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A Wandering Albatross at rest on one of the Antpodes Islands in the sub-Antarctic south of New Zealand. Southern seabirds are being counted at present as part of the International Survey of Antarctic Seabirds (ISAS). Photo. P C. Harper

Registered at Posl Oflice Headquarters, Wellington. New Zealand, as a magazine. June, 1981 SOUTH GEORGIA •.. SOUTH SANDWICH Is"

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No. 6 102nd Issue June

Editor: J. M. CAFFIN, 35 Chepstow Avenue. Christchurch, 5. Address all contributions, inquiries etc. to the Editor.

CONTENTS ARTICLES MINKE WHALE SURVEY 200-203 ANTARCTIC SEABIRDS 187-188 POLAR ACTIVITIES NEW ZEALAND 182-186, 188. 208 AUSTRALIA 203, 205 UNITED KINGDOM 191-194 UNITED STATES 190, 194, 198, 199, 207 SOVIET UNION 195-196 WEST GERMANY 197-198 SUB-ANTARCTIC AUCKLAND ISLANDS 206 CAMPBELL ISLAND 206 MARION ISLAND 207 POLISH FISHERIES 206-207 GENERAL TOURISM 189-190 POLAR VETERANS 204-205 OBITUARY 208

ISSN 0003-5327

© New Zealand Antarctic Society (Inc) 1978. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any way without the prior permission of the publisheis.

mm -^mY'*• -4t > r--;et m :*K y--:^ Northern Victoria Land expeditions New Zealand's Antarctic research programme for 1981-82 will in clude participation in a major international expedition to Northern Victoria Land. Scientists from the United States, New Zealand, and Australia, will undertake geological, geophysical, and glaciological studies in the region. A major field camp will be established at the head of the Canham Glacier in the Evans Neve area. Scientists and support staff will be flown there by United States Navy Hercules aircraft from McMurdo Station. Three helicopters will be used to transport field parties to various areas, and provide support for them. Between mid-November and early of the United States, New Zealand, and January New Zealand field parties of Australia expedition. scientists and field assistants will carry GANOVEX 81, which has been out five geological programmes. They organised by the Federal Institute of will include scientists from United States Geosciences and Resources (BRG) will and Australian universities. use the 2158-tonne cargo ship Gotland II Four of the field parties will work in to take the expedition south. This ship the Rennick Glacier area. One, led by Dr was one of the three chartered last M.G. Laird, of the Geological Survey, season for the establishment of the per will study the Bowers Supergroup. manent research station George Von Another, led by Dr R.A. Cooper, also of Neumayer on the Ekstrom Ice Shelf off the Geological Survey, will study the the Princess Martha Coast. palaeontology of the Bowers To support the geologists who will Supergroup in co-operation with work again from the base camp Australian and United States scientists. established in the 1970-80 season at the A former Victoria University of Well foot of the Lillie Glacier near Mt ington geologist, Dr B. McKelvey, of the Mulach BRG has chartered four Hughes University of New England, New South 500 helicopters. In addition a New Wales, and a VUW geologist, will make Zealand guest scientist and three moun studies of the Beacon sandstone in the taineers will take part in the expedition. Upper Rennick Glacier are. In the same area Dr G.W. Grindley, of the Geological Survey, will lead a party to EARTH SCIENCES make palaeontological studies. A joint Antarctic Division-Geological Apart from the Northern Victoria Survey party led by Dr R.H. Findlay will Land projects the New Zealand research work further north than the other field programme next season will include a parties. It will make a structural and wide range of disciplines including sedimentological study of the Robertson glaciology, vulcanology, sedimentology, Bay Group. oceanography, soil studies, and biology. West Germany will send another Established atmospheric research pro geological and geophysical expedition to grammes in atmospheric physics and Northern Victoria Land in the 1981-82 earth sciences will be continued at Scott season to continue the programme Base and Arrival Heights, and begun by the GANOVEX 79 expedition meterological observations will be made in the 1979-80 season. The GANOVEX during the summer at Vanda Station in 81 programme will tie in with the work the Wright Valley.

J|S»Vv>- I ANTARCTIC

Scientists will work from Scott Base rebuilding Scott Base, which will be 25 and Vanda Station, in McMurdo Sound, years old next January, will be under and the dry valleys of Victoria Land. taken next season. A construction team Two teams will work again on Mt will finish off the new accommodation Erebus, and soil scientists will carry out block built last season, and prepare for a project at Cape Bird on Ross Island. stage IIIB of the rebuildiong pro Another stage in the programme for gramme—a new mess-galley-bar block. Changes in hut policies New policies for the preservation and maintenance of historic sites in the Ross Dependency have been decided on by the Ross Dependency Research Committee. Membership of the original huts restoration committee set up in 1974 has been increased to include the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and renamed the Historic Sites Management Committee. This committee will draft management plans for each historic site. These will be submitted for approval to the RDRC, which has agreed already to the preparation of plans for the sites at Hut Point, Cape Royds, and Cape Evans.Historic „. Places . nl Trust, ^ and , the . New .. Asa a . start m r-Mr aG.A. t- Turner, e i Zealand ol the Antarctic Society. Department of Lands and Survey, who Since 1969 the Antarctic Society has is secretary of the reconstituted commit- provided two volunteer caretakers for tee, and Mr J. Fry, a conservator at the tne Antarctic Division, DSIR, to work National Museum, will inspect the on Scott's huts at Hut Point and Cape historic huts on Ross Island this summer Evans, and Shackleton's hut at Cape and discuss the management project Royds. It also provided the volunteers with interested parties. They will go for the Antarctic Division's original south for two weeks, probably in restoration programme for the three December. huts between 1960 and 1965. No Antarctic Society caretakers have Last year the RDRC considered a worked on Ross Island since the 1978-79 report on the historic sites prepared by season. Two members selected, Messrs Mr Turner, who is a senior planning Alan Wright and Gavin Doughty, were surveyor in the Department of Lands and Survey. The purpose of the report unable to go south because of pressure was to prepare a strategy for the preser on facilities at Scott Base as a result of vation and management of the historic the DC10 crash at Mt Erebus. sites, and to present objectives and Last season the huts project had to be policies as a framework for carrying out cancelled for economic reasons, but approved management plans. These ob maintenance work on the huts was done jectives and policies have since been by Scott Base staff as part of the sum adopted by the Historic Sites Manage mer works programme. Tourists from ment Committee. the World Discoverer were shown over the Cape Royds hut by the officer-in- Five organisations are now charge at Scott Base and his deputy, and represented on the committee, which is a those from the Lindblad Explorer who sub-committee of the RDRC. They are visited all three huts were escorted by Mr the Department of Lands and Survey, John Mazey, a ranger from the Depart the Department of Scientific and In ment of Lands and Survey, who had dustrial Research, National Museum, joined the ship in South America. ri

ANTARCTIC j^H^^HBj Many visitors to historic huts ^ISf^J^Mm^uffli,i ^^r^a£*»!Pt Since 1978 there have been more than Cape Evans. Later about 90 passengers 1300 recorded visitors to the three from the Lindblad Explorer visited all historic huts on Ross Island. The total of three huts. 1376 does not include all the visitors to No cruise ships called last year, and the Discovery hut at Hut Point, there were only 95 visitors to Scott's hut however, because there are no records and 82 to Shackleton's hut. The numbers for 1979 and 1980. visiting Scott's hut in 1979 rose to 260 In 1978 most of the 345 visitors to Hut because between 110 and 120 passengers Point were Americans from McMurdo and crew from the Lindblad Explorer Station who came to the Discovery hut came ashore at Cape Evans early in to look through it. The visitors' books in February. They went ashore at Cape the huts at Cape Evans and Cape Royds Royds two days earlier but did not enter show more visitors in the seasons when the hut. cruise ships call at McMurdo Sound. Complete records for the period from This year two cruise ships, the World December, 1977 to December, 1978 show Discoverer and the Lindblad Explorer that 208 people signed the visitors' book visited the Ross Dependency in Feb in the Cape Evans hut, and 176 visited ruary. More than 100 passengers and the Cape Royds hut and signed the crew from the World Discoverer visited book. With 345 visitors to Hut Point the Shackleton's hut at Cape Royds. Ice and 1978 total, plus those recorded in a heavy swell prevented a landing at December, 1977, was 729.

Snow cave site first marked in 1969 ■ A wooden signboard placed in a stone of the New Zealand Geological Survey, cairn on Inexpressible Island in Terra was the leader, and the others in the parly Nova Bay by a New Zealand geological were Michael Chapman-Smith (geo party more than 11 years ago is still logist) and Keith Mclvor (field there. The signboard was put there in the assistant), who died later in a climbing summer of 1969 to mark the site of the accident on Mt Cook. snow cave in which six men of Scott's Before the party flew to Terra Nova last expedition lived for more than six Bay on November 24 by a United States months in the winter of 1912. Navy Hercules aircraft Martin Hawke spent several hours at Scott Base carving On January 16 this year a party from and engraving an inscription on the Scott Base flew to Inexpressible Island signboard. The inscription, still legible to place a plaque by the cairn to indicate after 11 winters, reads: "In the winter of that the site is one of 43 historic monu 1912 Campbell, Priestley, Levick, ments in Antarctica preserved under the Abbott, Browning, and Dickason, were terms of the Antarctic Treaty. forced to snow-cave on this site when the Later this year a photograph of the H.M.S. Terra Nova failed to pick them plaque printed in several New Zealand up." N.Z.A.R.P. 1969. newspapers recalled to Martin Hawke, In 1971 Martin Hawke was in Britain. of Rotorua, his part in the erection of He visited Sir Raymond Priestley, last the signboard. He was an Antarctic survivor of the Northern Party of Division field assistant in a geological Scott's expedition, and was able to tell party which spent two months in the him about the New Zealanders' visit to Terra Nova Bay area. Dr David Skinner, the snow cave site. Blizzard stops Cape Crozier trip

Windless Bight was not early in April ing to freeze up, and the loss of nearly when four men from Scott Base and one all the base supply of potatoes stored in from McMurdo Station set off on a trip the hangar bunkroom. Much worse was to Cape Crozier. The party was caught the loss of 30 dozen cans of beer. in a raging blizzard for two days and had By contrast the previous month was to return to Scott Base. fine although temperatures were low and April 1 began with a clear morning the water in front of the base was and the promise of a blizzard from the frozen. Five men who made the first trip weather forecaster at McMurdo Station to Cape Crozier had fine weather all the when Allan Remnant, John Mackey, way there and back. Tom Early, Robin Hodgson, and the On March 11 the party started out in a American, Paul Wilson, left for Cape tracked vehicle driven by Allan Taylor. Crozier on motor toboggans. After two With him were John Sims, Stan Whit hours the party stopped and pitched two fi e l d , D o n M c K n i g h t , a n d I a n tents in the middle of Windless Bight Johnstone. The sno-trac made slow pro 32km from Scott Base because visibility gress in soft snow, leaving tracks more had dropped to about 15.24m. than .3m deep, but 10 hours after leav A few hours later the wind became a ing Scott Base the party made camp just raging blizzard and the party was storm short of Cape Crozier. bound. During the next two days the In fine weather the next day the party wind gusted to 76 knots at Scott Base. In made its first stop at Igloo Spur, site of Windless Bight the tents were obscured the remains of the stone igloo built by from view at some stages although only Wilson, Bowers, and Cherry-Garrard on 3m apart. their winter journey from Cape Evans in When the wind died down visibility 1911. After leaving the vehicle at The was still low, but the party made a mad Knoll the party continued on foot to the dash towards Scott Base, stopping for base of Post Office Hill. the night when not very certain of the While Allan Taylor did some hill climb correct direction to go. An early start was made on April 4, and the rest of the ing the rest of the party took photo graphs, ate chocolates, and admired the trip was made in increasing visibility. view. From their vantage point they Scott Base was almost snowbound when could see two large Adelie penguin the party arrived home in time for rookeries, several large icebergs floating breakfast. just offshore, and to the east the Ross Three weeks later Scott Base was hit Ice Shelf. Beaufort Island was clearly by another storm. The sun set for the visible to the north-west. last time on April 24, and the next day There was no sign of any occupation the wind reached a maximum speed of of the Emperor penguin rookery. There 89 knots. Three members of the winter were, however, a few Adelies at the team were trapped at McMurdo Station, water's edge. and a large amount of snow was blown On March 13 the party started the into the cold porch of the base garage. return trip at 10 a.m. in fine and sunny Damage was minor. The side of a case weather. Surface conditions were better, of furniture for the new accommodation and the party made faster progress by block was blown out, a wannigan was keeping well out of Windless Bight. tipped sideways off a sledge, and a bale Visibility was excellent and the party of glass wool blown across the road had magnificent views of the peaks and landed on a sledge on the other side. ice fields of Mts. Terror, Terra Nova, A parting gift from April was a cold and Erebus. By 7 p.m. the men were spell with temperatures down to minus back in the warmth of Scott Base in time 48deg Celsius. These caused some plumb for a late meal. £/' -'-. v>J . H '-'!,'■ <';7'*

ANTARCTIC June 1981 Causes of DC10 crash on Erebus Neither the two pilots nor the two flight engineers of the Air New Zealand DC10 which crashed on the north-east side of Mt Erebus on November 28, 1979, made any error which contributed to the disaster, and were not responsible for its occurrence. That is the find ing of Mr Justice Mahon, who headed the Royal Commission ap pointed by the New Zealand Government to inquire into the crash which occurred on a scenic flight to the McMurdo Sound area, and claimed the lives of 237 passengers and a crew of 20. ("Antarctic, " December, 1979. Pages 410-412).

In his report, made to the Govern (5) Neither Captain Collins nor any ment in April this year Mr Justic Mahon member of his crew was told of the says that the single dominant and effec alteration to the computer track. tive cause of the disaster was the mistake (6) Checks made in flight at the made by Air New Zealand officials who Balleny Islands and at Cape Hallett programmed the DC10 to fly directly at demonstrated to the crew that the AINS Mt Erebus and omitted to tell the air was operating with its customary ex crew. The mistake is directly at treme accuracy, and that any cross-track tributable, not so much to the persons drift upon arrival at the destination way- who made it, but to the incompetent ad point would not be greater than about ministrative airline procedures which one mile or two miles at the most. made the mistake possible. Ten factors which Mr Justic Mahon (7) McMurdo Air Traffic Control believed that the destination waypoint of says are all contributing causes to the the aircraft was 27 miles west of McMur disaster are detailed in his report. Sum do Station, and that the aircraft would marised, they are: approach at a low altitude down (1) Captain T.J. Collins, pilot in com McMurdo Sound. mand of the DC10, had complete reliance upon the accuracy of the (8) Mac Centre (main radio com navigation system . . . The Area Inertial munications centre at McMurdo Sta Navigation System had demonstrated to tion) invited the aircraft to descend to him its extreme accuracy on countless 1500ft in McMurdo Sound for the occasions. reason that visibility at that altitude was 40 miles or more. (2) Captain Collins was not supplied either in the route control unit briefing (9) Captain Collins accepted this in or on the morning of the flight with any vitation and made the decision to des topographical map upon which had been cend to that altitude. drawn the track along which the com (10) The nature of the cloud base in puter system would navigate the aircraft. Lewis Bay and the unrelieved whiteness (3) Captain Collins plotted the naviga of the snow-covered terrain beneath the tion track himself on the night before overcast combined to produce the the flight on a map or maps, and upon whiteout visual illusion. an atlas. Appointed on June 11 last year the (4) The direction of the last leg of the Royal Commission heard evidence over flight path to be programmed into the a period of 75 days. Mr Justic Mahon aircraft's computer was changed about and an assisting counsel spent more than six hours before the flight departed. three weeks in the United States,

.. ;i 5?5 w*'.' Canada, and the United Kingdom inter- spected all relevant areas of the terrain, viewing experts and obtaining deposi- including the crash site on the slopes of lions from witnesses who were unable to Mt Erebus, and the McMurdo Station come to New Zealand. radio and radar, and air traffic control From November 26 to 29 last year Mr facilities. Justice Mahon visited Antarctica. He in- Men honoured for work on Erebus

Three New Zealand mountaineers Mr Logan was field leader of the An have been honoured for their work on tarctic Division's snowcraft and survival Mt Erebus during the recovery of the training team at Scott Base during the bodies of those who died in the Air New 1979-80 season. He and two other Zealand DC10 crash on November 28, mountaineers in the team, Messrs Daryll 1979. In the New Year Honours List Mr Thomson and Keith Woodford, landed John Stanton was made a member of the at the crash site on November 29 in Order of the British Empire (M3E), and hazardous conditions to search for sur Messrs Colin Monteath and Hugh vivors. Then he took part in the recovery Logan received the Queen's Service operation. Medal for Public Services (QSM) in the Mr Stanton is a highly-experienced Birthday Honours List this month. mountaineer, who was deputy leader at Mr Monteath, field operations of Scott Base in the 1974-75 season. He led ficer, Antarctic Division, Department of the New Zealand face rescue team, Scientific and Industrial Research, was which included mountaineers with ex co-ordinator of the recovery operation perience on Erebus in past seasons, and at the crash site. He flew south the day directed its recovery work from after the crash and worked on Erebus December 1 to December 11. from December 1 to December 11 without a break. New Zealand's share in seabird survey by F'cier C. Harper Antarctic penguins and petrels are getting the count-down. Estimates in 1976 put the number of seabirds living in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic at 165 million. With a collective biomass of 500,000 tonnes, these birds are believed to eat about 32 million tonnes of food annually (48 per cent crustaceans, 37 per cent squid, and about 15 per cent fish). These arc impressive, even mind- the southern larder is a matter of inter boggling figures. But how accurate are national concern. Without sound they? With international attention now resource management plans the polar focusing on the enormous marine ecosystem, which has had some 20 resources of Antarctic seas, the collision million years to perfect itself, could be course between man and polar fauna for headed for catastrophe.

'■WV9MWf^Hj ANTARCTIC June 1981

For Antarctic birds, seas and whales telton aboard the Benjamin Bowring on krill, the shrimp-like crustacean, quite February 27, having logged 36 species of simply means survival. It is the key birds and filled in 3000 10-minute bird organism in the food web which sup log cards to be forwarded to the ISAS ports higher forms of life in the data centre in South Africa. Southern Ocean. Paul Ensor went south in the Toshi During the 1980/81 summer season, Maru II, a Japanese whale catcher, for some 15 research vessels operated under two months observing and marking the auspices of the SCAR/BIOMASS minke whales in the International Whal research programme in the Antarctic as ing Commission's third assessment part of FIBEX (First International survey. In addition to marking whales, Biological Experiment), a unique inter he identified 37 species of birds and national experiment in cooperative completed 3161 iO-minute bird log research and data collecting. The prime cards. objective of the programme is to gather An ornithologist from the National ~"fficient information before intensive Museum, J. A. Bartle, took part in the v.Aploitation of krill takes place. The French contribution to the FIBEX pro international survey of Antarctic birds is gramme aboard the Marion-Dufresne in a non-commercial but integral part of the Indian Ocean. He spent 39 days at trie SCAR programme. sea, with brief calls at Kerguelen and the Crozet Islands. In all, 52 species of seabird were recorded, including several Dr Harper, an authority on Antarctic seabirds, is not previously seen in the South Indian national project supervisor for the International Ocean and 400 10-minute counts were Survey of Antarctic Seabirds (ISAS). He is on the staff of the Department of Extension Studies, made. University of Canterbury. Preparations for the 1981/82 summer ornithological research programme are already well under way. Again, several New Zealand clearly needs to be nations have offered shipboard and involved in this research but it has a other facilities to New Zealand ornitho major problem — no ship, and there logists. Provided sufficient internal fore, in the meantime at least, has to rely funds are forthcoming, New Zealand's upon other nations for assistance. For expertise in marine bird research will tunately, several nations have been again ensure another substantial New quick to help, and as a result, four New Zealand contribution to the 1981/82 Zealanders took part in the 1980/81 ISAS programme. ISAS programme aboard British, French and Japanese vessels. Graham Wilson undertook the 1980/81 Adelie penguin census at Cape Bird and Cape Royds as part of a long- term study begun by the University of Canterbury in 1966. After a small decline in numbers which began in 1977, the penguin populations have now recovered: the latest census figures are 36.843 for Cape Bird and 2039 for Cape Royds. Jeni Bassett joined the British Trans globe Expeditions support ship Ben jamin Bowring in Lyttelton on January 7, 1981, and spent IVi weeks observing birds in the Ross Sea, and to and from New Zealand and McMurdo Sound. She and Graham Wilson returned to Lyt ANTARCTIC Third French yacht sails to Antarctica Another French yacht sailed from Tasmania, and came back to Whangarei New Zealand to Antarctica last summer. in November last year. The 12m steel ketch Kim, registered of ficially as Him, left the North Auckland and Sally Poncet, who took their yacnt .)ort of Whangarei on December 4, call ed at the Chatham Islands on December Damien II as far south 17, and reached the United States Bay on the Antarctic Peuni^um wuwb Palmer Station on Anvers Island off the they wintered in 1978. The Poncets sail Antarctic Peninsula on January 29. Her ed from the area in February, and after crew of four sailed north on February 2 calls at Faraday (Argentine Islands) and to cruise among the islands, and then Grytviken, South Georgia. They went on to Leith Harbour where Sally gave planned to winter in a small bay at 65deg S. birth to a boy. Kim was the third yacht to depart Later the Poncets sailed by way of the from a New Zealand port for Antarctic Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) to waters. The first was the 10m aluminium Tasmania. When the Kim's crew met them to obtain advice on Antarctic sail yacht Isatis with three mountaineers, Jean Lescure, his wife, Claudine, and ing Jerome told them that he and his her brother Jean-Marie Pare. They sail wife planned to return for a two-year ed from Lyttelton on December 3, 1978, visit. A report in August last year in dicated that the Lcscures also intended and arrived at Palmer Station on to return. They planned to sail first to January 15, 1979. On November 29, South Georgia, and then round the coast 1979, Charles Ferchaud and his sister, of East Antarctica to Adelie Land, arriv Jean-Marie, sailed their 12m steel ketch Momo from Auckland into southern ing in January next year. waters. They reached Palmer Station on Confirmation of the Lcscures' inten January 26, 1980. After nearly two tion to return was received in March this months' cruising they were reported to year. Their yacht Isatis called at Palmer have reached Cape Town on their way Station on February 14, and the crew of home to France. two, not named, but probably Jean Lescure and his wife, Claudine, remained Kim's crew, Michael Chopard, for three days. Claude Monchaud, Bruno Maroux, .all When the crew of the Kim left aged 27, and Daniel Gazanion, ayed 32, built their ketch three years ago to a Whangarei they had food for 18 design by Marcel Subrcro. They had months, although they planned to spend never sailed before, but managed to take only a year in Antarctica. The yacht also the Kim from the south of France into had a diesel fuel stove, and carried a the South Atlantic by way of Spain, home-made sledge and skis, and a winter Gibraltar, and Madeira. Then they spent tent made from strong sail cloth. eight months working in a factory on the Kim anchored in Hero Inlet for three Ivory Coast where they fitted Kim with days when she reached Palmer Station. new sails and an engine, and made self- The crew were were entertained at two steering equipment. evening meals by the station staff before sailing on the morning of February 2. From the Ivory Coast the four men sail They planned to cruise north of Anvers ed to Ascension Island, then to Brazil, Island, and later moor the Kim in the French Guyana, Venezuela, the West shallow waters of a small bay at 65deg S Indies, and then through the Panama where the pressure of ice on the hull Canal to the Galapagos Islands, the would be less. Then they intended to Marquesas, and Tahiti. They spent six spend two months tramping to obtain weeks in New Zealand on their way to material for a film and a book. 'WW™y*\ I ANTARCTIC

Yachting and mountaineering in the A Spanish-owned 20m ketch cruised Antarctic Peninsula area have become in Antarctic waters during February and popular with French yachtsmen in recent March last year. She was the Dione, years. The Isatis, the Damien II, the which was sailed from England by Brian Kotick, and the Champi, were all there Harrison, his wife Judy, and a naval ar in the 1978-79 season. When the Momo chitect, Guy Anderson, and reached arrived in the 1979-80 season the Fer- New Zealand in January this year. chauds called at Grytviken after the After calls at South American ports departure of a French marine and moun the Dione sailed from Punta Arenas to taineering expedition in the yacht Basile the Antarctic Peninsula area. She was which spent two months climbing on not reported calling at any of the South Georgia. Another French yacht, research stations, but two members of the Shieldaig also arrived at Grytviken the crew went ashore, remaining only a last season. short time because of ice conditions. World's strongest earthquake in sub-Antarctic A sub-Antarctic earthquake recorded To the south-east of the Auckland in the region of the Auckland Islands on Islands the meteorological station on the evening of May 25 was the world's Campbell Island (52deg 33min S/166deg strongest in seven months. Its magnitude 59min E) reported an earthquake tremor on the Richter scale was measured at 7.9 in its daily report, but it was not strong. by the United States Geological Survey The earthquake was followed by a in Colorado, and at 7.3 by the Japanese Tsunami (submarine tidal wave) but at Meteorological Agency. In Algeria an Campbell Island the height of the wave earthquake measuring 7.7 was recorded was only .3m. on October 10 last year. When the earthquake was recorded at In New Zealand the earthquake, 5.27 p.m. New Zealand time the shock was felt as far north as Christ American and Japanese agencies placed church. Buildings were shaken in its epicentre between 215 and 270 Dunedin but no injuries or damage were nautical miles south-west of New reported. An earthquake measuring bet Zealand. The Auckland Islands (50deg ween 6.5 and 7.2 on the Richter scale 50min S/166deg E) are about 174 was felt in New Zealand on October 12, nautical miles south of New Zealand. 1979.

Fallout measurements were made in an effort to detect a supposed nuclear Nuclear fallout bomb test off the South African coast. The survey team was engaged primarily check in a resource and radioactivity survey of exposed rocks in the Ellsworth A brief attempt to detect radioactive Mountains. fallout on the sea ice at McMurdo Station Members of the team were Dr Edward was made by scientists from the Univer J. Zeller (leader) and Gisela Dreschhoff, sity of Kansas and the West German of the Space Technology Centre, Uni Federal Institute of Geosciences and versity of Kansas, and Messrs Volker Resources during the 1979-80 field Thoste and Klaus Bulla (West Ger season. No fission products were found many). Their project is a continuing during the survey in which an airborne joint research effort by the two gamma-ray spectrometer was used. organisations.

WrSfflflwl sWiv< mW#W£ ANTARCTIC

BAS NEWS Two men at Rothera die in crevasse accident Bad weather over the southern half of the Antarctic Peninsula for much of the season affected both sea and air operations by the British Antarctic Survey in the 1980-81 summer. Scientific landings from the Royal Research Ship Bransfield were delayed, flying time was reduced, and one Twin Otter was badly damaged while taking off in the Ellsworth Mountains area at the end of February. There are 68 men wintering this year at the five main BAS stations, 15 less than last year. Fourteen are at Faraday in the Argentine Islands, 12 at Grytviken on South Georgia, 11 at Rothera on Adelaide Island, 15 at Halley, and 16 at Signy in the South Orkneys. A recreational trip from Rothera by help. A rescue party set out at daybreak motor toboggan ended tragically on the next day and escorted the men back May 16 when two men died in a crevasse to base. accident. They were John Anderson, The loss of the two men is keenly felt general assistant, aged 23, and Robert throughout BAS, but especially at Atkinson, cook, aged 25. Rothera which, like all the stations, is a Both men were new recruits but they small, tightly-knit community. were with two experienced second-year After relieving Halley and Signy and men; one of them was a tractor revisiting Grytviken, the Bransfield mechanic. The four men had travelled made a mid-season visit to Montevideo 48km north from Rothera, using four and then returned to Signy to deliver the motor toboggans, and were on their way residue of her cargo. She then began a home after having been delayed by bad series of biological landings which were weather. to extend from the South Orkneys and They were travelling together on three South Shetlands to Hope Bay, and down of the vehicles — the fourth had been the west coast of the Antarctic Peninsula left behind because of broken tracks. to Rothera. Exceptionally bad weather The weather was overcast and visibility west of the South Orkneys held her up and surface contrast were poor. for a few days. HIDDEN CREVASSE Landings were later made on the Because the men believed themselves volcanic Deception Island, which seemed to be on known safe ground on a to be quiet, and at various islands near regularly-used route the vehicles were the Argentine Islands; Faraday was not linked together. But, unfortunately, revisited and the ship eventually reached they were just off the route. Rothera on March 7. Anderson and Atkinson were on the Fuel and general cargo were discharg second vehicle, and as they crossed a ed and the scientific landings resumed, hidden crevasse the bridge collapsed and but the latter were hampered by sea ice they fell to their deaths. It is impossible and strong winds. Among the places to recover their bodies. visited by biologists and geologists in the Their two companions, safe but Marguerite Bay area were the Dion shocked, established camp (it was dark Islands and two other specially protected by then) and radioed to Rothera for JSrejKfefty-* -£&£'. tStoMwrnitZii : I -"■':' I I•?;■"I^^^H

ANTARCTIC June 1981

After rendezvousing with H.M.S. En months in the Scotia Sea. A team from durance and embarking the remaining the Department of Geological Sciences, summer parties, the Bransfield left the University of Birmingham, used the ship area on March 16. Further landings were to complete its long-term Scotia Arc made on the way north, in spite of severe project. weather, and Faraday was revisited. AIR OPERATIONS MARINE PROGRAMME Air operations continued until the beginning of March. Unfortunately, bad A day was spent at Deception Island weather persisted over the southern half and another day at Hope Bay, and the of the Antarctic Peninusla throughout ship then sailed through Active Sound much of the season. In the three weeks (between Joinville and Dundee Islands) between mid-January and the beginning to Livingston Island where further land of February only two flights were possi ings were made before she turned north to take some home-bound passengers to ble, and in February only three days out Punta Arenas. of 11 spent in the Ellsworth Mountains were suitable for flying. After final visits to the Falkland Islands, Bird Island and Grytviken, the Nevertheless, radio-echo sounding flights totalled about 9,800 miles in 78'/: ship sailed for Rio de Janeiro. She arrived hr. and extended to the Bryan Coast back at Southampton on May 13. south of the Bellingshausen Sea and Withdrawn from the Antarctic in Pine Island Glacier which flows into the November because of a defective pro- Amundsen Sea at about 75°S/102°W. pellor, the R.R.S. John Biscoe arrived In some areas work was possible in only home in February. She entered dry dock two out of a total 10 weeks. immediately, and the repairs and general maintenance should be completed in To add to the troubles, the aircraft time for her to sail early next season. She which had been delayed at the beginning will then resume work on the long-term of the season hit hard sastrugi while tak marine biological programmes which ing off from the Mount Charity (Eternity had to be abandoned in the 1980-81 Mountains) area at the end of February. summer. When it landed at Rothera the nose sec tion and ski were found to be badly Apart from towing the John Biscoe to damaged and could not be repaired Montevideo, flying emergency supplies locally, so the aircraft was dismantled to Signy, and taking the Governor of the and put on board the Bransfield. The Falkland Islands (Mr R. M. Hunt) and other aircraft, meanwhile, ferried the re his wife on a visit to Faraday, H.M.S. maining field parties back to Rothera Endurance, the Royal Navy's ice patrol and departed for Canada on March 3, ship, again gave valuable assistance to a flying by way of the Chilean base number of BAS field parties throughout Presidente Frei, on King George Island, the summer. and Punta Arenas. SCOTIA SEA DIVING AT SIGNY Hydrographic surveys were continued A new building for biological diving in a number of areas. In the latter part operations at Signy is now more or less of the season, priority was given to con complete. The 3-tonne recompression tinuing a general survey of the ap chamber and compressor have been proaches to Marguerite Bay, and also of installed and laboratories and the approaches to Rothera, within workshops are being fitted out. Marguerite Bay, where the Bransfield Work continues on diving physiology ran aground last season. which is producing some most interesting A former BAS ship, R.R.S. Shackle results. These show the cooling effects ton, which is now operated by the of repeated aqualung diving in very cold Research Vessels Services unit of the water and have demonstrated that divers Natural Environment Research Council, have difficulty in assessing how cold also went south this year and spent three they have become. ANTARCTIC

This research, which is organised by "Of course, a lot more damage had the University of Aberdeen's Institute of been caused to the jetty in the 18 months Environmental and Offshore Medicine, that had elapsed between the original is directly relevant to North Sea opera survey and our arrival. Fortunately, tions in which several diving accidents Grytviken general stores was well stocked have been attributed to undetected for our needs, the storeman being very hypothermia. Associated research in helpful." Scotland has included the experimental use of a respiratory gas heater to re- SHIP VISITS warm hypothermia casualties. Among visitors to the BAS stations A new field laboratory has been set up were the West German hydrographic inland from Signy Station as a refuge for research vessel Meteor which called at biologists working on the lakes. At Fara Signy, the cruise ship World Discoverer, day the work of re-cladding and generally the United States research vessel Hero refitting the old buildings is continuing. and two French yachts, Kim and Isatis A desalinator installed at Rothera is now II, which visted Faraday. The two West working well after initial difficulties. German terrestrial biologists who worked with BAS on South Georgia, also spent NEW JETTY some time at Signy. A party of Russians visited Halley from Druzhnaya I. At Grytviken a team of Royal Engineers has completed work on the Two wild-life photographers, Cindy jetty. Some idea of the magnitude of Buxton and a companion, who were their task is given in the following reported to have visited South Georgia, newsletter: spent the summer in the Falklands and "A team of 15 of Her Britannic Ma hope to visit South Georgia next season. They will be able to use a new BAS field jesty's Royal Engineers (well, actually, hut which was put up at St. Andrews one is in the Catering Corps) have, at no extra cost or inconvenience, escaped Bay at the beginning of February. from the confines of their Cambridge barrcks to descend on BAS and sort out HISTORIC RECORDS the contorted wreck that they call a jetty A BAS microbiologist, Dr David on South Georgia. We came complete Wynn-Williams, who was south for the with plant ops, chippies, divers, welder, summer, presented Signy with photo fitter, blacksmith and cook together graphs of Sir Ernest Shackleton with with all the stores and equipment Captain Peter Bernsten, after whom necessary to build a jetty, the whole Berntsen Point was named, and Mrs issue transported from Southampton on Signy Sorlle after whom the island was the Bransfield. named. He also presented a taped inter view with Mrs Sorlle made in the course "To give you a scale of the work, we o f h i s r r — ' ' v ' had about 300 tonnes of assorted stores taking up a space of nearly 200 cubic Captain Bernsten, master of the metres. This included 40 timber piles, Orwell, assisted in the transport of scien the biggest being 18.2m long weighing tific staff aboard the Discovery during about four tonnes, all the other timbers their whaling and oceanographic invest and nuts and bolts, and, of course, a igations in the 1927-28 season. Captain Meccano-type pile-driving machine. Petter Sorlle was a Norwegian whaler who made a running survey of Signy "Within the first month, all that we had achieved was to totally destroy the Island in the 1912-13 season. existing jetty, much to everybody's con Considerable damage has been caused sternation, and we prayed that we would by marauding seals in the whaler's be able to rebuild it. However, with the cemetery at Grytviken where Shackleton excellent weather that we had in the next is buried. Last season BAS staff working couple of months, everything started to on South Georgia put the cemetery in appear much faster than expected. order, as far as possible. ISP-' H^fli I I k^S^Ml^-1

ANTARCTIC June 1981 Veteran icebreakers sold for scrap

After more than 30 years of Arctic and her 12th voyage south was expected and Antarctic service the United States to be her last. But she was called back to Coast Guard icebreaker Burton Island duty in the 1976-77 season, and definitely has ended her career in polar waters. She for the last time in the 1977-78 season. has been sold for scrap to a Californian Another icebreaker sent to the metals corporation, which paid $261,000 breakers' yard is the General San Mar for the ship. tin, which was replaced in the 1979-80 As a United States Navy ship the Bur season after participating in Argentine ton Island was the first American Antarcticoperationssince 1955. She was icebreaker to enter McMurdo Sound. sold for scrap last year, and was towed She was there in 1947 from February 16 to Taiwan by the South African salvage to 20 when she took part in Operation tug Causeway Salvor. Highjump, and broke through the ice as A veteran United States Antarctic far as Cape Evans. In the 1947-48 season supply ship, the Private John R. Towle, she was the flagship of Operation Wind was also scrapped last year. She was 35 mill, which explored the coast of Wilkes years old, and between 1956 and 1976 Land, and on January 29, 1948, made a supplied United States and New Zealand second visit to McMurdo Sound, but bases almost every summer. In 1976 she remained there less than 24 hours. was placed on ready reserve standby, a In February the Burton Island and the prelude to scrapping, but was called out icebreaker Eclisto, also part of Opera of "retirement" for one more voyage in tion Windmill, entered Marguerite Bay the 1979-80 season. to assist the Ronne Antarcitc Expedi South Africa's first Antarctic research tion's ship Port of Beaumont, which had and supply ship, the RSA, which made been frozen in for the previous winter. her first voyage south in 1962, and was The Burton Island broke the ice about replaced by the Agulhas in the 1978-79 the ship and towed her out of the bay. season, has been given a new lease of Without this help the expedition would life. She has become South Africa's first have faced a second winter on Ston- training vessel for coloured merchant ington Island. seafarers. Ten years later the Burton Island sailed south again in Task Force 43 of Opera tion Deepfreeze. She assisted in the relief of Wilkes Station (now the Australian More husky pups station Casey), and her crew were the first Americans to visit the Soviet sta This winter the husky population at tion, Mirny. In the 1959-60 season she Scott Base has increased from 19 to 22. and the icebreaker Glacier succeeded in In March Kiritea had a litter of eight penetrating the ice-bound Bell pups by Muff. Only three survived, but ingshausen Sea, and charted 120 miles of they are reported to be healthy and the Thurston Peninsula coastline. strong. In the 1960-61 season the Burton An Alaskan name, Awuna, has been Island took two New Zealand geo- given to the male pup, and the two physicists, A. L. Burrows and A. females have been named Amak and Hanley, to Commonwealth Bay on the Tui. George V Coast. Their mission, sup ported by the icebreaker's helicopter, was to determine the position of the con stantly shifting South Magnetic Pole. By the 1975-76 season the Burton Island was due to be decommissioned

mmm^smwS^^ ANTARCTIC Soviet research in Weddell Sea region Soviet scientists based at Druzhnaya I, the summer station on the Filchner Ice Shelf, carried out their most significant research last season in the Weddell Sea zone. Their exploration helped to establish the principal characteristics of the geological formation in the region, and to determine, in the first approximation, the regional structures of the sedimentary cover, which is considered promising in relation to the presence of oil and gas. _ . ... , . . Soviet scientists have observed a rise in This information is given in a review temperature near the surface of the Of the last 25 years of Soviet Antarctic carlh- Al lhe continental stations the rise research by Dr Y. Tolstikov, deputy- '" temperature was 0.5 deg Celsius An- chairman of the USSR State Committee lfrUc Peninsula zone up to 4 deg and on for Hydro-meteorology and En- the coast of Eastern Antarctica, 1.5 deg. vironmental Control. Dr Tolstikov has i^i? cuin r» had a long association with polar ICE SHIELD research; he was leader of the third With the help of mass-scale sonar Soviet Antarctic Research Expedition in measurements of ice cover thickness 1957-58. scientists have established a more ac- Another, , result . _. of . curate recent Soviet description shield Tne of volume the Antarctic of lhe shield ice is research, accord.ng to Dr Tolstikov, has equivalent to 24.9 by 10' cubic kilo- been the further development of the metres. Thermal drills have been used to system of scientific and operational sup- sink 5 km of wells and t0 obtain sampies port of ship navigation, aviation, and 0r tne jce core expedition work. A computer at Molo- This method of drilling as well as dezhnaya Station now automatically col- '' u , • , ' „ , "'.''• Pal characteristics of in- consume about 6 per cent of the ex- paction between >ce and the ocean, and cessive moisture released by the world's the ge"et*c classification of the ice- oceans into the atmosphere. ^overe1d shorfs ?' Antarctica. Scientists . have learned that the ice cover has Scientists have established that the retreated alone considerable sections of Western Antarctic regions are the prin- the coast in Eastern Antarctica, in par- cipal "suppliers" of heat and moisture ticualar near Molodyozhnava and Mirny to the continent. For the last 20 years Stations. 'JvB&s/teii

ANTARCTIC June 1981 mlMM Exploration of the Southern Ocean vertical structure of the Antarctic cir- has been effected under the POLEX- cumpolar current. For the first time SOUTH programme, mostly within the water mass transport within the system framework of Soviet and American of this current has been measured and cooperation. In the course of this ex the principal parameters of the seasonal ploration scientists have determined the changes of currents have been determin ed. Two Soviet glaciological traverses Two glaciological traverses were made with some members of the expedition, in East Antarctica last season by scien was also used in air operations last tists of the 26th Soviet Antarctic Expedi season. tion. One was to Dome B in Wilkes 1 from Mirny by way of Kom- Testing of a new ski undercar system for Antarctic operations was car aumolskaya; the other was to Dome C h" «««»y of Pioneerskaya. The traverses ried out during the season at Molodezhnaya and Vostok. A special - part of the Soviet contribution to machine developed to deal with snow the International Antarctic Glaciological condensation on the new compacted Project. s n o w ( s n o w - i c e ) r u n w a y a t Geological and geophysical investiga Molodezhnaya was also tested. tions on the Weddell Sea coast and in the Glaciologists investigated the snow-firn adjacent mountain regions were carried thickness on the Vostok runway, in the out from the two seasonal stations on region of the Novolazarevskaya runway, the Filchner Ice Shelf, Druzhnaya I and and in the region of temporary and pro II. Druzhnaya II, which is about 643km jected runways at Mirny west of Druzhnaya I, was established Two passenger ships, the Bashkirya last summer as a seasonal station, not and Estoniya were the first to leave for winter operations as reported in the Odessa last season with most of the sum March issue of "Antarctic." mer staff of SAE-26. The cargo ship In its summer operations SAE-26 Kapitan Markov was next to sail from employed 1400 scientists and support Leningrad, and was followed by the staff, eight ships, seven aircraft, and five Mikhail Somov, flagship of the Soviet helicopters. The summer activities were Antarctic research fleet. Supplies were led by Dr V.I. Serdyukov, a deputy also carried south by the cargo ship director of the Arctic and Antarctic In Pioner Onegi, and a Samotlar-class stitute in Leningrad, who was with tanker, which delivered bulk fuel to SAE-26 in 1974-76. Molodezhnaya and Mirny. Drummed This winter there are 300 men at the fuel for Druzhnaya I was carried in other seven permanent stations — ships. Other research ships in Antarctic Molodezhnaya, Mirny, Vostok, marine research programme were the Novalazarevskaya, Bellinghausen, Len hydro-meteorological vessels Professor ingradskaya, and Russkaya. They are Vize and Professor Zubov. headed by Dr V.A. Shamont'yev, who was with SAE-13 in 1967-69. Three Soviet scientific exploration To supply its continental station, ships, and a production training vessel Vostok, and support scientific projects operated in Antarctic waters during the on the continent SAE-26 used four 1979-80 season, but not' with the 25th Ilyushin-14 twin-engined aircraft, two Soviet Antarctic Expedition. The aging Antonov-2 biplanes, and five Mi-8 Ekvator worked in the Pacific sector, long-range helicopters. A four-engine and the Yelogradovo, Professor Ilyushin-18D turbo-proper aircraft Deryugin, and the production training which made the first regular flight to vessel Professor Kozhin operated in the Molodezhanya from Odessa in February Indian Ocean sector. ANTARCTIC

FRG EXPEDITION Five men at West German station West Germany's first permanent research station on the Ekstrom Ice Shelf in Atka Bay is occupied this winter by five men — a doctor, a meteorologist, and three technicians. They will be relieved in December when the summer research team arrives. Early in April after their first month's isolation the men reported via the Martisat satellite that all was well but the weather was decidedly rough. Construction of the new station, named few days packing their tents and equip George von Neumayer, was completed ment for loading on the ships. On March on February 24 when the West German 2 the three ships sailed for home by way flag first flew above the buildings. Severe of Cape Town, leaving the West German blizzards stopped work entirely on some flag flying bravely over the new station. days, and even on sunny days there were One of the busiest members of the ex- snow flurries which made the removal of Irifts a heavier task than erection of the station buildings. To complete the pro ject in time a construction team of 40 had to work up to 18 hours a day — 6 tion were seasick on the outward voyage, and again on the return trip a.m. to midnight. when the ships were caught in severe Ice conditions in the Weddell Sea gales. prevented the expedition's three chartered ships from reaching the Gould Dr Klapdor's main problem on the ice Bay area of the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf was to combat the effects of the where the station was to be established perpetual daylight. Many of the men inland and west of Berkner Island. The were unable to sleep, and others were in Norwegian polar research vessel Polar clined to over-estimate their strength sirkel, the Gotland II and the Titan were because of the euphoric state induced by only 108 nautical miles from their the sunlight. The main item Dr Klapdor destination when the increasing heavy had to prescribe for the construction pack forced them to head north and workers was sleeping tablets. then set a course for Atka Bay 650 miles But Dr Klapdor could not prevent to the east off the Princess Martha almost all the scientists going down with Coast. a a stomach bug for two days — prob This move eastward was made on ably caused by tinned soup. When the January 15, and the decision to build the expedition called at the Soviet summer station at the second choice site meant base, Druzhnaya I, on the Filchner — the loss of 16 days of precious working Ronne Ice Shelf he also had to treat one time. But the race against time and the man there for appendicitis, and another advance of winter ended on February 28 for severe toothache. when the station's winter team began Although most members of the ex operations. pedition arrived home with colds and All of the summer scientific pro still suffering from the effects of sea gramme, which included glaciological, sickness, some good news awaited them. meteorological, and geophysical studies, They learned that West Germany had was completed by February 26, and. the been accepted as a consultative member expedition's 12 scientists spent the next of the Antarctic Treaty. ^'&T*£ .w'w r^r^^^^^mW^^^^m ANTARCTIC

A special consultative meeting of the Eight other nations have acceded to Antarctic Treaty nations in Buenos the treaty since 1962, but do not have Aires in February admitted the Federal continuing scientific programmes of Republic of Germany as the 14th con their own in Antarctica. They are sultative member. Twelve nations Czechslovakia, Denmark, East Ger originally signed the treaty in 1959, and many, Netherlands, Rumania, Brazil, Poland, which acceded in 1961, was South Korea, and Uruguay. given consultative status in 1977. West Germany acceded in 1978. Diamonds in Antarctic meteorite One of the iron meteorites found in suggest that the diamonds in the Allan the Allan Hills area of Victoria Land is Hills meteorite (ALHA77283) must have diamond-bearing, according to scientists been formed before the meteoroid in the Department of Mineral Sciences at entered the Earth's surface as the iron the Smithsonian Institution. It is only meteorite landed softly, not producing the second diamond-bearing meteorite enough shock to cause the formation of ever found — the other being from diamonds. Meteor Crater in Arizona. "The most reasonable assumption is Since the 1976-77 season several hun that these features (metallographic dred meteorites have been collected in changes, diamonds and lonsdaleite) in Victoria Land by United States-Jap the (iron) meteorite were produced in the anese expeditions led by Dr William A. meteoroid at the time of parent body Cassidy, of the University of Pittsburgh. breakup," Dr Clarke and his colleagues Specimens from different areas have say. Analyses of other Allan Hills' been studies in several United States meteorites in the same group have con laboratories to establish their organic or firmed long terrestrial ages for inorganic content and terrestrial age. ALHA77272 (600,000 to 700,000 years) In a paper submitted to the scientific and ALHA77278 (400,000 years). These journal "Nature" by Dr Roy Clarke and analyses have been made by scientists at colleagues in the Department of Mineral other scientific institutions. Sciences at the Smithsonian Institution Millions of tons in krill swarm A swarm of krill believed to be pro cruise. At times their work was bably the largest school of sea life ever hampered by high winds, fogs, and measured — 10 million metric tons — icebergs. The project was headed by Dr was discovered by scientists aboard the Osmun Holm-Hansen of the Scripps United States research ship Melville Institution of Oceanography, and the which took part in the First Interna cruise was financed by the National tional BIOMASS Experiment (FIBEX) Science Foundation's Division of Polar last summer. The swarm, which covered Programmes. several square miles, and ranged in Two West German research ships, the depth from about 18.28m to 182.88m, Meteor and the Walther Herwig, and a was measured by acoustic survey and Polish vessel, the Professor Siedlecki, netting techniques during three days of a worked with the Melville in the FIBEX research cruise north of Elephant Island acoustic survey and the netting studies, in the eastern Scotia Sea. and the scientists aboard exchanged Twenty-eight scientists from the information and data with those on the United States, Argentina, Australia, Melville. During the measurement of the Chile, Japan, and Norway, worked krill patch 35 Soviet trawlers were sighted aboard the Melville during her 45-day in the vicinity. ANTARCTIC Many visitors to Palmer Station Each summer Palmer Station, the returned for eight hours at the end of the United States base on Anvers Island off season on March 20 to pick up United the Antarctic Peninsula, has more visi States cargo for delivery on her way back tors than any other Antarctic station. to Southampton. The United States The attractions are Arthur Harbour, the Coast Guard icebreaker Polar Star best harbour in the Antarctic Peninsula stayed three days when she made her area, and the facilities for ships to take annual resupply visit on December 28. on water. H.M.S. Endeavour, the Royal Navy's Last season Palmer Station had more ice patrol ship made a 12-hour goodwill than 1500 visitors who arrived aboard visit on February 1, and a week later the nine ships and icebreakers or flew in on Coast Guard icebreaker Glacier, which three helicopters. The cruise ship World had been supporting science projects in Discoverer made four calls, and the the Bellingshausen Sea, arrived for an Lindblad Explorer three. Between them 18-hour stay. Two Chilean Antarctic the cruise ships brought 747 people to supply ships, the Yelcho and the Piloto Anvers Island. Pardo called on February 16 and March First of the callers on December 5 was 8 respectively. the Argentine supply ships Bahia Smallest of the visitors were two Aguirre. Then the World Discoverer French yachts. The first was thi arrived on December 7. She called again ketch Kim, registered officially ; mber 26, January 11, and January 29. The Lindblad Explorer's calls were on January 10 and 26, and February 7. February 14 the 10m yacht Isatis arrived. A four-hour goodwill visit was made Jean Lescure and his wife Claudine, who on December 15 by the Royal Research plan to sail round the continent to Ship Bransfield on her way to relieve Adelie Land next summer, also made a British Antarctic Survey bases. She three-day stop. Polar Sea caught in Arctic ice

When the United States Coast Guard of Prudhoe Bay. The others were doing icebreaker Polar Sea made her first oceanographic research from the Polar voyage to Antarctica in the 1979-80 Sea and her helicopters. season she cut a 16.5-mile channel in McMurdo Sound through solid sea ice According to American reports the .9m to 2.4m thick in 16 hours. Her first Polar Sea arrived safely at Point Barrow winter cruise to Point Barrow in the on February 11. But on March 17 she Arctic winter was quite different. She was reported to be 155 miles west of was trapped in the ice on her way home Point Barrow and 90 miles off Wain- to Seattle, and was not expected to break wright, locked in ice 9.1m thick, rud free until the middle of this month. derless, and drifting about 40 miles a Early in October last year the Polar week. Sea was reported to be 80 nautical miles north of Point Barrow. Ten scientists Coast Guard helicopters evacuated 50 were engaged in studies of underwater of the icebreaker's crew, but several sound and oceanography in support of scientists were taken aboard to continue the United States Navy's submarine war biological, glaciological and polar com fare programme. Five of the team were munications studies. Late in March it working from a camp established in mid- was expected that the ship would be September on an ice floe 120 miles north released by the middle of" June.

".(=««■ :!'■"': ^*r^/r.# ANTARCTIC Search for minke whales in Southern Ocean by Paul Ensor Last summer 10 scientists from six of the International Whaling Commission member countries took part in the third minke whale assessment cruise in the Southern Ocean south of New Zealand and Australia. The New Zealand representative was Paul Ensor, of Christchurch. In the following article, specially written for "Antarc tic," he describes his work and experiences during a cruise of 58 days aboard the Toshi Maru II, one of three whale catchers provided for the survey by Japan and the Soviet Union.

The alarm rings. 0400 hours January hurriedly plot position, bearing, 17, 1981. As I reach the flying bridge, distance, numbers of whales and their the masthead lookout intercom calls body lengths. "Thar she blows, port 35 degrees, 3 More than an hour has passed before miles, blow . . . blow, blow, three minke we make our way to the position of the whales." "Thar she blows, starboard 15 last sighting but these whales are lost in degrees, 2.5 miles." It's another day of the waves. No whales are sighted in the searching for whales from the Toshi 12 nautical miles covered in the next Maru II, a whale catcher chartered from hour of searching along the edge of the Nippon Kyodo Hogei Kaisha Ltd, a pack ice, but there are magnificent ice Japanese whaling company, by the bergs and many seabirds — Cape International Whaling Commission for pigeons, Antartic petrels and snow the 1980/81 Minke Whale Assessment petrels. Cruise. PLAYFUL SCHOOL Conditions for finding whales are good this morning. It's overcast, Another school of three minke whales calm,and the air temperature is minus 3 is seen and then in the distance two blue deg Celsius. Whale "blows" are obvious whales. Near to these we find a school of as clouds of steam above the waves. As four blue whales; swimming slowly and the vessel approaches the position of the playfully, they are easy to approach. first sighting it slows and turns in a tight The largest in the school, at 27m, is half circle. All eyes are searching. The whales the length of our vessel. What a beauti surface and "blow" at some distance on ful sight in such calm, transparent the stern quarter. The helm is thrown ocean. The clouds darken and a brief down and at full speed, 17 knots, the snow flurry blocks our visibility, chase is on. There are many more stops, curtain-like a dramatic ending to the starts, circles and showers of chilling play of the blue whale. spray before the whales can be counted We follow the pack ice edge south and and their body lengths estimated. by 1100 hours, Young Island, the most Then the lookout calls a further northerly of the Balleny Islands is eight sighting: "Port 20 degrees 4.5 miles." miles to port and the pack ice edge three There are four more sightings. Our miles to starboard. Near the islands heads turn, trying to remember and to there are many more seabirds. Small relate bearings and distances of suc flocks of Cape pigeons and snow petrels cessive sightings to the gyro-compass are splashing to the water surface to feed and the changing horizon of waves. I on zooplankton. June 1981 ANTARCTIC

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One of four Japanese whale catchers with the factory ship Nisshin Maru in the South Indian Ocean returns with its catch of minke whales. The photograph was taken on January 11 by Paul Ensor from the Toshi Maru II one of three whale catchers used for the International Whaling Commission's minke whale assessment survey.

Along the west shore of the Ballenys large bay in the pack ice edge. Before we the pack ice gets too tight. We turn can count them they swim rapidly into back. On the thick ice floes there are dense inaccessible fields of ice floes. All scattered groups of Adelie penguins and too soon it is 2000 hours. Time to shut occasionally resting seals too distant to down the main engines and with the vessel identify but probably Crabeaters. We drifting, rocking to sleep is easy with the steam north again and then along the thought of starting searching for whales east coast of the islands. Rounded ice- again at 0400 hours. It has been another cape under puffy cumulus, wind, wave interesting day, whale sightings: minke and ice-battered rock bluffs and pin 16, blue 6, humpback 2. nacles, shoreline bounded by ice cliff's. We are now 31 days out of Wellington Amongst scattered ice floes and small and from the Toshi Maru II we have car melted icebergs, we find a solitary minke ried out a whale survey on a systematic whale and nearby a 20m to 21m hump grid, north of the pack ice in the western back whale and calf. On this coast of the sector of Antarctic Area V. During the Balleny Islands, thick pack ice again survey we have had very poor weather blocks our southerly heading so we for finding whales — many days of gales follow the ice edge eastwards. The heavy and large waves and also fog and snow. overcast sky fades to blue patches. Dur ing the afternoon a wind starts and Whenever we sight whales we try to sunglare makes conditions difficult for "mark" them with "Discovery" finding whales. Light-mantled sooty markers. These are small numbered albatrosses and black-browed molly- stainless steel cylinders. They are fired mawks on rigid wings enjoy the wind. accurately at whales at close range (less than 30m) from a .410 gauge shotgun. We find four schools of minke whales Ideally, the markers penetrate the blub amongst scattered melting ice floes in a ber and become embedded in the dorsal ■ ■ &.-•■■->* T'-V..." -jVi:

ANTARCTIC June 1981 musculature of the whale. If these travelling at different speeds. Gradients "marked" whales happen to be cap in the population density of minke tured in commercial whaling opera whales near the pack ice edge were also tions, useful information on population investigated. numbers can be gained; and, in conjunc From the Balleny Islands, the Toshi tion with the whale sighting survey, an Maru II commenced a survey for minke estimate of the total whale population whales along the pack ice edge in the can be made. Ross Sea. This navigation course took us An accurate estimate of the total close to Cape Adare, Cape Hallett, minke whale population is of vital Coulman Island, Franklin Island, importance to the scientificc manage Beaufort Island and Ross Island. We ment by the International Whaling followed the Ross Ice Shelf eastwards to Commission of the Antarctic minke the Bay of Whales and then made a cir whale industry. The 1980/81 minke cuitous passage through thick, close whale assessment cruise to Antarctic pack ice in the eastern Ross Sea and Area V was the third such cruise for the returned to Wellington by a Great Circle International Whaling Commission. course after 58 days at sea and steaming Previous cruises were made in 1978/79 10380 nautical miles. to Area IV and in 1979/80 to Area III. In the Ross Sea the Vdumchivyi 34 The International Whaling Commission concentrated on marking whales and plans to survey Area II in 1981/82. was directed by the Toshi Maru II to 45 WHALES CAUGHT areas of high whale density. The Kyo Maru 27 made a survey and marked For the 1980/81 cruise the Interna whales on a systematic grid in the central tional Whaling Commission chartered Ross Sea area. three whale catchers. Two were from Numbers of whales observed from the Japan, the Toshi Maru II and the Kyo Maru 27, and one from the Soviet Toshi Maru II during the voyage were: Union. Vdumchivyi 34. The Kyo Maru minke, 2759; blue, 7; fin, 38; sei, 2; 27 made a survey for minke whales along humpback, 7; sperm, 51; beaked whales, the pack ice edge between 160°E and 36; killer whales, 727; pilot, 125; 120°E and the Vdumchivyi 34 marked hourglass dolphins, 6; dusky dolphins, whales in the same area as the Kyo Maru 20. The total number of minke whales 27. In order to mark the greatest number marked from the three vessels was 474. of whales the Vdumchivyi was directed Highlights of my time aboard the to areas of high whale density by the Toshi Maru II were to see most of the Kyo Maru 27. species of" large whales of the Southern Although the minke whale assessment Ocean. Some of the most impressive cruise was, in essence, independent of views of these whales were obtained the commercial whaling operations, all when they were near the vessel in large three survey vessels refuelled from the schools: 450 killer whales near Coulman Japanese whaling factory vessel, the Island, 118 minke whales near the Bay of Nisshin Maru III in the South Indian Whales, and further north in the open Ocean January 11. During the day we ocean, schools of 29 fin whales and 100 spent aboard the vessel, about 45 minke pilot whales. whales were harpooned by her four Many interesting seabirds were seen whale chasers and dragged up the stern on the voyage and in the pack ice, and ramp to be processed. also Crabeater, Leopard, Weddell and After refuelling, all three survey Ross seals. Perfect Antarctic summer vessels steamed eastwards along the pack days were spent searching for whales ice edge. During this time, behavioural along the edge of the pack ice near the observation of the minke whales were Possession Islands, Cape Hallett, and made, and experiments were carried out around Beaufort Island, to the north of to investigate the response of minke McMurdo Sound. On the Toshi Maru II whales to searching vessels, and the the hospitality of the Japanese crew was sighting of whales from searching vessels exquisite. ANTARCTIC Soviet ban on North Pacific whaling Two years ago the Soviet Union made no mention of any intention to indicated that it would end its whaling stop Antarctic whaling. Soviet opera industry within five years, first in the tions have been reduced by the IWC ban North Pacific, and then in Antarctica. in 1979 on catching and processing of all Now it has taken the first step; the Far whales except minke by factory ships, Eastern whaling fleet has stopped opera and the reduction of the 1980 sperm tions and its three factory ships are being whale quota in the Southern Hemisphere re-equipped to process fish and shellfish. from 4875 to 580. When the International Whaling Commission's scientific committee met Japan now operates only one fleet in California at the end of 1978 Dr with a mother ship, which concentrates on minke whale hunting in Antarctic Vyacheslav Zemsky, leader of the Soviet waters. The Japanese Whaling Associa legation, told the committee of his tion has announed that Japan will con country's plans to phase out commercial tinue to kill whales in the North Pacific whaling. He said that seven fleets had been scaled down to four, two in the in coastal waters, using catchers along North Pacific, and two in Antarctica the Japanese coast. which took fish as well as whales. One After the IWC banned factory ship fleet was excluded from the North whaling in 1979 Japan and the Soviet Pacific in 1979. Union objected. Later the Soviet Union Although the Soviet Union has sought an increased quota of sperm suspended all whaling in the North whales to assist in the re-adjustment, but Pacific except for limited catches of gray did not succeed. Since then, however, whales by ethnic hunters in the extreme Japan has accepted the IWC decision north-east of Siberia, the statement and has agreed not to use long-range issued in Vladivostok early this year, fleets in the North Pacific.

Tasmanian Antarctic Committee

Tasmania's future role in Antarctic development of Tasmania as the focal activities will be co-ordinated by a point for such ventures. special committee set up by the State When agreement was reached in Government. It is made up of represen Canberra last year on the establishment tatives of the Premier's Department, of an international regime for the con _ands Department, Tasmanian Fisheries servation and rational use of Antarctica's Development Authority, Transport marine living resources provision was Commission, and the Solicitor-General's made for an international commission Department signed by representatives of 15 nations. Because of Tasmania's important role The Tasmanian Antarctic Committee in Antarctic research and development, will consider matters relating to the and expected interest in the island as the establishment of the commission. base for nations involved in Antarctic research the Government has asked the committee to draft a policy on the K2&&& Antarctic for consideration by the State ■>&£>&;* Cabinet. This( will include the co ordination of foreign and/or joint ven ture operations in the Antarctic and the ANTARCTIC Veterans of Heroic Age in Antarctica An Englishman, two Australians, and There are still two survivors of a New Zealander, are the last links with Mawson's Australasian Antarctic Expe the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration. dition (1911-14). One is the chief They served with Scott, Shackleton, and magnetician, Eric Webb, who was born Mawson, and still retain their memories in Lyttelton, educated at Canterbury of historic events of more than 65 years University College, and became a ago although three are in their nineties, distinguished civil engineer. and one is 88. Eric Webb now lives in England, and William Burton, who joined the Terra .will be 92 later this year. He was a Nova from the Royal Navy 71 years ago, member of the main party of the expedi is now the only survivor of Scott's 1910-13 tion based at Cape Denison in Com expedition. He was born in London, but monwealth Bay, and on December 21, has lived in Christchurch for nearly 60 1912, with two Australians, Bob Bage years. and Frank Hurley, came within 80km of On April 7 this year Bill Burton was the South Magnetic Pole. 93. Three days later he was the first In 1912 Eric Webb and the other sur Antarctic veteran to be presented to the vivor of the expedition, 95-year-old Prince of Wales, who spent nearly an hour at the Canterbury Museum talking Captain Morton Moyes, were 2200km about Antarctica with men and women apart because the latter was one of the eight men of the western party led by who had served with later expeditions or Frank Wild who lived for a year and a the New Zealand Antarctic research day at the western base on the programme. Shackleton Ice Shelf off Queen Mary An 87-year-old Australian, R. W. Land. The two men are now even fur Richards, known to the Antarctric ther apart, but still keep in touch. fraternity as Dick Richards, is now the last survivor of Shackleton's Imperial Captain Moyes, who retired from the Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-17. Royal Australian Navy after 32 years' He was one of 10 men in the expedition's service, served as meteorologist with Mawson's expedition. In 1916 he went Ross Sea Party who were marooned south again in the Aurora with Shackle without warning on Ross Island for 20 ton to rescue the survivors of the Ross months and endured two bitter winters. Sea Party. He went south with Mawson Dick Richards lives at Port Lonsdale, a second lime in the Discovery as survey Victoria, and still maintains his interest officer for the first cruise of the British, in Antarctica, and particularly Ross Australian, and New Zealand Antarctic Island. In a recent letter to "Antarctic" Research Expedition in 1929-30. he had high praise for Maurice Conly's painting of Mt Erebus which was repro Although Captain Moyes is unable to duced on a Scott Base Christmas card walk far from his home north of last year. Sydney, and his eyesight is not as good as it used to be, he is still active in mind "It is one of the best pictures I have and spirit. Recently he spent two periods seen (of the many) of the dearly loved "under the lights" for an Australian mountain for when we left the hut (at Broadcasting Commission TV team Cape Evans) it always seemed to tower which is making a documentary to mark over us," he writes. "This is an effect the centenary of Mawson's birth which that pictures seem to fail to convey. It falls next year. was our very close companion, and when it first peeped above the horizon After more than 50 years there are few on returning from sledging it seemed we veterans of Byrd's first expedition in were really home." 1928-30 which marked the beginning of ANTARCTIC

Ninety-three-year-old William Burton, who is the last survivor of the crew of the Terra Nova and Scott's last expedition (1910-1913) at the Canterbury Museum after meeting the Prince of Wales. With him are David Harrowfield (left) and Baden Norris (right). ( aniiri.iin Museum pholo l>> Alan MacNanghlon the age of aircraft, radio, and mechanis ed transport in Antarctic exploration. Of the 41 men who wintered with Byrd at Little America I in 1929 only nine sur Winter vegetable vive. There are also eight men, including three New Zealanders, who served grower aboard the expedition's ships, City of One of two women wintering in An New York and Eleanor Boiling, on their tarctica this year, Dr Louise Holliday, voyages from New Zealand to the Bav of medical officer at the Australian base, Whales. Davis, has taken up vegetable growing as Shore party veterans are: Dr Laurence a hobby for the dark winter months. Dr Gould (geologist and second-in- Holliday, whose name was changed to command), Henry Harrison (meteoro Halliday by a typographical error in the logist), Dr Frank Davies (physicist), September issue of "Antarctica", is Kennard Bubier (aviation mechanic), responsible for the health of 24 men of Edward Goodalc (dog driver), Howard the winter team at Davis. Mason (radio operator), Quin- Black Dr Holliday is the first Australian burn (geologist), Norman Vaughan (dog woman to winter on the Antarctic Conti driver), and Dean Smith (pilot). nent; she is not the first member of a Of the eight men who served aboard winter team to grow fresh vegetables. the ships Edward Roos, John Bird, Percy The Australian Antarctic gardeners who Wallis, and Allan Innes-Taylor went have engaged in the hobby during past south in the City of New York, and winters have had no need of soil. They Lelan Barter, Carroll Foster, Neville have used hydroponic techniques, grow Shrimpton, and John Morrison sailed in ing tomatoes and other vegetables in the Eleanor Boiling. The New nutrient solutions under artificial light. Zealanders were Neville Shrimpton (radio operator), who lives in Nelson, John Morrison (fourth engineer), of Dunedin, and Percy Wallis (assistant sailmaker), of Auckland. aneraswra*. X£5&&H23£«'!t Iw»

ANTARCTIC

SUB-ANTARCTIC Satellite survey of Auckland and Campbell Islands A satellite survey of the Auckland Records of the Cape Expedition show Islands and Campbell Island has been that W. S. McDougal, not McDougall, completed by the Royal New Zealand was a member of the second year's party Navy's survey ship Monowai, which which was on Campbell Island from spent five days in each area. The posi March, 1942 to February, 1943. This tion of the islands on maps of the sub- party completed a topographical survey Antarctic may be changed slightly ■of the island, and Beeman Hill was one because satellite surveying systems are of the places where trig marks were more accurate than the conventional •placed. methods used in the first surveys many Why the note and weather summary years ago. were left on Beeman Hill is not known. During the Campbell Island survey The note reads: "Cape Expedition. I am the Navy hydrographers found a leaving this message hoping it will interest weather report nearly 40 years old. The you. We left Wellington on February 25, summary of the weather from April, 1942 by M.S. Ranui for Auckland and 1942 to January, 1943, and a message Campbell islands to relieve and take over were in a canister on top of Beeman Hill duty." where the landing party established a There are also references to the land survey post. ing of the first party in 1941, and the A badly waterstained note inside the number of men at the three camps, Port canister was signed by a man named W. Ross and Carnley Harbour in the S. McDougall. He was a member of the Auckland Islands, and Perseverance secret wartime Cape Expedition which Harbour, Campbell Island. The note maintained coastwatching parties on the also describes the work done by the men Auckland Islands and Campbell Island on Campbell Island — wireless watches from 1941 onwards to keep a lookout and meteorological reporting, surveying, for enemy raiders and supply ships. geological studies, and recording fish, bird, and animal life. Polish fisheries research Feasability studies of commercial carries two Polish fisheries scientists fishing in New Zealand's sub-Antarctic aboard, and is fitted with advanced fish waters have been amde by a Polish finding and communications electronic research vessel, Professor Bogucki, as a equipment. preliminary to a joint venture by the Central Fisheries Board of Poland, and As a joint venture project the Pro two New Zealand companies, R. and W. fessor Bogucki is operated in New Hellaby Ltd, and Mauri Bros and Zealand by Rybex, a Polish foreign Thomson (N.Z.) Ltd. The Professor trading enterprise, the Central Fisheries Bogucki's first two voyages from Bluff Board's biggest fishing company, have included the sub-Antarctic Dalmor Deepsea Fishing and Fishing Auckland Islands and Campbell Island. Services Enterprises, and the two New Built three years ago, the 2376-tonne Zealand companies. Joint venture Professor Bogucki is named after a fishing operations will start after the famous Polish ichthyologist, and is own feasability studies are completed, pro ed by the Polish Fisheries Institute. She bably in March next year. June 1981 ANTARCTIC

Since the beginning of December last year the Professor Bogucki has com Marion Island pleted two voyages from Bluff, which included the Auckland Islands, Camp Eruption bell Island, the Pukaki Rise, and the Chatham Rise. She left Auckland at the A long-dormant volcano on Marion beginning of April on her third voyage Island, the volcanic island in the Indian which is planned to last 55 days. Ocean sector of the Southern Ocean, is reported to have erupted in December During the first two voyages the Pro last year. An American report says that fessor Bogucki carried out trawling at the eruption did not cause any injuries to 1200m, but her best catch rate was at a the staff of the South African scientific- depth between 1000m and 1200m. The station, and equipment and buildings main target species was orange roughy were not damaged. (deep-sea perch). On later voyages the Elephant seals which normally feed target species may include hoki, hake, off the shore near the volcano are ling, and southern blue whiting. reported to have scattered when the Most of the foreign fishing activity in eruption occurred. But King and sub-Antarctic waters of the Exclusive Macaronic penguins are said to have Economic Zone so far this year has been warmed themselves by the heat produc off the Auckland Islands. Twenty-eight ed by the slowly flowing lava. trawlers were reported in the area in Marion Island, which is one of the mid-March — 12 Soviet vessels, one Prince Edward Islands group, is 2300km Japanese, one South Korean, and 14 south of Cape Town. Both Marion joint venture trawlers. Island and Prince Edward Island are of In mid-January only one Soviet VI trawler was fishing near the Auckland has shown that they are about 250,000 Islands, and two Japanese ships were years old. There has been a working near Campbell Island. North of meteorological station on Marion Island 50deg S between 170deg and 175deg E for many years, and it is also a centre for there were nine Soviet vessels. Two biological research in the sub-Antarctic. Japanese trawlers and one joint venture vessel were south of the Snares in Area F of the EEZ. Six Soviet trawlers were reported in U.S. research mid-February south of Campbell Island and another six were at 52deg S/174deg E. In Area E south of the Snares there costs were three Japanese vessels and three Support for the United States Antarc working for joint venture projects. tic research programme, provided by the Thirty-two squid boats — 30 National Science Foundation, amounted Japanese, one joint venture, and one to $55,835,945 in the 1979-80 season. South Korean were reported during mid- Base level support cost $32,819,000, March south of the Snares in Area E. In direct operational support of science addition three joint venture trawlers and projects by ship and aircraft amount to two Japanese were reported. $9,011,000, and $6,630,388 was spent on Activity in mid-April was concen major construction and procurement of trated in the Auckland Islands area. materials. Twenty-two trawlers were reported there Biological and medical sciences cost — four Soviet vessels, 15 joint venture $1,982,995, atmospheric sciences trawlers, two Japanese, and one South $1,865,323, and earth sciences Korean. There was another Soviet $1,195,365. Oceanography took trawler near 49deg S/170deg E, and five $911,619, and glaciology $758,998. were working in the Campbell Island Information and advisory services were allocated $661,256. ANTARCTIC

Charles Morgan made early seismic soundings of ice One of the veterans of Rear-Admiral It camped at 78deg 33min S/150deg Byrd's second expedition (1933-35), who 24min W to make its observations. made some of the first seismic soundings Two days later the party reached the of'Antarctic ice, has died in the United 241 km depot on the eastern trail to Little States. He was Charles Gill Morgan, America II. It left the next day after geophysicist and geologist with the completing the seismic and magnetic expedition. work. But when only 24km west of the Morgan was co-leader with a depot the hard-driven tractor broke physicist, Dr Ervvin H. Bramhall, of the down. A radio call to Little America II Plateau Party, which made a 1311km brought Finn Ronne and Richard Black journey to the Rockefeller Plateau to out by dog team with spare parts on measure ice thickness by seismic sound December 30. ing, and make magnetic observations. On December 31 the tractor was runn The original plan was for the Geo ing again, and at 4.30 a.m. on January physical Party, which included two 2, 1935, struggling through drift and Norweigan skiers and dog drivers, Finn fog, it arrived at Little America II, Ronne and Albert Eilefsen, to ascend almost at its last mechanical gasp, but the Robert Scott Glacier after reaching under its own paper as the crew had the base of the Queen Maud Mountains, vowed it would. Morgan was not with and determine the thickness of the Polar the party; he made a side trip to the Plateau ice-cap. Rockefeller Mountains with Ronne and With the Geological Party of three Black, climed Mt Nilsen, and returned men led by Quin Blackburn, the Geo on January 6. physical Party left Little America II on October 16, 1934. By early November the parties, using dogs, had crossed a Ice research belt of crevasses at 81 deg lOmin S and camped 336km from Little America II to project wait for two Citroen tractors bringing Research into the physical properties 7.25 tonnes of supplies. of. ice and their effect on the flow of When the tractors ran into crevasses glaciers and the movement of sea ice will trouble the parties were regrouped. The be done by a New Zealand scientist, Dr geophysical equipment, which weighed W. Robinson, who worked in Victoria 385kg, was transferred to the tractors, Land during the 1978-79 season. He has and Morgan and Bramhall joined the been awarded a Commonwealth scholar tractor drivers, E. J. (Pete) Demas, Joe ship and will work at the Scott Polar Hill, and Amory Waite. On November 6 Research Institute. the renamed Plateau Party left 81 deg Dr Robinson, who is head of the 09min S, heading north and then east to physics division, Physics and Engineer avoid the crev ,se belt on its way to the ing Laboratory, Department of Scien Rockefeller Plateau. tific and Industrial Research, was one of Bad weather, treacherous crevasses, three PEL scientists who studied the some 9m across, and mechanical failures properties of Antarctic ice, using made the journey a gruellling one. One physical metallurgy techniques. He tractor had to be abandoned at 79deg worked at Lake Vanda in the Wright S/150 deg 24min W, but the determined Valley, on the Clark, Canada, Com drivers battled on, and by December 14 monwealth and Taylor Glaciers, and on the party had climbed more than 820m the Erebus Ice Tongue in McMurdo above sea level and was on the plateau. Sound. HN.TflRCiTjICj

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 worldwide circulation. Yearly subscription NZ$7.00, Overseas NZ$8.00, includes postage (air mail postage extra), single copies $2.00. Details of back issues available, may be obtained from the Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society (Inc.), P.O. Box 1223, Christchurch, New Zealand. Back issues more than five years old are available on request. Overseas subscribers are asked to ensure that their remittances are converted to New Zealand currency.

NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY (INC.)

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. 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$5.00 (or equivalent local currency). Membership fee, overseas and local, includina "Antarctic", NZ$11.00.

New Zealand Secretary: P.O. Box 1223, Christchurch Branch Secretaries: Canterbury: P.O. Box 404, Christchurch. Wellington: P.O. Box 2110, Wellington. ^ ■ i—

9MI r £fi*r