their Another change of wind began to blow research programme this season. the trimaran northward so it was aban doned. The men remained on an ice floe for several hours, and at one stage were within 20yds of the shore. But a southerly gale suddenly arose and swept the small craft back into SHIP AND SLEDGE McMurdo Sound. Then huge waves washed across the ice, breaking it up, MODELS and the men were forced to jump from floe to floe to keep afloat. New Zealanders who spent last winter Small supplies of food—sledge bis at Scott filled in their spare time at cuits, sardines, sugar, chocolate, peanut nights by imitating their predecessors butter, marmite, and meat bars—were of more than 60 years ago. Like the seamen aboard the Discovery and the salvaged from the trimaran. They were rationed and eaten with sugar-flavoured Terra Nova they made models. snow. Sledges were a popular choice, but the most ambitious project was a scale PARTY'S SAVIOUR model of the Discovery completed by Mr I nwrv -snirl that a rnntilrpH nr»n- a base field assistant and dog handler, guin was the party's real saviour. Its warm, raw flesh provided the first real body heat, and gave the men new hope. Mr McBride had no plans for the On the ice floe, exposed to icy seas model when he chose the Discovery so and bitter winds, the men shivered un he made his own. He found a plan of controllably at times. They kept walk the ship in Scott's "The Voyage of the ing on their ice island, partly to keep warm and partly for something to do. Discovery," photographed it, and then enlarged it to give him a scale of lin to Several times they became very 10ft. For more details he worked from depressed. Then something would hap photographs in other books in the base pen and their hopes rose. They joked library. and sang, took photographs, and wrote The bulk of the model is made from their diaries. a piece of Oregon pine, and from A Hercules aircraft passed within a hickory used for dog sledge runners. mile of the men on December 1, and Other men at the base helped Mr they hastily fired distress flares. But McBride with the bits and pieces he these failed to attract attention because needed. the bright night sunshine apparently The leader at Scott Base, Major J. R. swamped any glare. After sighting the M. Barker, made a lin to 1ft scale aircraft the men organised half-hour model of a Nansen dog sledge and its watches. But there were more dis related equipment. Sledges were also appointments. Searching aircraft and made by the cook, Mr P. J. McNiell, a helicopters were sighted; there was no radio technician, Mr K. B. Matson, and result from the firing of more flares. the base engineer, Mr M. Macdonald.

December 197 Studies of 'Long Eye' and Colds at Pole Station Why do men living in isolation on the Antarctic Continent invariably catch colds soon after their first contact with newcomers from the outside world? An American microbiologist whose special interest is in infectious diseases is looking for the answer to the question at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station this summer. Russian, Japanese, and British scientists are doing similar research at their Antarctic bases.

Dr H. G. Muchmorc, of the Okla the smaller stations. Dr Stillncr says homa Medical Research Foundation, altitude might have something to do who flew south from Christchurch with the complaint. But both Syowa several weeks ago, said that immunity to and Mirny Stations where this sort of infectious diseases in isolated communi behaviour has also been noted, are at ties was a subject of some importance sea level. A pilot study of 15 men who to space scientists, especially in cases spent the winter in isolation in the Ant where men might remain in space for arctic revealed that 20 per cent admitted long periods. to this staring behaviour. Sixty per cent It is not normal for a group of men claimed they had seen others staring for all to have colds at the same time when periods. in the previous three months of isolation Problems of health and isolation for they had none, according to Dr Much- more than seven months apparently did more. The colds in themselves are not cause concern to the 22 men, eight generally not serious, and Dr Much- of them civilian scientists, and 14 from more is trying to determine whether the United States Navy, who spent the through isolation the men lose their winter at the South Pole this year. Their resistance. Then, if possible, he will main worries were lack of lobster on attempt to identify the virus. the menu, the failure of their tomato Dr V. Stillncr, of the Harvard Medical plants to bear fruit, and having to shovel snow by hand in a 20-knot wind when School, who is an associate of Dr Much- the temperature was minus 90deg more, is also working at the Pole Station this summer. He is studying the state Fahrenheit. of consciousness and attention of men When Lieutenant W. Talutis, the after long periods of isolation. officer-in-charge at Pole Station, During winter isolation several returned to sec houses, green grass, and physiological changes take place in men flowers, in Christchurch, he said that the at Antarctic stations. These include only problems in the winter had been changes in sleep patterns, occasional a number of equipment crises. Two of depression, complaints of lack of con the four generators were out of action, centration, and staring—or, as it is but special parts were specially made, more popularly known in the Antarctic, and they were repaired eventually. Large "long eye." quantities of snow have to be collected Dr Stillncr quoted the case of an for melting into water. A tractor is used American at a Russian Antarctic station but when it broke down the men had who spent up to three hours a day to shovel snow by hand, and in the starling at the wall. This habit clears words of Lieutenant Talutis, the job was when men return to the outside world or "no picnic." leave isolated stations. The artificially grown tomatoes were Generally "long eye" occurs more at given a dose of ultra-violet light for a Tm^n

December 1972 few minutes every day. They grew taller but no fruit appeared. And the Third de Gerlache lack of lobster? The men at McMurdo Station 250 miles to the north had lobster all the year round but they goes South neglected to send any to the men at Three generations of one Belgian the South Pole before their winter family—de Gerlache de Gomery—have isolation began. That was why Lieuten been in the Antarctic since 1898. In ant Talutis complained that the food that year Adrien de Gerlache led a was not very good. Belgian expedition south in the Belgica. There were no real health problems His son was the leader at the Belgian from February 14 to November 3. One station, Roi Baudouin, in the Interna man sprained his finger, and the station tional Geophysical Year, and last month doctor removed several tattoos, but more the grandson, Ensign Bernard de Ger for practice than anything else. lache, of the Belgian Navy, flew south One memory Lieutenant Talutis still as the guest of the United States Navy. has of his winter at the bottom of the Ensign de Gerlache is acting as an world is an unexpected 10-milc walk observer for the Belgian Navy and the back to the station when a tractor broke Belgian-Netherlands Antarctic Expedi down. A balloon carrying a scientific tions Committee. He has a doctor's instrument ruptured 10 miles from the degree in law and economics, but in Pole after it had been launched. spite of his family association with the As the University of Wyoming, which Antarctic he does not intend to follow was conducting the research, had offered in the footsteps of his grandfather and a SI00 reward for the recovery of the his father. He intends to go into busi balloon's payload, a group of men set ness when he returns to Belgium early out in a tracked vehicle for the area next year. where the balloon's last transmission In 1898 the Belgica expedition made had been heard. The group searched some new discoveries in the region of without success, the vehicle's engine the Palmer Archipelago, and sailed as died, and there was nothing else to do far south as Alexander Island. The ship was then beset in the pack ice and except walk home. The men intended to use the reward drifted for 12 months to the south of to help pay for a party in Christchurch Peter I Island, thereby gaining the dis on their way home. They had their tinction of being the first exploring vessel to winter in the Antarctic. party—but paid for it out of their own An American member of the cosmo pockets. politan expedition was Dr Frederick A. Cook, who later achieved some notoriety as a rival to Peary. His claim to have BISCUITS FOR N.Z. reached the North Pole was discounted by geographers. Another member of the ANTARCTIC TEAMS expedition was Roald Amundsen. Eighty dozen home-made biscuits were Sixty years later Ensign de Gcrlachc's flown from Christchurch to the Antarctic father, Baron Gaston de Gerlache, and this season just before Christmas. They Prince de Ligne, landed by helicopter were a gift from the Canterbury branch on the Princess Ragnhild Coast of of the New Zealand Antarctic Society Queen Maud Land. It was the first to the New Zealanders at Scott Base landing by Belgians on Antarctic terri and Vanda Station. tory since the Belgica expedition. The Each year for the last 10 years mem expedition established Roi Baudouin, bers of the branch have sent biscuits which was in use until 1967. Baron de and fruit cake to Scott Base for Christ Gerlache was in the Ross Dependency mas. This year, however, there were in 1961 when he visited McMurdo more biscuits, and no fruit cake. Station and Scott Base. ANTARCTIC December 1972 TWO U.S. SCIENTISTS HONOURED FOR WORK IN POLAR REGIONS Two distinguished United States- From 1959 to 1967 Dr Crary was scientists who have contributed much chief scientist of the United States to knowledge of the Antarctic have been Antarctic Research Programme. He honoured recently for their work. Dr was chief scientist of the programme Albert P. Crary, director of the National during and after the International Geo Science Foundation's division of en physical Year, spent two years as vironmental sciences has been awarded station leader at Little America in 1957 the Vega Medal of the Swedish Society and 1958, and was deputy chief scientist for Anthropology and Geography; Dr for Antarctic operations. From 1952 to Thomas C. Poulter ,sccond-in-command 1955 he was chief scientist for the of the 1933-35 Byrd Antarctic Expedi Arctic ice island T-3 programme. tion, has been elected an honorary member of the American Polar Society. Dr Poulter was senior scientist of the expedition, and led the party which European Nations' rescued Rear-Admiral Byrd from his Plans Advance Base in 1934. Later he went south again with the United States Some member nations of the Council Antarctic Service expedition of 1939-41. of Europe are interested in a joint He was then scientific director of the programme of scientific research in Armour Institute in Chicago, and its Queen Maud Land. Discussions began research foundation was responsible for two years ago, and are now well the design of the Snow Cruiser, an enor advanced, although no definite agree mous vehicle weighing 33i tons, which ment has been reached. was planned as an entire expedition on Britain, France, West Germany, Bel wheels. It carried a satellite ski plane on gium, the Netherlands, Italy, and also its roof, and was planned to cross Switzerland are involved. Of these five crevasses unhindered. have been or are concerned with An Unfortunately the "ship on wheels" tarctic research. was not a success. It could not operate According to Paul-Emile Victor, independently, and remained at Little director of Expeditions Polaires Fran- America III until its resurrection in the caises, two formulas for the execution early years of Operation Deepfreeze. of the common programme are being Honorary membership of the Ameri considered. There could be a number can Polar Society is restricted. It has of national groups working in co included in the past Rear-Admiral Byrd, ordination on a common programme Vilhalmur Stcfansson, Lincoln Ells or an international project where a worth, Professor Frank Debenham, and group would be formed regardless of Dr Paul Siple. Among the present nationality. honorary members are Dr Laurence When Paul-Emile Victor passed M. Gould, Captain Finne Ronne, and through Christchurch on his way to Colonel Bernt Balchen. Dumont d'Urville, he mentioned the Dr Crary was awarded the Vega International Glaciological Expedition Medal for his important contributions in Greenland which he led. Frenchmen, to the geophysical and geographical Germans, and Swiss worked together exploration of the polar regions. Past perfectly on the project. recipients of the medal, awarded France has no plans at present to annually since 1880, have included work outside Adelie Land. But Paul- Roald Amundsen, Ernest Shackleton; Emile Victor did mention the possibility and Rear-Admiral Byrd. of some co-operative effort. December 1972 ROYAL AIR FORCE HERCULES FLIGHTS TO U.S. STATION British and New Zealand aircraft have been assisting the United Slates support programme in the Antarctic this season. Last month and this month they co-operated with the Military Airlift Command in the transport of urgently needed cargo from Christchurch to McMurdo Station. Most of the cargo was needed for construction work at Siple and South Pole Stations. Two Royal Air Force Hercules air Last season five flights were made, and craft took part in the summer Antarctic in previous years there have been three airlift with Military Airlift Command flights annually. Starlifters and Hercules aircraft of the Cargo handling for all American and Royal New Zealand Air Force. The New Zealand flights to the Antarctic this R.N.Z.A.F. completed ten return flights season was done by the New Zealand between Christchurch at the beginning Army and the R.N.Z.A.F. An officer of this month; the R.A.F. detachment and nine men from the Royal New made 20 flights, the last on December 15. Zealand Army Service Corps, and six men from the R.N.Z.A.F. organised the Arrangements for British co-opera tion were made with the Royal Air loading and unloading of cargo at Wil Force by the United States National liams Field, McMurdo Station, for dis tribution to inland stations. The men Science Foundation. The R.A.F. crews lived on the airstrip and flew a New flew home in time for Christmas with Zealand flag borrowed from Scott Base something new to talk about in the to maintain their identity. One team mess. On December 8 one Hercules worked through November, and a second flew to the Amundsen-Scott South Pole finished its work at the end of this Station—there to fly round the world month. three times in 12 minutes. Two R.N.Z.A.F. helicopter pilots are Squadron Leader C. M. Quaife spending two months this summer on arranged a training mission to the South helicopter operations with the United Pole for sentimental reasons. The air States Navy's support force. Flight craft followed Scott's route to the Pole Lieutenant V. S. Paul and Flying Officer up the Beardmorc Glacier. A Royal K. Jolly flew south this month and will Air Force officer attached to the United return in February. States Navy's VXE6 Squadron flew to the South Pole as a navigator in the They are the first R.N.Z.A.F. pilots 1961-62 season, and on January 6, 1958, to fly helicopters in the Antarctic, and will serve with VXE6 Squadron, which Squadron Leader John Lewis flew a single-engincd de Havilland Otter from operates twin-turbine Iroquois heli South Ice over the Pole to Scott Base copters. after Sir Vivian Fuchs and his party had left on the second stage of their cross ing of the continent. But the flight on VOLUME V INDEX December 8 was the first by an R.A.F. Hercules and its crew. Subscribers to "Antarctic" are re The R.N.Z.A.F. flights were made in minded that the index to Volume V support of both the New Zealand and (1968-70) has been printed. Copies can the United States research programmes. be obtained from the New Zealand This was the largest number since 1965 secretary, P.O. Box 1223, Christchurch. when the R.N.Z.A.F. first started flying The price is 35 cents in New Zealand its Hercules aircraft to the Antarctic. currency or the local equivalent. December 1972 MINERALS IN ANTARCTIC CONCERN NATIONS Exploration for minerals in Antarctica, and visits to the continent by tourists and private expeditions, are matters of concern to the Antarctic Treaty nations. Recommendations adopted by the seventh consultative meeting of representatives of the 12 treaty nations in Wellington last month recognised that mineral exploration was likely to raise environmental problems, and unsponsored visits could affect both scientific programmes and the environment. New Zealand first raised the issue of from too many visitors. How to manage mineral exploitation at the last consulta this fairly and justly would exercise the tive meeting in Tokyo two years ago, treaty nations for some time. and several representatives referred to it Chile's representative (Mr Oscar Pino in their speeches at the opening session. chet) said that human activity in Ant The meeting was told that the prospect arctica should be controlled in such a of mineral exploitation would inevitably way that pollution never reached the raise the formidable problem of shores of the continent. The question of national sovereignties. But it decided mineral resources in the future could only to recommend to the governments undermine the foundations of the treaty concerned that the effects of mineral organisation. exploitation should be carefully studied and included on the agenda of the eighth FRENCH ATTITUDE consultative meeting in Oslo two years The French representative (Mr Pierre hence. Charpentier) expressed his delegation's In its recommendation the meeting re concern that one day mineral prospect affirmed that Antarctica should continue ing would take place on the Antarctic to be used exclusively for peaceful pur Continent and the formidable problem poses and should not become the scene of national sovereignties would of neces or object of international discord. It sity be raised. This danger had been noted the technological developments in avoided when the treaty was negotiated polar mineral exploration, the increasing because it would have prevented any interest in the possibility of their being agreement. exploitable minerals in Antarctica, and Japan's representative (Mr Toshio the need for further study and discus Mitsudo) saw little possibility of com sion by the treaty nations. Also it recog mercial development in Antarctica at nised that mineral exploration was likely present. But he said that the nations' to raise environmental problems, and scientific activities were already proving that the treaty nations should be respon of benefit to mankind and would con sible for the protection of the environ tinue to do so. ment and the wise use of Antarctic re Mr P. H. Philip, the South African sources. representative, referred to the new and New Zealand's Minister of Foreign more complex pattern of problems and Affairs (Sir Keith Holyoake) raised the potential difficulties created by the question of visitors to Antarctica when impact of the world upon Antarctica, he formally opened the meeting. He and by the increasing ease of access to said that the continent was both a the continent. He said that the threat of unique scientific laboratory and a politi creeping pollution and environmental cal laboratory which had to be protected destruction should not be allowed to December 1972 encroach upon the one continent which man's impact on the environment, and had thus far escaped its destructive a review of specially protected areas. force. A non-commercial international air Britain's representative (Sir Arthur transport system for the Antarctic Treaty Galsworthy) expressed his country's area was suggested by the United States. concern about any possible threats to The system would serve to facilitate the continued proper working of the scientific research by providing better treaty. He noted the steadily increasing and faster access to all parts of the con numbers of unofficial visitors to Ant tinent during the summer, and inter arctica, both tourists and adventurers, continental transportation during the and the growing interest of countries winter at least to selected locations. which were not parties to the treaty. A The meeting agreed that the project few of these countries appeared to look should be studied by the national offices upon Antarctica not so much as a responsible for the administration of peaceful scientific laboratory to be used Antarctic expeditions. The representa for the benefit of all, but more as a tives decided to recommend to their potential source of untapped wealth. governments that they accept the prin Sir Arthur Galsworthy referred to the ciple by using, where appropriate, convention for the conservation of seals common transport facilities by sea and in the Southern Ocean, which was nego by air for scientific and other staff pro tiated outside the Antarctic Treaty by 12 ceeding with their equipment to and nations represented at the consultative from Antarctic stations. meeting. He said that if the convention was ratified by the participating govern FUTURE ACTIVITIES ments and its machinery developed effec Possible substantial or continuing tively, mankind would have set up a activities or territorial claims in Ant conservation regime for the world's arctica by nations that are not parties to largest remaining unexploited group of the Antarctic Treaty were considered by mammals before commercial exploitation the meeting. It agreed that, in such was upon them. circumstances, it would be advisable for This need to anticipate exploitation of governments to consult together as pro resources was equally relevant to mineral vided for by the treaty and to be ready exploitation in Antarctica, Sir Arthur to urge or invite as appropriate the Galsworthy emphasised. Unrestricted nation or nations to accede to the treaty, commercial exploration could seriously pointing out the rights and benefits they jeopardise the working of the treaty. would receive, and also the responsibili Internationally agreed arrangements for ties and obligations of contracting conservation were essential, and it was parties. easier to agree on these before industrial The meeting also reviewed the legisla activity had started than later. World tive and/or administrative action taken events could easily overtake the consul by the contracting parties, or in prepara tative meeting's rather slow and cautious tion, to conserve fauna and flora. It arrangements to meet Antarctic prob noted an authoritative opinion that there lems. was at present no serious direct threat In addition to the recommendations to Antarctic seals and birds, and in par on the possible effects of mineral ex ticular that no species was endangered, ploration, the meeting adopted recom although the possibility of over-exploita mendations dealing with co-operation in tion of some local populations of seals transport arrangements, the organisation could not be entirely ruled out. of telecommunications, the preservation The representatives recommended to of areas of particular scientific interest, their governments that they approve a rules of conduct for visitors to Ant list of 43 historic monuments identified arctica, historic monuments, the impor and described by Argentina, Britain, tation of laboratory animals and plants, France, Australia, the Soviet Union, December 1972

Chile, Norway, and New Zealand. These Chile—Mr Oscar Pinochet, Chilean commemorate the achievements of Ant- Ambassador to Tokyo. actic explorers and the deaths of mem France—Mr Pierre Charpentier, Am bers of expeditions dating back to 1899. bassador of France, Paris. Sir Keith Holyoake formally opened Japan—Mr Toshio Mitsudo, Japanese the meeting, which was held from Octo Ambassador to Wellington. ber 30 to November 10. Mr F. H. Norway—Dr Edward Hambro, Am Corner, leader of the New Zealand bassador of Norway, Ministry of Foreign delegation, was elected chairman. Repre Affairs, Oslo. sentatives of the other 11 nations were: South Africa—Mr P. H. Philip, South Argentina—Mr Juan Carlos Beltra- African Consul-Gencral, Wellington. mino, Argentine Ambassador to Bucha U.S.S.R.—Mr A. I. Ivantsov, Minister rest. of the U.S.S.R., Wellington. Australia—Dame Annabelle Rankin, United Kingdom—Sir Arthur Gals High Commissioner in Wellington. worthy, High Commissioner, Wellington. Belgium—Mr Alfred van der Essen, United States—Mr Kenneth Franz- Minister of Belgium, Ministry of Foreign heim II, United States Ambassador to Affairs, Brussels. Wellington.

JOINT EXPEDITION SAILS TO AUCKLAND ISLANDS Twenty-nine scientists from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, sailed to the Auckland Islands last month on an expedition organised by the Department of Lands and Survey. They will remain there until early March to do research aimed at improving knowledge of the islands and its plants and animals, both native and introduced. Nearly 300 miles south of New Zea the distribution of chlorinated hydro land, the Auckland Islands are now carbon pollutants, and various mosses administered as reserves for the preser and lichens. vation of flora and fauna. Bird life is The expedition, which is led by Mr not abundant but there are seals and B. D. Bell, senior fauna conservation sea lions on the coast. Introduced officer, Wildlife Division, Department mammals include rabbits, goats, pigs, of Internal Affairs, has been supported by other interested governrm mice, and wild cattle. They are there as ments, museums, the universities, and a result of the attempt to colonise the the National Scientific Foundation. The islands last century. research vessel Acheron has been Some of the scientists will study the chartered until the expedition returns to relationships between these animals and New Zealand on March 5. She will the flora and fauna. Five American make three trips to the islands with scientists sponsored by the National staff, equipment, and stores, and between Science Foundation will study the habits trips will transport scientists from point of the Auckland Islands flightless teal, to point and provide support. December 1972 HALLETT STATION TO BE CLOSED Hallett Station, one of the original by ice. In the 1958 winter Hallett Station International Geophysical Year stations, was the first Antarctic base to recognise which was operated jointly by the in its auroral records the effect of the United States and New Zealand from nuclear bomb tests in the Pacific. 1957 to 1965, will be closed at the end A Globemaster on a flight from of this summer, the United States Christchurch on October 16, 1958, hit National Science Foundation has an a hill 30 miles to the north when coming nounced. Bird banding and a study of in for an air drop to the station. Six the embryology and incubation behavi of the men aboard were killed in the our of the Adelie penguin will be the crash. In 1960 winds gusting to 140 final work done there. m.p.h. on May 24 caused serious dam Located some 400 miles north of age to the buildings. Two helicopters Scott Base, the station was built in the were blown from their moorings and 1956-57 summer on Seabee Spit, a badly damaged in November, 1963. promontory in Moubray Bay, facing the Victoria Land mountains. This promontory is also the home of up to 100,000 Adelie penguins. Between 1957 and 1964 the station SOLO POLE TRIP was maintained logistically by the POSTPONED United States, and New Zealand was responsible for the programme in iono- A British paratrooper who planned spherics, seismology, geomagnetism, and to travel alone by dog sledge to the the greater part of the auroral pro South Pole from Scott Base this season gramme. Every second year a New has postponed his journey for at least Zealander was station scientific leader. a year ("Antarctic," September, Page Leaders were: J. A. Shear (S.), 1957; K. 251). He said in London that the New W. Salmon (N.Z.), 1958; R. Roberts Zealand authorities had turned down (U.S.) 1959; R. B. Thomson (N.Z.) 1960; his request to borrow or buy dogs from R. W. Titus (U.S.), 1961; C. B. Taylor Scott Base. (N.Z.) 1962; H. Freimanis (U.S.), 1963; Trooper Tom McClean, aged 29, has N. M. Ridgway (N.Z.), 1964. received no support for his project from On March 6, 1964, a disastrous fire the Ross Dependency Research Commit tee or the Antarctic Division, Depart completely destroyed the main scientific ment of Scientific and Industrial Re building and the equipment operated search. He said, however, that his plans by three New Zealanders throughout each year. Since then the station has were still going ahead, and he had the cen occupied by American scientists full backing of the British Army, and in the summer months, chiefly for support from a major British news paper. "I'm pretty sure we'll be ready biological research. It has functioned for next year," he told the corres also as a communications and weather pondent of a New Zealand newspaper., reporting station on the air route "If not, we'll put it off for another between Christchurch and McMurdo year." Station, and has provided before the ice Apparently Trooper McClean feels he breaks up an alternate landing field in has been let down by the New Zealand case Williams Field in McMurdo Sound authorities. "Scott and his men did it is closed. for the glory and for their country," Before the fire, Hallett Station had he said. "Now they won't let us try many exciting moments in its eight it. If the people of New Zealand could years' history. During its construction just get the idea that it's a great adven the U.S.S. Arneb was nipped and holed ture—that's what I want." **-;

December 1972 Scott Base Leader's Year of Memories and Problems By J. R. M. BARKER A leader at Scott Base who spends the winter there has much more to do in the Antarctic than endure the hours of darkness. And his year in the south is more like 18 months because he spends six months of planning and preparation in New Zealand. When he arrives at Scott Base the leader in the previous winter hands over; the new leader is involved immediately in all the comings and goings of the hectic summer season. Major J. R. M. Barker, leader at Scott Base for the 1971-72 season, had been there as deputy-leader in the previous summer. But in this article he reveals that a leader has entirely different problems to solve.

The flight down to McMurdo Station after spending several months in the and the sudden arrival at Scott Base field. Suddenly, the end of the summer seemed to pass in a flash and as I had season approached with last-minute been there before, it was as though I flurries to ensure that all essential items had only been away for a short while. of stores were at hand before the last The winter party soon "thawed out" and plane and ship departed. The last to it was good to see old friends from the leave were the stalwarts of the summer previous summer. Soon my own base support staff, and the busy season was staff began to arrive and the winter at an end. party left when they had handed over. I feel a strange mixture of deflation The first field parties and the group and anticipation. But there was much of men, who were to spend the summer to be done in preparation for the winter. at Vanda Station passed through the We set to work on outside preparations, base, spending a few days sorting stores with as many of the 11 men taking part and equipment, before being flown by as was possible. There were seals to be helicopter to their new home in the killed and stored for the dogs, the dog moon-like dry valleys. lines to be moved nearer the base, equip Then followed a hectic two months of ment and vehicles to be stored, fuel and arrivals, briefings, departures, endless routes to be flagged. radio contacts, flight co-ordination meet SLEDGE JOURNEYS ings, crises and problems solved. And all the time round me, the normal busy Before the sun went down, several life of the base, quietly co-ordinated by short sledge trips were undertaken to the cheerful, robust deputy-leader. locations on the ice shelf and these were Soon it was Christmas, by which time to supply many photographs and much a number of field parties had returned to material for discussion later in the New Zealand. Many others joined the winter. base staff for the period of relaxation, Gradually as the days shortened and during which field trips were arranged the temperatures dropped, life within for the summer base staff. the base settled to a pattern. The amount Meanwhile, essential work went on of administration and co-ordination and soon the tempo increased again as required became minimal. some of the major field parties returned I became the odd job man, doing those ■H^T?""-'**■"

December 1972

increased. Everyone became involved in preparation of sledge trips and the anticipation of seeing fresh scenery and living hard for a day or two. The flight of the aircraft from New Zealand at the end of the winter was delayed for six days, but this did not seem to matter for the joy of mail when it did arrive. MORE ACTIVITY The last month was a time of increased activity, visiting land-marks of interest, completing the season's work at the base and preparing for the arrival of the new team. Finally the day arrived when there were new faces in the base messroom and I realised that my season was at an end. I remember the happy times of the summer, with the base staff and field MAJOR BARKER parties combining well to get the work A Scott Base Portrait done and yarning over a can of beer by Maurice Conly when work was done. I remember the shock of hearing a familiar voice on the radio tell me that jobs which were not within the province the owner of the voice and his com of the other members at the base. A panion had just returned from unsuc multitude of tasks presented themselves cessfully chasing a windfilled parachute and I was able to set myself goals to with its vital load for six miles across achieve, thereby hopefully setting a the snowficld before it disappeared down standard to be followed by the others. a glacier. All the time I had to study my com I remember watching the progress of panions, to watch for changes which an enormous iceberg about the bay in might affect their attitudes towards each front of the base and the disappoint other, their work or the life of the base. ment when it finally disappeared. Darkness settled on the scene, but I remember the evenings in the seldom was it not possible to sec some winter spent working on my model in distance, particularly when the weather company with others in the sledge- was clear and the moon was up. I tried room; the parties in the mess, ice to ensure that everyone got outside parties, and visits to the historic huts. whenever possible, and gradually every It was a year filled with happy one became accustomed to moving memories and, above all, the memory around without concern. of the comradeship of my team. Midwinter, the great time-mark, came and went, and soon all were looking forward to the return of the sun. The list of outstanding work on the pro SUBSCRIPTIONS gramme became shorter and shorter, and soon came the time to start planning and Subscription rates have been preparing for spring trips. increased. Details of the new More and more daylight and mag rates arc on the inside back cover. nificent sunrises heralded the return of the sun, and with this the tempo December 1972 Drilling on Ross Island and in Floor of Southern Ocean An international team of 30 scientists from Japan, New Zealand, and the United States will drill a hole nearly a mile deep into the Antarctic bedrock on Ross Island this season to help trace the continent's climatic and geologic history. The drilling, which will be done during January and February next year, will mark man's first deep penetration of Antarctica. The international scientific effort, tion and the eastern Taylor Valley in known as the Dry Valley Drilling Pro 300 metres of water. An attempt will ject, is a major three-year drilling pro be made to retrieve 300 metres or more gramme with boreholes planned at a of marine sediment core from beneath minimum of 10 sites on Ross Island, the moving sea ice. Interbedded in McMurdo Sound, at sites along the marine, volcanic, and glacial sediments Antarctic coast, and inland in the dry will be cored continuously. valleys, the area free of ice and snow Three sites near the coast, Marble 60 miles west of McMurdo Station. Point, the New Harbour Shoreline, and In a parallel effort to the Dry Valley the Walcott Glacier, will be drilled to Drilling Project, the Deep Sea Drilling a depth of up to 300 metres, and should Project, a major ocean floor coring yield the oldest basement rocks in the project supported by the National McMurdo Sound region. Science Foundation, will drill in Ant Drill sites will be established on or arctic waters for the first time during near Lakes Vida, Vanda, Fryxell, and February. Oceanographers aboard the Bonney, and Don Juan Pond. The pur drilling ship Glomar Challenger will pose is to determine, as nearly as pos concentrate on drilling and sampling the sible, the lakes' chemical, biological, sea floor near that part of the Antarctic and geophysical regimen. Continent south of Australia and New ROSS SEA SITES Zealand. Drilling will be done this season, On Ross Island the 1500-metre deep and in the next two seasons. But the hole will be drilled, using a wire-lined, list is subject to revision both in timing diamond-bit rock coring rig, next to the and specific location of sites. earth science laboratory at McMurdo In the Glomar Challenger's pro Station. Seven Canadian and New Zea gramme drilling into the ocean floor lander drillers will conduct the drilling, will be done at sites in the Ross Sea and the international team of scientists area, within 100 to 150 miles of Mc will examine the rock cores, which will Murdo Station. The ship has equipment have a diameter of 2.5in. for drilling into the sea floor to a depth Dr P. N. Webb, of the New Zealand of at least 4000ft, and has a dynamic Geological Survey, will be the scientific positioning system which enables her to co-ordinator for the project, and Mr R. maintain station over the drilling site in B. Thomson, superintendent of the Ant oceanic depths. arctic Division, Department of Scientific On December 22 the Glomar Chal and Industrial Research, will be respon lenger sailed from Fremantle to begin sible for the logistic support of the drill the first of several cruises into the South ing operations. ern Ocean. About 14 holes, some of Later a hole will be drilled in Mc which will be drilled in the abnormally Murdo Sound between McMurdo Sta deep waters of the continental shelf, will December 1972

produce more knowledge of the Ant Oceanographic Institute, and Dr P. N. arctic Continent through the study of Webb, of the Geological Survey. sediments that will be recovered. Cores from the Glomar Challenger After Cruise 28 the Glomar Chal and from the Dry Valley Drilling Pro lenger will come to Lyttelton on Feb ject will be analysed to help scientists ruary 28 next year. Among the scien understand the record of Antarctica's tists aboard will be three New Zea 200 million-year evolution from a tem landers, Dr P. J. Barrett, of the depart perate zone member of the Southern ment of geology, Victoria University of Hemisphere super-continent Gondwana Wellington, Dr D. A. Burns, of the land to its present position.

:*5SSc&*s«x:

NO REPORTS FROM N.Z. DOCTOR ON SOLO ANTARCTIC YACHT VOYAGE More than two months ago Dr David Lewis, a 55-year-old New Zealander, sailed from Sydney on the first stage of his single-handed attempt to circumnavigate the Antarctic Continent in his 32ft steel sloop Ice Bird ("Antarctic," September, pp 240-41). He crossed the Tasman in 13 days, and sailed from Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island, on November 2, heading south-east towards the 60th parallel. Dr Lewis planned to send periodic to leave at the end of March, continu radio reports during his voyage by way ing round the 60th parallel, and reach of New Zealand, the Falkland Islands, ing Sydney by April or May. His and South Africa. But to date his 17,000-mile voyage will take seven signals to Sydney have been almost months altogether. indecipherable. There were fears for his By mid-November Dr Lewis expected safety on the Tasman crossing when he to encounter floating ice. He has failed to keep a radio schedule. He arranged with the Scott Polar Research explained later that he had been so Institute in Cambridge to supply him engrossed in his reading—one of his with ice reports by way of the Falkland books is Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of Islands when he reaches Drake Passage. the Roman Empire"—that the batteries If the reports are favourable he will of his transmitter ran down. sail south to the British base at the The latest report is that there may be Argentine Islands, 80 miles north of news from him by Christmas or the the Antarctic Circle. He has been New Year when the Ice Bird's westerly invited to stay at the base by Sir Vivian route along the 60th parallel should Fuchs, director of the British Antarctic have brought her midway between Cape Survey, and also hopes to visit another Horn and the northern tip of the British base on Stonington Island in Antarctic Peninsula. Margeurite Bay. Originally it was reported that Dr Before he continues his voyage Dr Lewis intended to sail only from Aus Lewis plans to visit Bellingshausen tralia to the Antarctic Peninsula. How Station, the Soviet base on King George ever, he plans to spend about three Island. Also he hopes to go ashore on months in the Antarctic Peninsula area the Antarctic Peninsula from the Argen and the South Shetlands. He expects tine Islands or Stonington Island. December 1972 Floating Laboratory in Waters of Antarctic By M. A. McWHINNIE For the last eight years the U.S.N.S. Eltanin, the first American ship devoted entirely to multi-disciplinary research in Antarctic waters, has been a frequent visitor to New Zealand. Since her first Antarctic cruise in July, 1962, she has sailed from many southern ports, including Welling ton, Auckland and Lyttelton. Women scientists have sailed aboard the Eltanin from the early cruises. In this article Dr M. A. McWhinnie, professor of biological sciences at De Paul University, Chicago, describes the ship, her equipment, life and work aboard, and the part she plays in Antarctic research.

Built in 1957 to serve in Arctic re 164deg 19min W at the south end of the supply, the Eltanin was converted to a Bay of Whales in the Ross Ice Shelf. "floating laboratory" for Antarctic Twice she has sailed to Winter Quarters research in 1962. She is equipped for Bay, Ross Island. on-board research as well as for long- The Eltanin was designed for research cruise sampling, and survey work. Her in a number of scientific areas—includ conversion provided six research labora ing marine geology, physical hydro tories, a photographic darkroom, a com graphy, seismology, chemical and phy puterised data processing centre, scien sical oceanography, upper atmospheric tists' office, machine and carpenter shop, phenomena, meteorology, and marine and an electronics shop. biology. The latter has included popula Satellite navigation equipment, in tion densities and distribution of marine stalled in 1965, enables precise deter flora and fauna, primary (phytoplank- mination of at-sca locations. The ship ton) productivity, zooplankton meta accommodates 28 scientists, 10 technical bolism, microbiology, biochemistry of supporting staff, and a crew of 48 men. lipids in the food chain, organic com After two shakedown cruises in the pounds of sea water, and energy transfer North Atlantic, the Eltanin left New through that marine ecosystem. York in May, 1962, for Cruise 3 and arrived 36 days later at her first southern EXCITING LIFE port, Valparaiso, Chile, on June 27. She Life on the Eltanin was busy and has now completed Cruise 54 between exciting. The early cruises were for the Fremantle and Melbourne, Australia. most part multi-disciplinary, and geolo Each cruise is usually 60 days long, gists worked alongside biologists, phy but one cruise to the Weddell Sea lasted sicists, and chemists. At a typical 80 days, and another in the eastern oceanographic station, a geologist took Pacific was only 24 days long. a deep-sea core, then biologists set a Cruise 51 this year began and ended tow trawl to collect benthic or pelagic at Lyttelton. Future efforts will concen organisms. Each specialist group col trate on the as yet little-studied Indian lected its own samples. This mix of Ocean sector of these rich south cir- scientists, each interested in a different cumpolar waters. aspect of marine science, increased our On Cruise 51 the Eltanin's deepest understanding of the entire marine penetration was to 78deg 29min S— environment. December 1972

With increased understanding of this landers from the University of Canter water mass, each discipline felt the bury and the Dominion Museum. On need to intensify and extend its studies. occasions Russian exchange scientists This resulted in some cases in an also have participated. increase in the amount of experimenta From the early cruises, women scien tion, the extent of biochemical analysis, tists have been a part of the Eltanin's and the need to confirm the data staff, and on several cruises they have obtained at a given location. worked in laboratories, managing and In some studies, such as marine sorting samples on the deck and, in data biology, the time required at each station acquisition and processing. Perhaps their increased greatly. Alternately, physical presence makes the cruises a little like oceanographers required extensive study home. of a region by taking numerous deep- EXCELLENT FOOD sea cores, spending longer periods in ship travel to extend seismic profiling, Because the ship is at sea for about and sampling water for hydrographic 10 months of each year, recreational data. diversions are important. So too is To improve ship use, it was decided excellent food—four meals a day. At to stage a series of specialised cruises. Christmas, or perhaps Easter or Mid On Cruise 38, studies of the marine winter Day, this hard-working group biota alone were conducted on the first has a brief respite when a party is completely biological cruise: all aspects arranged. Sometimes crossing the An of the marine biosphere, both upper- tarctic Circle serves as the cause for a watcr-column and bottom-dwelling brief social event: there are always new organisms, were studied. scientists aboard for whom this marks In further refinement, the second all- a momentous occasion. Movies are biology cruise (Cruise 46) confined its shown daily. efforts to the upper water column; all For some, the greatest thrill is to eleven studies were correlated to investi speak to home by ham radio. On most gate the pelagic system. The flow of cruises someone in the scientific group energy through the euphotic zone of is a licensed operator who generously the Antarctic ecosystem was the central gives his time to establish telephone principle and Cruise 51 continued this patches so each can contact his friends concept. and family. SPECIAL CRUISES But through these lighter moments, the Eltanin's work continues. After 10 Animals in the benthic realm will be years of intensive work, much remains studied on additional single-purpose to be done. With many United States cruises. Geology, physical hydrography, scientists, vigorous graduate students, seismology, current, and other physical and visiting scientists of other nations, programmes also can be studied on we will come to understand this exciting, specialised cruises. This approach inviting, and complex part of the globe, permits comprehensive investigation of through the indomitable spirit of the each of the natural sciences. Eltanin as she works in the south cir- Most cruises feature some inter cumpolar waters around Antarctica. national co-operation. Two weather observers are consistently members of the scientific group: initially they were Acknowledgements: The author would from the United States National Weather like to acknowledge the generous assis Service, but recently Australians have tance of Dr George A. Llano and Mr been working in this specialty. Data are sent to Melbourne and ultimately Guy Guthridge of the Office of Polar through the world weather system. Other Programmes of the United States Australians have engaged in some of the National Science Foundation for their scientific studies, as have New Zea critical reading of this manuscript. December 1972 B.A.S. ACTIVITIES NEW HALLEY BAY BASE MAIN TASK IN 1972-73 A major project in the British Antarctic Survey programme for the 1972-73 season will be the construction of a new base at Halley Bay. The base, first established in 1956, was completely rebuilt in 1967; in the last two years there has been severe crushing by ice, and the buildings are now under 30ft of snow. The size of the new base has been reduced to accommodate a maxi mum of 18 men—a team sufficient to keep Halley Bay operational as a full geophysical observatory. Field work will be reduced to a small amount of glaciology as work on the accessible rock areas has been completed. About 50 men, including 12 Royal Marines from the Falkland Islands, will be available for building the base. This season there will be a winter the ceilings. In addition, there has been party of 100 at the seven B.A.S. bases: failure of a number of roof sections. eight at Adelaide Island, 11 at the Argen These buildings are now under 30ft of tine Islands, 21 at Halley Bay, 16 at snow. Signy Island (South Orkneys), 23 at It seems that the only solution is to South Georgia, 17 at Stonington Island, build monolithically, and eventually it and four at Fossil Bluff, the advance was decided that this could be achieved base on the cast coast of Alexander most speedily and cheaply by erecting a Island. Field huts will also be occupied flattened circle of culverting, 19ft in intermittently. diameter, in which normal buildings Heavy snow accumulation and move could be constructed. ment of the ice shelf in the Halley Bay area have always presented major prob HEAT PROBLEM lems. Since the base was first set up in To avoid the old problems of heat January, 1956, a number of different passing through the walls and melt water building methods have been tried, but consequently running down beneath the all have eventually proved unsuccessful. buildings and undermining the founda In 1967, when the base was last com tions, cold air will be drawn through pletely rebuilt, each of the seven 72ft- the space between the tubes and the long buildings was designed as a series buildings. The ends of the large tubes of very strong "circles" linked by will be completely drift proof, and the weaker sections, so that it could settle access shafts will be tied into the main differentially without causing structural structures. Individual buildings will be failure. linked by small tubes which will be free Although this proved successful for a standing. few years, in the last two years up- The Royal Research Ship John Biscoe thrusting of the floor of the trench in sailed from Southampton on October 3 which the base is built has caused severe with 17 men who will be wintering and crushing. The ice has flowed around the seven who are going south for the main beams, pushing up the floors which summer only. The ship is scheduled to have, in turn, forced partitions through relieve the bases at South Georgia and December 1972 the South Orkney Islands (Signy Island), Normally the Weddell Sea is not open and then support scientific parties in the to shipping until the end of January, so two areas, transporting them to and the Bransfield will first take men and from various points inaccessible by land. cargo to Signy Island, and proceed to A considerable time will also be spent the northern part of the peninsula to in the vicinity of the South Orkneys relieve the Argentine Islands base before continuing the marine biological survey. returning to Montevideo to take on more Summer visitors being transported cargo and summer visitors. include a biologist, Dr Takao Hoshiai, Visitors joining the Bransfield at from the National Science Museum, Montevideo this year include the survey's Tokyo, who will be working at Signy, director, Sir Vivian Fuchs, and the senior and Mr Duncan Carse who will be film logistics officer, Mr Derek Gipps. After ing in South Georgia. Mr Carse was supervising the rebuilding operations at leader of the South Georgia survey Halley Bay, they will fly 1000 miles west which spent three summers (1951-52, ward to join the Biscoe at Adelaide 1953-54 and 1955-56) carrying out topo Island. It will be the first time that a graphical and geological surveys, as a flight over this route has been under result of which a 1/200,000 map of the taken. island and two geological reports were Another summer visitor travelling to published. Halley Bay will be a South African observer, Mr J. G. Nel, who was leader LAUNCH SLIPWAY of the 12th South African National Ant In the Biscoe's cargo for Signy are 100 arctic Expedition (1971). tons of pre-mixed concrete, and another During her first two Antarctic seasons 200 tons are being carried by the R.R.S. the Bransfield suffered from severe Bransfield. This is for constructing a vibration. After much research, chiefly slipway ready for a new 25ft launch at the National Physical Laboratory, it which is also being taken south in the was found that this was due to cavita Bransfield. tion, and it was decided that a half tunnel Ice conditions in this northern area should be constructed over the propeller are at least one month behind those en to improve the water flow. This has countered last year and are likely to been made strong enough to avoid ice delay these programmes. In mid-Novem damage and has successfully reduced the ber fast ice still extended to a distance vibration to an acceptable level. of four miles from Signy. The southern part of the west coast FIELD OPERATIONS of the Antarctic Peninsula is generally Stonington Island field work started not accessible before January, so the again in mid-August, when supplies were Biscoe will not attempt to relieve the ferried up to the plateau. Some of these two Marguerite Bay bases—Adelaide are for a local depot and some for ferry Island and Stonington Island—until ing on to Fossil Bluff and the glacio then. In mid-January she will be joined logical field hut (Spartan Cwm) 20 miles by H.M.S. Endurance, and the two to the north. Glaciological work was ships will together carry out hydro- resumed at the beginning of September, graphic survey in the area for several by two of the four men who had weeks. wintered at the Bluff. R.R.S. Bransfield sailed for the Ant Later in September, parties were again arctic on November 1 and in the next active in the area immediately south of seven months will visit all the six main Marguerite Bay. south of the Eland bases. The bulk of her cargo consists of Mountains on the eastern side of the the materials for the new Halley Bay peninsula at 71 deg 45min S. and in the base and she is carrying a summer build George VI Sound area. Work in the ing team as well as 43 wintering staff. sound includes gravity and magnetic The ship is likely to be at Halley Bay surveys along both the east and west for one month. coasts. December 1972

o ■ &&, -**

A British Anfcrct.c Survey Tw.n-OUcr aircraft supplying a field party near George VI Sound. Two of these aircraft are used for support work in the Antarctic Peninsula area. They are flown back to Canada at the end of each season for overhaul. B.A.S. Photo—T. Christie

At South Georgia, glaciologists con a party set off to carry out the annual tinued work on two glaciers. The reconnaissance of a route across the Hodges Glacier programme was seriously hinge zone—the heavily crevassed junc interrupted by an avalanche in July but tion between the ice shelf and inland ice. is now running smoothly again. Winter A tractor which fell into a crevasse in field work on reindeer on the Barff November, 1969, was successfully sal Peninsula was completed, and prepara vaged and found to be in perfect condi tions were then made for summer bio tion after three years. logical work on Bird Island. This is mainly concerned with fur seals and a ARGENTINE AID marked population of albatrosses. With the help of the Instituto Ant A slight earth tremor was felt and artico Argentino and the Argentine Air recorded at the base on King Edward Force, a Stonington Island geologist, Mr Point on September 5; it appeared to be John Hudson, who became ill suddenly of local origin. The geophysics pro with severe abdominal pains, while gramme has been maintained despite the sledging south of the Eternity Range, fact that one of the three physicists 200 miles from base, was flown to broke his leg while ski-ing in May and Buenos Aires for an emergency opera was out of action for some weeks. tion. After a second operation he is At Halley Bay, a local magnetic on his way to recovery. survey and a programme of VLF re When Mr Hudson became ill at the cordings were completed by the end of beginning of October, steps were taken August. Depots were established during immediately to fly him out. One of the August in preparation for summer two B.A.S. Twin-Otter aircraft which glaciological journeys. In mid-September were preparing to leave Canada was December 1972 dispatched but was not expected to Island where the Argentine aircraft also reach the area for 10 days. arrived. It was then decided that the In the meantime, the B.A.S. doctor at B.A.S. aircraft should continue the Adelaide Island reported that the rescue operations, and it flew on to patient's condition was deteriorating Adelaide Island. The next day it was rapidly. B.A.S. therefore appealed to able to pick up the sick man, and the Capitan Mackinlay, of the Instituto Ant day after, accompanied by the B.A.S. artico Argentino for help. The response doctor, flew him north to Rio Gallegos was generous and immediate. in Argentina by way of Punta Arenas. An Argentine Twin-Otter was flown From there the Argentine Air Force to Vicecomodoro Marambio, calling at again took over and flew him to Buenos Tcnicnte Maticnzo to take a doctor on Aires. board. In spite of persistent bad weather, Having flown the sick man to Rio an attempt to fly south was made on Gallegos, the B.A.S. Twin-Otter flew October 10, but the aircraft was forced back to Adelaide Island. It has since to return to Maticnzo. been joined by the second aircraft from Two days later the weather improved Canada. They are now engaged in sup slightly on the west coast of the penin plying the advance base, Fossil Bluff, in sula and the B.A.S. aircraft, which had George VI Sound and supporting field been held up at Punta Arenas, succeeded parties working in a number of areas in reaching Palmer Station on Anvers south of Marguerite Bay.

New Australian Officers A retired Royal Australian Air Force senior scientific officer with the Vic group captain, and a former Queensland torian Country Roads Board since 1967, farmer who flew a light aircraft from and has a physics degree from the Uni Sydney to London in 1968, are two of versity of Melbourne. He is in charge the officers appointed to take charge of of the board's foundations investigations Australian Antarctic and sub-Antarctic laboratory. stations next year. They are Mr B. F. Mr Naylor, aged 40, managed his own N. Rachinger, who led the relief party cattle and sheep property in north-west to Macquarie Island last month, and Mr Queensland until 1969. He has had J. L. Naylor, who will take charge at extensive experience in geological and Mawson this month. geochemical surveys, and recently Messrs Rachinger and Naylor come returned from the United States where from New South Wales. Two men from he conducted geological surveys. Victoria, Messrs S. B. Bromham and G. Mr Rachinger, who is 51, was a E. Mclnnes, will go to Davis and Casey fighter pilot with the R.A.A.F., and respectively. Mr Bromham left Mel retired after 30 years' service, including bourne on December 7 in the Nella Dan a command in Thailand. He commanded to relieve Davis; Mr Mclnnes will sail the base squadron at Laverton, Victoria, in the Thala Dan on January 5 for before his retirement. Casey. Two Queen's Scouts, selected from Mr Mclnnes, a 45-year-old school nominations by the Scout Association of teacher, has a degree in geology from Australia, sailed on the relief voyage to the University of Sydney, and was leader Macquarie Island last month, and of the Casey party in 1970. In 1958 he assisted in the installation of the 1973 took part in the Sydney-Hobart yacht party. They were Mark Challen (17), race. of Mildura, Victoria, and Michael Fen- Mr Bromham, who is 33, has been a ton (19), of Sandy Bay, Tasmania. December 1972 JARE 14 PLANS 80-day inland traverse from Syowa in 1973-74 An 80-day inland glaciological traverse from Syowa Station towards the Yamate Mountains in the 1973-74 season, the launching of seven upper atmosphere sounding rockets next winter, and the temporary occupation of Mizuho, the small inland camp 185 miles south-east of Syowa, are among the planned activities of the 14th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE 14) for 1972-74. Forty men of the expedition left Tokyo towards the end of last month aboard the icebreaker Fuji, which is commanded by Captain Fuyuki Maeda. Leader of the expedition, and of the expected to participate in the pro- 1972-73 summer party, is Dr Kou Kusu- gramme. for?0kikWrf,i|S the fifth JetUmi^time. His t0 experience thC- Antarc.^ with The month) Fuji andcalled will at be Fremantle in tf early this SffS81956-57 ^taxrACt^ with JARE rfSCa,TCh 1. He was began.in acting Syowa and about about 500 New tons Yea, of

of«f JARE uw in"- 10 9io;«7^W,nteI" in 1968-70, and ^nsported two Sikorsky to thehelicopters, station wi „ 1 United States and New Zealand ditions are favourable the stations in February, 1968. Dr Kusunokiceed ceed to to Syowa Syowa and and i will be on board the Fuji with 19 men materials.materials. of the summer party for the whole of her cruise. RETURN RETURN OF OF FUJI FUJI An upper atmosphere physicist at the Until the end of February the two University of Tokyo, Dr Takee Hira- expeditions will carry out the change sawa, will lead the 30 men who will over. The formal change-over of the winter at Syowa Station in 1973-74. He 13th and 14th expeditions is set for wintered at Syowa with JARE 8 in 1967- February 20. Thirty men of the JARE 68, and joined the JARE 11 summer 13 winter party led by Mr Sadao Kawa party in 1969-70 to take charge of the guchi will embark on the Fuji for Cape sounding rocket programme. He will Town. There they will leave by air for supervise next year's winter rocket pro Japan. The Fuji will be at Cape Town gramme. from March 9 to 15, and then call at A South African meteorologist, Dr W. Singapore between April 4 and 9. She is Hofmeyer, deputy director of the due back at Tokyo on April 20. Weather Bureau, will join the summer Most of the JARE 14 scientific activity party aboard the Fuji between Fre will be a continuation of last year's mantle and Cape Town. Two Japanese programmes. Field surveys in various scientists, Assistant Professor Yoshic scientific disciplines will be carried out Yoshida, a geomorphologist from Hiro near Syowa, and during the summer a shima University, and Mr Shyu Nakaya, new weather observation hut about 240 a geochemist from Hokkaido University, square yards in area will be erected. will work in the dry valley area of the Work aboard the Fuji will include Ross Dependency with New Zealand physical, chemical, and biological assistance, and two or three others are oceanographic observations, and upper December 1972 atmosphere physics (radio wave propa Kozuma and Tadayoshi Nakamura, and gation). Marine meteorological observa Hiroshi Jyobashi (meteorology); Ichizo tions will be made by the ship's weather Nishimuta (ionosphere); Masayoshi office. Takahashi and Yoshiaki Abe (geo During the summer several groups will physics); Shun'ichi Kobayashi (meteor be dispatched from Syowa to exposed ology); Masaru Ayukawa, Hisashi rock areas and glacier areas to make Yabuuma, Masayuki Kuwajima (upper studies in glaciology, geology, geomor- atmosphere physics); Junichi Hira- phology, biology, and limnology. Ground bayashi (geochemistry); Kunie Omoto control surveys for map making will also (geomorphology); Renji Naruse, Kotaro be conducted. Yokoyama (glaciology); Seikichi Tsuboi Observations at Syowa will cover (human physiology); Dr Hitoshi Hirane meteorology, upper atmosphere physics, (surgeon); Messrs Kumio Shimano, cosmic rays, ionosonde, seismology, geo Shigeo Ashima, and Masaki Kajikawa magnetism, ocean tides, geochemistry, (rocket engineers); Sadao Takeuchi, glaciology, and human physiology. The Iwao Ishii, Shigeo Shiga, and Yashinori sounding rockets will be launched into Murayama (mechanics); Sumio Matsuda, the aurora during the winter darkness in Hideshi Nishikage (radio operators); 1973. Nobutaru Iyama and Nobutaka Nemoto Mizuho Camp, established in 1970, (cooks); Yasuo Takahashi and Kazu- will be occupied temporarily during the yuki Shiraishi (logistics assistants). winter. The team there will conduct research in glaciology, meteorology, geo magnetism and medical science. About eight or nine men will take part in the inland glaciological traverse between November next year and Jan INTERNATIONAL uary, 1974. They will work mainly on a rcsurvey of strain grids and strain PARK triangle nets installed in the summer of 1969-70 by JARE 10. This will con An international conference on tribute to the study of the ice budget national parks has adopted a proposal and the ice sheet in the area from Syowa that Antarctica should became the (69deg S) to 72deg S and the Yamato world's first international park. The Mountains. proposal was put forward by Mr Nicho Mr Renji Naruse will lead the traverse las Clinch, a past president of the party. He was a glaciologist with JARE American Alpine Club, and leader of 10, and a member of the 1969-70 traverse the club expedition which climbed party. Antarctica's two highest mountains, the Members of the 14th expedition are: Vinson Massif and Mount Tyree, in 1966. SUMMER PARTY (1972-73) Dr Kou Kusunoki, leader (glaciology, Mr Clinch told the conference that if Antarctica was established as a world park it would not be exactly overrun by tourists. He admitted that the Antarctic Iwanaga (chemical oceanography); Treaty nations were r1-' ",....;„„ very close to the worlu t/c.n. ~v,.. Dr Masaru Akiyama (biology); Messrs Representatives of 90 countries

fumi Maruyama (logistics assistant). It was sponsored by the United States National Parks Service, the Inter WINTER PARTY (1972-74) national Union for the Conservation of Dr Takeo Hirasawa, deputy leader Nature, and the United States National (leader of winter party); Messrs Tsukasa Parks Centennial Commission. December 1972 French Forced to Terminate Wilkes Land Traverse Continued mechanical trouble, difficult terrain, bad weather, and low temperatures, have forced the French scientific traverse party to terminate at the 400-kilometre mark the last stage of its 2000-kilometre two-year journey across Wilkes Land to the Soviet Vostok Station. Because of similar difficulties last season the party could not push beyond the 800-kilometre mark although plans were based on covering 1000 kilometres. A signal was received on December 16 Bad weather at Carrefour delayed pre at McMurdo Station from Dumont paration of the traverse vehicles and d'Urville stating that the traverse had sledges left there last season. The ten been terminated at the 400-kilometre men of the party led by Marcel Renard mark because of trouble with the were unable to start the traverse until vehicles and very rough terrain. The November 11. party was "limping back" to its starting The party reached the 200-kilometre point, Carrefour, the small advance base mark on November 19. It was delayed 25 miles inland from Dumont d'Urville. by hard sastrugi four to five feet high Spare parts for the vehicles were flown and other surface difficulties. from Paris to Christchurch, and then On November 21 a United States taken to McMurdo Station by a United Navy Hercules of VXE6 Squadron drop States Navy Hercules. They were in ped supplies, mainly fuel, to the party cluded in an air drop made to the party by parachute. The journey was re on December 29. sumed from the 200-kilometre mark on The Wilkes Land traverse, which is November 27 after bad weather and the main scientific project in the French temperatures down to minus 43deg Centigrade. After proceeding only 10 wrammc this season, is part of the kilometres the party had to halt for International Antarctic Glaciological repairs to a broken track on one of the Project in which the participants are vehicles. France, the United States, the Soviet Union, and Australia. The first French BAD SURFACE objective was to link Dumont d'Urville By December 2 the party was 310 in Adelie Land with Vostok. kilometres from Carrefour. It was still This season 16 men of Expeditions moving on a bad surface, and reported Polaires Francaises, led by the director, more mechanical troubles. Paul-Emile Victor, left Paris on October Last season a United States Navy 23. They flew from Christchurch to Hercules made a landing on the ice-cap McMurdo Station in a United States to deliver fuel, fresh food, and mail, Military Airlift Command Starlifter on when the party had covered about 240 October 31. kilometres. It crashed on December 4 On November 2 the party was flown while making a jet-assisted take-off. from McMurdo Station to Carrefour, This season the party reported that the small advance base 25 miles inland the abandoned aircraft was still visible from the main Dumont d'Urville base but half-buried under snow. The interior by a United States Navy Hercules. The was in good order and condition. same day Paul-Emile Victor and five The French research programme this men travelled in weasels from Carrefour season was to be a continuation of the to Dumont d'Urville. work done in 1971-72, mainly from the December 1972

800-kilometre mark to Vostok and in the vicinity of a newly-discovered Argentine Tourist under-ice dome at the 1200-kilometre mark. Cruises The Expeditions Polaires Francaises relief ship Thala Dan sailed at the be Tourist cruises to the Antarctic were ginning of the month from Hobart for pioneered by Argentina several years Terre Adelie. Ice conditions in the ago. This season the Argentine Terre Adelie sector are rather unfavour National Bureau of Tourism has able. A satellite report before the ship arranged two tours to the Antarctic sailed revealed a belt of fast ice about Peninsula in the Argentine Maritime 100 kilometres wide, and very compact Lines ship Libertad. The tourists will pack ice some 250 kilometres to the north. also call at Ushuaia, the most southerly city in the world, on the island of Tierra del Fuego, and Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, which are known to Argentina as the Islas Malviros. COUSTEAU NOW IN Captain Ismael R. Martinez will com ANTARCTIC mand the Libertad, which can carry 182 Underwater explorer Commander people, including the crew. On the first cruise from January 7 to January Jacques Cousteau and his crew are now in the Antarctic. They have taken the 20 the tourists will sail from Buenos oceanographic ship Calypso to the Aires first to Port Stanley. Then the waters of the Antarctic Peninsula, and Libertad will cruise among the islands will remain there for more than a off the Antarctic Peninsula. The itin year. erary includes calls at the scientific Paul-Emile Victor, director of Expedi station Almirante Brown in Paradise tions Polaires Francaises, is a close Bay, and the Melchior Islands where friend of Cousteau. When he passed there is an Argentine naval detachment. through Christchurch on his way south to Dumont d'Urville, he said that Cous- The ship will then proceed to Ushuaia, teau's enthusiasm after taking the and after some time ashore the tourists Calypso into the Bering Sea had will return to Buenos Aires in an Aero- prompted him to go to the Antarctic lincas Argentinas Boeing. and work in what he considers to be The second cruise from January 20 "the least polluted ocean in the world." to February 2 will be similar except When the Calypso sailed from Monte that the sea and air journeys will be Carlo in September she carried a heli reversed. Tourists will fly first to copter for short trips, aerial photo Ushuaia where they will board the graphy, and spotting whales, seals, and Libertad for the Antarctic Peninsula penguins. Other equipment includes a diving saucer, underwater cameras, tele part of the cruise. Then the Libertad vision equipment, and a new type of will proceed to Port Stanley, and finally special diving equipment for ice-cold Buenos Aires. water. Fares for the cruises range from This time Cousteau and his crew plan $230 to $880 dollars a person, accord to study the effects of abusive hunting ing to the type of cabin aboard the of whales, and the chemical intoxica Libertad, and whether it is inside or tions to which the most vulnerable outside. In addition to the attractions warm-blooded animals are subject (blue of ice, snow, mountains, penguins, and whales, rorquals, humpback whales, seabirds, the tourists will have ship right whales, grampuses, seals, penguins, board entertainment and scientific lec and albatrosses. tures. December 1972

SANAE 14 Large winter team at Borga Base this Year South Africa's 14th Antarctic expedition will sail in the research ship RSA for Sanae Base in western Queen Maud Land from Cape Town on January 6, and is expected to arrive no later than January 20. This season SANAE 14 will have its largest winter team at Borga Base 235 miles south in the Borga Massif. Six men will leave for the base as soon as possible after the arrival of the RSA. The 1972-73 team of 22, which will It also enlarged the existing store and be led by Mr S. A. Rees, will include added a small emergency base to it. the SANAE 13 surveyor, Mr R. Sevcik, Five South African biologists will who will stay on for a second term. leave Cape Town this month for Marion Team training in Pretoria was com Island aboard the French supply ship pleted on December 14. It included Gallieni, which is en route to the French first-aid, fire-fighting, survival techniques, Antarctic and sub-Antarctic stations. and lectures on the Antarctic. Every The party will be led by Mr J. U. Grob- man had to learn to cook because there belaar, of the University of the Orange is no full-time chef at Sanae Base. Free State. Two geologists, a surveyor, two Some of the biologists will stay on the mechanics, and a technician will man island for four months until the annual Borga Base. The technician will be relief voyage by the RSA in April. responsible for radio echo sounding; Others will remain for another year to and communications with Sanae Base. make full use of the new biological laboratory which was erected earlier TWO NEW VEHICLES this year. Two new tracked vehicles will be sent Professor E. M. van Zinderen Bakker, south in the RSA next month. One has programme director of the South African hydrostatic transmission, and the other Antarctic biological programme, will automatic transmission, making use of a accompany the RSA in April. This will six-cylinder Deutz diesel engine. One be his first visit to the island since the vehicle is of South African design. The highly successful biological and geo Antarctic Division of the Department of logical reconnaissance during 1965-66. Transport hopes to submit a report on He was responsible for the expedition's the performance of these vehicles for report, "Marion and Prince Edward publication in a later issue of "An Islands," and hopes to go to the seldom- tarctic." visited nearby Prince Edward Island. The seven men of the meteorological Mr J. G. Nel, who was leader of team on Gough Island were relieved by SANAE 12 when the new Borga Base the RSA in October. On its normal was erected, will accompany the British relief voyage the ship called at Tristan Antarctic Survey team to Halley Bay da Cunha on behalf of the British Gov where a new base is to be built. Mr ernment and landed supplies ordered by Nel, who is attached to the Antarctic the islanders. Section of the Department of Trans A team from the Department of Public port, will leave early next year. He Works did the necessary maintenance to expects to study any new ideas in base the various buildings on Gough Island.., construction. December 1972

SUB-ANTARCTIC MACQUARIE ISLAND FLORA ENDANGERED BY RABBITS Rabbits introduced by the sealers many years ago are now endanger ing the flora on Macquarie Island in the sub-Antarctic. When the Aus tralian National Antarctic Research Expeditions' 25th season of Antarctic operations began last month one of the passengers on the Nella Dan which took the relief party from Melbourne was an officer from the Tasmaman Department of Agriculture. He will spend two months on the island to continue the long-term rabbit control project. The leader of the annual relief opera- nominated by the Tasmanian State Gov- tion was Mr G. McKinnon, geographic ernment—a gco ogist and two geo- officer, Antarctic Division, Ministry of graphers from the University of Tas- Supply. Mr J. Steel, of Melbourne, led mania, two geophysicists from the Uni- the 1973 party of 17, who will carry out versity of New South Wales and two research in geophysics, upper atmos- botanists from Melbourne University, phere physics, biology and medical Three days before the relief expedi- scicncc, and collect meteorological data. tion sailed from Melbourne a member of Other passengers aboard the Nella the winter party, who had spent about a Dan, commanded by Captain F. Larsen, year on the island, died suddenly. He an experienced Arctic and Antarctic sea was a 33-year-old radio operator, Mr captain, were Mr W. B. Caldwell, K. Andrews, of North Balwyn, Victoria, director of the Tasmanian Lands De- Mr Andrews reported sick to the partment, Mr P. Murrell, director of medical officer on the evening of Noy- the Tasmanian National Parks and ember 11, became unconscious shortly Wildlife Service, Mr M. G. Duncombe, afterwards, and died within the hour, secretary of the Macquarie Island advisory committee, and two Scouts, selected on on a a national national basis. basis. at>T7TAK"I7»« rADl?TAin7D« AT Cargo was unloaded at the station by CiVKH. 1 Aivn-iva AX a nine-man Army detachment led by CAPE ROYDS Captain G. Leadsman, of Sydney. They used three amphibious vehicles. Two members of the New Zealand The Nella Dan returned to Melbourne Antarctic Society returned this month on November 30 with the 16 men of the after two weeks as caretakers at Cape 1972 party who have spent a year on the Royds. It is the fourth successive season island, including Dr R. Watcrhouse who that the society has sent caretakers to had spent a year at Davis before accept- the Antarctic under the auspices of the ing his post. Antarctic Division, Department of Eight Gcntoo penguins, which abound Scientific and Industrial Research, on Macquarie Island, were brought back This year both the caretakers were by the Nella Dan. They will go to the named Wilson. Mr P. L. Wilson is a Melbourne Zoological Gardens. 68-year-old dental technician from Wei- Many short-term projects will be lington, who has been a track and cross carried out by the expedition. Members country runner for 50 years. Mr V. J. of the Antarctic Division will continue Wilson, who is 60, is a retired clinical biological studies during the change- psychologist, and has been an amateur over. Taking part were seven scientists radio operator for many years. December 1972

SOVIET NEWS New Station on Hobbs Coast Major Project This Season Establishment of a new station—Russkaya—at Cape Burks, on the Hobbs Coast of Marie Byrd Land, will be one of the major projects of the 18th Soviet Antarctic Expedition this season. Russkaya. the sixth coastal station established by the U.S.S.R.. will operate all the year round. It has been named in honour of the Russian seamen who sailed with Bellingshausen and Lazarev in the Mirny and Vostok. More than 700 scientists, seamen, air Soviet scientists will be able to learn men, builders, and other specialists will more about the nature of West Ant take part in the programme of explora arctica, and compare the data they tion and research planned by the Arctic obtain with information from opposite and Antarctic Institute, Leningrad. The points of the continent. expedition is headed by Mr P. Scnko, a Joint research will be conducted by well-known polar explorer, who has Australian, British, Soviet, American, taken part in five Antarctic expeditions. and French scientists in the International The first group of scientists sailed for Antarctic Glaciological Project. A Soviet the Antarctic in the Professor Zubov at traverse with tracked vehicles and the beginning of last month. sledges will be made from the coast in This season Soviet scientists will con the direction of the South Magnetic tinue the investigations carried out by Pole. During the traverse glaciological, their predecessors on the coast and in magnetic, and other observations will be the central regions of the Antarctic, and made, and the ice-cap will be studied in the waters of the Southern Ocean. by drilling, radar, and seismic probing. They will perform a wide range of Modern scientific instruments, air meteorological, geophysical, glacio craft, helicopters, and powerful cater logical, and other investigations, and pillar tracked vehicles, have been pro also launch rockets to probe the upper vided for this season's expedition. A atmosphere. Minsk-32 electronic computer will be Geologists, geodesists, geophysicists, delivered to Molodezhnaya, the meteoro and other specialists, will resume their logical centre on the coast of Enderby exploration of the mountains inland Land. This will enable scientific data to from the MacRobertson Coast near the be processed on the spot. Aircraft will gigantic Amcry Ice Shelf. The complex be operated under the control of an research programme, which includes experienced Arctic and Antarctic pilot, deep seismic probing of the Antarctic Mr P. Moskalenko. ice-cap, will be headed by Mr D. Soviet scientists will co-operate with Solovyov. He has taken part in nine other expeditions and exchange scien Antarctic expeditions, and is the author tific information with them. A United of several works on the geology of the States exchange scientist, Dr Edward continent. Grew, will spend the winter at Another experienced polar explorer, Molodezhnaya. He is a geologist from Mr V. Piguzov, will head the construc the University of Wisconsin, and will tion team at Russkaya. Man has never set study ancient rocks that have under foot in the desolate, almost inaccessible, gone extreme heat, pressure, and chemi and poorly studied Hobbs Coast region. cal changes, in the general area of the When the new station is established, station. December 1972 ANTARCTIC WEEK CELEBRATED Antarctica is less than 2500 miles away from Christchurch in the minds of its citizens. They have memories of the departure of Scott and Shackleton from the port of Lyttelton, and have had a close association with the United States Navy's Antarctic support force since 1955. In past years the city has cele there were long queues all afternoon brated Antarctic Week at the beginning waiting to inspect Military Airlift Com of the Antarctic summer season. Ant mand Starlifters and VXE6 Squadron arctic Week was observed again in Octo Hercules aircraft. ber this year after a break of five years. Antarctic relics, photographs, and It was organised jointly by the support literature were displayed by the Can force, the Antarctic Division, Depart terbury branch of the New Zealand ment of Scientific and Industrial Re Antarctic Society, and tents, ration search, the United States National Science Foundation, and the Canter packs, clothing, a scale model of Scott bury branch of the New Zealand Ant Base, and a variety of equipment were arctic Society. included in displays by the Antarctic In a formal proclamation of the week Division and the National Science on October 16 the Mayor of Christ Foundation. church (Mr N. G. Pickering) referred For the children the most popular to the city's historic link with expedi attraction was snocat Able, one of the tions of the past, and the co-operation vehicles used by Sir Vivian Fuchs and between Americans and New Zea his party on their crossing of Antarctica landers. working in the Antarctic. in 1957-58. The snocat, left at Scott Special Antarctic displays were fea Base and used there for 13 years, is in tured in city stores to mark the week, storage until it can be displayed in the an essay competition, the subject being Canterbury Museum. It rumbled to new the Antarctic Treaty, was held for life over grass instead of ice, carrying schools, and the band of the United hundreds of children. In addition Ant States Navy's Pacific Fleet made a arctic Division drivers towed hundreds special visit to play at various func more on sledges behind motor tobog tions. gans. The premiere of a German-made film "Antarctic—Continent for Science," and music by the Pacific Fleet band were features of a civic evening during the NEW PRESIDENT OF week. Representatives of the Antarctic Division, the support force, and the SOCIETY National Science Foundation, all The new president of the New Zea emphasised in their speeches the im land Antarctic Society is Mr J. A. Cross, portance of international co-operation in of Christchurch. He has been trea the pursuit of scientific knowledge on surer of the Canterbury branch for sev the Antarctic Continent, and the signi eral years. Mr G. W. Markham, of Wel ficance of the Antarctic Treaty as a lington, a former superintendent of the model for peaceful international co Antarctic Division, D.S.I.R., is the new operative efforts. vice-president. Antarctic Week ended with an open Other national officers elected at the day at Christchurch Airport. Between annual meeting of the council of the 15,000 and 20,000 visitors saw a para society were Mrs B. Hale, secretary, chute descent from 10,000ft by three and Mr R. G. McElrea, treasurer, both members of the United States Navy of Christchurch. para-medical team which has been The council adopted a resolution that based in the Antarctic this summer, and the society should become incorporated. December 1972 INDIAN SUBSCRIBER AT BASE IN ENDERBY LAND "Antarctic" has readers in Britain, the United States, the Soviet Union, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, France, Chile, Norway, Bel gium, and West Germany. Now it has a reader in Enderby Land—an Indian scientist who has wintered at Molodezhnaya, the main Soviet station in the Antarctic. Most subscribers to "Antarctica" have in time for them to be placed aboard their copies sent by surface or air mail. the first Soviet ship due to leave Lenin Mr Parljit Singh Schra, of the Physical grad for the Antarctic early last month. Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, who When the Editor found how much it is believed to be the first Indian to spend would cost to send 60 issues of the winter in the Antarctic, had his "Antarctic" (all that were available) to copies—60 of the 66 issues of the quar Moscow, he send a radio message back terly bulletin—sent from Christchurch to Mr Sehra to make sure he still to Moscow by air freight, and then by wanted the bulletins sent air freight. sea from Leningrad to Molodezhnaya. Back came a reply that he was, in effect, Recently the Editor received a request quite happy about the cost. from Mr Sehra, relayed by radio from Mr Sehra's large and expensive parcel Molodezhnaya through McMurdo is expected to reach him this month. Station and Scott Base, seeking to join He is a member of the 17th Soviet the New Zealand Antarctic Society and Antarctic Expedition, and is studying for subscribe to "Antarctic." He added that a doctorate in upper atmospheric he would appreciate all available back physics. His field is the structure and issues of the bulletin, and its pre circulation of the upper atmosphere, decessor, "Antarctic News Bulletin." and he has been taking soundings of Mr Sehra asked that these be sent by this area with the aid of meteorological air mail and registered post to Moscow rockets.

Hay, Straw, Ice for Wharf Bales of New Zealand hay and straw need 800 bales of hay and straw. Bales have been tested for use as building will also be placed along the top of materials at McMurdo Station this sea the ice wharf to insulate the ice and son. If the tests are successful a new stop it from melting in the warmer wharf will be built in Winter Quarters weather of the Antarctic summer. Bay, using water frozen round a wall The test bales, 460 of them, will be of hay bales, rather like straw in mud stacked into a 45ft square block 15ft bricks. thick and pinned together with bamboo Ice-bound hay bales outside Scott's stakes. Lengths of chain mesh fencing hut at Cape Evans inspired the idea of will be used to bind the whole together, the hay bale wharf. This hay was part and the cube will be flooded with water of the fodder taken south in the Terra in such a way that layers of ice about Nova to feed the ponies used on Scott's 4in thick will be built up through and last expedition. round the bales. Shoaling and storm damage last year Before the bales were flown south last to the timber and steel wharf at Elliott month they were tested to check that Quay has made an alternative wharf their contents were non-toxic in order necessary. The new wharf will be 400ft to protect wildlife which might get at long, 80ft wide, and 24ft thick, and will them. December 1972 THE READER WRITES Sidelights of Antarctic Research Letters, preferably not longer than 500 to 600 words, are invited from readers who have observed some little-known facet of Antarctic life or have reached conclusions of interest on some Antarctic problem.— Editor. ANTARCTIC ARCHER It was almost winter before I became aware of an archery range set up in the ie of our American readers, Amory [. Waite, has answered the questions camp where many of us practised oftcr :d in "Antarctic" (June, page 189) using indoor target arrows. Howeve., Dr Poulter, who ran the range and ty the presentation of a hunting arrow taught newcomers how to use the bows, from Rear-Admiral R. E. Byrd's 1933-35 also had some hunting arrows (sharp expedition to a New Zealander by his metal tips) and used them on at least second-in-command, Dr Thomas C. one occasion that I remember to shoot Poulter. We wanted to know who was the Weddell seals we used for dog feed. the Antarctic archer who took a bow (We humans ate a few crabeatcrs also.) and arrow to Little America aboard the Dr Poulter was the custodian of the Bear of Oakland. archery gear at Little America II but I never knew that any of it was ever on 46 Monmouth Boulevard, the Bear of Oakland. He went down on the Jacob Ruppert and returned on it in Oceanport, New Jersey. 1935—Yours, etc. Sir,—On page 189 you make a big AMORY H. WAITE, Jnr. mystery of the archer in BAE 11. The expedition was equipped with many (We are grateful to a distinguished items of gear for use in maintaining a Antarctic veteran for his identification of standard of health, exercise, and sport the archer and the arrow. "Bud" Waite for all hands! Footballs, baseball gear, is still remembered by an earlier genera fencing foils and mask, etc. tion of New Zealanders as the radio I was the last man to join the ice operator in the group of three men who party, having been chosen from my job travelled for 72 hours in the 70dcg below as chief radio operator of the Bear of zero weather to rescue Admiral Byrd Oakland only because (1) the "elec from his Advance Base on the Ross Ice trician" of the ice party decided to go Shelf in 1934. His polar experience in back to Dunedin to marry his new girl cludes 11 Antarctic expeditions, and friend, which he did, leaving the expedi participation in 12 Arctic scientific pro tion without an electrical officer, and (2) grammes over a period of 31 years. when the fire in the tractor destroyed When "Bud" retired in 1966 after 24 one-third of our total transport I was years' service with the Department of able to rebuild the generator and starter the Army, he had become widely known and get her going again. as an explorer, inventor, electronics So I was ordered to the "beach" by engineer, lecturer, and author. His the Admiral. Thus I joined the famous achievements as an electronics engineer (or infamous) group so tardily that it included the invention of an accurate took me a long time to catch up with polar altimeter, and the development of the list of stores that others had pro a radio echo sounding system for meas vided for the common good. uring ice thickness.—Editor.) December 1972

ANTARCTIC BOOKSHELF THE VOYAGE OF THE CHALLENGER

I B yPublished E r i c by John L i nMurray, k l a t eLondon, r 1972 288 pp. Illustrations and maps, index. English price, £5.00. By the middle of the 19th Century all three years and a half. Her aim was to the land surfaces of the earth, with the chart the depths, movement and content exception of the Antarctic regions had of the seas and to scour the oceans for been explored and delineated and their marine life, for clues to climatic phen natural products and their fauna and omena and to search for minerals. She flora were fairly well known. was commanded by Captain George This was far from being the case with Nares, later to win fame in the Arctic the surrounding oceans, whose depths regions, and on the scientific side besides still remained a mystery and about which Wyville Thomson there were John some strange ideas still persisted. For Murray and H. N. Moseley. It is worth example Edward Forbes, professor of noting here that in later years when he natural history at Edinburgh University had achieved fame and a knighthood it postulated the theory that life did not was Murray who paid for the publica exist in the ocean at a greater depth than tion of the 50 massive volumes that 300 fathoms. record the Challenger's findings. This theory was soon to be destroyed The ship was equipped with the most by another professor of natural history up-to-date sounding and dredging appar at the same university—Charles Wyville atus available and besides carrying out Thomson, who saw in Norway living some 362 deep sea stations she called at specimens of animal life dredged up many ports around the world, often for from the immense depths of dark Nor lengthy stays. wegian fiords. Furthermore, he learnt This then is the bare bones of a voyage that a broken telegraph cable brought up which was to give rise to the new for repair from a thousand fathoms deep science of oceanography, and from the in the Mediterranean had living animals many published accounts Eric Link- clinging to it. later has distilled a narrative that is no With Dr W. B. Carpenter, of the dry as dust account, but a lively and Royal Society, Thomson borrowed ships entertaining record of remote people from the Admiralty and by deep sea and places. dredging discovered animal life from The Antarctic section of the voyage is protozoa to molluscs at a depth of two covered in a mere six pages although thousand fathoms. In 1870 Thomson there are two chapters devoted to the persuaded the Government to lend and sub-Antarctic islands of Prince Edward, furnish one of Her Majesty's ships for a Marion, the Crozets, Kerguelen and prolonged and arduous voyage of ex Heard. It is worthy of record that on ploration across the oceans of the world. February 16, 1874, the Challenger Thus was born the Challenger expedi became the first steam vessel to cross tion, the subject of this new book. the Antarctic Circle, reaching a latitude H.M.S. Challenger sailed from Ports of 60deg 40min S. Although no land mouth exactly 100 years ago, on Decem was sighted much ice was encountered ber 21, 1872, on an epoch-making and the first photographs were made of voyage that would take her 69,000 miles the typical tabular Antarctic icebergs. across the oceans and would last for From rock fragments dredged up it December 1972

Cape Challenger, Kerguelen Island, with Mount Ross in the distance. H.M.S. Challenger is on the right of the picture. was very evident that they were of con plates made on the voyage, some being tinental origin as gneisses, shales and reproduced for the first time. limestones do not occur on any oceanic All of the many narratives which were island. It can be said then that the written after the conclusion of the Challenger's voyage did much to re voyage have been long out of print or awaken interest in the Antarctic and to now command high prices. It would be bring about the great expeditions at the safe to say therefore that today few beginning of the twentieth century. people are aware of this historic scien The book is well illustrated, the 28 tific voyage a century ago, and this pages of colour pictures being particu finely produced volume should serve larly well chosen. Many of the black and most effectively to fill the gap in our white pictures are from photographic knowledge.—H.F.G. Z±±»-G-i A D E Q U AT E E A RT H A poem by Donald Finkcl Published by Atheneum, New York, 1972. pp. viii and 1-51. Glossary. Soft cover. U.S. price $2.95 It was bound to happen sooner or surprising that the lonely places of the later, that someone would set down his earth should bring out the poetry that Antarctic thoughts and experiences in lies deep in every man. Mountaineers blank verse. This is what Donald Finkcl have felt it; one recalls Geoffrey Win- has done in this little book. It is not throp Young's "On High Hills". Sir December 1972

Ernest Shackleton felt it; there are PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED several pages of his verse in his bio graphy by Margery and James Fisher. Reports on Progress in Physics, Vol. Edward Wilson, who died with Scott, 34, 1971. 70 pp. Glaciers and Other wrote that fine poem "The Barrier Large Ice Masses, by W. F. Budd and Silence'* which still has the power to U. Radok. Published by Institute of move. Physics, London. Single issue. U.K. Donald Finkel is on the faculty of price £2.00. Washington University, St Louis, where he is poet in residence. He accompanied a scientific expedition to the Antarctic in 1970 and fell under the spell of the frozen continent. Referring to his book he says in his notes: "This is not a work Plastic Legs on of scholarship but of the imagination. These precious scraps culled from sledg ing journals, memoirs, histories and technical articles are intended simply as A New Zealand geologist, Mr J. H. lights in a constellation of which my Lowcry, who lost a leg and his other own observations form an integral part." foot by amputation after falling 100ft down a crevasse in 1959, is now working "These precious scraps" scattered near Vanda Station in the Wright Val throughout the book are taken from ley, about 70 miles west of Scott Base. Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton, Cherry- He is believed to be the first person Garrard. Oatcs and Byrd, even a with artificial legs to do rugged work on National Geographic map. the ice. Of the winter journey to Cape Crozier Mr Lowery, who is 35, is so fit, fast, by Cherry-Garrard, Wilson and Bowers, and sure of his footing that he some the author writes: times leaves able-bodied mountaineers Three ragged figures, windclothes stiff behind. He has a spare set of plastic As a statue's overcoat, pulling like legs with him. and has left another set dogs with the Antarctic Division of the in the dead dominion, in the dead of D.S.I.R. in Christchurch. night, In 1959 Mr Lowery was with a geo of winter, peering from under our iron logical and survey party exploring about balaclavas, across the ice that clings 180 miles from Scott Base on the Ross to the world's face, like a frozen beard. Ice Shelf. On November 19 he was in a snocat with Dr B. M. Gunn and And of Scott's attainment of the Pole: Lieutenant T. Couzens about 15 miles "The goal behind us, every direction's south of Cape Selborne. Their snocat back; nowhere to go but home, plunged without warning into a crevass Horizon unbroken every way about 9ft wide which was completely we look. The same eight hundred covered by drifted snow. miles to go; no one to cheer us Lieutenant Couzens was killed in the but the wind; nothing we have not accident. Dr Gunn and Mr Lowcry were seen before but death—and even trapped in the snocat, and were brought his face is familiar." to the surface more than 27 hours later. Mr Lowery suffered a severe spine in There are adequate notes and a glos jury and a fractured jaw, and was badly sary of Antarctic references. frostbitten. He spent a long time in To sum up, you need not have been hospital, and his right leg was ampu to the Antarctic to appreciate this book, tated below the knee. Later he returned but it will enhance your enjoyment of it to Otago University and completed his if you have.—H.F.G. degree. \-~-y -i>^',:'/:"' Wr±tf+&7iw* "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. Yearly subscription for non-members of the Antarctic Society NZ$3.50. Overseas NZ$4.50. includes postage (air mail postage extra), single copies $1.00. Details of back issues available may be obtained from the Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society. P.O. Box 1223. Christchurch. New Zealand. Overseas subscribers are asked to ensure that their remittances are converted to New Zealand currency.

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 yearly membership fee is NZ$3.00 (or equivalent local currency). Membership fee. including "Antarctic", NZ$5.00.

New Zealand Secretary Mrs B. Hale, P.O. Box 1223, Christchurch.

Branch Secretaries Canterbury: Mrs E. F. Cross, P.O. Box 404, Christchurch. Wellington: Mr R. H. Blezard, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington. ■***?