A N E W S B U L L E T I N

published b y t h e NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY

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(Successor to "Antarctic News Bulletin")

VOL. 3, No. SEPTEMBER, 1964

Editor: L. B. Quartermain, M.A., 1 Ariki Road, Wellington, E.2, New Zealand. Business Communications, Subscriptions, etc., to: Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington, N.Z.

HONOURED 140 DAYS AT THE The following Antarctic veterans BOTTOM OF THE WORLD resident in New Zealand have been elected Honorary Life Members of This is the title of the National the New Zealand Antarctic Society. Film Unit's forthcoming Antarctic C. R. Ford, Auckland, 1902-04. film (see June issue, page 429). The F. Rooney, Lower Hutt, "Nimrod". film opens with a Hercules plane M. McCarthy, Lyttelton, A.B., "Terra Nova". runway in McMurdo Sound. "The W. Burton, Christchurch, Engin long night has gone, and the white eer, "Terra Nova". continent again tilts into the dawn W. McDonald, Christchurch, A.B., of summer". "Terra Nova". Honorary Life Membership has The wide-screen colour film was also been conferred on another shot by camera-men Kel. Fowler "Discovery" man, and Sam Grau during a 4i month C. H. Hare, Queensland, 1902-03, assignment in which all aspects of who was New Zealand born and New Zealand's 1963-64 Antarctic pro was living in New Zealand when he gramme were covered, from the joined "Discovery" for Scott's first scientific work and the communal expedition. He wintered in the Ant life at Scott Basc to the arduous arctic during 1902. dog-sledging journeys in previously Mr. Ford and Mr. Hare are, we un traversed mountain regions. believe, the only "Discovery" men Still living. He will be a dull New Zealander who will not follow with absorbed PILOT SCHEME interest this half-hour raising of the curtain on the life our men are "Man has shown in the Antarctic, on an extremely small scale, what leading In the far South. he could do if he acted as an intelli gent being. He could do as much on a world-wide scale. But, for that, the "VOSTOK 900" most important requirement is that human beings should understand Viewers in Wellington are to have their calling as men; that man the privilege of seeing the outstand should cease behaving as a predat ing Australian documentary Vostok ing wolf in his relations with other 900 on Channel 1 at 8.33 p.m. on men, and that he should so organise Friday, September 11. The Dunedin his affairs as to make it possible to (DNTV 2) telecast is scheduled for live in peace on his own planet be Sunday, September 27, at 10.35 p.m. fore reaching out for others". This record of the notable Wilkcs- Vostok trek led by New Zealander Paul-Emile Victor in his Bob Thomson has been acclaimed "Man and the Conquest in Australia as an exceptionally fine of the Poles." telecast. September, 1964 NEW ZEALAND FIELD WORK HAS AN ALTERED PATTERN As forecast, the coming summer will see a departure from the customary New Zealand pattern of one or two long dog-sledging journeys. Instead, the emphasis will be on small parties air-lifted to their operational area, where they will each devote a few weeks to the intensive study of a limited locality with certain specific objectives. Dog-teams, motor toboggans and None of these ranges has so far man-hauling will all be used, and no been studied intensively by a group party will contain more than four ol competent geologists. The New men. A feature of the manning is Zealand team lor 1964-65 will be led the solid core of men experienced by Malcolm Laird of the Geological in Antarctic field work. Survey, Greymouth, who was geolo gist of the Southern Field Party LITTLE KNOWN RANGES undcl" Captain P. Hunt which work ed north of the Nimrod Glacier One group will study the geology nearer the coast in 1960-61. With of the Holyoake, Cobham and Laird will be two young geologists, Swithinbank mountain ranges of G. D. Mansergh and J. M. C. Chap- Victoria Land. These ranges are pell, and a field assistant D. Mas- comparatively newly-named features sain, who has wintered at Scott lying inland from the portion of Base this year after extensive field the Ross Ice Shelf which extends work last summer, from 81°30'S. to 82°27'S., north of The party will be flown in to the the Nimrod Glacier. ranges early in November, and will be set down at a point to be select- The Holyoake Range, named after ed by earlier air reconnaissance, the New Zealand Prime Minister, They will work in the area for extends for 35 miles parallel with about six and a half weeks, the coast-line in approximately 159° The air reconnaissance will be 30'E. about 40 miles west of the carried out late in October if con- coastal Nash Range, named after a ditions permit, when the Scott Basc former Prime Minister. Its southern Leader will accompany the team end. 82°27'S., is about 30 miles west leader to select suitable sites, of Cape Wilson. On or about December 20 Laird's ,„. ^ , , „ . , team will be air-lifted south across The Cobham Range is named thc Nimrod Glacier to the area of after an ex-Governor-Genera o New Ml Markham (82°50'S., 160°30'E.) in 7ealand It is roughly parallel with the Queen Elizabeth Range, when le Holyoake Range but some eight lhcy will work for aboul two and ., miles further west, i.e. further in- na,-f weeks unli, Januarv 8> i965. GEOLOGISTS' RANGE A second four-man team will be led by P. C. Le Couteur, a geologist who was a member of V. R. Mc Gregor's geological team which worked south ot the Ross Ice Shelf last summer. Le Couteur was evacu ated after falling 60 feel into a cre vasse. His companions will be M. R. Gregory and R. G. Adamson, geologists and W. R. Lucy, surveyor, who has wintered this vear at Scott Base. September, 1964

This team will be flown to the they will manhaul and backpack to Geologists' Range about the begin thc Allan Nunatak and in mid- ning of December. Working with December will be transferred to the two dog-teams for approximately six Mt Fleming-Mistake Peak area. Mt weeks, they will be air-lifted back Fleming (77°33'S., 160°08'E.) lies at to McMurdo about mid-January. the head of the Wright Valley, and The Geologists' Range is unknown was named by the T.A.E. Northern country. The mountains were seen Party in 1957-58, of which Warren at a distance by Captain Hunt's was a member. Mistake Peak is team in 1960-61. The line of peaks about 8 miles north of Mt Fleming. lies about 40 miles south-west of From here they will be flown back the Cobham Range. to McMurdo aoout December 22. NORTHERN PARTY VOLCANICS Ihe Northern Party, a geological A two-man team, probably A. and survey team, will be led by Ewart, leader, and R. G. Adamson, both geologists, will work in the Guyon Warren, an experienced field Black Island, Cape Bird, Cape geologist who was a member of Sir Edmund Hillary's original Scott Royds, Hut Point and Scott Base Base team in 1956-57, and was one areas between November 1 and of the first party to climb Mt December 1, in order to study the Harmsworth, west of the Skelton petrology and mineralogy of the Glacier. In the following summer he Ross Island volcanic rocks for com w a s a m e m b e r o f t h e T. A . E . parison with those of New Zealand. Northern Party which explored the V U WA E 9 length of the Mawson, Fry, Mackay, Debenham and Taylor Glaciers of The ninth Victoria University of Victoria Land. Wellington Expedition will be led by Warwick M. Prebble, geologist With Warren will be two other and experienced Antarctic research geologists, P. F. Ballance and W. A. man. Overall, the party will com Watters and a paleobotanist, J. A. prise 11 men, but not all will par Townrow. ticipate in the same projects. In This team will be working in the addition to Prebble they are R. high country at the head of the Hoare (deputy leader), physicist; Mackay Glacier (77°S.) in northern Dr P. Vella, geologist and scientific Victoria Land, in country traversed leader for the first phase of the by Warren in December 1957-Janu- expedition; Prof. J. Bradley, geolo ary 1958. In the initial phase of gist and scientific leader, second their project, they will be studying phase; A. Baker, biologist; R. Bell, the Allan and Carapace Nunataks physicist; J. Cole, geologist; D. primarily to examine thoroughly the Palmer, geologist (an American Full- Mawson "Tillite" exposed there, in bright scholar); B. de Campana, order to establish with certainty its geologist( an Australian); F. Schafer true nature, and also to examine the and A. Frame, technicians in the Beacon sediments on which the University's geology department. Tillite lies and the lavas embedded The principal activities of the ex in it. They will then undertake de pedition will be (1) geological tailed measurement and correlation studies in the Black Island, Brown of this Beacon Group section and Peninsula, Koettlitz Glacier and search for any regional disconformi- Taylor Valley areas (volcanics, mor lies and evidence as to the age of aine and fossiliferous deposits), (2) the oldest beds. These nunataks are geochemical research at Lake Vanda "just across the border" in Austra and at the ponds and lakes on lian Antarctic Territory in 159°30'E.: Brown Peninsula, and (3) geological, Allan Nunatak in lat. "76°40'S., Cara geophysical and algalogical studies pace Nunatak in lat. 76°50'S. in the Koettlitz Glacier and Taylor The team will be flown to the Valley areas. Carapace Nunatak on November 19 Helicopters will be the main form and will also establish their main of transport to and from these stores dump at Allan nunatak. Later several areas. September, 1964

BIOLOGY SOIL FORMATION Two separate parties will also be Two two-man teams will be engaged in biological research: one carrying out research into soil- comprising staff and students from forming processes in the Ross De the University of Canterbury, the pendency, one team from the Soil other organised by the Dominion Survey, D.S.I.R., the other from Lin Museum, Wellington. coln College, Canterbury. UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY The Soil Survey team (Dr G. C. Claridge, Leader, and I. B. Camp .j. seven-man team from the Uni bell) will work in a large number versity of Canterbury under Dr of widely-scattered areas, stretching Bernard Stonehouse will be working from Hallett Station in 72US., at Cape Royds and Scott Base, with through Inexpressible Island, the inspection visits to Beaufort Island, Darwin Glacier and Victoria Valley Cape Bird, Cape Crozier and Inex to Plunket Point (the junction of pressible Island, continuing the the Mill and Beardmore Glaciers) in studies on Weddell seals, Adelie pen 85°S. guins and McCormick Skuas. In ad dition to the leader, the team will The party's movements have been comprise zoologists M. R. Smith, G. planned to tie in with the air-move W. Yeates and" I. F. Spellerberger, ments of other parties. At all the geographer J. Hay, photographer G. points mentioned soil-forming pro Mannering and technician I. cesses and the influence of climate Harkess. thereon will be studied. Dr Claridge took part with J. D. McCraw in a DOMINION MUSEUM less widespread investigation in Dr E. C. Young, already well- 1959-60, and has been working on known for his studies of skua be samples collected then, and later by haviour at Cape Royds in 1959-60— various field parties not specifically and for his defence of the skua— concerned with soil science. will again be in skua country, but this time at Cape Crozier, the western tip of Ross Island. He will have B. Cope as his technician- The other Soil Survey party will assistant. Dr Young wants lo assess consist of two men from Lincoln the validity of his earlier con College: P. R. Stevens (Leader) and clusions by a more detailed scrutiny J. D. H. Williams (soil-chemist). of skua feeding patterns in a less They will work in three localities, disturbed area than Cape Royds. He transport being by helicopter. and Cope will be flown to Cape Crozier on November 16 and will re The first locality will bc Cape main there for over three months. Chocolate, the end of a chocolate- coloured moraine bordering the western wall of the Koettlitz Glacier ICE SHELF STUDIES at 77°58'S. Here the men will work A. J. Heine was a member of the from November 18 till December 1 Geological and Survey expeditions (approximately). They will then be of 1957-58 and 1958-59,'and wintered flown to Lake Alph about 20 miles over at Scott Base in 1959 before south of Cape Chocolate and will accompanying the United States Vic return to Scott Base on December toria Land Traverse led by Van der 11. On the 15th they will move to Hoevcn. He became interested in the Taylor Valley and work there the character and movement of the till December 22. Ross Ice Shelf and the McMurdo Ice Shelf, and has already spent several summers investigating the OCEANOGRAPHY problems involved. This summer he During January a party of ocean will again be prosecuting his study ographers will travel on board the of the ice shelves. Working with him "Endeavour" to carry out oceano will be D. G. Lowe, I. B. McDonald graphic surveys of the Campbell and A. O. Parton. Submarine plateau. September, 1964

B. B. DORRINGTON: Fitter Elec TO WINTER OVER trician. A technical assistant at TEAM FOR SCOTT BASE NEECO, he was previously em ployed at H.M. Dockyard, Devon- ADRIAN G. HAYTER: Leader (see port. June issue). R. C. WRIGHT: Storekeeper. He A. L. BURROWS: Senior Scientist. will winter over to complete a base echnical Officer inventory and stores system. with the Magnetic Survey, Geo D. J. HAYCOCK: Cook. He was a physics Division, D.S.I.R. at Christ chef with the R.N.Z.A.F. from 1958 church. He wintered at Scott Base to 1964. in 1958, and was again in the An tarctic during two subsequent summers. SUMMER PARTY J. E. GAWN: Radio Officer. This will In addition to these listed above be Mr Gawn's third winter in the as members of the various field Antarctic. He was second radio- parties, the following men will serve officer of the New Zealand com as members of thc summer support ponent of the Trans-Antarctic Ex staff at Scott Base. pedition 1956-58, and has been the M. Prebble: Deputy Leader (from radio-operator at the Base this year. November 23). Mr Prebble was a B. M. JUDD: Base Engineer. He has member of thc Huts Restoration wintered over at Scott Base this party in 1960-61, and served again year as Senior Maintenance Officer as dog-handler at Scott Base in the and is an employee of the Ministry summer of 1961-62. He is a post of Works. primary school-teacher. M. J. R. Ford will act as Field T. E. SANSON: Scientific Officer. A Officer. He was deputy leader and post-primary school science master take over. He was deputv leader and who also holds a B.E. degree (elec led one section of the northern field trical), he will be employed on iono party in Victoria Land last summer spheric analysis. after field work the summer before G. JONES: Scientific Officer. He is and wintering over throughout 1963. employed at the Physics and En J. T. Murphy: Public Relations Of gineering Laboratory, Gracefield. ficer. He is a journalist employed D. L. FOSTER-LYNAM: Technician. by the N.Z.B.C. at Invercargill. He is an R.N.Z.A.F. man with ex L. A. Wood: Cooks' Assistant. perience in the maintenance of elec B. R. Ahern: Carpenter. He served trical equipment and in radio direc at Scott Base for six months 1963-64. tion finding. G. S. Carr: Carpenter. J. CALVERT: Photo-Lab. Technician. Mr Calvert is employed by a photo G. H. Nitz: Motor mechanic. graphic firm in Christchurch. M. Gray: Postmaster. D. R. C. LOWE: Field Assistant. Born in England, he came to New BOY SCOUTS Zealand 15 years ago, and is em As in the past three years, a ployed at Mt Ruapehu. group of three Queen's Scout will be quartered at Scott Base for the I. B. McDONALD: Field assistant. summer months, taking a full part An experienced mountaineer, at pre in the life and work of the station. sent a sales-driver with Mobil Oil The scouts selected for the coming Ltd. summer are: C. E. HOUGH: Fitter Mechanic. A David Crerar, Christchurch. litter employed by the Ministry of Wilfred Jannsen, Benhar. Works, Mr Hough has had a year on Campbell Island. Brian Service, Auckland. September, 1964

WINTER AT BASE midday on Juy 12. It was first seen passing in front of the Southern i increase in cloud cover, as Cross and reappeared overhead ap against 1963, has resulted in a proximately 110 minutes later, shin warmer winter than usual, but at ing as brightly as any star then the price of more snow and wind. visible in the heavens. The satellite This has made travelling in the disappeared over the horizon. dark, especially to the outpost at Arrival Heights, more difficult. Tem LOOKING AHEAD peratures up to the end of June July activities mainly centred varied from 18 to 81 degrees of round stocktaking, with an eye to frost. The highest wind recorded (a the forthcoming rc-supply. Prepar few weeks before mid-winter) i n g s t o c k - s h e e t s i s a b o r i n g reached 88 miles an hour and dam "activity" to men who would much aged telephone communications sooner, come snow come wind, be with the American base two miles roaming Hut Point Peninsula. The sun re-appeared for a moment away. or two on August 18. Before then, MIDWINTER however, the twilight at midday was Midwinter Day was celebrated at making it easier for the dog- the base with the customary festivi handlers to see drifts and declivities ties. Goodwill messages began com on the ice-shelf when running the ing in on June 19 from French, Rus dogs. The pups are healthy and sian and Belgian Antarctic stations boisterous. The unexpected heavy and from many distant parts of the accumulation of snow made it diffi world. One from President Lvndon cult to keep the dog spans above Johnson concluded: the surface. Unfortunately two of the dogs were lost during July; one "The knowledge you gain dur who was ailing had to be shot and ing these lonely months will one another was found dead on the line. day enable the rest of us to con quer those elements you battle SUNRISE today. As a result of your efforts A gleeful message from Scott now, tomorrow men may not Base on August 19 said: "From the know cold or privation, fear or summit of Second Crater the sun ignorance. The hardships you was seen to rise over Cape Royds face shall not have been in at approximately 1.45 p.m. local vain." time today. This'was the signal for raising the New Zealand ensign at Commander Reilly and others Scott Base. The thermometer read from McMurdo were guests at the —51 °F. This was not cold enough Scott Base evening celebrations on to chill the sunrise celebrations. June 21, when the bill of fare in "In the brightening twilight of the cluded lobster thermidor, stuffed past few days the huskies have been green peppers, roast seasoned exercised on the new sea ice in pre chicken and baked Virginia ham. paration for field activities during Commander Reilly and the Scott the coming summer." Base Leader, Russell Rawle, cut the Midwinter Cake. UNEXPECTED MAIL There was great delight at the Following a pyrotechnic display over the dog-lines arranged by base arrival, by the historic "mercy flight", of an unprecedented mid engineer Mills and others more winter mail. At Scott Basc itself the American guests joined the gather postmaster was extremely busy just ing, which listened to an American- before the Hercules arrived dealing Kiwi string band until the small with the letters hurriedlv written in hours of June 22. time for the return flight. Dave The temperature was —13°F., 45 Mills prepared a metal cachet-stamp degrees of frost. and no doubt the receivers of en velopes so stamped will long SATELLITE SEEN treasure them—unless thev are A satellite was observed from tempted by high monetary offers by Scott Base a few minutes before the collectors of special "covers." September, 1964

U.S. HONOUR FOR N.Z. RADIO MAN Stormy weather damaged the An unusual honour has been be V.L.F. antenna, the responsibility of stowed upon Mr J. E. (Ted) Gawn, a New Zealand observer, on June 10, the New Zealand radio operator at and made repairs impossible for Scott Base. On August 1 he was several days. By the 28th the instru invested at McMurdo Station with ment was ready for testing but the the honorary rank of chief petty wideband oscillator turned out to be officer, United States Navy. faulty and required recalibration. Recovery from thc March fire has The ceremony, a U.S. Navy tradi of course affected life and scientific tion, took the form of a good- natured mock trial for Mr Gawn. A operations. Only an all-sky camera certificate received by the New Zea dome, an unmodified K-100 camera, lander was the genuine form of some electrical supplies, chemicals notification of promotion endorsed and film were saved from the blaze which destroyed all operable equip "honorary". ment. Modifications and repairs Some of the New Zealanders took up most of the early winter assisted in the ceremony that con months, but some readings and cluded with the presentation by records were taken, though gale- Commander J. L. Reilly, U.S.N., com force winds wrought further cfam- mander McMurdo Station, of thc Groper certificate endorsed under his hand. SUN RETURNS On July 31 the men at Hallett The New Zealanders were the Station raised the flags of the United guests for the evening of Master States and New Zealand for the first Chief Petty Officer Walter E. Len- time since May. Although the sun ning, representing the McMurdo had brightened the sky for some C.P.O.'s. time it was the first time it was There must bc few precedents for visible. such an award in the annals of the As the New Zealand ensign had United States Navy. Admission to been reduced to half-length by the this very select band is jealously autumn gales, a substitute was pro guarded. vided by joining the union flag por Calls to families in the United tion of the old standard to a fly of States from McMurdo personnel are bunting. normally conducted through amateur channels, but the outlet to Temperatures 20 degrees below at the zero base for dropped several failed this winter due to adverse days, and this is expected to speed radio conditions. It was found that up the thickening of the ice in good-quality calls could be made preparation for a new runway al the from Scott" Base using the Compac base. cable link from Auckland to Van The base's first visitors this year couver and thence to Oakland, Cali came at the week-end—snow petrels fornia. and seals. At all other American stations on NUCLEAR SCIENCE the continent the situation was re C. B. Tavlor, who was scientific ported normal. leader at Hallett Station in 1962, will be sampling snow, both on the July brought such heavy snow surface and at depth in snow mines, drifts about the station buildings to determine its tritium content, as that clearance was temporarily part of his study of radio-active fall dropped for the first time this year. out. Mr Taylor is on the staff of thc News that the first aircraft is Institute of Nuclear Sciences at scheduled to fly in on October 2 Lower Hutt. He will be working in increased the tempo of airstrip prep the Antarctic, particularly on Mount aration with the painting of distance Erebus and at the South Pole, dur markers and the familiarisation with ing the latter part of this year. theodolites. Ice thickness surveys September, 1964 UNITED STATES AIRMEN BREAK ANTARCTIC WINTER BARRIER The heart of New Zealand beat in tune with that of Antarc tic-minded Americans as an aircraft on mercy-mission bound flew south from Christchurch airport, until a safe landing was re ported from McMurdo eight and a half hours later. The plane, a C-130 ski-equipped McMurdo Sound, 2,100 miles away. Hercules of the U.S. Navy VX-6 The planes left Rhode Island at 4.15 Squadron was making the first a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, only flight ever made into the Antarctic 18 hours after Admiral Reedy issued in winter. Its mission was to brins his call. out lo New Zealand the McMurdo While the aircraft were in fligl fire-chief, 39-vear-old U.S. service- the New Zealand Naval Boar in, Bethel Lee McMulIen, critical diverted thc frigate H.M.N.Z.S. ly ill at McMurdo as the result of a fall on Sunday, June 21. As McMul "Otago" for weather reporting and Ien himself tells the story: search and rescue duties near 60°S. and also H.M.N.Z.S. "Pukaki" to re "I was in the fire-house at night. lieve "Otago" when thc latter was I remember reaching for a pole to required lo leave her position for go down to the lower shelf. I miss refuelling. Weather analyses were ed it and I guess I fell about 20 prepared at Operation Deep Freeze feet. I hit some steel aircraft-run Advance Headquarters in Christ way matting and was knocked un church. conscious. They told me they put 70 stitches in my head. I came to PREPARATIONS AT McMURDO when they were sewing up my head." Meanwhile at McMurdo McMulIen was still reported lo be in a critical Although McMulIen made light of condition. The weather was not pro his injuries, he had suffered a frac mising: scattered clouds with three tured spine with paralysis of his miles visibility and blowing snow, legs, and cerebral concussion, as winds of 23 knots and gusts up to well as the scalp lacerations. 32 knots in a temperature of —17°F. Following a radio conference be Upper wind soundings were being tween Rear Admiral J. R. Reedy's obtained from every station in the staff medical officer and the Mc area. Every available man was at Murdo medical officer, it was agreed work compacting a ski-way, and set that urgent specialised medical assist ting out flares and lights at 500-ft ance and evacuation to New Zea intervals on both sides. Potentially, land were demanded. Admiral Reedy the flight was the most hazardous announced on June 23 that the in Antarctic history. Only a few Navy would at once send two ski- days past mid-winter, the Antarctic equipped Hercules from Quonset continent was buried in complete Point, Rhode Island, to Christ darkness for the full 24 hours. The church, New Zealand. From here latest flight ever previously under they would attempt the hitherto un taken was for the evacuation of a heard of winter penetration of the Russian scientist from Byrd Station Antarctic, to land at Williams Field, on April 9-11, 1961. AIRCRAFT AT CHRISTCHURCH (See foot previous column) The two Hercules carrying in all indicate that the strip can be much 44 men touched down at Christ closer to the station than in previous church Airport at 12.50 a.m. and 1.10 vears, especially as the large ice a.m. on Friday, June 26, and were bergs around Seabee Hook are met by cheering news. McMulIen mainly dispensed. was "doing well" with his tempera- September, 1964 A N T A

MAY GOD GO WITH YOU, GALLANT GENTLEMEN

THE HERCULES CREW AT CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT The medical team of four is not included. Minutes before the flight left, a telegram was received from the children of the Tawhiti School, Hawera. It read "May God Go With You, Gallant Gentlemen". ture down to 101.2 degrees. The The aircraft-commander, Lt.-Cdr. weather at McMurdo had been im R. V. Mayer, was taking in his proving; by the 25th the tempera stride the most hazardous operation tures had risen 25° to +8°F., and undertaken by the U.S. Navy in all visibility was now 15 miles. Work its years of Antarctic support. "No on the ski runway was going well fears", he said. "I'll just be talking and preparations were expected to to the Man upstairs and let Him be complete by midnight on the guide me". 26th. Weight had been reduced to a It was decided that one aircraft minimum. Mail was carried, but had should make the flight without de been carefully screened to eliminate lay. By 10 a.m. the flight-crew of 15 circular letters and anything not including a medical team of four essential. But room was made for had been fitted out with cold- 801b. of fresh apples and a basket weather clothing and briefed by the of mixed fruit which the Salvation commander of the operation, Cdr. Army asked to be allowed to send F. S. Gallup. Meteorological condi south. An extra 3,000 gal. internal tions were expected to improve still fuel tank had been installed on the further and the plane left Christ aircraft and this left little margin church at 11.52 a.m. for extras. Surgical kits were the September, 1964 last things loaded aboard: they had The two surgeons, Lt. Cdr. G. S. been brought by the second air McClard and Lt. H. P. Dixon, were craft. flown by helicopter from the run- For half an hour Deep Freeze headquarters in Christchurch lost contact both with the Hercules and with McMurdo Sound. During that ly ill". Lt. Mayer renorted thai time a message was received from the aircraft could 1 turn fli; " Washington reporting that messages from Christchurch, McMurdo and McMulIen was taken to the air the aircraft were being received strip by helicopter and carefully loud and clear at a receiving station carried to the already prepared at Cedar Rapids in Iowa. hospital bed on the plane. If required Christchurch could re establish contact through Washing At 10.30 p.m. the aircraft was ready to leave on the return flight, ton and Iowa. Shortly after, how and after an uneventful journey the ever, Deep Freeze managed lo pick Hercules touched down at Christ up McMurdo again. church at 5.54 a.m. on June 28, A rescue team of four of New Zea seven and a half hours after leav land's best mountaineers had been ing McMurdo Sound. standing by at Christchurch ready if necessary to fly in the second Her FLIGHT TO RECOVERY cules if the rescue plane got into McMulIen was described as 'not trouble. out of the woods yet", but, said Lt. Cdr. R. E. Millinglon, staff medical HAPPY LANDING officer of Operation Deep Freeze, he "travelled very well". He was given Meanwhile, all was ready at the 5 per cent glucose on a dripfeed on 10,000 ft McMurdo runway. At Scott flight. Besides the fractures he had Base every possible light was "tremendous scalp wounds that al switched on and McMurdo itself most scalped the man". was a blaze of lights: and the weather had come right. As Russell Lt. Mayer persisted that his his Rawle, Scott Base Leader, put it, tory-making flight was "just a rou "The Antarctic was friendly." After tine first fly-in . But on arrival at the howling icy winds and driven Christchurch he wrote off as "minor snow of the previous "night" the difficulties": wind dropped away to a ten-knots breeze and a full moon smiled sub That the starboard gear "hesitated" limely. Lt-Cdr. Moreton (VX-6 De to go down before landing at Mc tachment Commander) and Cdr. W. Murdo Sound. G. Hunter agreed that if they had That the return flight was made planned for weeks they could not with the nose gear held on hydraulic have found a better day. The tem because the lock wouldn't catch. perature al the airstrip was zero Fahrenheit. That one fuel tank refused to feed At 8.25 p.m. the Hercules, aided to the engines. by a tail wind, landed on the 10,000 That a landing light jammed in a ft, 20 ft wide emergency runway. down position for the trip back. Lt. Mayer described the strip as "the best lit strip I've ever seen in The Hercules landed at Christ my Navy career"—and that goes church with about 3,000 gallons of back some 22 years. fuel. The drums of burning fuel along The injured man was soon in the the runway and the lights of Mc Christchurch Hospital. The medical Murdo Station and Scott Base were superintendent-in-chief (Dr L. M. clearly visible 72 miles awav. The Berry) said that although Mr Mc- scene was, Lt. Mayer said, "like a Mullen's injuries were serious his gigantic Christmas tree all lit up." condition \vas satisfactory. September, 1964

The injured man is carried from the helicopter which flew him from McMurdo Station to Williams Field for the flight to New Zealand.

—U.S. Navy Photo.

After a little under a month in spirits. "She sure knows how to Christchurch Hospital, McMulIen look after me", he said. was flown to San Francisco on July 24 aboard a U.S. Navy Super Con He paid tribute to the wonderful stellation. treatment which he had received while at Christchurch Hospital. In the room books were stacked on N.Z. NURSE'S PART one side, a television set was in With Mr McMulIen when he left stalled on the other. There were Christchurch was Sister Virginia fruit and flowers and a packet of Averill, the sister in charge of his cigars on a nearby table. ward, who had been personally responsible for him for the past 24 Also on the flight were two Navy hospital corpsmen, F. J. Algeo and days. T. Amato. McMulIen travelled in a Miss Averill has done a course on hospital bed. spinal injury work at the Royal Perth Hospital. She spent six Next day Mr McMulIen "smiling months in its paraplegic unit in late and cheerful" was resting comfort 1962. ably at Oak Knoll Naval Hospital, California. He was visited by his When told she was coming with wife. He will be in hospital for him Mr McMulIen was in high some time. September, 1964

N.Z. FRIGATES HELP picked up on the return trip, but at The U.S. Navy's rush to Antarc greater range. tica created problems for the New Zealand Navy, whose two frigates About six shells were fired during the mission, and trnrkprl hv rnrlnr "Otago" and "Pukaki" acted as UW9.mer reporting stations n~"* _.3ntial search and rescue cei,t», during the flight. BACK TO NORMAL "PUKAKI" "Pukaki" returned to Bluff on An American-supplied radio which June 26 and "Otago" to Wellington the frigate "Pukaki" carries in sum two days later, for 48 hours. The mer—thc Antarctic season—was in main reason for the visit to Welling the United States being overhauled. ton was to enable the crew to get A frantic search uncovered a set some rest. owned by the New Zealand agent for the radio company—in his front The vessel was engaged on night exercises on the night of June 23- room. 24 and she had to prepare and sail Cold-weather clothing was air for visiting Americans on the re- freighted at high speed from Auck cause of the conditions little sleep land to Dunedin. Sets of ice-clothing, was possible during the voyage. for use on the exposed bridge of the "Pukaki", were supplied by N.Z. Antarctic Society Deepfreeze Headquarters in Christ church. Gives Plaque Mr T. J. Smith, of the Meteor ological Service in Wellington, was flown to Dunedin with his equip ment at great haste. All were loaded aboard Ihe

"Pukaki" in time for its departure TO COMMEMORATE from Dunedin. THE FIRST WINTER FLIGHT TO ANTARCTICA. A GALLANT MERCY MISSION BY "OTAGO" VX-6 SQUADRON The "Otago" meanwhile, was about 400 miles south of New Zea NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY. land, carrying a ship's company that should have been on leave. "Otago" was in the Hauraki Gulf when at 5 a.m. on June 24 she re ceived the call to head south at A bronze plaque commemorating best speed. the "mercy flight" was presented by After two and a half hours at the New Zealand Antarctic Society Dunedin for refuelling and pro to Commander M. Winton, U.S. visioning the "Otago" headed south Naval Attache, at a cocktail party again at 4.30 p.m. on Thursday, June at thc residence of the American 25. South of Campbell Island she Ambassador to New Zealand given ran into snowstorms, but conditions for visiting Americans on the re were generally good. Speed had to search ship "Eltanin". The presenta be reduced at night for fear of ice, tion was made by the President of and ice was located about 2.30 a.m. the New Zealand Antarctic Society, on Saturday the 27th, when the ship Dr R. A. Falla. was 510 miles south of Bluff. The plaque, mounted on English The mercy flight aircraft was oak, is to be forwarded to the home radar-tracked for about 20 minutes base of the Hercules rescue air on its trip south and passed within craft's VX6 squadron, Quonsct 20 miles of the ship. It was also Point, Rhode Island. September, 1964 ROUND UP OF UNITED STATES ACTIVITIES With the winter darkness unbroken save for the occasional clear moon lit night, activities at the United States bases have been confined to in doors, although some reports of earlier ventures are still coming in. 296 Americans have been winter the sun had coaxed radish and ing over in the Antarctic this year: tomato plants above thc surface 27 at Byrd Station, 10 at Eights, 11 and, when last reported, these at Hallett (plus two New Zealand plants had soared to a height of scientists), 225 at McMurdo and 22 some 2in. 60 years ago, Dr E. Koet at the South Pole, as well as one tlitz, aboard Scott's iced-in "Dis at the Soviet station, Vostok. covery" in Winter Quarters Bay, per suaded both mustard and cress to Of the 296, 34 are civilian scien venture into the Antarctic air, 1 tists and the remainder are U.S. he must have been earlier (or latd, Navy support personnel. with his horticultural hobby as he en The U.S. Navy Support Force in couraged his plants to grow by put tends to relieve the wintering over ting them under a ship's skylight, ersonnel and start Operation Deep which practice would serve little rreezc 65 on October 1. purpose in the darkness of mid winter. FINE AT THE POLE Late July brought the South Pole Of the United States bases in An Station its lowest winter tempera tarctica the Amundsen-Scott Station ture, of —93°, which made Mc- at the South Pole enjoyed the best Murdo's lowest degree, —59°, seem weather during the week May 17-23. positively balmy. It had seven days of clear condi tions although it had a low tem 1535 miles away at Eights Station perature of — 9PF. on one day. at the same time transportable By comparison the highest tempera trailers were covered by five ft. of ture was —74°. At McMurdo Station six days of blowing snow were experienced FOSSIL FINDS with average winds of 25 knots. The The University of Minnesota geo highest gust was 74 miles an hour. logical team's third expedition into On the warmest day the tempera the Ellsworth mountains, having ture fell to —30°. been able to accomplish some 10 The lowest temperature at Byrd times as much as previously thanks ition was —38°. There were only to the assistance of U.S. Army tur two clear days at Hallett Station. bine helicopters, returned to the Visibility on the other four varied United Stales in March last with a from zero to one-eighth of a mile. wealth of findings which could in On May 19 there was a peak gust validate some long-held geological of 82 miles an hour. The average theories as well as provide new evi wind was 44 knots. dence on the age and origin of the STATION NOTES Antarctic continent. Nightmares of the —59° (F.) are Abundant fossil-bearing areas sur fadinsi from the minds of the 22d rendered data from pre-ice age An men ^wintering over at McMurdo tarctica, when the climate was Station as signs of spring appear in warm enough to support plant and their vegetable garden. Within 48 insect life and the continent itself hours of planting some seed in a may have been joined to Africa, box of New Zealand garden soil, the India and Australia. These fossil dis fluorescent lighting substituting for coveries, assessed as "about the September, 1964

ilishment the group winds, etc., (usual meteorological- i made pos- type observations), solar radiation ncopicis which took and albedo, ionospheric parameters, , to all levels on the magnetic B and L values, isoaurora; mountains and to otherwise inacces and Life Sciences—distribution of sible areas. In previous expeditions, terrestrial plants, insects, seaweeds, only the lower portions of the bird rookeries and seal rookeries, mountains, and those which could whaling grounds, distribution of be reached on foot, were available benthic fishes and of some of the to the geologists, who reached their marine invertebrates. destinations cold and tired; with the helicopters a far wider range of sites could be reached and the men "ELTANIN" reached them warm and rested and Half-way house for the ocean therefore able to complete far more research vessel "Eltanin's" twelfth comprehensive work. cruise was Wellington, New Zealand, A camp made on thc Minnesota where she arrived in July after two glacier, named Camp Gould after months' storm-ridden sea-days. the veteran Antarctic geologist Laur ence M. Gould, at one time housed Her traverse of the seas between Valparaiso and New Zealand, via 36 people and five aircraft. Geology, the Antarctic Ocean, had included glaciology, astronomy and survey- the collecting of samples of marine mapping were included in the ex life, the discovery of a previously pedition's work. uncharted mountain rising some 10,500ft. from the ocean bed and INFORMATION WANTED the 'mining' of the sea floor for The Antarctic Map Folio Series, metal ores. Manganese had been reported in "Antarctic," June, as taken from large areas of man being prepared by the American ganese dioxide precipitated from Geographical Society, is available salt water and a seabed core, 86.4 for any accumulated data not being ft. long, will give a permanent used in published reports. A recent record of the strata, many millions inquiry from a geologist on the pos of years old, of shells, mud from sible use of notes on birds he had the continents, volcanic mud, clay taken during an Antarctic field trip and sand, which present a record of brought about an appeal by Vivian the earth's history. C. Bushnell of the Societv (Broad way at 156th Street, New York Six nations were represented in 10032) for any material so accumu the 33-man scientific team aboard lated which could be used in the "Eltanin"—Chile, Argentina, France, Series. A list of topics to be treated Israel, Britain and the United by the Series covers aerial photo States, while the commander of the graphy and mapping coverage; his vessel added yet another nationality tory of antarctic voyages, traverses —Dalmatian. Disciplines studied and stations; studic's of the conti during the cruise had included nent and islands—ice sheet and sub- oceanography, biology, atmospherics ice topography, ice sheet thickness, and meteorology, radio and elec studies in deep pits and bore holes tronics. in the ice sheet and ice shelves, firn temperatures at 10m. depth, After ten days in Wellington, "El firn density at 0-2m. and at 10m., tanin" left for her return research average annual snow accumulation, voyage, across the Pacific back to mountain glaciers of Antarctica, Valparaiso. gravity anomalies, magnetic declina tion and components of the mag FUTURE PLANS netic field; ocean and ocean bot Deep Freeze 64-65 is not so far tom studies, south of latitude 35°— away. Major U.S. plans have already bathymetry, earthquake epicentres, been outlined (Antarctic, March and marine sediments, physical ocean June, 1964) for the establishment of ography and primary productivity; a permanent biological station on atmospheric studies—temperatures, the Antarctic Peninsula and the September, 1964 start of the four-year, six-leg tra transient scientists and wintering verse from the Pole to Queen Maud group members. Land. The latest announcement is for the continuation of the topo The first of 11 ships in the task graphic mapping of Antarctica, begun in 1959-60, with the completion of force is due at Lyttelton in Septem ber, as well as the first of 29 Boeing TOPOs SOUTH, NORTH, EAST and military transports, with 74 stall WEST by the end of the 1963 members. By the end of the month, Boeings should be landing at Christchurch airport two or three There now remains the mapping times a week. of the area of West Antarctica, with priority for areas for which neither adequate photography nor maps INSPECTION VISITS exist, or for which existing maps' ade quacy is questioned. These include coastal areas inaccessible to ships Following the announcement by and therefore dependent for accur the United^States in September last year of its intention to exercise its ate delineation on the UH-1B heli Antarctic Treaty rights to inspect copters operating mapping-quality aerial photographic units. Antarctic stations, the reports of the Observer teams now transmitted to the governments concerned sup Six sheets comprising the Mc port the assertion that thc U.S. was Murdo project are expected to be concerned not with any anticipated published this year, and further violation of Treaty provisions but compilation of the Britannia, Queen with the desire to promote the ob Alexandra, Queen Maud, Heritage jectives thereof and to insure ob and Pensacola Ranges and of Vic servance of their provisions. toria Land will be completed. Two teams were sent south to ob Topographic engineers will con serve foreign stations in January duct control operations in a survey this vear; one, containing repre of the group of peaks west of David sentatives of the Departments ol Glacier, and a helicopter-supported State and the Interior and of the party a horizontal tie between the Arms Control and Disarmament TOPO WEST survey line and Hal Agencv, and travelling aboard lett Station, while aerial photo USCGS "Eastwind", inspected graphy will cover the Pensacola United Kingdom, Chilean and Argen Mountains and Heritage Range of tine bases "on outlying islands; the the Ellsworth Mountains. 55° of the other, representing the Department mountain and coastal areas of Marie of Slate, the Massachusetts Institute Byrd Land are needed for helicopter of Technology and the Department support of geologic, biologic and of Ihe Interior, visited Scott Base geodetic operations in 1965-66. (New Zealand), Dumont d'Urville (France), Vostok and Mirny (Rus Plans are afoot for more mapping sia). Obervcrs inspected buildings, up to the 1967-68 season, with thc facilities, equipment, scientific possibility of satellite assistance. instruments arid their reports were compared with the submissions The Antarctic Support Force for made by each country under the Treatv's article VII, paragraph 5. the coming season is expected to be Observers reported on the helpful about the same size as in previous courtesy of personnel at all stations, years in men, aircraft, and ships, de the assistance given them and the livering an estimated 22,000 tons of innocence of everything observed. cargo to McMurdo by sea, and 400 short tons by air. Last year 22,280 Observers from Australia, New tons were ferried south. Zealand and the United Kingdom had visited McMurdo, Byrd, Pole Some 35 different research pro and Eights Stations some months jects are planned, involving 150 in advance of the U.S. inspections. September, 1964 ELTANIN VISITS NEW ZEALAND Considerable interest was aroused in New Zealand by the arrival of USNS "Eltanin" in Wellington on July 14 for the ship's first visit to the Dominion.

A cocktail party at the U.S. Em ters, joined in a Science Seminar. bassy was followed on 15 July by Seven papers were presented by an official welcome by the New Zea land National Committee for Antarc Eltanin scientists, each, with the re tic Research in association with the sultant questions and discussion, Victoria University of Wellington in occupying half an hour. Most of the whose Easterfield Building the wel speakers made use of colour slides come was extended. The large to illustrate their papers. gathering was chaired by Mr R. W. Keith Blessum, U.S. Weather Willett, Director of the Geological Bureau, outlined the meteorological Survey and Vice-Chairman of the observations and described some of National Committee, in the unavoid the devices used. able absence through illness of the Arno J. Kosko, Stanford Uni Chairman, Dr E. I. Robertson. versity, described various facets of Chief speaker at the welcome was Upper Atmosphere Physics and the New Zealand Minister of played tape recordings of whistlers Science, the Hon. B. E. Talboys. and other interesting noises. Speaking of the use by United States planes of New Zealand air Edwin M. C. B. Williams, Lamont Geological Observatory, used a port facilities, Mr Talboys described series of charts to illustrate the re New Zealand as "a rather unique sults of "Eltanin's" 30 crossings of modern aircraft carrier". In Antarc the Antarctic Convergence. tica, he said, "man seems to shed something of his national pride and Michel Boeuf, Florida State Uni finds something of the spirit of co versity, illustrated the nature and operation." He welcomed the "El use of the various suspended instru tanin's" visit as forging yet another ments and sampling devices used on link between the United States and "Eltanin" and the significance of the New Zealand. findings. Dr T. O. Jones in a witty reply Pedro G. Centino, Lamont, demon assured the gathering that' oppor strated the equipment used for tunity would gladly be offered to microbiological sampling. New Zealand scientists to partici James R. Hubbard, Lamont, dealt pate in subsequent cruises either with thc micropaleontological pro (1) as a New Zealand group in co gramme and described and illus operation with a U.S. group or (2) trated the equipment used. as a New Zealand group engaged on a project of its own choosing Delton W. Shirley, University of Southern California, described' the within the general Eltanin pro methods used lo study the distri gramme, or (3) as individuals work bution and ecological relation of ing for an American project. Antarctic marine beata, especially in Also present at the welcome were the mid-water and deep-water the United States Ambassador in regions. New Zealand. His Excellencv Her bert B. Powell, and Dr W. M. Hamil PUBLIC INTEREST ton, Director General of the N.Z. A cocktail party the same even Department of Scientific and In ing tendered by the New Zealand dustrial Research. Antarctic Society was followed by a SCIENCE SEMINAR public lecture by Dr R. A. Falla, Director of the Dominion Museum Following the Official Welcome, and President of the Society, who most of those present, scientists and spoke on "Ships of the Southern others interested in Antarctic mat Ocean". September, 1964

ELTANIN IN THE AMUNDSEN SEA

80 miles north of the Thurston Peninsula. Here on January 21 Eltanin reached 70°S., her most southerly penetration. —N.S.F. photo. "Eltanin" was thrown open to the personnel of the Military Sea Trans public for several hours on most portation Service. Master of the days of the fortnight's visit. Large ship is Captain Philip Stanich, a numbers took advantage of the op veteran of polar service. portunity to inspect the vessel and The "Eltanin" has been making were obviously impressed by the re extended cruises in Antarctic waters search facilities available as well as for two years. During the past two by the courtesy and helpfulness of months her scientists have been the scientists and other personnel conducting research operations in of thc ship. the deep South Pacific waters north of the Bellingshausen and Amund ABOUT ELTANIN sen Seas. The 3,900-ton ship, a floating re At times hampered by storms search station, is a part of the U.S. with seas running as high as 40 Antarctic Research Program (USA feet, scientists have collected data RP) which annually conducts stag in upper atmosphere physics, ing operations for its work on the meteorology, geomagnetics, and bio Antarctic Continent from Christ logical, chemical and physical ocean church. The USARP is planned, ography. In their work they have funded and co-ordinated by the taken biological samples at bottom National Science Foundation, an in and mid-water levels, obtained pic dependent agency of the U.S. tures of the ocean floor, retrieved Government. The "Eltanin" is oper samples of ocean bottom sediments, ated for the Foundation by civilian made recordings of the strength of September, 1964

the earth's magnetic field, moni tored the cosmic ray influx, con NEW U.S. STATION ducted continuous precision depth recording, and carried out other PLANNED scientific work. Early next year the United States will establish a station at the southern end of Anvers Island, 25 Originally constructed as an ice- strengthened cargo vessel for miles off the west coast of the An northern operations, the "Eltanin" tarctic Peninsula in 64°30'S., 63° was substantially rebuilt for its 30'W., about 700 miles due south of scientific mission. The ship contains Cape Horn. wet and dry biology laboratories The site was selected after a sur and laboratory space for hydro vey of 32 possible locations two graphy, gravimetry, meteorology, years ago. A detailed survey of An and upper atmosphere physics. vers Island was carried out from the ice-breaker "Eastwind" last year. The station will enable Ameri To date 157 scientific personnel can scientists to investigate thc An have participated in cruises, includ tarctic Peninsula, which has lonf ing scientists and technicians from been the site of British, Argentin Argentina, Brazil, Britain, Canada, and Chilean stations. The peninsul, Chile, France, Germany, Iran, Israel, is relatively rich in plant and ani and the Soviet Union. The ship nor mal life and contains much of An mally carries a scientific comple tarctica's exposed rock. ment of 34 and a crew of 48 officers and men. The station will be constructed by United Stales Seabees, using U.S.S. "Edisto" as temporary Jiving The "Eltanin" is the only ocean quarters, in January and February, going research ship operating in An 1965. A hut on the site, erected by tarctic waters on a year-round basis. the British in 1955 and used for The ship left the United States in three years, is being made available May, 1962, on its initial cruise to to the Americans, who will modify the Antarctic and has not returned it into a laboratory. During the sum to the U.S. since. Using Valparaiso mer season U.S.A.R.P. scientists and as her base of operations, the ship 16 Navy men will occupy the base. has made 10 cruises in Antarctic Five scientists and four sailors will waters beginning in July, 1962. Dur winter over. ing that period, scientists have con The new station will bc named ducted extensive research activities PALMER STATION in honour of in the waters of the Drake Passage, Nathaniel Palmer, the sealer who <^olia Sea, Weddell Sea, South At- carried out much exploratory work itic, and South Pacific. Present in the area in 1820-1821. Anvers plans call for the ship to continue Island is the largest of a group of its Antarctic operations for a num islands called the Palmer Archi ber of years. pelago.

Because the research track of the U.S. MEN LEAVE vessel is moving generally west ward, tentative plans indicate that U.S. Weather Bureau men who had Wellington will be the western ter wintered-over at Wilkes during 1963 minus of many forthcoming cruises. ended their observations there in Valparaiso will be the eastern ter- late December and left the station in "Nella Dan" on January 23. This ends United States participation in the scientific programme at Wilkes, The "Eltanin" remained in Wel which was built as a United States lington for nearly a fortnight before station in 1957 and turned over to its return to Antarctic waters for Australia for administration at the continued research. ~onclusion of the I.G.Y. September, 1964 WINTER PASSES AT AUSTRALIAN BASES The monthly newsletters from Base leaders issued by the Antarctic Division in Melbourne add human interest to the more formal situation reports. MAWSON 19 knots with a maximum gust of 64 knots. The number of days of The notable event in May was the drift was 15 and there were gales overturning of "Castleberg", the ap on 10 days. parently timeless iceberg near Maw son featured on Antarctic postage Midwinter was accompanied by a stamps. After the sea-ice around it long drawn-out blizzard and Met. re-froze, intrepid motorcycle teams, figures show 23 days of drift, 24 Seedsman with Francey, and Trajer days of gales and a mean wind with Stalker, set out to inspect the speed of 33 m.p.h. for the month, berg, although the latter team did 'ihe maximum gust was 104 m.p.h. not make it owing to engine trouble. and the mean temperature was 'rF., with a minimum of minus 22°F. It The Volkswagen complement of seems that Mawsonites thrive well Brocklehurst, Cardell, Lawson and under these conditions, including Allport became the second party to the absence of sun—as witness the attain the summit of Welch Island. gay spirits on a number of festive Field trips were limited by fast- occasions, writes Peter Martin. decreasing daylight. On the 3rd, after several delayed starts, a party "The highlight of the month was of four reached the Fischer Nuna the gay midwinter celebration on tak, 15 miles inland, with the inten the 22nd when we enjoyed a lavish tion of installing aerials on Mount feast of fine food and wines in an Henderson and a trig, marker on atmosphere of lively frivolity. Our the nearby Goldsworthy Ridge. Ad thanks go out to our popular chef, verse weather confined them to a John O'Keefe, and his assistant, caravan for most of the trip and John Beck, for their grand perform the outstanding achievement was ance." thc consumption of an incredible The Mawson General Hospital has quantity of ice cream. undergone a shift to new, modern premises at thc east end of Gash Dwyer and O'Kcefe, who were Alley. Doctor Jack is concerned anticipating a spell away from about the high standard of health camp, weer disappointed when a and lack of customers. later field trip, plagued by vehicle trouble, had to return. The snow- LOOKING AHEAD tracs as well as the larger vehicles The engineering section is busily have been fully occupying the preparing equipment for the spring mechanics in preparation for spring trip to the Amery Ice Shelf. O'Shea work. and apprentice engineer Allport are With the sun rising later and building a new-model weasel with a highly distinctive and original ap later, the O.I.C. was having occas ional trouble preventing the staff pearance. Brocklehurst maintains a from doing the same. An excep cool temperament while wiring the vehicle, in spite of the constant tionally long run of cold calm days friendly abuse from the mechanics culminated in a minimum tempera and Lawson has the powerhouse ture of minus 30.PF., lowering the well tamed. previous May record by 8.4°. The maximum temperature was 20.4° Physical fitness campaigns arc and the mean temperature was being conducted in some circles. minus 1.1°. The average wind was Dwyer and Stalker are often seen September, 1964

throwing weights about in the gym WILKES nasium which has been constructed in the old mess. Stapleton and Wil The seal-hunting clog sledge trips liams are maintaining their condi on the sea ice had the occasional tion by frequent and often intrepid patronage of "shutterbug tourists" journeys—to the transmitter hut. during the brief daylight hours. The last trip with Doc. Murray saw a Dog training is progressing well dog fight in which Doc. was twice and Budd is often seen in deep con bitten but refused to reciprocate, versation with "Flash Harry", our much to the dogs' amazement. leading dog. After an uncomfortable false With the days now (June) per start, Woods and Morgan reached ceptibly longer and the return of Haupt Nunatak for one week's the sun expected soon, our thoughts glaciology work near Vanderford turn to increased outdoor activity. Glacier. Budnick unfortunately broke a small bone in his foot. It was not serious but it required SUN RETURNS Freeman to replace him on the July brought the return of sun Vanderford trip. shine to Mawson and also milder weather than in previous months, Naturally, midwinter was the highlight of the month. Cross put enabling an increase in outdoor on a feast of gargantuan propor activity. Early season fieldmen were tions. A fine souvenir menu carried Budd, Miller and Jacquemin who went with the dogs to Robinson a photo of local inmates. Islands. More recently, Farley, Brad Fox has gained a local promin ley, Lawson and Williams took the ence in the Wilkes sewing circle dogs and a vehicle on a survey trip making new harnesses for dogs. to Rumdoodle. The engineers were Bonnici constructed a masterpiece busy getting the vehicles in top con of tunnel engineering at the en dition. trance lo the ouildings to save dig ging the door out after every bliz Lawson altered the Mawson land zard. Now he has to dig the "tunnel scape by driving a bulldozer through out, too. Brophy, apart from minor a huge snow drift between the new duties observing the weather and and the old surgeries. The latter playing Kingston trio records, gave building was converted into auroral a lecture with slides on the attrac and general darkrooms. tions of Europe. The engineers Hul combe and Jones have been hard Recreational activities were many at it overhauling vehicles. O'Leary and varied and a new sport en completed an insulated box for a joyed by many was tobogganing. water haulage tank which he claims is far superior to ANARE huts in Late July saw the return of the Russian aircraft overhead in a design, insulation and comfort. flight between Mirny and Molodezh Three men, Morgan, glaciologist, naya. "It seems that we will soon Budnick, surveyor, and Woods, radio have Russian neighbours", reports operator, were carrying out glaci Martin, "as they propose shortly to ological investigations about 30 construct an aircraft maintenance miles from Wilkes when on June hut at our airfield which they use 9 a blizazrd struck, which raged for at Mawson, and they plan it to be 48 hours and reached 130 m.p.h. The manned by three of "their team over party spent two days huddled in a the summer months." small plywood caravan. Fierce winds, laden with rock fragments, The July maximum temperature blasted their shelter until it began was 25°F., the minimum —11°F. and to disintegrate. Not until the door the mean +7°F. The 25 days of had been blown from its hinges strong winds included 15 days of and the interior of the caravan was gales, with a monthly mean velocity filled with snow did the blizzard of 25 m.p.h. abate. September, 1964

DAVIS The maximum temperature for the month was 20.0°F., thc highest Goodall, Griffin and Trott set off temperature since the team's arrival. for the Plateau, via Platcha, with The highest observed wind was 67 the snowtrac and dogs. Unlortunate- m.p.h. ly, due to the short days and un kind weather, the trip was cut Trott writes "Our month of no short. However, some supplies were sunshine is now passed, and we are depoted twenty miles in on the all eagerly awaiting the return of Plateau, ready for an early start for the sun within the next few days. further afield next spring. Even though the sun has been be low thc horizon, there have been ->ht some striking displays of colour in laniny icinijcii.ii.ui>-:>, w """ -actl every imaginable shade during the day Kolterer would announce that few hours of twilight each day. a hew station record low for May had again been reached. Then, on "By now everyone has had the the twentv-third, he was satisfied opportunity to show his culinary when he was able lo announce that skill. The fact that we are still a a new all-lime station low had been 10-man station means that none has reached at minus 36.9°F. A blizzard been a complete failure. The most followed, bringing an increase in ambitious Sunday cook has been temperature of 58 degrees and also Svensson who, in addition to meals, sufficient snow to build drifts up to tried his hand at pastry-cooking and the roof-lops of most buildings, bread-making, with most acceptable which meant plenty of shovel work results. digging out buried doors. Low temperatures caused many Changes in appearance since leav ing civilisation have to bc seen to peelinsi noses, some from minor be appreciated. Haircuts range from frostbite and others from too much the shortest crewcuts to hair un exposure to the ultraviolet lamp, touched by scissors. Beards are the prize going to Mayman who was beina grown bv all with varying de demonstrating the correct use of crees of success. Of course, some the lamp, but ended up overcooking. Attending to the wants of Rho, prefer to trim and shape, while Lucifer, ~Pompcy and Caesar has others advocate the nature look." given Mike the opportunity to pre On the 21st, the day before mid pare some strange mixtures, but the winter celebrations were due Kot- pups eagerlv await each meal and terer broke his upper dentures, and quickly show their appreciation. this called for immediate action by The hours of daylight are very Mayman, who had them success limited now, with sun above the fully repaired in time for the fes horizon for less than two hours tivities. each dav. However, in spite of all we heard before leaving of the long The pups are growing and roam winter evenings when time hangs ing around the camp area. Their heavily, nobody has yet managed favourite resting place is near the to track any down. The most com exit doors, so that when anyone mon complaint is thc lack of suf goes outside the pups are off in pur ficient hours each day in which to suit. Stopping for even short times gel everything done. means bootlaces will be untied as this is one of their main accomplish ments. Due to weather and darkness Most of the elaborate aerials and there have been few outings this feeder lines used for radio com month. munication between Wilkes, other Antarctic stations, and Australia At the end of the month high were blown down. The main food winds, with a maximum gust of 113 store was severely damaged and m.p.h., once again brought open cased food was buried under tons water to within two miles of the of snow. camp. The midwinter month saw September, 1964 the temperature climb to the The Met. boys were kept busy Highest since our arrival, 29.6°F providing hourly weather reports ™ler the minimum was minus when the Russians had their first I light of thc season near the end JULY REPORT beenpt the a month. very guiet Weather-wise, month with it has no Tratt's July newsletter reports: blizzards: Highest wind, 60 m.p.h Once again the sun is back with temperature, 21.0°F.; minimum tem us. Since it reappeared on the 14th perature, minus 21.6°F. Our one the hours of daylight have greatly claim to fame is the highest month increased, so that it is now possible ly average for station level pressure to visit some of the more distant parts of the Vestfold Hills, or to S525S.1005.1 mbs. l,lc stati(>n was established— mii c a c'osc_uP lo"'" of "Iceberg Alley' and marvel at the variety of L E A D E R S A P P O I N T E D the size, colour and shape of many bergs which have become a familiar The leaders of three parties who sight from the camp. will serve with Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions dur "The husky pups have reached a ing 1965 have been appointed. stage when it is no longer safe to leave anything outside. Since they MAWSON found the food storage outside the kitchen window, other arrangements Brian C. Z. Woinarski (34) Vic have had to be made for icecream- toria. Mr Woinarski holds the Dip making, and now they wait at the loma of Physical Education. He is window for any scraps to come sports master at Mordialloc High their way. They are daily taken for School, Victoria, and won a blue a run on the sea ice, harnessed to for boxing at Melbourne University. a small sledge. Another of their Formerly well-known as an Austra regular outings is accompanying lian-rules footballer, he is now Trott and some other volunteer on actively interested in yachting. the fortnightly lakes-sampling trip of eight miles. WILKES "One of the achievements of the John H. Lanyon (52), Victoria. month has been the switching on of Serving with the R.A.A.F. from 1936 the all-sky camera. Up till early until 1961, Mr Lanyon rose to the this month, Bakker had been work rank of Squadron Leader and was decorated with the D.F.C. He holds ing on it with little success, but the Diploma of Electrical Engineer linally he was able to get it opera tional, so that we are now making ing and is an associate member of a photographic record of auroral the Institute of Radio Engineers. Mr Lanyon is at present a teacher activity as seen from Davis. of mathematics and science at "Preparations for spring field Noble Park High School. In addi work are going ahead; making up tion to being a competent skier he a new dog sledge, preparing the has experience in water-skiing and field rations and sewing harnesses ocean yachting. and training dogs. The latest move in this regard has been to use a MACQUARIE ISLAND large Nansen cargo sledge on the C. Bruce Ellwood (37), Victoria. training runs. Mr Ellwood previously served with "Goodall is keeping the engines ANARE as leader at Macquarie Is running and, towards this end, he land in 1963. He served with the has us all out regularly digging in Merchant Navy from 1943 to 1952, snow drifts for drums of diesel fuel was a platoon commander and fort to be rolled to the power house commander with the Malayan when temperatures drop too low. Police Force from 1952 to 1957, and Drums have to be taken into thc later became an assistant superin power house to thaw before fuel tendent in the Victorian Social Wel can be pumped. fare Department. September, 1964 BIG CHANGES CONTEMPLATED AT SOVIET BASES? News published in thc Press sug There was very little delay on the gesting that "the Soviet scientific ground. The plane was refuelled and entre" in the Antarctic is to bc checked. The patient was brought moved from Mirny to Molodezhnaya aboard. A doctor took his place be mderby Land during the 10th side him. A green sky-rocket went soviet Antarctic Expedition com oil' and the aircraft was air-borne mencing its work in the 1964-fo again, with gusty cold winds beating summer must be read in the light against it. Hours later the radio of a statement from thc Soviet operator suddenly announced: "Re Committee on Antarctic Research ceiving Mirny. Wishing us a good which reads, "Observatory Mirny re landing". mains to be thc main station of the And so for the first time in polar Soviet Antarctic Expedition." Pre history a long-distance winter flight sumably, therefore, while the cm- Mirnv'-Molodezh-Mirny was success >hasis in scientific research is to be fully' accomplished. The patient re transferred fom Mirny to Molodezh ceived the necessary treatment and naya, with consequential transfer of is progressing well. much scientific equipment, Mirny will continue to be the main supply VOSTOK base. A press report from the Soviet Tass said the Mirny observatory, News Agency Tass, says: Thc ex which had been in use for nine pedition, which will leave Stalin years, was in an area where drift grad by sea in the middle of Novem ing snow interfered with its work, ber, will trek by tractor and sled and conditions would be better at about 930 miles from Mirny to Vos Molodezhnaya. Coastal ice is also a tok station. great deal stronger than at Mirny and this will allow easier unloading Thc Soviet Committee on Antarc of supply ships. tic Research confirms that next vear Vostok Station will continue THE RETURN its work. This statement gives topi On May 15 the "Ob" returned cal relevance to the interesting first home with members of the 8th hand description of this inland wintering and 9th summer expedi station which follows. tions on board. In a harbour decor ated with flags the inhabitants of Vassiliev Island staged an enthusi A LOOK AT VOSTOK astic welcome. (Summarised from an article by K. G. Sandved in "Antarctic Report", April 1964, WINTER FLIGHT itself based upon the observations of John D. Late in July a disturbing message Jacobs, of Alaska, the first U.S. scientist to was received' at Mirny from Molo winter at Vostok Station.—Ed.) dezh station: "Urgent transport re quired for a sick man. Surgical Vo s t o k ( " E a s t " ) S t a t i o n w a s treatment necessary". It was the established in December 1957, near middle of the polar winter, and it is the south Geomagnetic Pole (78 4000 km from Mirny to Molodezh 27'S., 106°52'E.). It is in one of the and back. But on the morning of least accessible areas of the Antarc July 26 a plane set out. The course tic, 1410 km (870 miles) from Mirny lay along the Antarctic coast. The and 11,200 ft above sea level, in a flight was made in darkness, in bad resion where surface temperatures weather. After seven hours of flying have been recorded as low as a series of bonfires below indicated —127°F. Yet its very location makes the landing strip. Vostok ideally suited for particular September, 1964

types of research, notably in physi 958, to -1048°F. On August 25 it ology and upper atmosphere physic.. fell io —123.3°F. The record low (a THE BEGINNING world record) of —127°F. was on August 24, 1960. These extremely low The tractor train that established temperatures have been recorded the station arrived from Komsomol just as the sun is beginning to ap skaya on December 16, 1957. Led by pear above the horizon after the A. F Treshnikov, the train com winter. They have invariably been prised nine tractors and nine cargo accompanied by low atmospheric sledges. Another train arrived on pressure. Fortunately, the area is January 26, 1958, bringing materials not very windy: on only two oc for additional living quarters. Under- casions during 1957-1961 did the snow laboratories have since been wind exceed 15 m./sec. Total dark added, joined to the station proper ness prevails from April 24 to by tunnels. Simultaneously with August 18. the building of the station, a 2,500 x 70 m landing strip was construct The station offers unique oppor ed, and thc first L-2's landed here tunities for medical research. Dr I on December 22. I. Tikhomirov in 1959 found that dyspnea accompanied by coughs The original station, which housed and head colds was frequent, ibout a dozen scientists and support nausea and headache even more so. personnel, comprised six mobile Some of the men showed signs of units each about 12 sq. metres in mental depression and neurasthenia. area. Five of them were arranged in Cardio-vascular studies at rest and a cluster interconnected by roofed following exercise showed heart- leated vestibules. The sixth unit murmur, dilation of the heart, and housed a radar unit for auroral drop in the systolic, diastolic and observation. pulse pressure occurring in nearly The station is centrally heated, all the wintering personnel. Al though the blood pressure remained using the cooling water from the sub-normal during the entire year, diesel generators. there was no indication that work The first heavy aircraft to land at ing ability was seriously impaired. was a ski-equipped twin- A gradual stabilisation of the cardio engine IL-12 on December 8, 1959. vascular system took place during Aircraft Irom Mirny have para the first 6-7 months; however com chuted supplies to Vostok as early plete acclimation could not be in thc year as September 15 (IL-12) said to have taken place even after and have landed as early as Novem one year. ber 5 (LI-2). Flights have continued In addition to medical research, March and on one oc the programme at Vostok includes casion (in 1960) an IL-14 parachuted supplies on March 22. meteorology, aerology, actinometry, glaciology, magnetism and studies Leaders at the station have been of the ionosphere, aurora, cosmic V. G. Averianov, V. S. Siderov (1958, radiation and VLF transmissions. 1960 and the 1961-62 summer), V. S. Ignatov (1959) and L. N. Zhigalov KEEPING WARM (1961). The station was unoccupied during the 1962 winter. This was the Clothing has been devised which the Australian team led permits work outside for short by ? Zealander Bob Thomson periods even under extremely un visited he station. It was re-acti favourable conditions. The standard vated in January 1963 under Sidorov insulated suit has a 40-W electrical again. The 1964 leader is V. A. heating system for hands, chest and Ananev. feet. Heating of thc inhaled air and protection of the face are accom TOUGH CLIMATE plished by means of a protective mask. Efficient even at temperatures ostok's first winter the below —103°F., the mask is made of tempera! chopped on May 1, compressed, foamed polystyrene and September, 1964 has a double heated shield. The in haled air is heated by an electrical CHILEAN heater in the forward section of thc mask. A silver-zinc storage battery PltOGRAMME provides power for six hours at temperatures to —112°F. Permanent bases are being oper ated by Chilean scientists at four Even at —60°F. diesel oil and localities in the South Shetland- kerosene become as thick as syrup, Antarctic Peninsula area. Thc engines baulk at starling, and mov Chilean stations are ing mechanisms such as rotating an tennas and auroral cameras become Arturo Prat difficult to operate. Rubber hoses Bernado O'Higgins and cables break at the slightest Gabriel Videla bend and iron becomes brittle. At Pedro Cerda Vostok's atmospheric pressure the boiling point of water is reduced lo Sub-stations are also continuing in 83-84°C. as compared with 100°C. at operation at Avian and Doumer sea level. Hence it takes 5-6 hours Islands. The Arturo Prat and Pedro to cook a chunk of beef and 6-7 Cerda bases are maintained pri hours to boil peas and beans. This marily for meteorological observa necessitates the use of special auto tions. claves for preparing meals. Operation of the bases and sub Adequate recreation facilities are stations is supported by four ves available: twice-a-week movies, sels, the ice-breaker "Pilato Pardo", chess, dominoes, English-language the oc«*° ■-'-■■ > ' v■■' ■''■•■■" studies, and the ham radio station and th> UAIKAE6. In 1958 624 two-way con and "Lientur . tacts were established; in 1959, 1637. The Chilean scientific programme Thc contacts included Siberia, Spilz- is organised by the National Com- bergen, Greenland, Alaska and drift niittee for Antarctic Investigations ing Arctic stations. For the reading in Santiago, which includes repre enthusiast there is a 230 volume sentatives from scientific organisa library, and a weekly newsletter is tions, the armed forces and Govern prepared on the basis of newscasts ment departments. The programme from Moscow and other information for 1964 includes investigations in relayed from Mirny. meteorology, cartography and geo desy, marine biology, glaciology, geology, seismology, and ocean ography. These activities represent a continuation of thc programme of previous years at approximately the WE SALUTE THEM same level. A considerable propor tion of the oceanographical pro gramme has been drawn up in co Mr W. F. Williams, who served as operation with the Lamont Geologi a seaman in thc "Nimrod", Shackle cal Observatory, Columbia Uni ton's expedition ship in 1907-09, died versity and aboard the U.S.N.S. in Melbourne on July 25. He was 77. "Eltanin". NEW INSTITUTE Mr A. J. Hodgeman, of Mawson's Chile has established the Chilean 1911-14 expedition (including the Antarctic Institute to plan, direct second year) died in England re and co-ordinate Chile's scientific and cently, aged 78. technical efforts in Antarctica. The Institute will be directed by a Coun cil of representatives from private Prof. R. W. James, of Shackleton's and public organisations. It will "Endurance" expedition in 1914-16, have autonomy in research matters, died in Cape Town on July 8. while remaining legally and adminis- ANTARCTIC September, 1964 tratively under the Ministry of NEXT MEETING IN CHILE Foreign Affairs. Its President is the The representatives agreed to re Chief of the Office of Frontiers of commend to their Governments the the Ministry, and the Secretary- acceptance of the offer of the General is Vice-Admiral Jorge Arabs Chilean Delegation to hold the Salinas. The General Secretariat has Fourth Consultative Meeting in three departments, Science, Tech Santiago at a date to be agreed nology and Information. upon. Relying primarily on University FAUNA AND FLORA organisations the "Institute is to The participating Governments carry out research in the Antarctic Peninsula in accordance with a 25- preface the "Agreed Measures" by recognising "the scientific import year plan and a series of 5-ycar ance of the study of Antarctic fauna plans. During the first of these 5- and flora, their adaptation to their year plans, 1965-69, it is proposed to establish a new station south of rigorous environment" and their 65°S. inter-relationship with that environ ment; and by drawing attention to "the unique nature of these fauna TREATY POWERS and flora, their circumpolar range, 3rd CONSULTATIVE MEETING and particularly their defenccless- ness and susceptibility to exter Representatives from the nations which signed the Antarctic Treaty mination". in 1959 met al Brussels from June 2 lo June 13 for the third Consulta The measures comprise: tive meeting as laid down in Article (1) the prohibition of the "killing, IX of the treaty. New Zealand's rep wounding, capturing or molesting of resentatives were Mr M. J. C. Tem- any native animal or native bird... pleton, N.Z. High Commissioner's except in accordance with a permit" Office, London, Dr E. I. Robertson, the terms of which are carefully Assistant Director-General D.S.I.R., defined. and Mr E. Farnon, 1st Secretary, (2) the taking of "appropriate N.Z. Mission to E.E.C., Brussels. measures to minimise harmful inter Recommendations were unani ference with the normal living con mously adopted urging (1) the ditions of any native mammal or mutual provision of information on bird. Such acts as "allowing dogs aircraft landing facilities, and (2) to run free, flying helicopters or notification of the location, age, con other aircraft in a manner which dition and stocking of unoccupied would unnecessarily disturb bird and seal concentrations, or landing buildings, huts or caches; on the desirability of further consultations close to such concentrations (e.g. on logistics and telecommuni within 200 metres)", the driving of vehicles, the use of explosives or cations, and the inclusion of meet the discharge of firearms unneces ings of specialists in conjunction with the Fourth Consultative meet sarily close to such concentrations, ing. and "any disturbance of bird and The major interest of the meeting seal colonies during the breeding centred on the subject of the con period by persistent attention from servation of Antarctic fauna and persons on foot", are prohibited. flora. The concern of S.C.A.R. in Even more stringent regulations this question was commended and are enjoined for "specially protected a comprehensive list of "Agreed areas". Measures for the Conservation of (3) the prohibition of the bring Antarctic Flora and Fauna" was ing in of any species of animal or drawn up and recommended to the plant not indigenous to the area ex contracting nations for adoption, cept in accordance with a permit. with the suggestion that the The provisions of the agreed "measures" be considered as guide measures will not apply in cases lines until they have become effec of extreme emergency involving pos tive following "their approval by all sible loss of human life or involving the contracting parties. the safety of ships or aircraft. September, 1964 WINTER AT SOUTH AFRICAN BASE

Number 2 of "Antarktiese Bulle A new air glow photometer de tin" gives some additional informa veloped at the University of Stellen- tion to fill out earlier reports al bosch was installed by Trevor ready published in "Antarctic." Robertson, thc geomagnetist. A new all sky camera, made in New Zea When the "R.S.A." reached Polar- land, Was erected in a specially- sirkelbukta on January 24 the beard made hut and is giving better re ed SANAE IV team were in such sults than the old one. (See (An high spirits that they had a muskeg tarctic", March 1964, p. 384). race with the ship to reach the- shore first. "The weather was A new record low temperature of beautiful and the cargo was dis —5 PC. (59.8°F.) was recorded in charged in record time by working May. At such low temperatures a 12-hour shifts round the clock." rasping sound is clearly heard when one is" breathing out, owing to the The Public Works Departmcnl instantaneous freezing of water team and the two American seismo vapour in one's breath. graph experts immediately set out lor SANAE (15 miles from the ice Midwinter's day was the culmina front) where the wooden huts for tion to a month of preparations. the seismograph were erected in The living quarters were completely record time. The "neutron hut" was redecorated. Good wishes were re erected on a complex structure of ceived from home and other Antarc pipes. Fifty-four blocks of lead, tic bases and all men felt on top of weighing 200 lb. each, were hoisted the world. The festivities started up this structure. with a grand dinner and toasts to all the well-wishers. After dinner The homeward voyage was com presents were exchanged and there pleted in the record time of 10 days. were also gifts from home. The average pressure during June SETTLING IN was the highest for any June at thc station, being 13 mb above the On March 9 the new Leader, van mean for June. The sun made a wel Zyl, reported that his men soon be come reappearance on July 21 after came very interested in every bit two months of darkness. During of news "from South Africa. The these months all possible indoor garage was changed into emergency work was done in anticipation of the quarters. Meanwhile, every team coming summer. The indoor supply member had already mastered the of diesoline was running short tricks of the cooking profession: no which will mean some back-break professional cook has ever set foot at SANAE. ing work after the winter inactivity. Various problems have been ex The sun should have set for the perienced with the experimental winter on May 19 but owing to re molorised toboggan but it is hoped fraction it was still seen five days to use it soon for a short trip to later. Most of the men had not the substation which is only 3 km. wintered in Antarctica before and from the edge of the major ice the polar night was a new experi shelf, and it should be possible to ence but they soon got used to the see the frozen buktas while in the indoor life. Everyone has a hobby vicinity. like photography, amateur art, music, singing and wrestling. The The base doctor Tollic Traut is singers are not always encouraged keeping a close check on the men's but the wrestling club provides health. Blood samples are taken and healthy exercise for the competitors analysed regularly. These tests show and good fun for the spectators. that they are all in good health. September, 1964

From time to time the men undergo exposure tests during which the ADELIE LAND doctor takes numerous body and skin temperatures. The doctor also Preparations are well advanced tends to the health of the huskies. for the next French expedition to Adelie Land, T.A. (Terre Adelie) 15. ANTARCTIC MEDAL The only report we have of the 14th We record with pleasure the expedition, following their winter at initial award of the South African Dumont d'Urville Base, is "All soes Antarctic Medal to well". JOHANNES J. LA GRANGE 'Hannes' has rendered splendid ser vice to South African Antarctic and sub-Antarctic research. He served VUWAE EXHIBITION on Marion Island from October 1950 till April 1952: and wintered over During May Warwick and Mike on the island in 1954. He was a Prebble staged an Antarctic Display member of the crossing party of in a Wellington store for nine the Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1955- days. About 4,000 visited the display 58, and was Leader of the first including the Rt. Hon. Walter Nash, South African Antarctic Expedition and the Hon. Herbert B. Powell, the 1959-61. American Ambassador. He has written 25 aricles on An tarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern The display featured the work of Ocean topics, including the Meteor VUWAE in the ice-free areas of Mc Murdo Sound, and the polished ological Report (no. 13) of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition, and ventifacts and photographs on the "un-Anlarctic like" scenery evoked ranging from "Notes on the Birds and Mammals of Marion Island and much interest. On loan from the Antarctica" to "The requirements Dominion Museum were an Adelie and nature of the logistic support and Emperor penguin and from thc for a small national Antarctic ex Canterbury University a 2,000 year old Crabeater seal. Antarctic cloth pedition." For his Antarctic work he has previously been awarded the ing and camping gear, a Nansen sledge, and many large photographs Polar Medal and the medals of the from Antarctic Division gave people Royal Geographical Society and the New York Explorers' Club. an impression of the field work done by N.Z. parties in the Ross The medal, donated by B.P. Dependency. Much interest was also (South Africa) Ltd., is awarded an shown in some relics from the huts nually by the South African Antarc at Cape Evans, Cape Royds, and tic Association to the person who Hut Point, lent by Antarctic in the judgment of the Award Com Division. In fact, many people upon mittee has made the most outstand seeing these relics, were convinced ing contribution towards the South that there should be some perma African effort in Antarctica and/or nent Antarctic museum to house the sub-Antarctic Islands on which these relics. South African stations are main tained. OF COURSE THE COLDEST Who was the Antarctic man who said this to a not-too-intelligent Tass reported on March 24 that V.I.P.? It had been explained to the according to Soviet scientists, the visitor that the rock formation he coldest point on earth, with an aver was looking at had been piled up age annual temperature of 76 de by a glacier. grees below zero, is about 26 miles "But where is the glacier?" asked from the South Pole in the direc thc V.I.P. tion of India. They have drawn this "Gone back to get some more conclusion after measuring borings rocks", was the reply. on the ice cap there. September, 1964 BELGIAN-DUTCH EXPEDITION PLANS FOR COMING YEAR Intensive preparations are now in train at the Brussels headquarters for the relief of the Belgian-Dutch Antarctic Expedi tion which a year ago re-occupied the Roi Baudouin Base on the Princess Ragnhild Coast, which had been closed down in February, 1961. The wintering party at present likelike its its predecessors, predecessors, planned planned and numbers 14, 10 Belgians and 4 organisedorganised in in Belgium. Belgium. Holland Holland will Dutch. The emphasis in the scien- againagain be be supplying supplying approximately a tific programme has been on Upper third third of of the the personnel personnel and and of the Atmosphere Physics related to the finance.finance. I.Q.S.Y. The re-construction of the r„.vrc r»\/cD m ,mc Base ruled out a summer pro- CHANGE-OVERCHANGE-OVER PLANS PLANS gramme during 1963-64, but thc new The The new new expedition expedition will will leave leave team will take up and extend the AntwerpAntwerp about about December December 5. 5. Its Its propro- summer programmes undertaken in grammegramme is is somewhat somewhat more more intensive 1960 and 1961. than that ofthan the that present of the present expedition. expedition. In meteorology, for example, radio The summer programme will nec sondes will be carried out by launch essarily be of only a few weeks' ing out-size balloons. A new disci duration so as to enable specialists pline will be introduced, the meas seconded from scientific institutions urement of the ozone in the atmos in Europe to take part. Most of phere, while the geomagnetic pro these scientists will be ilown out to grammes will be completed by the join the "Magga Dan" at Capetown. installation of a proton magneto meter. Cosmic sounds will also be noted. NEWS FROM THE BASE This winter programme will be Midwinter Day was celebrated carried out by a team of 17 or 18 "joyously" at Roi Baudouin Base, iut, says the Newsletter issued to men, while 16 or 17 others will b friends home in Belgium, the festivi engaged on a summer programme ties "didn't upset the neighbours". covering the outward and return voyages and a fortnight at the base. Towards the end of July the first The oceanographic programme will refracted light of the sun was seen be organised by the Institute of and during succeeding days the sun Natural Sciences. Several University appeared gradually above the hori professors will be participating in zon. Health and morale are repor the geological programmes. A pro ted to be excellent, in spite of the fact that telephonic communication gramme of photogrametry (air photographs) will make possible a with Belgium, customary in former relief map of the coast from the vears, cannot be established in this Japanese Soya base to the Russian Year of the Quiet Sun! base Novolazarev, and one of the Tn addition to the intense scien Sor Rondane mountains 200 km. tific and technical activity—of which from the base. The mapping pro proof is provided in the monthly gramme will be carried out by the "sil-reps" forwarded to Brussels— Belgian Military Geographic Insti the explorers will be from now on tute and the Belgian Air Force. preparing the lists of scientific and technical supplies which must be DOGS ARE OUT replaced by the medium of the new The new party will travel to the expedition. This sixth expedition Antarctic on the vessel "Magga (sixth counting the expedition of Dan". Dogs will not be taken. They Adrien de Gerlache in 1897-9) will be will be replaced by "Polaris" tobog- September, 1964

ans, small tracked vehicles which John Mather was unable to go will be placed in the field with their south as expected last summer. crews by two aircraft. The 1964 team, headed by Luc Cabes, is expected back in Belgium about mid-March. HOMING PENGUINS

BELGIAN SCIENTIST FOR We have from time to time re- lerrcd to the long-term studies of U.S. TRAVERSE American biologist Richard Penney, who has ringed thousands of pen A co-operative programme with the United States is planned for the guins in order to track their winter coming summer. At the end of this year a Belgian scientific expert will participate in an over-snow traverse which will leave from the American experiment South Pole station and make for Adelie penguins which were flown by helicopter 200 to 300 kilometres thc coast where the Belgian Roi into the interior of the Antarctic. Baudouin Base is built. This trav Then they were released on the ice, erse will extend over several years and will be undertaken in 1,500 km. one by one, a I different spots. stages following a zig-zag course. Quickly, alter a short period of hesitating, they set off in directions There will be a series of summer which were determined by theodo journeys occupying the November and December in each of the years. lite. "It was moving" writes M. At the conclusion of each stage, the Nicolas Skrotzky, who assisted Mr vehicles will be left where they are Penney, "lo see these little fellows while the men are air-lifted back to se out, on foot, across the immense base. In the following year, they Antarctic ice cap". Some weeks will bc taken back by air to recom later a number of them were dis mence the journey where it was covered back at their rookery. left off. The big problem, says M. Skrotzky, is to find out how they o r i en t c d themselves. "Different YANKBWBS CHECKED theories have been advanced to ex We regret some errors in thc list birds:plain the the sense influence of orientation of terrestrial of of 1963-64 YANKIWIS on page 432, magnetism, aerial navigation using June issue. the position of the stars, high alti Added lo the list should be tude flights over vast areas the "memory" of which is engraved Roger Buchanan, an honours hereditarily in the individual student from Lincoln College, who memory, etc. Now in the case of was "ship-trapping" on "Chatta Antarctic penguins all that is inap hoochee" and "Burton Island". In plicable. The penguin cannot fly, he 1964-65 he expects to join Keith cannot see his country from on Wise's team and to work in the high, he cannot guide himself by Whitmore Mountains for a month. the stars because there is continu ous daylight and the sun moves in Kelvin Rennell was working with a circle above the horizon. Magnetic the University of Minnesota geologi orientation is ruled out because of cal team mostly on the Ellsworth the proximity of the magnetic pole." Mountains. He accepted an offer to assist Graeme Johnstone at Mc What then? Nobody knows. All Murdo and has wintered over there. that is known so far is that the penguins do not start off in the A. G. H. (Tony) Parker, a farmer direction of their nests but in a from Havelock North, was assisting direct line towards the nearest sea. Dr W. Sladen on the bird pro No doubt they then find their way gramme at Cape Crozier. by swimming along the coast. September, 1964 JAPANESE SYOWA BASE TO RE-OPEN IN JANUARY 1966 Japanese Antarctic enthusiasts have won their long battle to ensure the re-activation of the base on the Prince Olav Coast which was evacuated in February 1962. Mr M. Murayama of the Polar scientific programme, starting from Section, National Science Museum, January, 1966. There are five build Tokyo, has kindly provided us with ings including one power hut, in the following details. prefabricated wood panels and it is proposed to erect additional build Syowa Base, the location of which ings; a power hut of prefabricated is 60°0'22"S., 39°35'24"E. was estab metal panels in which will be in lished on East Ongul Island on the stalled two 45 KVA output diesel- Prince Olav Coast at Luzow-Holm electric generators, a radio hut, a Bay in 1957, and was occupied by transmitter hut and an ionosphere Japanese Antarctic Research Expedi hut, also of prefabric wood panels. tions, except for the 1958 winter, In preparation for the re-opening until it was temporarily evacuated of Japanese Antarctic activity, the in February, 1962. However the construction of an ice-breaker and a station is expected to be kept al snow-car have begun. The vessel most perfectly for at leasl five will be ready for use in September years. 1965 and the details are as under, Japanese scientists have represent displacement abt. 5,000 tons ed to the Japanese Government that length 100 m it is most important and necessary breadth 22 m to continue scientific research in depth 11.8 m the Antarctic permanently, especial draft 8.1 m ly in the routine observation of speed abt. 17 knt. aeronomy and meteorology and in range 15,000 sm at 15 knt. project research on glaciology and propulsion diesel electric biology. It has been emphasised that hp 12,000 Japanese Antarctic research has to n o . o f s h a f t s 2 be reopened in a region of the complement 235 world in which scientists of many The model KD-60 JARE snow car countries are working in close co is designed to provide a more self- operation and harmony in accord sufficient means of oversnow traverse ance with the intent of the Antarc at high altitudes and low tempera tic Treaty, thus promoting the tures than was used by JARE pre establishment of a firm foundation viously. To achieve this purpose, for the continuation and develop pulling capacity, economy, personnel ment of co-operation on the basis comfort and reliability are all in of freedom of scientific investi creased. gation in Antarctica. KD 60 is 5,470 mm long, 2,500 mm wide, 2,680 mm high and 7.5 tons Consequently, the Japanese when ready to operate with fuel Government finally decided to re and 3 men. It is capable of a maxi open Antarctic activity on a per manent basis, and the budget for mum speed of 30 kmh, and of building a new ice-breaker, power speeds of 15 kmh over Antarctic ter ful S-61 helicopters, and a snow-car rain when towing 8.0 ton loads. passed the Diet in December, 1963. An Isuzu DA 120T, 140 ps/2,400 Syowa Base will be re-opened by rpm, turbo-charged, diesel engine JARE VII which is to establish a powers the vehicle. The vehicle is wintering team consisting of 16, if fitted with mounted scientific equip possible 18 men to continue the ment, seismograph instruments, a September, 1964 gravity meter, a SSB 50 watt trans mitter, a C-4 Gyrosun compass and ANTARCTIC DIVING a newly designed navigation beacon system. In the April issue of "Aurora", the One 10,000 Kcal/h forced air ollicial journal of the Australian heater can be used to supply suf A.N.A.R.E. Club, Russ Thompson of ficient heat for passenger comfort the U.S. Weather Bureau, describes or for engine preheating when the his experiences while investigating vehicle is parked. Four 4,500 Kcal/h marine life off McMurdo and at heat-exchangers are installed. Two Wilkes Station, the latter during are located in the front and used the summer change-over; using mainly for defrosting. Two are in "scuba" diving equipment. He pre the centre and are used in connec fers wet suits to dry suits and says, tion with the heater for space "Immersion times of up to over an heating. hour were achieved without undue The vehicle has three bunks and discomfort to the diver. Water tem seats in the front for the driver and peratures were in the 24 to 30° F. passengers. A kitchen, located in the range. . . . The "scuba" equipment rear, Is equipped with cooking used consisted of twin 70 cubic foot table, stove and a cabinet for food tanks and a two-stage aquamaster storage. regulator. HOME WORK "Marine life at both Wilkes and Although JARE has not been en McMurdo proved to be rather proli gaged in activities in the Antarctic fic. At McMurdo a preponderance over the past two years, there has of sea urchins, sponges, medusae been considerable activity back in and starfish seemed to dominate the Japan, where the Polar Section of local area. At Wilkes, however, more the National Science Museum has flora was observed. To the south been publishing the results of the ward of the station a rocky bottom earlier Japanese Expeditions. is hardly discernible through a The excellently produced "AN veritable jungle of red fachur type TARCTIC RECORD: Reports of the of weed. On the bottom at about Japanese Antarctic Research Expedi thirty feet a large, bright, green tion" has reached no. 22. Number bulbous type of kelp sends out four 20 is a splendidly illustrated, 96 to five long non-floating leaves which page, quarto publication. One of wind their way along for up to several reports written in English 100 ft. Hiding in this mass of colour is "Ecological observation on the ful vegetation are numerous fish of breeding behaviour of Adelie pen a sculpin type and crustaceans, un guins" on Ongulkalven Island (three identified and difficult to observe. or four miles from Syowa Base) by Tatsuro Matsuda. "South of the Station between Published also with no. 19 is a Shirley Island and the peninsula at two-sheet bathymetric chart of the 3 fathoms, a sandy, rock-strewn area between 46°10'S. lat. and 72°S. floor predominated. Throughout the lat., Plate 1 from 0° to 90°W., Plate area sponges, molluscs, anemones 2 from 0° to 90°E. and a large worm of Vi inch or (The Antarctic Division, D.S.I.R., larger and up lo three or four feet holds copies of these Japanese pub in length seem to be the prominent lications.) life forms." Visibility in all locations was At a depth of 75 ft at McMurdo good, giving ideal photographic con Thompson met a seal, a Weddell, ditions. Diving in the Antarctic, says which came at him out of thc dis Mr. Thompson, "is not only possible tance al an alarming rate of speed, and practical . . . but may well made a U turn about him approxi develop into a valuable tool for mately 15 ft away, and without slack direct marine biological study and ening speed disappeared in the same collection." But he warns, "There direction from which he had come. are old divers and bold divers; but NO old bold divers." (See fool previous column) September, 1964 ARGENTINE ANTARCTIC PROGRAMME Except for special activities in connection with the Inter national Quiet Sun Year, the Argentine programme for 1964-65 is essentially in line with that of previous years. Vessels engaged in the Antarctic south south to to 70°25'S. 70°25'S. Returning, Returning, the programme for 1964 are the ice "Scotia""Scotia" again again made made for for the the South breaker "General San Martin" the OrkneysOrkneys and and a a landing landing was was made 3ahia Aguirre", the oil- on Laurie Island on March r "i*unta Medanos" and the solid stone house was built, a maj oceanographic ships "Comandante netic observatory erected, and General Zapiola" and "Capitan meteorological observations begun. Canepa". In addition, the Argen Scientific work was continued tinians are employing several throughout thc winter and journeys Beaver airplanes and two Sikorsky of considerable extent were made helicopters. over the sea-ice. The Chief Engineer died. When the ship left for thc The Argentine meteorological pro Falkland Islands on November 27, gramme is particularly extensive the Scottish meteorologist R. C. both at the permanent bases and on Mossman remained with five others the surface vessels. In addition, sub at Scotia Bay. In February 1904 stantial programmes in ocean "Scotia" returned, bearing a team ography are being continued, of Argentine meteorologists who re especially in the Drake Passage and lieved Mossman's companions, but the Weddell Sea. Following the Mossman himself remained in transfer of equipment from the dis charge of the station for another continued Ellsworth Station it was year. He was relieved in February, anticipated that the programme at 1905, by an Argentine vessel after General Belgrano base would be an unbroken two years of meteoro augmented. The other bases, Teni logical observations on Laurie ente Matienzo, Orcadas del Sur, De Island. Argentina has maintained ob cepcion, Almirante Brown and servers on the island ever since. Esperanza, are continuing pro grammes in aurora, ionosphere, geo During the change-over in Febru magnetism, seismology, biology, etc. ary, 1904, the Argentine Government except that Esperanza and Matienzo established a Post Office on the "Or are maintained primarily for cadas del Sud" and appointed a 19- meteorological observations. year-old Argentinian, Rugo A. Acuna, as Postmaster. He travelled on the "Scotia" and on February 22 the SIXTY YEARS AGO Scottish flag was lowered, the Ar gentine flag raised, and the Post To commemorate the taking over Office opened for business. In an :>y Argentina of the meteorological article by Eduardo Premoli in "Ice station established by Dr W. S. Cap News", March-April, 1964, it is Bruce's "Scotia" Expedition on the stated that this first Argentine party South Orkney Islands, the Argentine on the South Orkneys comprised, in Government decreed on February 21 addition to Acuna (Argentina) and that February 22 is to be celebrated Mossman (Scotland), L. H. Valette as Argentine Antarctic Day. Special (Argentina), E. C. Szmula (Germany) postage stamps were issued to mark and William Smith (England). the occasion. The commemorative stamps com Dr Bruce's Scottish Expedition prise the following denominations: left the Clyde on November 2, 1902, 2 pesos (sky-blue), S. Orkney and S. and sighted the South Orkneys on Sandwich ' Islands and " South February 3, 1903, before pushing Georgia; 4 pesos (blue), map of September, 1964

Argentina and the sector claimed by Argentina; 18 pesos (ochre), Falk land Islands. HISTORIC STONES The United States observers ap ANTARCTIC DISPLAY pointed under Article VII of the An During the week February 15-22 tarctic Treaty report that at Esper an Antarctic exhibit "Army Activity anza Base (Hope Bay on the eastern in the Argentine Antarctic" was on coast of the Antarctic Peninsula) display in Mar del Plata, Province Argentina has taken steps to of Buenos Aires. A temporary post "memorialize" the stones which are office was set up with a pictorial said to be the remains of Nordensk- stamp canceller and commemorative jold's shelter on his 1903 expedition. LIFE IN THE FIELD ON AN ARGENTINE EXPEDITION [Wo are indebted to the Argentine Con and materials are tested, especially sulate in New Zealand for permission to pub any new equipment, and the esti lish this extract from an article in Revista mated weight that each sledge will Dcfcnsa Nacional, 1963. be carrying is worked out. A patrol -Ed.]. party generally comprises more than one sledge and four or five men, The most utilised mode of trans and each sledge is drawn by nine, port in the Antarctic is the sledge eleven or thirteen dogs. The basic and the dogs who pull it. Although food to be consumed is specially c a t e r p i l l a r v e h i c l e s a r e u s e d prepared for Antarctic use. The (Weasel, Sno-Cat and Muskeg) the "charquican" (a mixture of meat sledge continues to be the most and vegetables powdered, vitamins, secure mode of transport in this calcium, minerals, fat) is transport zone. With the sledge, our Continent ed in patrol boxes. These generally has been traversed from sea to sea contain: caramels, sugar, charqui and on them have been transported can, chocolate, biscuits whole, meat all the refuge huts that form a extract, raisins, glucose, cereals, chain of auxiliary points for those powdered soup, instant coffee, fine who are actually working and those salt, butter, cheese, powdered milk, who will form part of future powdered potatoes, jelly powder, patrols. vitamins in powder, matches. The With these sledges a patrol from contents of the patrol box have been calculated to satisfy the neces Esperanza Base accomplished the task of uniting this base by land sary calories of a man working out for the first time with General San side for 20 days, giving each man Martin, after two months and six approximately 4,950 calories per day. days of hard and exhausting travel. Patrol life requires of a man the Without the dogs and the sledges total of his physical capacity at all it would not have been possible to times. The journeys which can take effect the extraordinary journeys up to four months are made in that from year to year have been stages of 12 hours a day, the rest made by the Army from their res of the time being taken up with pective bases. attending the clogs, reconditioning vehicles, setting up camp and the Before embarking on patrolling, kitchen, meals and rest. When the there is a great deal of preparation days are exceptionally good, the work necessary for men and dogs, march is prolonged to the maxi on material and equipment. One de mum resistance of personnel and tail forgotten could well cost a life. dogs. Actually with the use of The route is studied, the work modern tractors it has been pos to be done and the estimated time sible to travel without rest up to necessary are assessed, equipment fiftv hours. This is done when pos- SeDtember, 1964 sible to make good use of a good TG CLBMR BIG BEN spell of weather. Normally in every three days' march one encounters a Three New Zealand mountaineers blizzard," the characteristic polar are to be included in the "South wind, which detains the patrols in their tents. This wind reaches a by Major Warwick Deacock, which velocity up to 300 km per hour. plans to make the first ascent of Heard Island's 9,000 ft. Big Ben. Thc During these marches a man suf fers the normal exhaustion of in expedition is scheduled to leave tense work aggravated by his physi Sydney on November 1 on the 63 cal exhaustion, which is itself aggra ft. steel schooner "Patanela", The vated by the low temperatures and vessel will call at Fremantle before the nervous tension which results heading south for Heard Island to from the very difficult and arduous begin a two month scientific and conditions, such as crossing fragile mountaineering programme. bridges of snow which cover cre The New Zealanders are Philip vasses or over thc very insecure ice Temple (25), of Christchurch, ex of the sea. This nervous tension, perienced climber and entomologist, even if difficult to detect on the Colin Putt (37), the surveyor and surface, is always present with all marine engineer who led a 1961 the members of the patrol. mountaineering expedition in New Ali that needs to be said to sum Guinea, and John Crick (22), up this picture of the life in our glaciologist, a Wellington student. Antarctic territory is that always Putt is the expedition secretary. the men are brought to tears when Financial support has been afford leaving the Base to return to ed by the New Zealand Alpine Club, Buenos Aires. It feels like leaving the Mount Everest Foundation and something belonging to oneself, and the Trans-Antarctic Fund. Sir Ed that is so, generally one year, some mund Hillary is patron of the times two or three consecutively, of constant battle with nature, in this expedition. unique region of the world which Heard Island, boasting one of the still brings adventure. And one re worst climates in the world (rain turns with an unforgettable memory or snow falls on 300 days in the and great eagerness to return and average year and 50 m.p.h. winds renew this battle to disentangle thc are common), was the site of an mysteries that are still kept under Australian base from 1947 till 1954. the ice after all these centuries. In 1963 an attempt on Big Ben failed: the climbers were imprison ed in a snow cave for a week and barely escaped with their lives. studied. Collections of flora will be Weather has swept off two attacks made for the first time. A photo on the still unconquered peak. This graphic record will continue the evi time three men will establish camp dence already assembled on glacier at 4000 feet and are prepared to retreat, and mapping of the island wait for 25 days. In this time the will be completed. weather should relent long enough There are no safe anchorages at for them to ascend the peak and Heard Island. Stores and men must explore the crater of the still active be landed by raft through the surf, volcano. a hazardous operation. The "Patan Other parties will make a circuit ela" will sail to the nearby Mc of the island, a challenge in itself. Donald Islands, where it is hoped to There are glaciers to be crossed and make a landing. Investigations into streams between glacier snouts and marine biology will then be made the coast which can sweep a man before the ship anchors at Ker out to sea. Penguin, petrel and alba guelen Island, 300 miles to the tross colonies encircle the island. north, until she returns to pick up The recolonisation of the island by the men on Heard Island. king penguins and fur seals will be September, 1964 RE-SUPPLY OF BRITISH BASES MAY BE DIFFICULT Because the British Antarctic Survey foresees that adverse ice conditions will make the relief and re-supply of its bases, mostly in the Antarctic Peninsula area, a harder task than usual, the planned field programme for 1964-65 is comparatively modest. On some previous occasions it has lo that built at Signy Island last proved practically impossible for season. A fuel tank will be installed the ships at the Survey's disposal at Signy Island to cater for the to force their way through the large "quantities of fuel now re- heavy ice to reach thc southern- quired for lighting and heating thc most bases, as for example, Mar- new living quarters and labora- gucrite Bay. No doubt the Survey lories, is keenly awaiting the construction of the promised ice-breaker to FIELD WORK which reference was made in the last issue of "Antarctic" (vol. 3 no. Two geologists will work in the 10, page 453). It is unlikely how- coastal regions south of the Good- ever, that any of the base teams enough Glacier in the south-west of will have to stay on for another Granam Land. Others will continue yj?Bster' a,s happened in 1948 and the studies of the cast coast Qf 1949 to thc team led by Dr V E Alexander Island and the mountain Fuchs—now, as Sir Vivian Fuchs, areas north of thc Goodenough Director of the Survey. Glacier. Completion of the lopo- WINTER WORK graphical surveys .of George VI All,,, , • ships -lU i , were r.,„„ Sound withdrawn will take Irom priority ' in J 196:>. Antarctic waters before the end of xn the 1964/65 summer season a April and the bases settled down team of hydrographic surveyors will to their winter programmes. work first in the South" Orkney Progress on the new hut at Signy Islands and later in the. Argentine Island' was smooth and the men Islands area. A reconnaissance of have now settled in to their new the survey gap in the region of quarters with which they are re- Cane Kater will bc carried out by ported to be pleased. H.M.S. "Protector's" helicopter in At Deception Island, both the order lo determine the feasibility Otter aircraft were given a thorough ?f a determined effort in the follow- ovcrhaul before being housed in the m* season to close it If ice conch- hanffarnangai for toi the tne winter winter. tlons Permit, c]ose an thc attempt acrQss will the be The surveyors and geologists in Pcndlelon Strait< the Marguerite Bay area lost no time in "getting into the field. On j|ie studies of thc Totlnn Moun- Adelaide Island they filled some tams will continue and will extend gaps in the Survey scheme and a iQ other mountain groups in the party working from Stonington sue- arca as progress allows, cecded in reaching and working on „„,.., «. £ •., the east coast before mid-winter If the incidence of sea ice follows which was quite a creditable thc pattern of the past, the ships achievement. arc expected to encounter difficult Plans for 1964/65 include: LOGISTICS A new living hut will be built at Deception Island. It will bc of the moulded plastic section type similar September, 1964 WINTER IN THE SUB-ANTARCTIC

MACQUARIE ISLAND jury during the gale to climb radio masts and repair fittings and equip (Australia) ment. Despite the adverse condi STORM DAMAGE tions only two of the usual radio schedules were missed. A storm which began on Friday, At a working-bee for the storm- May 15, intensified over the week end with wind gusts reaching 103 damage clean up the fire pum miles per hour. On the Sunday with the hose was used to wash there was a wind run of 942 miles down all buildings. (representing an average wind OPERATING ON THE DOCTOR velocity of almost 40 miles per hour over 24 hours) as the gale raged Dr Geoffrey Middleton had to call on three ANARE men to set his throughout the day. The barometer fell to a near record low of right wrist, fractured while ski-ing inches. A 100-foot radio mast on June 18. was destroyed, and a 2,000-gallon The operation was carried out water tank blown out to sea. without amiesthetic, the patient dis In addition, the southern end playing great courage during a pain of a new nissen hut and the ful ordeal lasting lor three-quarters ceiling of the auroral observation of an hour. The Oflicer-in-Charge, hut were blown in. The power Robert Nunn, acted as radiologist cables attached to it prevented it and set the arm in plaster. Pur from being lost. The water supply chase, biologist, and Allan, carpen to thc station was interrupted by ter, acted as surgical assistants. a landslide. An indication of the On the 19th Dr Middleton was re wind's savagery is the fact that ported to be in good spirits and flying sand stripped paint from all grateful for the fine effort by his the ouildings down to the bare medical attendants. metal. The Macquarie Island team work STATION NOTES ed around the clock lo handle this Maximum and minimum tempera situation. Some huts had to be held tures were: May, max. 45.9°F., min. in position by attaching them to 27.2°F.; June, 45.2°F., 25.1°F.; Julv, cement-filled oil drums buried in 41.2CF., 23.7°F. the ground. Temporary masts were In May there were 21.2 hours erected and men risked serious in- of sunshine, with rain on 23 days and snow on 13. In June there was rain and snow on 14 days. July either direct, or by establishing one of the emergency overland supply brought rain (417 points) on 21 routes reconnoitred last season. days, snow on 5. During May (till Purchase sprain ed his ankle) he and Taylor were NEW TERRA NOVA most active carrying telephone cable The Royal Navy's first ice-breaker across the plateau in preparation is to be called the "Terra Nova" after for the telephone service to Bauer Bay. After nigh seas which swept Captain Scott's famous ship. There wil, however, be little in common across the isthmus on the 13th, a beween Captain Scott's 764-ton sail large sea wall was built, with the and steam propelled ship and her help of the TDG. planned successor. The new "Terra On May 19 Calwell was trying to Nova" which will combine thc tasks turn a seal over to read his brand of patrol, survey and scientific sup when the seal grabbed him by the port, is to have four diesel electric boot and threw him to the ground. engines developing some 15,000 Calwell was unhurt, and the only horse power. She will be equipped damage was one torn boot: he got with two helicopters. his brand. September, 1964

Midwinter Day brought the mid Neil McDonald, Electronic Tech winter magazine and the midwinter nician. box was opened, consumed and Warick Fergusson, Radio Tech appreciated. nician. The met. section undertook addi Gordon Surrey, Cook. tional sonde flights for thc U.S. Alan Guard, Mechanic Handyman. mercy flight to McMurdo Sound. Colin Clark (third term), Ron The first leopard seal was sighted Craig and Neil McDonald are all old on July 13. Despite climatic condi island hands. The remainder of the tions, many were by now participat party will be newcomers to the deep ing in field work and welcoming South. the change from routine station life. Trips were made to Bauer Bay lay The M.V. "Holmburn" will once ing phone cables, to Green Gorge again be undertaking the annual ser for rabbit-skin collection, to Hurd vicing which is scheduled for the Point to band wandering albatross end of October. Among the various chicks. distinguished visitors to the island will be Dr R. G. Simmers, the Direc The scouring of the eastern tor of the New Zealand Meteorologi beaches by the heaviest seas yet cal Service; Dr Simmers who is re experienced not only exposed care tiring shortly will be paying a fare fully laid pipe-lines but exposed also well visit to this most isolated of the remains of a sailing vessel on weather stations. the camp doorstep. CAMPBELL ISLAND KERGUELEN FATALITY (New Zealand) On December 23 during the un The tempo of station work has loading operations at Port-aux-Fran been such that the passing of cais, an accident resulted in the Winter has scarcely been noticed. A death of Jean-Marie Stoll, who was number of social occasions have en to have taken charge of thc seismo livened the dull routine—the most logical station at the French base significant and elaborate being the there. celebration of Mid-Winter's day; the boys literally let their hair down, some of the more hardy notwith MARION ISLAND standing the brass monkey condi (South Africa) tions took to the waters of Perse verance Harbour: all were eventual During June, Marion House be came a "drought stricken" area. The ly retrieved unharmed. water supply was cut off owing to The U.S.S. "Mills", the first picket the water pipes freezing up. Carry ship of the coming Antarctic season, ing water to the kitchen became a is due at the island on September daily chore and for other purposes 27 and will carry on board four new there was hardly any water at all. expedition members plus a party of three electricians from Ministry of U p t o M i d w i n t e r ' s d a y v e r y Works, who during the next two pleasant weather was enjoyed at the months will endeavour to complete base and the Marionite's gloated ly rewire the station. over reports of cold and snow in South Africa. After June 21, how fhe team for the 1964-65 expedi tion is as follows: ever, winter caught up with them Colin Clark, Officer in Charge. and snow fell almost daily. Inevit Ron Craig, Senior Met. Observer. ably snowfights ensued which were Mike Criglington, Met. Observer. enjoyed by all. David Paull, Met. Observer. In connection with the IQSY, high Dale Carron, Senior Ionosphere altitude balloons (800 gm) arc re Observer. leased twice weekly. The maximum Kip Kibblewhite, Ionosphere Ob heights reached so far have been server. 0.6 mb, 2 mb and 4 mb. September, 1964 ANTARCTIC WHALES THOUGHT TO FACE EXTINCTION Unusual interest was shown in the recent meeting in Sandef- jord, Norway, of the International Whaling Commission, because of the growing concern regarding the rapid depletion of Antarctic whale stocks. Fears are being expressed that unless drastic con servation methods are speedily put into force the largest species, the blue whale, may be threatened with total extinction. The blue blue whale, whale, the the world's world's 5,000 units on the total of the pre- largesllargest mammal, mammal, is is now now com- com vious year, but they caught only mercially extinct, and and further further whal- whal 8,413 units, 15 per cent below even ing may may result result in in the the disappearance disappearance the reduced quota. of all species. Dr D. B. Finn, until recently Direc The blue whale, hunted for its oil tor of the organisation's fisheries and, by the Japanese, for its meat, division, said recently that the com would not be the first species to mercial extinction of the blue whale have become extinct. The right and was "a clear warning of what may bowhead whales, targets of the happen to other fisheries unless we early whalers because they moved work out, and soon, a common code slowly and floated when dead, were of discipline for harvesting the sea. virtually exterminated years ago. "The sea is a vast reservoir of thc The Food and Agriculture Organ animal protein food which the isation of the United Nations in world needs, ever more desperately, Rome, however, is campaigning to to feed its swelling millions. The save those stocks which are left; sea, along with space, is man's last not for any romantic reason, but unexplored frontier, and it must be because of their value for food and exploited wisely if it is to be of other industries. Mr B. R. Sen, maximum benefit to all." director general of the organisation, is urging the need for greater limita JAPANESE VIEW tion than in the past on catches for the next Antarctic season in 1964- A Tokyo report dated June 17 said 65. Food and Agriculture Organisa that Japan hoped an agreement tion experts are convinced that would be reached lo reduce the pre some species of whales, to quote sent whaling catch limit bv 20 per Mr Sen, are being "exploited beyond cent from 10,000 to 8,000 blue-whale thc level of maximum sustainable units. Japan feared that disagree yield," and are thus in danger of ment over quotas might lead to the dying out. collapse of thc present system and the withdrawal of some nations There are estimated to be only a from the 17-nation Convention. few thousand blue whales left in the world. The chief danger for the inter national whaling industry and for Data collected by the organisation future supplies of whale oil and by indicate that the world's whaling products is thai even the drastic re nations have been setting too high duction in permissable catch and a limit. In fact the catches of the a new observer scheme to start next four countries which sent out ex December may be too late to pre peditions last season—Japan, the vent extinction of the mammals. Soviet Union, Norway and the Netherlands—did not reach the The only prospects for the trade, limit. The whaling nations set them barring the scant likelihood of a dis selves, for 1963-64, a reduction of covery of new reserves, is for values September, 1964

in whale oil to rise with the short age. But some authorities think that BOOKSHELF only complete suspension of fleet operations for periods of one to as MAWSON OF THE ANTARCTIC. much as five consecutive years Paquita Mawson. Longmans. 240 could prevent the total disappear pp, illustrations and map. N.Z. price ance ot whales and an end to the 36/-. industry. DRASTIC CUT? In this warm-hearted book Lady On June 23 it was reported from Mawson does not attempt a detailed London that the four-man Scientific account of her husband's work as Committee of the International geologist and Antarctic explorer. Whaling Commission meeting at What she does do is lo give us a Lowestoft, England, on June 8 had portrait of Mawson the man, and recommended an 80 per cent reduc her vibrant picture of him goes far tion in the catch of Antarctic whales to explain his extraordinary success as "necessary to save the whale in both fields of endeavour. We meet from extinction." Mr K. R. Allen of Mawson at home, on holiday, plan New Zealand is a member of the ning and preparing his expeditions, Scientific Committee. This reduction and we realise something of thc would reduce to five the expeditions human qualities which made him working in the Antarctic next sum able to accomplish so much: hi;; mer. Last season there were 16, wide interests, his keen observation, seven Japanese, four Norwegian, his foresight, his powers of concen four Russian and one Dutch. In tration, and his capacity for hard 1961-62 there were 21 expeditions and sustained work. We learn also, engaged, including two British. The of course, of some little known inci Scientific Committee argued that a dents in his crowded life. It is not drastic reduction now would ulti perhaps generally known that Scott mately ensure a gradual increase in wanted Mawson to join his own last the catch. expedition: "Scott wished to include DECISIONS Douglas in the actual party to go The 17 nation International Con over the plateau to the Pole". ference met in Sandefjord, Norway, June 22-26. New Zealand's repre Lady Mawson sketches in enough sentatives were Mr G. L. O'Halloran, background to enable the reader who is not conversant with the story Secretary for Marine, and Mr R. B. Atkins of the New Zealand High Of the great expeditions of 1907-09 Commissioner's Office in London. (Shackleton's) 1911-12 and 1929-31, The Conference failed to agree on to follow Mawson's movements. But the question of catch limits. her book will make its strongest Further difficulties arose over the appeal to those who arc already familiar with the events. To them it question of national quotas. Japan look the position that she was en will be a moving experience to look titled to at least 46 per cent of the at this more intimate side of the limit, her quota under the old agree modest, unselfish man whose per ment which set the limit at 10,000 sonality docs not obtrude in his own whales. The Soviet Union, however, writing. had proposed revision of the per The story is spiecd with humour, centage quotas on the ground that sometimes Mawson's own, as in a the old agreement had Peen scrap letter to his wife from Macquarie ped and Norway and the Nether Island: "Have difficulty in rousing lands could not fill their quotas last the other tents though did not try season. i till after 5 a.m. Kennedy and I The Japanese Fisheries Board said divert a sea-elephant and drive it on July 1 that Norway, Japan, the to one of the tents where its roar Soviet Union and the Netherlands soon brings out the occupants in were expected to start negotiations alarm." through diplomatic channels on how to share the 8,000 blue whale units The few inaccuracies (a mis-spel lo which they had agreed to limit ling here, a not-quite-right technical their catches next season. term there) serve to emphasise that September, 1964 this is a human story and not a sents the qualities of calm, lucidity history of Mawson's expeditions. A and balance", "there was something more serious defect is the occasional at once poignant, great and childish lack of clarity in the background. in Scott s feeling about dogs". He There is on page 178 a reference to can sum up an expedition with the "the great flight of 5 January 1930", same masterly economy of words: which has not even been mentioned Finn Ronne's Stonington Island in the earlier narrative. Some of venture "ran into all the difficulties the space given to really irrelevant ordinarily caused by the presence matter such as incidents of travel of women in such circumstances". which throw no light on the person ality of Mawson might well have M. Victor's own insatiable curi been used to clarify the "expedition" osity about everything connected background. with Polar exploration and research leads us, with him, into many in triguing side-tracks, but whether he MAN AND THE CONQUEST OF is summarising, astutely and read THE POLES. Paul-Emile Victor. ably, the massive exploits of a Hamish Hamilton Ltd. 306 pp, Scott, a Peary or a Bellingshausen, illustrated. N.Z. price 37/6. or discussing the virtues and vices of sledge clogs, he is unfailingly The English translation of this knowledgeable, astute and lucid. To book, first published in France in the man who wants to know how 1962, will ensure a deservedly wider Man did at last "conquer the Poles" public for a History of Polar Ex M. Victor is the soundest—and most ploration with a difference. The entertaining—of «uides. author, himself one of the best known and most honoured of mod ern explorers, has been organising THE POLAR WORLD. P. D. Baird. and often leading French expeditions Longmans. 328 pp, 76 illustrations, to the Polar regions for a quarter maps and diagrams. English price of a century. This therefore is no 37/6. mere re-telling of often told stories. Out of his vast knowledge and ex One of a modern series "Geogra perience M. Victor approaches his phies for Advanced Study"—this task as an expert who writes in a authoritative account of the Arctic way that a layman can understand. and Antarctic regions is written by His theme is exactly in line with his the Director of the Northern Field title. Pie has not tried to achieve Study at McGill University. It is the impossible by telling in detail remarkably comprehensive, but by the story of Arctic and' Antarctic- his skilful selection of significant exploration from Pytheas in the 4th factors the author has within the Century B.C. to the I.G.Y. Rather, compass of his 320 pages presented he has pictured Man the Seeker a clear and readable account not striving over centuries to build on only of the geography, but of the his the successes and failures of others, tory and the economic significance to perfect techniques and develop of the Polar World. The concluding new methods, in order to master the 70 pages are devoted entirely to the very ends of the earth. A shrewd Antarctic: with chapters on'the his and incisive assessor of men and tory of exploration (a very good 16 methods, his aim is not to pile page summary marred by a few detail on unimportant detail but to minor inaccuracies), the geography estimate the worth of each explor proper (an admirably clear and well- er's effort and to show why he balanced account), the climate, the succeeded or why he failed. Antarctic seas, and the sub-Antarctic islands. Maps and charts are used M. Victor has a neat way of sum skilfully lo clarify the text and the ming up a man's achievement: illustrations are selected so as to James Cook is the "precursor of present a general picture of life and logistics", James Weddell "a remark landscape. Mr. Baird writes well able navigator", Peary the "master and can summarise without becom ot his techniques", Charcot "repre ing dull and colourless. "Thc Polar September, 1964

World" makes good reading and will contributions from many firms serve as a uselul book of reference and organisations towards major as well. and minor items of equipment and personal outfitting. L.B.Q. Detailed descriptions of three ad ANTARCTICA. A. S. Helm and J. vance parties sent south in 1955-56, H. Miller, Government Printer, to the Ross Sea, Weddell Sea and Mawson, and of the training of ex Wellington. 435 pp, illustrated. N.Z. pedition personnel and collecting price 37/6. and loading of stores lead up to This "Antarctica" is the official the final departure of H.M.N.Z.S. account of the New Zealand Party Endeavour and a day-to-day ac of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition, count of her voyage south. Her compiled by the Secretary of lhc arrival in thc Ross Sea gave ex Ross Sea Committee and the pedition members the opportunity Deputy-Leader of the New Zealand of deciding upon the base-site oh Party and gives every minutiae of Ross Island, which decision was that country's participation in An immediately followed by the build tarctic activities from the days of ing of Scott Base, a task greatly the Polynesians to IGY and Sir facilitated by a rehearsal of the Edmund Hillary's arrival at the actual erection which had taken Pole Station in January, 1958. place in New Zealand shortly be fore the expedition sailed. While The volume deals not only with one part of the expedition made the frozen continent itself, with a Scott Base, other parts carried on historical and geographical summary with aircraft, dog-team and tractor leading up to the building of Scott reconnaissance of possible routes Basc, the various reconnaissance from the base to the polar plateau traverses and Sir Edmund's final before the onset of the Antarctic accomplishment of the journey winter brought all outside activi from base to Pole, but also with ties to a halt. Three main Survey the New Zealand end of the ex parties covered many thousands of pedition—the formation and mem square miles to the north, west bership of the organising commit and south of Ross Island, and tees, the raising of money through depots for the support of the Bri out thc length and breadth of the tish team which was to cross the islands, thc publicity arrange whole continent were laid on the ments, the postal arangements and best available route to the South the correspondence relevant to Pole itself. these matters. Hillary's dash to the Pole ahead The thirty-one chapters and of Fuchs, the telegrams and other seven appendices which comprise correspondence involved are all the body of the book cover every' given in full detail and the book aspect of New Zealand's partici concludes with chapters on other pation in Sir Vivian Fuch's cross activities carried out by the New ing of the continent. The first Zealand party in and around the third concerns the preliminary or base area—the Dry Valley expedi ganisation, the financing and per tion, Scott Base Post Office, En sonnel selection, much of which deavour's second voyage and New could be of interest to New Zea Zealand's future in the Antarctic. land readers only. Raising the final sum of £243,000 which the people As a record of that country's and Government of New Zealand activities prior to and during lhc contributed to T.A.E. was no small Trans-Antarctic Expedition, this task, as illustrated by these chap volume is a comprehensive and ters, which also detail thc ways in surely complete reference, but for which the money was lo be used the reader who has neither been to —£73,000 for the Scott Base build nor closely studied the area involved ings and the Beaver aircraft, being it is a somewhat forbidding piece the biggest item—and the generous of literature. Just as the Ferguson Sepfemoer, 1964

tractors became bogged down in the maries of intentions or achieve loose snow of Antarctica, so does ments given, leaving the reader to the casual reader become foundered draw all his own conclusions. The in the morass of place names, tech authors seem to have been so deter nical and scientific terms and jar mined to give everything and every gon and the presumption that all one equal credit that no detail has Antarctic data is common know been omitted and no drama left in ledge. The two maps which feature what was, above all, a highly in the end papers of the book are dramatic, courageous and valuable too general to bc of any value in undertaking. tracing routes; there is no glossary of terms and phrases; and the ad O.P.A.W. mittedly large selection of photo graphs is, conversely, too detailed and personal to give any overall im pression of the theme of the under The special publication "Antarctic taking. Ice Observations October 1962— Obviously in a book of this March 1963" of the U.S. Naval nature, the authors must rely heavi Oceanographic Office is of special ly upon diaries kept at thc time by interest lo New Zealanders in that those in the field. Little selection 45 of the 47 ice charts are of the has been made, however, which Ross Sea area south of New Zea gives an over-detailed account in land. The charts have been con which no emphasis has been laid structed from aerial and shipboard on anything, no outlines or sum observations. Insect Collecting By New Zealanders In Antarctica K. A. J. Wise* During the 3'ears since IGY, New has recorded the discovery of both Zealand parties have been in the insects and mites near the mouth field in Antarctica every summer of thc Beardmore Glacier, in the season. Although field parlies have Hood Glacier area, between 83°45'- been mainly for surveying and geo 84°S. and 172°-173°30'E. This was logical purposes they have, from thc furthest south record for both time to time, collected specimens fauna and flora, being within 450 of the flora and fauna. A brief his miles cf the South Pole and about tory of their discoveries concerning 400 miles south of Ross Island, Mc terrestrial insects and mites is given Murdo Sound, where insects and here. mites also occur. Subsequently, Prof. J. T. Salmon (Victoria Uni In the 1957-58 season E. B. Fitz versity, Wellington, N.Z.) has de gerald collected mites beside the scribed (1962 a) two new species Edisto Glacier (then called Hallell of insects, from the material col Glacier) south of Cape Hallett. These lected by Tyndale-Biscoe and B. L. mites were later described as a new Smith, naming one new genus species (Wallwork, 1962). Biscoia. A major discovery was made bv members of the N.Z. Alpine Club Mites were also collected by Fitz Antarctic Expedition in the 1959-60 gerald on Ross Island in 1959, by season. C. H. Tyndale—Biscoe (1960) B. E. Reid, N.Z. Biologist, at Hal lett in 1959, and by Dr C. Bailey, Reid's assistant in 1960, at Cape * Bernice P. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Adare. These belong to several Hawaii, (c/o Canterbury Museum, Christ species recorded recently (Womers- church, N.Z.). ley & Strandtmann, 1963). September, 1964

A member of the Victoria Uni- accompanying a New Zealand versitv of Wellington Antarctic Ex motor-toboggan expedition in Octo pedition 1960-61, A. I. G. Willis, col ber-November, 1962. R. Buchanan, lected insects on the west coast of K. P. Rennell, and A. V. Spain McMurdo Sound and reported them joined the team for the 1963-64 sea at another site (VUWAE 1960-61 Re son and Buchanan is re-appointed port, cycl.). I have since collected for the 1964-65 season. insects and mites at both these places, i.e. near Blackwelder Glacier (also known as Ricky Glacier) and REFERENCES Lake Penny (Gressitt, Leech & Wise, Gressitt, J. L., R. E. Leech and K. A. J. 1963). Willis' specimens were in- Wise, 1963. Entomological Investigations c u d e d i n r e c o r d s b v S a l m o n in Antarctica. Pacific Insects 5 (1): 287- (1962 b). 304. J. F. Ricker and D. N. B. Skinner Salmon, J. T., 1962 a. New Collembola from have reported sighting mites, in the 83deg. south in Antarctica. Trans Roy. 1962-63 season, on a nunatak (since Soc. N.Z. Zoology 2 (18): 147-52. named Mite Nunatak) in the Terra 1962 b. A new species and rcde- Nova Bay area, while M. R. J. Ford scriptions of Collembola from Antarctica. has reported insects sighted near Pacific Insects 4 (4): 887-94. the Rennick Glacier on the northern Tyndale-Biscoe, C H., 1960. On the occur coast of Antarctica, in the 1963-64 rence of life near Ihe Beardmore Glacier, season. Both these reports need con Antarctica. Pacific Insects 2 (2): 251-53. firmation by the collection of speci mens. Wallwork, John A.. 1962. Maudheimia petronla n. sp. (Acari: Oribatei), an Ori- Last season, 1963-64, the New Zea balid mite from Antarctica. Pacific In land Southern Field Party, led by sects 4 (4): 865-68. V. R. McGregor, collected moss near the Shackleton Glacier at 84°35'S. Womersley, H., and R. W. Strandlmann, 1963. 173 50'W. Some of this moss was On some free living prostigmatic mites of made available to me, both insects Antarctica. Pacific Insects 5 (2): 451-72. and mites subsequently being ex tracted from it. The insects belong to one of the species previously col COMING UP? lected near the Beardmore further north. McGregor's collection is con- The Herrligkoffer German Antarc sequcnty the furthest south record tic Expedition is still in course of known at present and must ap preparation. Again delayed for a proach thc southern limit of both year owing to "financial circum flora and fauna, being only about stances", the organisers are still 400 miles from the South Pole. asking for additional purchasers of the special cachet card. Prospective Thus it can bc seen that members buyers are warned that they "should of the New Zealand Antarctic Re not expect receipt of cards prior to search Programme have materially Spring 1965". assisted in furthering our know ledge of the terrestrial fauna in Antarctica. SCIENCE CONGRESS It may bc of interest to note The New Zealand Antarctic Soci here the names of New Zealanders ety is one of the organisations co investigating insects for the Bernicc operating in the Eleventh New Zea P. Bishop Museum under the United land Science Congress, to be held in States Antarctic Research Program. Auckland, February 11-17, 1965. The The writer has been in Antarctica Society's delegate on the organising on this project in the seasons 1960- Committee is Lt.-Cdr. J. Lennox- 61, 61-62, 62-63, 63-64, and will return King, R.N.Z.N., who visited the Ant for the 1964-65 summer. C. E. arctic with U.S. Operation Deep Fearon, J. C. L. M. Mather, and 0. freeze II in 1957, and was Leader of R. Wilkes were appointed for thc the New Zealand party at Scott Base 1962-63 season, Wilkes and I then 1959-60. September, 1964 SHIPS OF THE SOUTHERN OCEAN R. A. FALLA

[One of the scries of functions arranged during the visit of "Eltanin" to Wellington was a public lecture by Dr R. A. Falla, Director of thc Dominion Museum and President of the N.Z. Antarctic Society. We arc privileged to publish in an abbreviated form the substance of Dr Falla's lecture, which was illustrated with slides.—Ed.] It should not be without interest COOKS SECOND VOYAGE to trace briefly thc emergence of the idea of special requirements in When in 1772 Cook's ambitious ships for more efficient operation in plan to make a summer voyage in the Southern Hemisphere and high latitudes was accepted, the eventually for service in the Antarc plan was to have two ships and to tic. We may conveniently begin with use as a supply and refit base Captain James Cook and his ships Queen Charlotte Sound in New Zea two hundred years ago. When the land. The geographic objective was Royal Society of Great Britain de to discover the legendary southern cided to send a group of scientists continent. Once more Whitby-built to the Pacific it was enjoying social barks were chosen—the "Marquis of Granby" 462 tons, and the "Marquis hadprestige thus and much royal influence patronage with and the of Rockingham" 340 tons. They were Navy. It is not quite clear who was eventually renamed "Resolution" responsible for the stroke of genius and "Adventure". "Resolution" was whereby they decided not lo use a built up in the waist, given an regular naval vessel of the period. extra deck, and a raised poop struc In the event they selected a small ture described as a "round-house" merchant vessel and a coaster at to accommodate the captain, whose that. The "Earl of Pembroke" was normal spacious quarters were to a three-year-old collier, technically be occupied by Banks and an even a "cat-built bark"—i.e. she was bluff larger entourage than he had taken bowed, beamy, square sterned, and in the "Endeavour". Our twentieth not far short of being flat-bottomed. century scientists of the "Eltanin" These features all had some signifi era may well feel sometimes that cance for the service for which she their counterparts of the eighteenth was intended. She had maximum were in some respects more enter stowage capacity for her tonnage prising. and dimensions—368 tons, overall length 106 feet, beam 29 ft. 3 inches. When a Thames pilot took over, She was likely to suffer minimum he judged that she was likely to damage if accidentally stranded, and capsize and returned her to Ihe for the same reason—her flat bot yard. The excrescent structures tom could be intentionally grounded were removed, and the vessel re for periodic careening and cleaning. stored to her original trim. When Important additions and alterations Banks discovered this and an were needed before she left the nounced with picturesque emphasis Deptford yard in July 1768 as the that he would not sail in her, he "Endeavour" under Cook's com was taken at his word and she mand. She was ballasted to stabilise sailed without him. The epic second some deck armament; she was voyage was notable for its advance sheathed for Teredo protection not ment of navigation and the success with copper but with wood; and ful testing of one of the new Harri finally was fitted to accommodate son chronometers. Geographically an incredibly large complement of the achievements of the voyage 85 plus the twelve members of thc were spectacular, not least being scientific party and their specialised the daring penetrations of Antarctic equipment. seas and the dispelling of the myth September, 1964

of a habitable southern continent first of the officially sponsored ex beyond them. At its conclusion Cook peditions as early as 1820 was that was able to say that "the Resolu of Bellingshausen but by 1840 there tion was found to answer on all were three in the field; the United occasions even beyond my expecta States Exploring Expedition under tion and is so little injured by the Wilkes, Dumont d'Urville's French voyage that she will soon be sent Squadron and the British venture in out again." She was, on Cook's third "Erebus" and "Terror" under James and last voyage. This time there Clark Ross. In their local and con were no scientists, gentlemen or temporary context the last of these otherwise. From it Cook did not re is important for its first penetration turn, but the ship did, and passed and vital naming in the region that into history as one of the notable has since become known as the vessels of all time. Ross Sea. The ships were of interest too. They were regular naval ves sels but of a special kind known WHALERS AND SEALERS as a "Bomb". They were built of It was whales and seals which heavy construction without regard stimulated the ventures of the early to fast sailing capacity in order 19th century. This seemed at first that their armament should consist lo call for nothing more than the of the heavy mortars which were used for bombardment of shore types of ships and men already tested in the depleted Arctic. Typi fortifications. With this armament cal of these were the brig "Jane of removed they remained seaworthy Leith" (160 tons) and the cutter and stoutly "built vessels and had "Beaufoy" of London (65 tons), already proved their worth among "both fitted out", says James Wed the ice of the Arctic. Ross and Cro dell who commanded the Jane, "in zier then had very little difficulty the ordinary way, and provisioned in keeping their ships operating in high latitudes and the expedition for two years". Within that two made some significant landfalls and years, 1822-1824, they had reached their furthest south—74° 15' in the discoveries. sea that now bears Weddell's name. The French also were using regu Almost exactly similar to Wed lar vessels and the "Astrolabe" and dell's ships were those of the New the "Zelee" were frigates of the fine England sealers. But the Stonington and graceful lines for which French fleet of 1820 did include as tender naval architecture was noted. They a sloop of special design. Exact were not particularly well adapted details of the "Hero" have not been nor specially modified for Antarctic traced but her tonnage is recorded work. It is clear from the accounts as 44i. She would thus have been of the high latitude operations that just under fifty feet long, with a the strain on human skill and man beam of sixteen and a moulded power was considerable. depth of 6. The shoal draught was designed for work inshore along un The same observation could be charted coasts. Her rig was two made of the Squadron allotted to jibs and a mainsail, with a square- Commodore Wilkes. Again these sail for running free. It is clear that were regular navy vessels, given an for success in Antarctic seas in overhaul for a long voyage but not such a cockleshell everything de substantially altered. Like the pended on the calibre of the crew Frenchmen they were destined to and particularly of thc man in com spend a good deal of the commis mand. Nathaniel Palmer undoubted sion in the tropical Pacific and in ly had all that was required. retrospect it seems to have been somewhat unreasonable to expect the same Squadrons to penetrate NAVAL VESSELS the unknown icefields of the south. It is greatly to the credit of officers By 1840 there was revived scien and men that their achievements tific interest in the fields of mag in discovery were so outstanding netism, geology and biology. The and some special credit should per- September, 1964 haps go lo Hudson, Master of the along these lines. Thc work was "Peacock" of the American Squad entrusted to Dundee builders and ron, whose vessel was decidedly the result was the "Discovery". It cranky, inclined to leak dangerously may be claimed that she was the and difficult to handle. first vessel actually designed for combined scientific work and ex ploration in the Antarctic. It is a THE STEAM WHALERS matter of history how well she It was not until the end of the stood up to the requirements of 1901-04 and her subsequent career century that a new series of expedi tions was planned. In the selection added further distinction. After a of ships the debt to Arctic experi period as supply ship for the Hud ence was now more apparent. The son Bay Company she was refitted for the purely scientific programme opening up of Arctic seaways had been performed in all kinds of ves of the Discovery Committee, and sels suitable and unsuitable, but continued pioneer work in ocean with the sustained pursuit of whales ography until taken over in 1929 by and seals there had been developed Mawson's B.A.N.Z.A.R. Expedition. in Europe auxiliary steam vessels Although well-designed for ice, she built of wood, strongly reinforced was inclined to roll sharply in the and having unlimited endurance for open sea with some attendant dis comfort for those working the col long periods at sea. At the same lime they had, while the supply of lecting gear. On the other hand the fuel held out, some ice breaking laboratory accommodation and capacity. It was ships of this kind working space was remarkably good then that figured so prominently in for that era. Sea-going endurance the new assaults on the far South was ensured by the use of the made between 1893 and 1913. H. J. square sails thus conserving the Bull's "Antarctic", Larsen's "Jason", rather limited coal supply for her and Borchgrevinck's "Southern auxiliary boilers and engines. Cross" were all steam whalers as Since the close of the era repre were the "Morning" and the "Terra sented by the special design of "Dis Nova" sent to relieve Scott's "Dis covery" and "Fram", expeditions covery" in McMurdo Sound in 1903, have again sought to adapt existing the "Scotia" of Bruce's notable ex vessels chosen according to immedi pedition in the same year in the ate needs and financial resources. Weddell Sea and the "Aurora" For a year or two the tiny Nor which later gave such good service wegian steam sealers were used and to Mawson and his Australian team some of them gave remarkably good in the Antarctic and later still as service. For example, "Quest", "Nor the Ross Sea Support of Shackle vegia", and "Wyatt Earp". Their ton's Trans-Antarctic attempt. One successors similarly used have been of these old ships after a notable the steel ships "Toltan" and "Nor and varied career in the Antarctic sel". The final decision to employ did splendid service as the "Bear steel ships in Antarctica was made of Oakland" with Richard Byrd on with caution and some experiment. his second and third expeditions When Richard Byrd needed large south. It would be hard to select enough vessels to carry aircraft he any one of these historic ships for arranged that they be accompanied special comment, but in terms of by the old-fashioned wooden ice- varied and efficient service the punching sealers. Thus the "Elinor "Bear" and the "Scotia" were out Boiling" had as consort the "City standing. of New York" and the "Jacob Rup pert" the "Bear of Oakland". "DISCOVERY" It was because of the successful SHIPS OF TODAY performance of these steel whalers With the great frigate "Chal that the British Government de lenger" in 1872 all the resources and cided when planning the national manpower of a naval vessel were Antarctic Expedition to build a ship used, but pioneering oceanography September, 1964 from the Scandinavian countries April: Mr J. H. Miller; the had North Sea fishing trawlers Northern Victoria Land Geologi adapted. Just as the "Eltanin" cal and Survey Party, 1963-64. marks an advance in design and ar rangement for oceanography, so the May: MM transportation of stores and person the "Discovery" Hut at Hut nel to Antarctica has shown some Point. interesting trends in ship design. June: Annual Meeting—Dr. T. Some expeditions find it convenient to use the self-contained ice- Hatherton: The Balleny Islands Expedition. strengthened vessel of the kind so successfully produced in Denmark. July: Cocktail party for "Eltanin" Australia, Britain and several other company and lecture by Dr. R. countries regularly charier the fine A. Falla: Ships of the Southern little ships of the Lauritzen Line. Ocean. The largest of the self-contained ice- strengthened vessel are often power Oflicers elected at thc Annual ful enough to be effective ice Meeting were: breakers and the Russian Antarctic Chairman: Dr. T. Hatherton. Fleet since the pioneer work of the < "Ob" have mainly been of this class. As is well known, the United States Treasurer: Cdr. W. J. L. Smith. maintains its considerable Antarctic service with the use of modern ice breakers as a means of gaining ac CANTERBURY BRANCH cess for a varied fleet of steel sup Thc Canterbury Branch of the An ply ships, transports and tankers. It is this pattern under which the tarctic Society will again participate New Zealand programme is carried in Antarctic Week, the annual cele out with HMNZS "Endeavour" in bration organised by a committee association with Operation Deep set up by thc Christchurch City Freeze, and there seems no doubt Council. The provisional date is thc that for the foreseeable future ice week commencing on November 7. breakers will be indispensable for The United States icebreakers maintaining the now vast pro "Glacier" and "Eastwind" are ex pected to be in port at Lyttelton gramme of Antarctic Research. at that time, and the new film featuring New Zealand's Antarctic activities should be available for its SOCIETY NEWS premiere. Relics of Scott and Shackleton will be dispayed in a At the Annual Meeting of the New city store along with modern equip Zealand Antarctic Society on June ment. A major display will be made 27 officers elected were: at Lyttelton, emphasising the part played by shipping in Antarctic President: Dr. R. A. Falla. operations. Vice-Presidents: Mr H. F. Griffiths and Mr J. H. Miller. At Ihe annual meeting of the branch, an increase in membership Immed. Past President: Mr A. H. during the year from 112 to 151 was Robins. noted. Mr R. J. Stanley was elected Chairman, Dr. B. Stonehouse and Secretary: Mr V. E. Donnelly. Treasurer: Mr A. H. Newton'. Mr J. H. M. Williams vice-chairman, Mr A. Leigh Hunt was elected an and Miss H. S. Hill honorary secre h o n o r a r y l i f e m e m b e r o f t h e tary. Society. The appeal to Christchurch firms for financial backing for a bursary WELLINGTON BRANCH to enable a science student at thc University of Canterbury to carry Branch functions since the begin out summer research in the Antarc ning of this year have been tic was launched on May 25. The New Zealand Antarctic Society is a group of New Zealanders, some of whom have seen Antarctica for themselves, but all vitally interested in some phase of Antarctic exploration, development or research. You are invited to become a member. BRANCH SECRETARIES Wellington : W. J. P. Macdonald, Box 2110. Wellington. Canterbury: Miss Helen S. Hill, Box 404, Christchurch, or 194 Knovvles St., Christchurch 5.

"THE ANTARCTIC TODAY" This volume is out of print, but a limited number of the follow ing separate sections is available, the stapling slightly rusted: Ionosphere Research (J. W. Beagley). Meteorology (A. R. Martin). Aurora Australis (I. L. Thomson). These separates are available at a cost of four shillings each from the Secretary, N.Z. Antarctic Society.

ANTARCTIC

Published Quarterly • Annual Subscription £1 Copies of previous issues with the exception of Vol. 1, Nos. I, 2 and 9, Vol. 2, Nos. 2, 3, and 4, may be purchased from the Secre tary of the Society, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington, at a cost of 5/- per copy. Of oi:r predecessor, the "ANTARCTIC NEWS BULLETIN", only the following numbers are available: 5-6, 8-10, 12-17, 19, 20. Price: 4/- per issue.