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SEPTEMBER, 1967 AUSTRALIA Winter and Summer bases. . Scott- S u m m e r b a s e o n l y . t H a l l e t t " NEW ZEALAND Transferred base Wilkes UStoAusi- TASMANIA Temporarily non -operational HSyowj.

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DRAWN IY DEPARTMENT OF LANDS 1 SURVEY WlLLINCTON,NEW ZEALAND, MAR.I9M- IV EDITION (Successor to "Antarctic News Bulletin")

Vol. 4, No. II SEPTEMBER, 1967

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

CONTENTS

EXPEDITIONS New Zealand New Station at Lake Vanda The Rennick Glacier France Australia U.S.S.R. Argentina Japan South Africa Belgium United Kingdom U.S.A Sub-Antarctic Islands Antarctic Stations, 10: Wilkes .... Whaling More Veterans Pass McMurdo's First Tourists The Reader Writes Antarctic Bookshelf September, 1967 NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN TRAINING FOR COMING YEAR Practically all the men chosen both to winter-over and to form the summer parties, 1967-8, at Scott Base and in the field, spent the week August 18—25 at Waiouru Military Camp and on the slopes of Ruapehu undergoing the usual period of intensive train ing in preparation for their arrival in the Antarctic in early October. The Governor-General, Sir Bernard bed of McMurdo Sound on a line Fcrgusson, told members of the between McMurdo Sound and Americans' admiration for the work Brown Island, with similar measure of their predecessors. The awe with ments in Lake Vanda, Wright Valley, which the Americans at McMurdo and Lake Bonney, Taylor Valley. regarded New Zealand's scientific Another team will collect fossil achievements in the Antarctic was material from Bull Pass, Wright Val one of Ihe most profound impres ley, and from Ihe Boomerang Range sions he gained when he visited the on the edge of the Polar Plateau Antarctic in 1963, he said. south-west of the Skelton Neve. They will also make further examination SUMMER PROGRAMME of the high moraines and elevated beaches on Black Island, some 20 m. There will be two main field par- south of Scott Base. tics this summer. A six-man geologi A third party with special equip cal and survey team will work for ment will investigate the ablation 10 lo 12 weeks in the upper Rennick measurement of the Antarctic ice Glacier area of northern Victoria sheet by drilling al Byrd, South Pole Land, complementing the surveys and Plateau, and, using motor tobog carried out by earlier New Zealand gans, carry out glacial moraine fiield parties in this portion of the studies on Erebus. Further glacio Ross Dependency. A geological party logical work will be done on ice under Sir Edmund Hillary will earn' tongues from the Plateau protruding out geological and topographical into 'dry' areas. The sails contained mapping of the Ironside Glacier in such ice tongues as those in the (72°S., 169° 40'E.) which Hows into Wright Valley will assist in deter Moubray Bay from the Admiralty mining an ice budget of the Antarctic Mountains, and will attempt the ice sheet. climb of Mt. Herschel. CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY PARTIES Members of the Canterbury Uni versity Antarctic biological unit will Staff and students from the Uni continue the research programme in versities of Otago and Canterbury McMurdo Sound, Cape Bird and up and from the Victoria University of to Cape Hallett. Wellington, in independent groups Four of the seven have had experi under the control of the Antarctic ence in the Antarctic. Division, will undertake scientific Stirling and East will work at Scott work in several areas during the Base. It will be Stirling's third sea summer period. son. He will study changes in seal population. East will assist Stirling VUWAE 12 and also do work on seal scouring A more than usually comprehen and moulting. sive programme is being undertaken The rest or the team will work at this year by the Victoria University Cape Bird, 60 miles north of Scott of Wellington Antarctic Expedition. Base. Here the men will be based in Two physicists will continue the the Harrison laboratory. study of the heat How through the Dr. Young (leader) will study the September, 1967

Three types of radio equipment and ?rcdationeterson will of make penguins a detailed by skuas, study some new types of insulated tents of changes in the composition of will be used and tested. penguin blood in relation to bird To take advantage of the sea ice behaviour. Factors influencing the at Cape Hallett for aircraft landings, structure of a penguin colony will be the party will probably fly into Spurr's concern, and Williams will McMurdo in early October and look into skua chick mortality. return to New Zealand before the The zoology department's photog end of November. rapher, J. Darby, who will be second ICE BREAKOUT in charge of the team, will complete The intensive study of the ice shelf a film on skua predation and investi between Ross Island, Black Island, gate the reasons for the way penguin chicks group together in creches. White Island and the mainland, the McMurdo Ice Shelf, will be con OTAGO tinued for the sixth consecutive year. Studies of the skuas, Adelie pen This will involve men working from guins and Snow and Wilson's storm Scott Base with a Sno-cat, motor petrels at Cape Hallett will be under toboggan and dog teams. The object taken by biologists from the Univer is to measure the rate and direction sity of Otago, in continuation of the of the flow of this ice-shelf, the in work previously undertaken bv the crease and decrease of snow levels Dominion Museum. Dr. T. S. Choate at various points in different seasons will be assisted by several highly- and the mechanics of the summer qualified young biologists from the ice break-out in the Sound. Markers university. and survey beacons have been erected to "measure movement, and OTHER WORK other markers record accumulation, Studies of nuclear fall-out using ablation or a decrease in snow level samples of air and snow from an due to evaporation and wind. In this area extending from New Zealand to way it is hoped to draw up a snow the South Pole will be continued. budget of the McMurdo Ice Shelf. As in past years, oceanographic A contour map of the western por surveys will be made on H.M.N.Z.S. tion, between Scott Base and White "Endeavour" during its resupply Island, will be initiated, utilising trips to the Antarctic; in addition, automatic levelling equipment. Den an oceanographic cruise will be un sity profiles are also required on a dertaken to study the eastern margin more accurate and extensive scope, of the Campbell Plateau area. and this will be done by drilling and New Zealanders will be included coring at selected positions on the on the "Eltanin's" southern ocean ice shelf. cruise in January and February to In charge of this programme will carry out oceanographic and upper be Arnold J. Heine, who will be mak atmosphere research in conjunction ing his eleventh visit to the Antarctic, with U.S. personnel. and who helped American glaciolo MOUNTAINEERING AND gist Al Stuart, with whom he win SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION tered at Scott Base in 1959, to make A party of nine men, led by Sir the first glaciological studies of the Edmund Hillary, who was leader of McMurdo Shelf. the New Zealand component of the PENGUIN ROOKERIES SURVEY Trans-Antarctic expedition of 1956-8, A more comprehensive effort than will carry out geological, survey, and has previously been possible will be meteorological work in the Ironside undertaken during December by Glacier area, west of Hallett Station, C. J. R. Robertson of the Wildlife in the northern part of the Ross Division to consolidate and add to Dependency. They will attempt the the available data on the penguin first ascent of Mount Herschel population dynamics of rookeries in (11,475 ft.) in the Admiralty Range, the whole area from Possession attempting both the east and south Island to the King Edward VII coast ridges. Dr. Gill will carry out a de line in 150° W. Since 1956 some 17 tailed study of cold acclimatisation. new Adelie rookeries and five new September, 1967

teers from the New Zealand Ant NEW STATION AT arctic Society. The ultimate continuous staffing of LAKE VANDA the base will lift the science content of New Zealand's Antarctic work, in 16P ou proportion to support, to one of the formim miles long which thaws only in mid summer, and even then only on the beach line. In summer also, melt- ANTARCTIC SOCIETY MEN streams enter the lake from nearby WILL HELP glaciers. The name Vanda was given Readers will recall the part played lo the lake by a Victoria University of by members of the New Zealand Ant Wellington team in 1958-9, whose arctic Society during the 1960-61, leader, Dr. Colin Bull, had a dog of 1963-64 and 1964-65 summers in this name on a North Greenland restoring the huts used by Scott and expedition in which he participated. Shackleton at Hut Point, Cape The United States National Science Evans and Cape Royds. Foundation had planned for a station Antarctic Society assistance is now here to be occupied by a team of to be given, again on an "un-paid" American, Japanese and New Zea basis, in the erection of the huts for land scientists in the winter of 1968. the proposed new station in the This plan was deferred, but the very Wright Dry Valley. The Wellington great value of winter data which and Canterbury Branches were each would complete the studies previ invited to nominate a man for this ously undertaken only in summer, purpose, and from a large number led New Zealand to the decision to of well-qualified volunteers the fol establish a station here herself. lowing have been selected by the It was at first hoped to man the branches and approved by the Ant new station during the 1968 winter, arctic Division: but this proved impracticable for Wellington: B.D.Norton. the time being because of the econo Canterbury: G.N.Hamilton. mic restriction. However, it was A Lyttelton boy, Brian Norton was decided to erect the station during a member of the Canterbury Branch the coming summer. It will be in before coming to Wellington three valuable for static field parties years ago. A technical officer on the studying geology, geophysics and TV side of the N.Z. Broadcasting micro-climate in the Dry Valley Corporation, he was ionosphere ob region. server in the team on Campbell Two existing buildings, one from Island in 1951-52, when he was also Arrival Heights (already dismantled) responsible for the maintenance of and the biological hut at Cape Royds, the radio equipment on the island. will be transported to the site. If In his early years he was a keenly R.N.Z.A.F. air-transport is not prac interested member of the Canter ticable or available, this will involve bury Mountaineering Club. a ground party travelling from Scott Neil Hamilton, a company director Base across the sea-ice to Marble and a qualified builder and joiner, is Point, thence over the Wilson Pied a member of several mountain clubs mont and up the Wright Valley. With and has climbed in Switzerland, this varying terrain, different types Austria and Italy as well as in New of vehicles, sledges and trailers will Zealand. He has assisted in designing have to be used. and building several mountain huts Assistance in the construction of and has instructed many climbing the new base will be given by volun- and ski schools in Canterbury and Otago. Mr. Hamilton has been asso ciated with Deep Freeze since its Emperor rookeries have been dis inception. Arising from this he was covered. invited to attend an ice research pro- September, 1967

ENRAPTURED AUDIENCE OF ONE S. Hancox and J. Lawrence bring music to McMurdo Sound. Photo: J. T. Murphy gramme in Alaska two years ago. Moraine) in order to make further While there he travelled extensively collections. within the Arctic Circle. More samples of Tertiary erratics PALEONTOLOGICAL RESEARCH will also be sought at Minna Bluff and Black Island, as the study of It is hoped to collect more fossil pollens, spores, and dino- )evonian Fish remains lo add to the flagellates collected earlier from ollections made by the late Griffith these localities have shed light on _'aylor in 1911-12 and by New Zea the geological history of the Mc landers Gunn and Warren during the Murdo Sound region and on the Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1957-8. Dr. Errol White, F.R.S., of the British vegetation and climatt Museum, has studied this material during the early Tertia^. and has recognised a new genus of H.M.N.Z.S. "ENDEAVOUR" great interest as evidence of the Devonian freshwater fauna of the "Endeavour" is scheduled to leave Antarctic segment of Gondwanaland. Lyttelton for the Antarctic on Opportunity will probably be given January 4, 1968. It is proposed to to geologists attached to New Zea continue magnetic measurements land parties in 1967-8 to re-visit the during the supply voyages as in pre localities where previous collections vious years. This will involve the use have been made (e.g. the Boomerang of the dry laboratory on board and Range, the Lashly Mountains and, the services of two scientists per easiest to visit, the Gondola Ridge voyage. September, 1967

R.N.Z.A.F. FIRST IN The Royal New Zealand Air Force Mr. R. B. Thomson, Superinten will be making three Hercules flights dent of New Zealand's Antarctic to the Antarctic this summer. Division, and Mr. W. J. Webb, the The New Zealand aircraft are to prospective Scott Base Leader, 1967— transport the material required for 68, are scheduled to fly south by U.S. the construction of the new station aircraft on October 1. Most New at Lake Vanda, Wright Dry Valley, Zealand personnel will follow later from McMurdo to the hut site. in the month. ; in 1967-8 will Complete Exploration of Great Rennick Glacier at all after its coastal sighting by the "Terra Nova" crew in 1911 till American planes nosed into a giant depression in its northern coast in 1947, has in recent years been more closely examined, chiefly by New Zealand field parties in 1962 and 1963. Next summer another New Zea Plateau west of Terra Nova Bay and land party undr:r Dave Massam and enters the sea just west of Cape including Maurice Shcehan, who was Cheetham on the Oates Coast. It is a member of both the previous New 20 to 30 miles wide, narrowing to 10 Zealand teams, will make a more miles near the coast. intensive study of the region, includ Only in recent years has the Ren ing the great glacier which fills the nick Glacier appeared upon the map. depression. For 70 years that part of the Vic The team, comprising two geolo toria Land coast which lies west of Cape Adare beyond Robertson Bay, gists and four field assistants, will seen in brief glimpses by Wilkes and work in two groups, using motor d'Urville in January 1840, obstinately toboggans for transport. They will rebuffed even the most able and work in two main areas: daring explorers, masking "a bleak, (1) The upper Rennick Glacier white unmapped immensity of bliz (Morozumi Range and Helliwell zard-filled unknown".* Hills). (2) King Range, Freyberg Mountains RENNICK BAY and Navigator Range. Then in early 1911 Lieut. H. L. L. It is expected that the party will Pennell in "Terra Nova", was return be in the field for from ten to twelve ing to New Zealand after landing the weeks. Their work should enable main shore party of Scott's Last some accurate correlation to be Expedition at Cape Evans in McMur established between three major do Sound. The ship rounded Cape rock categories, the Wilson Group, Adare and landed Campbell's Nor the Bowers Group and the Robertson thern Party at Ridley Beach, Robert son Bay. "Terra Nova" then edged Bay Group. her way N.N.W. to explore to the Readers will be interested in the west beyond Cape North as far as following outline of the discovery and exploration of the giant Rennick her coal supply should allow. On February 22, in 69° 10' S., 164° 30' E., Glacier. Lieut. Bruce "picked out some snow The Rennick Glacier, which flows capped mountains" and then "more peaks and lower land". Oates Land, from south to north in approxi as they named it, was "tantalisingly mately 162° E., is about 200 miles in covered in cloud". At 9 a.m. the ship length and one of the largest glaciers in the Antarctic. It rises in the Polar * Byrd in Nat. Geog. Mag., October 1947. September, 1967 was brought up by pack. In the The Rennick Glacier reaches the morning, after an hour and a half of sea just west of Cape Cheetham in futile attempts to penetrate the ice, approximately 161° 45' E. West of the with clouds still covering all except glacier front lies Ihe Kooperatzia the lower land, the attempt to get Piedmont, while east of Cape Cheet either to the coast or further west ham lies the Lillie Ice-tongue. was abandoned. The Russians comment: "The De Eight thousand yards off they pression assumes the form of an could see a glacier tongue apparently ice-shelf near the shore. . . . The running down from snow-covered upper part of Rennick Glacier rises rounded hills. Behind it a rugged gradually towards the south and range of hills ran down to a point seems to merge into the continental which seemed to form the eastern ice cover. At the sea end the glacier point of a large bay. To this "bay" ends in the usual vertical cliffs. . . . they gave the name of Lieutenant "From the south-running moun H. E. de P. Rennick, the officer who tains of the eastern side of the had been responsible for the sound Rennick Depression, flowing north ings taken during this pioneering towards the sea, into the region voyage. marked on the map as Cape Wil HIGH JUMP liams, are masses of ice forming a piedmont glacier, the seaward side Rennick Bay was not seen again of which assumes Ihe form of an ice till the aerial photographs taken dur shelf." (This is the Lillie Glacier ing the United States Operation Tongue.) Highjump of 1946-7 suggested that the "bav" extended inland as a fiord "The Rennick Glacier does not as much as 100 miles in length to appear to yield as many ice-bergs as 71° 30' S. To Captain Charles Bond's might be expected." photo-mappinsr sea-plane crews of AUSTRALIANS NEAR the Western Group, operating from the "Currituck" near the Balleny A determined attempt bv the Aus Islands in early January 1947, both tralians in the chartered "Thala Dan" sides of the "bay" appeared to be to enter the area from the west in in eel by mountains 8,000 leet in Januarv 1958 had been frustrated bv rie.ght.* But the whole region was ice and bad weather. But in Febru rog-covered and the photographs ary the following year "Magga Dan" snowed little detail, while lack of with Philip Law and his Australians ground control made any reliable on board had better luck. The Wilson mapping impossible. Hills, 70 miles west of the Rennick, were sighted on February 20 and the RUSSIAN VISITORS ship anchored near a large glacier tongue which extended for 20 miles * ennick Bay itself behind its from a broad valley glacier. This aimost impregnable ice-defences re was the Pennell or Matusevich Gla mained inviolate till the early part cier in 157° 20' E. Squadron-Leader of the I.G.Y. period. Then during D. Leckie made an air reconnaissance January and February, 1958, Rus of the coast-line while a landing was sians on the vessel "Ob" explored made in 69° 9' S., 157° 8' E., the first the coast from the Soviet base Mirny landing in this area. The Australians on the Davis Sea, 92° 57' E., lo the were only 140 km. (87 miles) west of Ross Sea, and with the aid of two AN-2 planes and one I AK12 plane the Rennick. carried out air photo surveying along the Oates Coast. "Rennick Bay" was FOOTSTEPS ON THE RENNICK found to be "a gigantic ice-lilled Up till this time no man had set north-south depression" flanked by fool on the great glacier itself. But mountains. The depression was occu in early 1960, the sno-cats of the pied by a "vast outlet glacier" which United States Victoria Land Tra the Russians plotted inland, to the verse, led by Franz Van der Hoeven, south, for 60 miles. and including, in its team of eight, •Report of Operation Highjump, Vol. 1, New Zealander Arnold Heine, were Annex 3, Photogrammctry. making their wav from Adelie Land September, 1967 towards the Ross Sea coast of Vic the west side of a line of mesas toria Land at Cape Hallett. Three which form the eastern boundary of vehicles had left Scott Base on Octo the glacier. ber 16, .1959, travelled up the Skelton The team now sledged eastwards Glacier and north-west to within 30 to the Aviator Glacier and down the miles of the terminal point of a Campbell Glacier to their pick-up French traverse from Charcot Base point. At their most southerly posi in 1958-9. The three sno-cats now tion Gair's team had been only about moved east towards Hallett Station, 70 miles north-east of the sledging 600 miles away. route of David, Mawson and Mackay At the end of January 1960, the on their great journey to the South traverse party sighted their first Magnetic Pole in 1908-9. mountain in 1,000 miles and hailed it as Welcome Mountain. A few days later they began to descend to the The first ground survey team to surface of the Rennick Glacier at work systematically in the northern about 72° 20' S. On February 2 a U.S. Rennick area was the six-man Nor reconnaissance R.4.D. dropped spares thern Party of the New Zealand Ant and mail to the party and selected arctic Research Expedition, 1963-4, a pick-up point on the glacier at 72° led by J. Holmes (Bob) Miller, who 37' S., 161° 32' E. Here two sno-cats had with him M. R. Ford (deputy were cached, the third having been leader), M. J. Sheehan (of Gair's abandoned 100 miles back to the party), F. Graveson, A. Sturm and west. On February 10 the party was S. Carryer. They were flown with evacuated to McMurdo after a recce- their 36 dogs and four sledges from flight down the glacier to beyond Hallett Station in three flights on 70° S. The sno-cats were left on the October 24 and 25, to link up near glacier. the head of the Pennell (or Matuse- Three seasons later, 1962-23, a vich) Glacier 80 miles west of the United States team of topographic Rennick. After some geology here engineers, on the last leg of an oper they sledged as two independent ation called "Topo East and West", parties east and then south, one covered an area of 40,000 square miles to the west of Hallelt using turbine-powered helicopters to land teams of surveyors on selected spots. This enabled reasonably accurate S I E.lSO'vv. maps of the area to be produced. <\ „0SS1 DEPEND -^1 Australians on "Thala Dan" on February 11, 1962, reached the coast ._ ^»terc at Cape North, 80 miles cast of the Rennick. A party landed, and Philip Law raised the New Zealand flag. > Cape Adare

NEW ZEALANDERS EXPLORE K ^r\k\oSd- In the 1962-3 summer a New Zea land team carried out the first sys tematic ground-level exploration of ®mmL- the upper (southern) Rennick. This "Northern Party" of four men (H. S. 4h Yp# Gair, K. P. Pain, M. J. Sheehan and J. A. Tobin) was flown in by U.S. aircraft on November 3, 1962, to 73° 15' S., 163° E., at the head of the Ren nick Glacier, at an altitude of 7,500 I SOUTH POLE feet. They sledged 70 miles down the west side of the Rennick to 6,000 feet, (1) Rennick Glacier-* and then back to their depot along (2) Dry Valleys September, 1967

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J)rayvn.by.Depa,rLmen.t of Lands x±$>ut\>i\j Welliriaxon.,NewZealand .September- l< September, 1967 along and one to the west of the WEATHER CHANGE USARP Mountains on the western The first two or three days of June flank of the Rennick, just north of were relatively calm in McMurdo 72° S. Sound, a pleasant relief after ten Here, late in November, the parties days of almost continuous blizzard re-joined at a depot previously laid which made even the essential out not far north of the "Welcome Moun door activities well nigh impossible. tain" of the United States Traverse. Now it was calm and the sky was They now crossed the Rennick by clear. The more settled weather independent routes in the vicinity of brought a sudden fall in tempera the Helliwell Hills, which form the ture, from a rather balmy 30 of dividing line between the northern frost during the violent storms, to and southern sections of the Glacier. a 55° frost at 8 a.m. on June 2. At this point the glacier was found Scott Base dog handler W. R. Orchis to be 65 miles wide. Crevassing made ton was able to give the huskies a the crossing hazardous, and this with run in the moonlight. soft snow and much atrocious Storms of a different kind were weather caused a great deal of flogging the Antarctic in the same exasperating delay. week. These were magnetic storms, On December 28, after three weeks the aftermath of severe solar flares, of good weather and intensive sledg which seriously disrupted radio ing, climbing, surveying and geologi schedules with New Zealand. To the cal collecting, they moved down scientists at all Antarctic bases mag the Tucker Glacier to be picked up netic disturbances are of intense on January 28 and flown back to interest, but to the communications McMurdo. The various groups had people they are a pest. The visual sledged in all 1,600 miles largely in evidence of the mighty forces al previously unexplored country, link work was some spectacular displays ing up, however, with the work of of the Aurora Australis. earlier New Zealand expeditions, the Federated Mountain Club's expedi BREAK OUT tion of 1962-3 to the south, and the This winter has been notable for New Zealand Geological and Survey the most unusual extent to which expedition of 1957-8 lo the east. The McMurdo Sound has been free of ice. expeditions outlined above were Usually most of McMurdo Sound is better able to plan their movements ice-covered as far north as Cape and anticipate difficulties because of Bird, and at this time of year it is many United States photographic air possible to cross from McMurdo missions, the topographic results of Station and Scott Base over this sea which were made available to them ice. It has been the practice, for in the typical Antarctic spirit of example, for parties from Scott Base co-operation. to sledge up the coast of Ross Island to inspect the old huts at Cape Evans and Cape Royds. This year, however, AT SCOTT BASE this would be impossible: McMurdo Sound is practically free from ice. The programme at the Base in cludes continuation of the year- SUN RISES AGAIN round studies in auroral physics, The Antarctic sun rose again on earth currents, geomagnetism, iono August 29 for the 12 New Zealanders spheric physics, meteorology, radio who have spent the winter at Scott propagation, and seismology. Base. The scientific observations at Scott At noon, with the temperature 64° Base form part of an international below freezing, the base leader, Colin network of stations, particularly in Clark, raised the flag which had not the field of upper atmosphere flown over the base since the sun set physics, seismology, and meteor more than 18 weeks before. ology, and it is important that this Violent blizzards have partially work continue in order to avoid buried the base in drift snow and the interruption in the records being cold has been intense during the obtained. winter months. September, 1967

second year, was also responsible for TO WINTER AT the operation and maintenance of SCOTT BASE the ionosonde. The following men have been Russell E. Houliston (25), Oamaru, selected lo winter over at Scott Base Fitter-Electrician. A Balclutha boy, throughout the 1968 winter. Two Mr. Houliston served his apprentice more will be added later from the ship as an electrician with the Wai- men working at the base or in the taki Electric-power Board from 1957 field during the summer. and became fully licensed in 1962. He has had wide experience in the William J. Webb, Leader (see June wiring and maintenance of domestic, "Antarctic"). commercial and industrial electrical Ian P. Johnson (27), Gisborne, installations and appliances, and has specialised in refrigeration work. He Senior Technical Officer. Mr. John is single. son, born in Wanganui, attended Wanganui Technical College from '952 to 1954. After servinc his renticeship as a radio/TV s

as weather-station radio- electric and gas cultin< dan. He also made a trip to and obtained his tra< latham Islands as a radio His main spare-time jmu operator before spending a year at cars and mechanical «*< ~ase, 1966, as senior elect: icciuucian. He is a ham-rac': time of his appointrr engineer on the vessel S.T.S. "Athel- thusiast. viscount". He has had extensive ex David A. Henderson (25), Invercar- perience with diesel engines. He is gill, Technician. Born at Gore, Mr. single. Henderson attended St. Kevin's Col lege, Oamaru, and was a student at Carey Irwin (23), Blenheim, Filter the University of Canterbury 1959-61. Mechanic. Mr. Irwin was born in He worked at the sound studios of Christchurch. He was educated at the N.Z.B.C. in Dunedin till 1966, and Marlborough College and then then at the transmitting station at served five years as an apprentice Dacre. He is single. mechanic, and is at present a service station manager. He is interested in John S. Talbot (23), Palmerston travel and while working at his North, Technician. At present em trade in Australia tried his hand at ployed in the Plant Physiology Divi crocodile-hunting. sion, D.S.I.R., he was born in 1943 at Pretoria, South Africa, and educated George R. Edlin (46), Invercargill, at schools in Natal and Pietermaritz- Postmaster. He was born at Napier. burg. Migrating to New Zealand in He was a ship's radio officer for two 1962 he took lectures at Auckland years and then in 1942 joined the University for two years before join Commandos and served till after the ing the P.E.L. as a technical trainee in 1962. He was in the 1964-5 summer party at Scott Base. Single. Ian W. Wratt (27), Wellintgon. Cook. He was born at Matamata and has a farming background. He is at present a Navy leading cook on attended Otago Boys' High School H.M.N.Z.S. "Waikato". and Lincoln High School before join ing the N.Z.B.C. as a technician. He holds a first-class certificate in radio- Antarctic technology. He served for two years Copies of some previously unob on Campbell Island as a telecom tainable issues of "Antarctic" have munications technician and, in his become available. See page 588. September, 1967

J. Wilson: Mountaineer. SUMMER SUPPORT STAFF B. Jenkinson: Mountaineer. The following men will work at or INTERTIDAL CREVICE FAUNA from Scott Base during some part of Dr. Kensler: Marine Biologist. the 1967-68 summer. H. K. Schminke: Zoologist. AT BASE ROOKERIES SURVEY C. J. R. Robertson: Zoologist. I. Smith: Deputy Leader. OTAGO UNIVERSITY B. McAleer: Assistant Radio Opera tor. (Cape Hallett) B. Procter: Public Relations Officer. Dr. T. S. Choate. T. E. Reilly: Carpenter. B.Johnson. R. Tatham, Assistant Maintenance B. Turnbull. Officer. Also to work at Scott Base for por J. R. Lythgoe: Assistant Maintenance tion of the summer: Officer. M. Cunningham: P.E.L. Trainee. D. K. Campbell: Storeman. R. E. Christensen: P.O. Rigger. R. J. Cowan: Field Assistant. R. T. R. McMurray: P.O. Rigger. J. Parker: Post Office Technician. T. O'Neill: Technician. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TEAM FAR AFIELD (Rennick Glacier area) M. M. Prebble, leader Scott Base D. G. Massam: Field Leader. in 1965-66, has gone to the other J. A. S. Dow: Senior Geologist. extreme. While researching at the V. E. Neall: Geologist. Scott Polar Research Institute in M. J. Sheehan: Field Assistant. Cambridge, England, he has been G. Dingle: Field Assistant. heading north, and when last heard G. R. Champness: Field Assistant. of was at the Tarfala Glaciological McMURDO ICE SHELF TEAM Station in North Sweden, in nearly A. J. Heine: Field Leader. 70° N. Mike is to represent New W. R. Lucy, Surveyor. Zealand at the Assembly of the N. B. Pitts, Assistant Surveyor. International Association of Scien R. V. Barton, Field Assistant. tific Hydrology in Berne, Switzer VICTORIA UNIVERSITY land, from September 28 to October Prof. H. Wellman, Field Leader. 4. Dr. A. Wright: Geologist. YANKIWI FAMILY C. Vucetich, Pedologist. Two members of the Johnstone Dr. A. Wilson, Physicist. family of Taihape have served for C. Hendy: Chemist. lengthy periods with United States I. Calheim: Physicist. expeditions in the Antarctic. J. Cousins: Physicist. G. N. (Johnny) Johnstone was an engine fitter in the R.N.Z.A.F. Ant CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY arctic Flight in 1959-60 and stayed (Harrison Laboratory, Cape Bird) on to winter at Scott Base. His skill Dr. E. C. Young, Field Leader. attracted the attention of the Ameri J. Darby, Photographer-Technician. cans at McMurdo and 1961 found J. Peterson, Zoologist. him in a team of three who were to E. Spurr, Zoologist. occupy a satellite auroral sub-station M. Williams: Zoologist. in the heart of Marie Byrd Land. (At Scott Base) This project had to be abandoned I. Stirling: Zoologist. but Johnny stayed on at Byrd D. Mossop: Zoologist. Station itself throughout the 1962 HILLARY SCIENTIC AND winter. He subsequently saw con GEOLOGICAL TEAM siderable further service with Sir Edmund Hillary: Field Leader. U.S.A.R.P. Dr. M. Gill: Doctor. Now his brother Ray has also Dr. L. Harrington: Geologist. become a confirmed Yankiwi. He has N. Hardie: Surveyor-Mountaineer. already served for two years at G. Hancox: Geologist. McMurdo and will be returning to M. Ellis: Mountaineer. the Antarctic in October after a six- M. White: Mountaineer. weeks visit to the United States. September, 1967

AN EARLY MORNING CATCH Ian Calheim and Dr. D. A. Christoffel accepted this offering from a seal which used the hole they had cut through 8-10-foot ice to measure temperature changes in the water beneath the McMurdo Ice Shelf.

ANTARCTIC KIWI STRIKES ledge. In all, the party sledged 850 TROUBLE miles in 111 days. Who but Ron Hewson, Timaru- Well, a London press-message of born and Inglewood-bred surveyor, August 1 tells how this same Ron who at 23 was a member of the New Hewson, now a refugee from war- Zealand Antarctic team wintering lorn Nigeria, where he had been with over at Scott Base in 1962? He was a British surveying team and, later, in Walcott's Northern Party working an American oil-exploration group, west of the lower Beardmore Glacier arrived at London Airport clad in a area in December 1961-January 1962. T-shirt and a pair of shorts, with After the winter he was again in the (again) long hair down to his shoul field, this time as leader of the ders. Two months earlier he had Southern Party which experimented been working in a small dinghy with toboggans to travel up the which was overturned by an unusu Victoria Land coast and strike inland ally large wave and Ron was "cut to camp at the head of the Davis savagely about the buttocks" by the Glacier. From here they were air revolving propeller. His life was lifted to the head of the Priestlev despaired of, but European doctors Glacier. They followed the 1908 gave him first-class treatment at a Magnetic Pole party's route down Shell Company hospital in Port Har- the Larsen Glacier to Terra Nova court and in August — still heavily Bay. En route, Hewson went 30 feet bandaged — he was looking for some down a crevasse on to a providential thing a bit adventurous. September, 1967 EXPEDITIONS POLAIRES FRANCAISES

Our correspondent with Expedi fully worked out. tions Polaires Francaises, summaris Preparations are in train for the ing the 1966-67 summer season, re next expedilion, TA 18, but at present ports that the planned programme was carried out in its entirety, and the E.P.F. organisation is concen the rocket-firings were a complete trating on the 1967 summer activities success. However, the disruption of of the International Glaciological the planned voyages of "Thala Dan" Expedilion in Greenland. following the vessel's immobilisation The proposal to use a Breguet 941 in the ice for three weeks off Wilkes aircraft to reach Adelie Land is still Station brought numerous difficul under study, in close collaboration ties, the most important being the with the Australians since actually a unavoidable cancellation of one of touch-down on Macquarie Island is the four projected voyages. As a envisaged. It is anticipated that the result, the repatriation of personnel Breguet will land on l'lle du Gouver- at the end of the season was effected neur, a low, rocky islet a mile or so only under difficult conditions, and west-south-west of l'lle des Petrels, the timing of the transport of relief on which Base Dumont d'Urville is personnel was disrupted, entailing located, off the Adelie Land coast. the extremely late arrival of the final The first flight is expected to be in wintering-over men, who had very 1969. little time for the take-over from their predecessors. As Dumont d'Urville is now a scientific observatory which func The disruption of plans also com tions regularly and without untoward pelled the cancellation of planned incident's, very little of "news" value visits to Dumont d'Urville of several is reported to Paris during the winter influential personalities. In the out months. come, only M. Gribelin, technical adviser to the committee responsible During the coming year, however, for France's overseas territories, was it is expected that a hew laboratory' able to make a very brief visit to building will be constructed for Terre Adelie. observations of radio activity and cosmic radiation. Also the bulletins Among the principal objectives of new winter sleeping quarters will which were achieved during the sum be commenced. The foundation and mer were the following: unloading, the metal frame of the building will fitting up of living "and sleeping be constructed this coming season quarters for summer personnel, pro but the building will not be available duction and distribution of fresh for occupation~till after the 1968-69 water, installation of scientific equip ment (meteorology, ionosphere), foundation work (anchoring of cable- WINTER 1968 ways, extension of the rubbish dis posal mono-rail system, etc.), topo Twenty-seven men will winter-over graphical work, etc. All this entailed under Fcrnand d'Amatc. "Thala Dan" 21,322 man-hours, not counting the should be loaded by mid-October. activities associated with the rocket- The ship will make two trips as firing programme. usual. FUTURE PLANS WELL DONE, E.P.F. 1 No specific details can be given as 1967 is Ihe twentieth year of yet regarding the principal project Expeditions Polaires Francaises: Mis envisaged, the setting-up of a new sions Paul-Emile Victor. We offer our station on the polar plateau. This is cordial congratulations and best not expected to eventuate before wishes on behalf of our readers to 1970 and plans have not yet been M. Victor and his staff. September, 1967 EXCITING DAYS AS MAWSON MEN RISK FIELD JOURNEYS

We are happy to be able to draw on the monthly News-letters from station leaders despatched by ANARE lo the dependants of men wintering at the Australian bases, for these lively narratives of life on station and, particu larly, in the field during the past few months.

From the beginning of March the treme cold of the Antarctic winter, Church Mountain party, under Man they were unable to continue while ning, worked to the east of Fischer still 60 miles from the Base. Their Nunatak. Two surveyors, Manning last full message asked for search and Lawson, climbed Mt. Rivett — and rescue support from Mawson if the first humans to set foot on it. they had not arrived at Fischer They reached the summit on March Nuhatak Depot by May 7. The mes 17 at sunset in a temperature of 44° sage then cut off in the middle, the F. below freezing. The party then radio having iced up, and from then began to work its way back towards on radio contact was lost. Mawson with Manning and Jaques In great haste a relief expedition taking tellurometer distance and was organised. Mechanics worked theodolite angles every few miles. Ihroimhout the night to prepare the They reported the country around vehicles, and many who could not Mt. "Rivett heavily crevassed. go spent hours packing dog sledges. The support party, under station Two tractors, the dog team and the leader Eskine, used two D-4 cater little Skidoo toboggan were taken. pillar tractors with sledges to carry the Church Mt. party and their vehi The relief party planned to travel cles the first 20 miles of their jour with the tractors till the countr became too difficult for heavy vehi ney. The D-4s, being heavy vehicles, were in difficulties with crevasses cles, then to continue on with the right from the start. At one stage light team, leaving the tractors as Wood said cheerfully, "Let's give the a base. They struggled up the snow game away alter we get a D-4 slotted slope to Fischers where they camped one more time", expecting just to get for the night during a blizzard. They a track break through over a hole. then moved out east into the real The next minute his machine with crevassed country. They made a him in it disappeared from sight — whole four miles the next day and the tail and the tip of the blade camped with the engine running dur caught and held a little way clown ing the night and lights pointed up the bottomless hole. Reiffel brought to the sky for Manning's party to his D4 around on the ice with the see and take fresh heart. It was a big machine picking its way between lovely camp — the tractor train, little slots like a ballet dancer, and after Bcche tent, line of dogs picketed out a lot of work with ice axes, the on the neve, whispering snow slotted machine was hauled out. This streaming past in the vast frozen is the first time D-4s have been taken wilderness and 52° of frost! east of Fischer Nunatak, and it may be the last. STRANGE MEETING Meanwhile, the stranded survey DIFFICULT RETURN JOURNEY party carefullv packed a sledge with The Church Mountain party, after essential food, cooking fuel, tent and accomplishing the first successful sleeping bags. Then, roping them ascent of Mount Rivett, worked their selves to it in the manhauling tradi way through almost constant bliz tion of former Polar exploration, zards to an ice feature they called they began the long trek home. On Frustration Dome. Here, in the ex the fourth day, after marching September, 1967 through appalling weather, they saw WINTER PASSES through the Antarctic dullness the Soon it was the very middle of headlights of the tractor as the two winter with continual night. Aston- ;ly for the whole of oni a nearly full moon circled continu parlies continued to push along to the east, they saw four figures roped ously around the cloudless horizon. to a sledge plodding out of the drift On June 26 a big Emperor penguin ing snow towards them — a very strutted into the leader's hut. T moving experience. The two parties a magnificent bird, VA ft. It rushed together. Such a shaking of hands and patting on back and the glossy black and white pu O.I.C. running to the dog sled to apricot yellow neck, big red < beak, a proud disdainful expi~~... . break out the flask of rum he had and a harsh "awk awk . . . get-out- brought to celebrate. The tractor of-my-way" voice. He had b party did not really know the others picked up by Little and Forecast were manhauling or even nearby, when they had been out mapping and yet they met head on in this the edge of a recent sea ice breakout enormous land! The four man- where many Emperors were fc^rtii haulers still had ample food and from a large pool of open s< kerosene in reserve. They were a the penguin visitor was taken back strong confident team with an air of to his home. purpose and guts and would un doubtedly have got back to the Base The sea ice on which much de by themselves. pends for winter travel had broken out twice, preventing them from OTHER ACTIVITIES setting out for the Auster Rookery as planned. By the end of June it was On May 19 a three-man party refreezing nicely, and many were planned to spend a week at Lake travelling twelve to fifteen miles to Lorna, a frozen melt lake in the test the ice, lo establish depots and Masson Range, to look for samples to practise sea ice travel with dogs of Glaciossyllus Anlarcticus. This and motorised toboggans. Bishop interesting animal is the Antarctic often travelled towards the Rookery flea which is said to live in the ice- Islands 40 miles from Mawson on lined hollows used as nests by the the western route to Taylor Glacier, lovely white bird, the Snow Petrel. hoping to prove it a safe route all Entomologists throughout the world the way. are clamouring for specimens to study. Surveyor Manning has a tent per The glaciologists made a trip to manently erected on Bechervaise Island, where he makes extr>arr"'lt' Rumdoodle for a couple of days to accurate astronomical fixes oi put in a line of glaciology stakes for or six nights of perfect o measuring ice ablation, and planned This look most of the winter to to use the tractors to move from achieve. point to point, taking quick compass bearings as they put in each stake. The Snow Petrel men (Cowell, By the end of April the sea was Gillies and Cheney) finally got up to frozen over with ice two feet thick, Lake Lorna. A six-day blizzard started the day they were due to strong enough to drive a bus on. leave Mawson but they got away INTERNATIONAL CHESS during a lull, their sledges being pulled up the 2,000 ft. high edge of Mawson has been challenged at the ice sheet by tractors. They set up chess by the Russians at Mirny. The camp on the ice fifteen miles out., chess board remains set out in the then with packs on their backs they recreation room, and each day Ben clambered single file among the nett with his radio link produces a peaks searching for the scooped out slip of paper with the Russian move hollows under rocks, protected from on it. The game has been steadily blizzards, where the Snow Petrel proceeding throughout the winter. builds her nest. September, 1967

The midwinter twilight did not freezing. The Volkswagen caught us stop the annual Mawson sea ice race 1 Midwinter Day — a handicap race was hummockcd and soft, so the >en to all comers, all vehicles, it Volkswagen and bike went in closer jvered a two-mile course round to the coast on fast firm snow, mak lump Island and two icebergs. They ing several wide sweeps in the maze had a skier towed by a motor-cycle; of icebergs. The skidoo and bike a footrunner who ran a magnificent pushed on at 6 m.p.h., and we set up race against a tough handicap but camp in the fading light on a good camp site at the north end of the was unplaced; a rhotorised tobog island. The next clay we headed S.E., gan; a motor-car and motor-cycles; og teams, the "whites" driven by proposing to penetrate the iceberg lent and Erskine, and the "blacks" belt to reach the rookery, a grim bleak lonely place, ringed by oy Manning; a wheelbarrow and an oid lorry. grounded icebergs held in the grip of the frozen sea. There we counted On the day before Midwinter Day, 15,500 male birds, each one tending a party of four went for a twenty- a precious egg, waiting out their six mile run on the sea ice to place a weeks' vigil of starvation, and depot on a rocky island. hunched in a tight circle against the freezing wind. The skidoo and bike AUSTER ISLAND ROOKERY stopped that night at an unnamed island, the most southwesterly island Two sea ice trips were made dur of the group where a depot of food ing July. The first party, consisting and fuel was established. Reiffel of Manning, Lawson and Reiffel, affixed a brass plaque to the summit took the skidoo towing a dog sledge of the island, naming it Carole with the object of putting a depot Island. We kept well in to the ice as far as possible towards Auster cliffs to avoid the fierce wind which Island. This trip was very successful blew the sledge around at right and Ihe skidoo went sb well that angles to the direction of travel. they set up camp at Auster Island itself. The trip was unusual in that "We have an enormous admiration the weather was perfect, and the sea for the Emperor Penguin, who faces ice smooth instead of hummocky or the toughest survival problem of all snow covered as so often is the case. animals in the world. The female There are now three depots, includ lays her egg during May, then leaves ing ones previously put out by dog lo seek food in distant waters, and sledge, along the route. As an experi the male remains without food while ment a Volkswagen and a motor hatching the egg throughout the bike were used for serious work on Antarctic winter. Mother penguin re the sea ice, supported by skidoos turns primed with food which she with a sledgeload of supplies. With feeds in a regurgitated paste to the the skidoo acting as one base and hatched chicks, and onlv then does Mawson as the other, the Volks the emaciated father depart north wagen carrying full survival gear ward." shuttled back and forth on the sea ice, doing in an hour what dogs or WOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH skidoo would take several days to DOGS accomplish. The motor-bike went as scout with the skidoo, and if the bike A second trip was made with the should get into trouble it could be object of spending a week at the loaded on to the sledge. rookery instead of just a hurried reconnaissance. This time a dog THE PARTY LEADER REPORTS team went with the skidoo. One night the skidoo hauled its sledge up "We used the Polar Pyramid as on to an island to camp, and after they are fine tents when pitched the dogs had been helped to pull properly. We departed Mawson at their sledge up, one man set off on first liaht, escorted by the motor the skidoo to look for fresh ice for bike. The surface was slow due to drinking water, as snow on the the warm still weather, 26° below island was contaminated with wind- September, 1967

blown salt off the sea-ice. The skidoo WILKES bounced and threw its rider: every one rushed lo catch the skidoo, but RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURE the ice was too slippery and il put tered off into the darkness. Next At Wilkes the temperature on May day they followed the slight tracks 30 rose to 41.8° F., possibly unpre it had made for five miles and dur cedented for the time of year and ing the next four days tracked it for certainly one degree higher than the many more miles out to sea. Mawson maximum temperature recorded for was radioed and a second dog team the whole of last year, including the was sent out. The tracks were fol summer. For those who returned lowed until it became hopeless, from seven weeks in the field on shifting camp as the search pro May 23, this represented a change gressed, but after six days the party of almost 82° in four weeks. In the returned to Mawson cold, tired, un middle of May Wilkes recorded a happy and minus the skidoo. maximum wind speed of 111 m.p.h. Fortunately little damage was caused, apart from uprooting the FUTURE INLAND STATION "World" signpost and blowing down Lockhart built a small experi a couple of aerials, which were soon mental hut to be taken to pieces repaired. Drift accompanied the high and re-erected on the plateau. The winds that were experienced gener idea is to see how it stands up to ally throughout May, and the station conditions, so that A.N.A.R.E. can buildings are mostly drifted up to design an inland station. It looks the caves and well insulated against strong and neat in the workshop, the changing world outside. and it is a shame to think of the battering it will get from wind and FURTHER RESEARCH FOR snow during the next few years. It will be taken 15 miles out on to the INLAND STATION plateau and anchored into the ice. During the month, at a site on the plateau five miles from the camp, a Illingworth went to Lake Lorna small hut ten feet long by four feet and brought back specimens of wide by eight feet high, was mounted strange plants growing out of the on a tubular metal substructure, so solid block of ice which is called a that the floor level is five feet above lake. We were rather sceptical be the snow. The object is to aid the cause the lake only has a few hours design of future A.N.A.R.E. inland of partial melting each year, but the stations by observing and photo specimens really look like toad stools seven inches high. Photos of graphing at regular intervals the specimens have been sent to throughout the year, recording any Melbourne biologists via the radio displacement or movement of the substructure, as well as a study of facsimile apparatus. drift profiles on and around the At the end of July the first rays of structure. the returning sun just touched the By the end of July things were jumble of icebergs' in front of Ihe looking brighter as the days length base, tinting the ice cliffs edging the ened. Resumption of field trips, Plateau with a glistening pink and though comparatively early, ap a background revealing the chill peared to bring the end of the purple of the David and Casey year in sight and morale had risen Ranges which thrust their bleak accordingly. The scientific staff were rocks up out of the white waste. now thoroughly familiar with their work and had begun to consolidate We regret to announce the death results. Radio conditions were im on May 9 of WILLIAM A. BRIESE- proving as they moved into the MEISTER, the American carto second half of the year. These grapher, who will long be remem showed up in ionosondc results as bered for his maps of Antarctica increasing critical frequencies and and for his knowledge of the explora the return of another ionospheric tion of its ice-sheet and mountains. layer. There has been correlation be- September, 1967 tween auroral layers and sightings of aurorae by the "Allsky" camera. FOURTEEN MONTHS IN Burns suffered by Jackson short- ISOLATION staffed the met. men, whose work had been rather arduous because Beginning in January 1968, a four- considerable winds this month have man party of Australians will spend hampered balloon launching for 14 months in isolation studying the upper atmosphere observations. glaciology of the Amery Ice Shelf. They report a record low barometric The party members will sail in "Nella Dan" at the end of 1967, taking caravans, tracked vehicles, stores, radio and scientific equip this time of the year. An 80-knot ment. wind damaged the amateur radio antenna again but the cubical quad The Amery Ice Shelf is a floating antenna was quickly restored to a sheet of ice about 1,000 feet thick new position with stronger wiring. and 100 miles wide at the mouth of the Lambert Glacier between 70° and 80° E., about 300 miles east of the JULY JOURNEY nearest occupied Antarctic settle The first spring trip got under way ment, Mawson, from which for on Julv 29 to S.2 (an outstatioh several years tractor parties have about 50 miles from Wilkes), where travelled to observe the shelf. Ex Carter and Olrog will camp. They pedition members must now live will be studying temperatures and there throughout the year to find out ice movement, collecting samples at what happens during the winter and various levels in the 100-ft. deep pit, to have time to drill holes to the and testing new electronic radio bottom of the shelf. echo-sounding equipment. The re Study of this area is expected to mainder of the party will continue on yield valuable information on many some 25 miles to the top of the aspects of the glaciology of Antarc ice-dome to establish a fuel depot for tica, including ice movement, snow future trips and to take readings with accumulation, ice thickness and heat the gravity meter. budget. The party will consist of glaciolo gist, electronic engineer, senior diesel FIRST ANTARCTIC AUSSIE mechanic and medical officer. The first three have been selected already IN SPACE but a medical officer is still required. Melbourne-born Dr. Philip Chap Maxwell J. Corry (26) will be glaci man, a seventh-generation Austra ologist and leader of the party. He is lian, graduated from Sydney Univer a surveyor and has already spent a sity in 1956 as a physicist. In 1957 he year in Antarctica as surveyor with spent 15 months at Mawson Base, the 1965 ANARE party at Mawson. Antarctica, as an auroral radio Alan H. Nickols (28) has been physicist with the Australian Na selected as electronic engineer and tional Antarctic Research Expedition radio operator. Mr. Nickols is an (ANARE). Since 1961 he has been Army captain. In 1961 he graduated attached to the experimental Bachelor of Engineering with First astronomy laboratory of the Massa Class Honours at the University of chusetts Institute of Technology. New South Wales. Now, aged 32, he has been selected Neville J. Collins, B.E.M., will be to undergo final selection for train senior diesel mechanic. He was a ing as a United States astronaut, the member of the ANARE expedi first non-American or non-Russian to tions at Mawson in 1957 and 1960, be chosen to train for space flight. and at Wilkes in 1962. On two of He hopes to be in the first moon- these expeditions Mr. Collins took crew— in five or six years' time. Dr. part in long tractor journeys into Chapman became a United States the interior of Australian Antarctic citizen four months ago. territory. September, 1967

THE FUTURE OF ANARE ANTARCTIC SOCIETY GIFTS TO GOVERNOR-GENERAL Since the resignation a year ago ot Dr. P. G. Law, now Vice-President of On August 10 four representatives the Victorian Institute of Colleges, of the New Zealand Antarctic Society and three years ago of Dr. F. Jacka were received by the Governor- to become Director of the Mawson General, Sir Bernard Fergusson, at Institute of Antarctic Research, Adel Government House in Wellington, aide, no appointment of a Director and presented him with a farewell of ANARE (the Australian National gift of two books and a portrait from Antarctic Research Expedilion) has the Society as a tribute lo his great been made. In fact, no advertisement personal inter »«.t in the Antarctic for a successor to Dr. Law appeared and in New Zealand's work there. until February this year, nine months The chairman of the Wellington after Dr. Law's resignation. Branch, Flight-Lieut. W. C. Hopper, There has been considerable specu introduced the members who made lation regarding the reasons behind the presentations: Mr. Howard Mal- this delay. It is understood that the litte, who painted the portrait of Sir report of a Committee which has Bernard in Antarctic clothing, Dr. been enquiring into the scope and Trevor Hatherton, editor of the nature of the scientific investigations Society's publication "Antarctica", and logistic support which have been and Mr. L. B. Quartcrmain, author carried out by ANARE for the past of "South to the Pole". nearly twenty years, is being pre pared for presentation to the Depart ment of External Affairs, which at The Governor-General will take a present has ANARE under its wing. piece of Antarctica back to Britain A possible outcome is the raising when he leaves New Zealand later of the whole status of ANARE to a this year. similar status to that of CSIRO. On the other hand, it could be that It is a paperweight shaped from a ANARE will become merely a body lump of kenyile lava taken from the providing financial and logistic sup summit cone of Mount Erebus, one port for research initiated and car of the two active volcanoes on the ried out and the results published continent. by such independent bodies as the Sir Bernard, who visited the Ant Universities. arctic in the 1963-64 season, will be given the paperweight bv the Canter bury branch of the New Zealand Antarctic Society, when he makes a country which claims a third of his last visit to" Christchurch next the Antarctic Continent, and yet has month. never had its own expedition ship or Mr. A. Beck, of the geological adequate provision for flights be survey, collected the kenyite in the tween Australia and the Antarctic. summer of 1958-59. Hardly a single Australian Federal politician of note has ever bothered He was one of the members of a to visit the vast Australian Antarctic geological and mapping party led by Territory — so sparsely populated Dr. H. J. Harrington that made the with voters — yel of such vast poten first ascent of Mount Erebus since tialities for the future of Australia. 1912. Kenyite is a type of basalt. The following two meetings will be It is dark brown and has large held in Tokyo in 1968: white crystals of anorthoclase run ning through it. June 3-8: Logistics Experts, Ant The lump of kenyite, which will be arctic Treaty powers. polished, is several thousand years June 10-15: Tenth SCAR Assembly. old. September, 1967 TWELFTH SOVIET EXPEDITION UP OF ACTIVITIES To summarise the 12th (1967) gathered, and field, geological and Soviet Antarctic Expedilion, "Ob" geomorphological maps were com left Australia for the Antarctic on piled. January 29 carrying 73 expedilion members who had arrived in Aus During the march across the Pole tralia by air. On the Fremantlc-Mirnv of Inaccessibility the ice thickness at crossing the oceanographic team the point 76° S., 48° E., was measured made 16 stations. After the change by seismic sounding methods. Ac over at Mirny, "Ob" left for Molo cording to preliminary data the dezhnaya carrying 1,000 tons of depth was 3,600 m. cargo. During this cruise the West During the 2,000-mile trek from Ice Shelf and Amery Ice Shelf were December to March, seismologists investigated and the Cheluskintsev established that hills and mountains, Peninsula was more precisely de ranging in height from 1,200 to 5,000 lineated. Taking on 730 tons of fresh feet'above sea level, exist under the water from the'lake, the "Ob" made ice in those regions. There are also for the Princess Astrid Coast to sup valleys going down to between 30 ply Novolazarevskaya station. A hur and 800 feet below sea level. The ice ricane made the unloading difficult. is between 7,200 and 12,300 feet thick During this period the wind velocity on the Antarctic plateau. reached 40m/sec; the temperature in two days rose by 20°. On April 2 Rock Samples. Members of a geo the unloading was accomplished and logical party extensively explored the "Ob" made her way for the the mountainous areas of Queen homeland. She reached Leningrad on Maud Land, which form the upper May 11. part of the Antarctic crystalline The "Ob" delivered to the Soviet foundation, and they brought over Union the cross-count ry vehicle 1,500 rock samples back to Leningrad which travelled more than 6,000 on the diesel-electric ship "Ob". miles in Antarctica, including the three-month trek from Molodezh Scientists have found that the fauna of the Davis Sea is very ricl naya via the Pole of Inaccessibility to Novolazarevskaya. This vehicle and varied. They have discovc" will be put on show at the Exhibition nearly 500 types of organisms in ...^ of Economic Achievements of the sea, mainly sponges, ascidians, U.S.S.R. echinoderms and coelenterates. The lower surface of the shore ice provides good cover for deep water FRUITS OF RESEARCH fauna, whose degree of development During the summer a geological- depends on the thickness of the geographical team of the 12th S.A.E. snow above the ice, which cuts out made investigations of the Yamato, solar radiation. Sor Rondane and Wohlthat Moun Biologists working at Mirny have tains and visited the mountain ridges found living organisms — large num bakova, Rose Luxemburg, bers of diatoms — in the lower part :o, and the Kur- anilsin and Vysot- of a six-foot layer of ice. The sun's rays which pen Irate through the ice, oiyy muuiiuuns. ouppOl't WES given by and the salt solution of the ice itself the AN-6 plane. To the almost inacces sible regions of the Alexander Hum are sufficient to keep them alive. boldt Mountains geologists were This discovery has been made by transported by the cross-country Yevgeny Propp and Igor Pushkin, vehicle "Penguin". One thousand five who have skin-dived 162 limes be hundred samples of rocks were neath the ice near Mirny. They have September, 1967 frequently gone down to consider MORE ABOUT MOUNTAINS able depths and stayed down for at least an hour at a time before return Prof. M. G. Ravich told a coi res pondent of "Leningrad Pravda" that ing to the surface. Soviet scientists working in Queen Under the ice they saw large num Maud Land last summer covered more bers of molluscs and a multitude of than 10,000 kilometres by air, carried small lobsters, which at once sought out dozens of landings and took refuge in the porous ice when they more than 1,500 rock samples. Solov- approached. The ice serves as a feed yeva's team of geologists ascertained ing ground — lobsters and molluscs that in their geological composition eat the diatoms. the Sor-Rondane Mountains (21°-25° E., 72° 15' S.) arc markedly different ICE-FREE CHANNEL from the other mountains of Eastern Antarctica, but similar to the trans Amidst the ice-covered seas of Ant- antarctic mountains. This indicates that the geological composition > unusual phenomenon observed by the Antarctic is significantly moic Soviet scientists 10 years ago, has complex than was hitherto believed. only now been explained by the In the Humboldt Mountains, 250 marine section of the 12th Antarctic miles further west, a geological sur expedition. The temperature of the vey on a medium scale was first water at the surface of Prydz carried out. The geologists were able Bay (in the "Sea of Friendship", for the first time to classify the most between 70° and 82° E., longitude) ancient Antarctic deposits (more reaches more than two degrees. The than 2.5 milliards of years old) and explanation of the mystery lies in the study great outcrops of coarse- peculiar relief of the sea-floor. The crystalled rock associated with rela deep waters here rise to the surface tively recent (in the geological sense and break up the ice. The ice-free of the word) activation of cataclys water surface absorbs solar energy, mic processes. The age of these thereby raising still further the tem "young" rocks is approximately 509 perature of the water. million years. ICE MANTLE Geological research was also car ried out during the expedition from It was reported on July 1 that caterpillar-sledges. By means of seis Soviet scientists have invited their mic soundings not only was the French colleagues to take part in depth of the ice determined but also the 13th Expedition. The aim of the the geological rock structure of the research project is to measure the continent at a depth of several kilo ice mantle covering the Antarctic, metres. It was demonstrated that which is important for an under under the ice is a mountain mass standing of the weather. The leader with heights of the peaks varying of the expedition will be Oleg Vino by as much as 1,800 metres. The gradov, a glaciologist. It is proposed thickness of the ice shield, properly to process the results of the research speaking, over the route from Vostok projects immediately on a com to the Pole of Relative Inaccessibility puter. The first measurements of and on to Novolazarevskaya varies movements in Antarctic ice were car from 2,200 to 3,760 metres. ried out in 1963/64 by Russian glaci ologists headed by Professor P. Shumsky. Repeat experiments will be necessary. A Soviet-French team will conduct them between Vostok BULGARIAN and Mirny stations. A Bulgarian meteorologist, Tsonko In the crossing from Australia to Chapakor, is the first Bulgarian the Antarctic deposits of manganese scientist to work on the frozen con ore were discovered by scientists on tinent. Chapakor is concerned with the "Ob". the higher levels of the atmosphere. September, 1967

RUSSIAN SCIENTIST MIDWINTER AT THE SOUTH POLE V. Gerbovich, reporting by radio from Mirny on June 22, said: This P. Astakhov, wintering with the is traditionally a holiday. Expedition Americans at the South Pole, sent members congratulated by radio this message recently by radio: In those of other countries who are the Antarctic the second half of the winter has arrived. Night reigns at busy with research. the South Pole, where at this momen At Vostok (the South magnetic 21 'Polar Men' are keeping a scien pole and the "pole of cold') 77 tific watch. In the sky above us, a degrees of frost can be observed. At round and very high moon is visible. the shore stations of Molodezhnaya It is light enough to photograph the and Novolazarevskaya and at Mirny arid landscape of the frozen desert it is not so cold, but winds reaching extending around 'Amundsen-Scott', at times a speed of 35-40 metres per the American station. Along with second significantly increase the members of the American expedi harshness of the weather. tion, I am conducting geophysical In some sections, meteorologists surveys here. and geophysicists are ahead of "Recently, like the other stations schedule in their researches. Mech scattered over the sixth continent, anics were repairing the caterpillar we celebrated the winter solstice. tractors. All is ready for the difficult This is an event marked in a special trip from Mirny across the ice way here. A symbolic walk around plateau into the heart of the con the point of the geographical South tinent. Pole took place. Camera enthusiasts 'captured' the Polar lights, which are On certain days, a rare phenome observed quite often. To photograph non of nature can be observed at them one has at times to remain Mirny. The day will be clear, the outside for up to 15 minutes in a 70° thermometer showing 16° of frost, frost. the wind about 10 metres a second. At midday, the edge of the sun will "At the end of August, we expect appear at the North over Haswell the arrival of the first rays of the Island, near the Pravda coast. A sun and a hardening of the frosts. green light will flash. One can see it At the Amundsen-Scott station still for quite a while. lower temperatures outside are the custom usually at the end of the We hold football matches on the winter." congealed ice. The Leningrad men at the Pole won 2 of the 3 matches. MAY DAY But this isn't the final result. The Spring festivities breaking through Moscovites intend to play them back. storms at the 40° latitude and violent A chess match by radio is going on blizzards have come to the shores of with American scientists from the the Antarctic. Soviet Polar scientists stations of MacMurdo and Byrd, working at the Mirny Observatory with the Australian base at Mawson, and at Vostok, Molodezhnaya and and the French at Dumont d'Urville. Novolazarevskaya, met the 1st of The harbingers of spring should May with progress in their work. soon be flying in to Mirny. Last year On May Day at all the Russian biologist Kamenyev radioed on Octo stations the huts were decorated ber 14 that the first two petrels were with flags. Loudspeakers carried observed on September 26, one a broadcasts from Moscow. Parties snow petrel and the other a silvery were held, to celebrate the day. With grey. The main group began to fly in the advent of spring, Soviet scien on October 5, and bv the 13th there tists received congratulations from were already about 100 in the vicinity their foreign colleagues wintering on of Haswell Island. the frozen continent. The Antarctic petrels arrived on At Molodezhnaya, the sixty Polar October 2 and by the 13th they num scientists have an American scientist, bered about 10. The first Adedlie MacNamara, working with them. penguin arrived on October 9. September, 1967 MORE ABOUT THE BIG INLAND TREK

While "Ob" was crossing the Indian Ocean its stability. on her way home, a correspondent of the Moscow "Economics Gazette" made radio con tact with a member of the team which tra "Ahead lay a white sea of snow velled from Molodozhnaya to Novalazarevskaya with cruel high waves and a swell of last summer and was given some further first crumbling snow in drifts as if it had hand information about the trek. been inflated. The vehicles skidded "There is in the icy continent a in newly formed drifts some metres remote spot situated in the centre at deep. The over-land tractors dragged the greatest possible distance from their heavy loads with difficulty. all coasts. This is the Pole of Inacces "For the first two weeks progress sibility at 82° latitude Soulh and 55° was slow, not more than thirty or longitude West. forty kilometres being covered every "The aims of our expedilion were 24 hours. Head winds carried clouds to travel a distance of 3,500 kilo of snow, like dust, into our faces. metres and link Mirny and Molo Nothing was visible more than a few dezhnaya through the centre of the paces away. Navigation was carried continent. Our programme included cut by instruments. Despite the work in the fields of seismic sound severe conditions, the expedition ing, gravimetry, geodesy, magnetism, members worked almost round the meteorology and glaciology. We had clock in two shifts. to draw up a plan of the relief of the terrain under the ice, obtain data on "On February 22, after 56 days of travel, we reached the Pole of In climate, solar radiation and the thickness of the ice crust. So the 16 accessibility. Before us stretched a' members of the expedition were of dazzling while olain adorned with capricious lacelike patterns. Breath many professions: geodesists, radio ing was difficult, for we were at a operators, gravimetrists, magnetolo- height of 3,710 metres above sea glStS, seismologists, drilling experts, level. physicists and, naturally, drivers. "On March 15, an aircraft from "Our route maps were on the Molodezhnaya Base visited the ex whole blank, showing nothing but pedition. When the black speck meridians and parallels. The journey appeared on the horizon, our joy began on December 29, 1966. from was unbounded, for we had seen Molodezhnaya Base, established in nothing for many days except white, 1962, 2,115 kilometres west of Mirny lifeless desert in front of us. Flying in one of the Antarctic Oases. From low with a roar, the IL-14 ap the outset this base was intended to proached. Turning around, it dropped be the starting point for expeditions close to the tractor-train a container towards the interior of the continent. with spare parts, fresh vegetables "Our caterpillar sledcc train con and mail. sisted of two 'Kharkov' over-land "On the following day, inspired by vehicle and one tractor. The former the encouragement and support of are huge cross-country vehicles our comrades, we set a special specially built for work in the Ant record for speed. The expedition arctic. Inside their bodies there are travelled 160 kilometres in 24 hours." several rooms: the driver's and navigator's cabin; a general room in which six men can live and where scientific equipment can be kept; THE AMIABLE KILLER the radio room; generator room: An Oslo correspondent of the toilet and lobby. This self-propelled Hobart "Mercury" says that an laboratory is equipped with the most American scientist who has studied perfected forms of radio and naviga a Killer whale in captivity found it tional apparatus. Caterpillar tracks to be humorous, playful and affec a metre broad give the huge machine tionate. September, 1967 ANTARCTIC

"BELLINGSHAUSEN" ARGENTINA NEW STATION PLANNED ON Argentina informed New Zealand in June that owing to an accidental ANTARCTIC PENINSULA fuel leakage in the General Belgrano Base, the All-Sky Aurora Camera and In one of the rooms of the Arctic the Ionospheric "Sondes" were out and Antarctic Institute, according to of order. Al that time two Riomcters "Lens-Tass" (Leningrad branch of and an auroral Photometer had not been restored. the inscription "13th Soviet Antarctic Expedition". Widespread prepara tions are being made in Leningrad SHIP MOVEMENTS for sending a new relay of Polar men to the Antarctic. SUMMER 1966-67 On the north-west coast of the Ant The ice-breaker General San Mar arctic Peninsula, it is planned to tin left Buenos Aires on December select a site and build a new Soviet 20, relieved and reprovisioned Antarctic Station which will bear General Belgrano Base, transported the name of the famous Russian the men relieved at Luna Bay and traveller and Antarctic discoverer, Aguirre Bay, and returned to F. F. Bellingshausen. For the first Ushuaia on January 27, 1967. time in this region, geological sur veys will be conducted by a Soviet On her second voyage the vessel Polar expedition on islands and along left Ushuaia on January 30, disem the coastline. barked the new party and cargo at Petrel for the construction ot the V. G. Averianov, head of a branch base of the same name. At Esperanza of the Arctic and Antarctic Institute (Hope Bay) as it was impossible to and a graduate in the geographical reach Matienzo Bay, relieving per sciences, told a Tass correspondent sonnel were disembarked and pro about the problems of the 13th visioned. After an inspection of the naval detachment at Islas Orcadas Expedition: the ship left there on February 25 and reached Buenos Aires on March "It is the Expedition's task to 3 TV>tr,l rr,\\n^np 19 R19 miles south select a site and build a new Soviet of Station which will bear the name ot Bellingshausen," he said. The transport Bahia Aguirre left Buenos Aires on November 25, re "On board the 'Ob', which will lieved the men at Esperanza, disem cruise around the whole of the Ant barked men and cargo to erect Petrel arctic, it is intended to carry out a Aeronaval Station, relieved and series of occanological projects and reprovisioned Almirante Brown and hydrographic experiments. Members Decepcion before arriving back at or U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences Zoo Ushuaia on December 31. logical Institute, with the aid ol aqualungs, will carry out a series ol Leaving again for Orcadas on hydro-biological experiments and January 7, the staff were relieved, will collect information about under reprovfsioning carried out and men water plants and animal life. left for construction work. The ship returned to Ushuaia on January 21. "On this expedition also, taking part for the first time, will be a new For the third voyage the ship research vessel of the U.S.S.R. Hydro- sailed on February 13 for Luna Bay, logical Service, the 'Professor Wiese'. Esperanza and Petrel, and was back This 'science vessel' has a remark at Ushuaia on February 25 and able laboratory. On board the vessel, Buenos Aires on March 2; 10,572 hydrological and meterological sur miles were covered, with 78 days veys will be carried out." south of 56°. September, 1967

- r^*c§S§

The new Wilkes Station

Similar rocky peninsulas extend ANTARCTIC STATIONS southwards along this side of Vin 10 cennes Bav which is flecked with WILKES numerous islands, including the Windmill group. In February 1957 the USNC-IGY Carl S. Eklund was Scientific l:iflpr Hnrin«r jhe_ first year and "lurnett was in ;c ui navai personnel; the sta tion was relieved in late January 1958 by a new party with Willis L. Tress- ler as Scientific Leader and Lieut. m the U.S.S. R. S. Sparkes, U.S.N.R., Officer-in- ..J. "Greenville Charge and Medical Officer. During Victory" on a peninsula on the 1958, some concern was expressed eastern side of Vincennes Bay in that the station might be abandoned Wilkes Land; building was com at the end of the International Geo menced immediately and the base physical Year and, as the result of was soon operational. The peninsula talks between the Governments of on which the station was built is the United States of America and rough and rocky, and access from Australia, it was announced in May sea is not easy; a ramp was levelled that the two nations would continue with explosives and earthmoving technical studies, research and scien equipment, and this has been kept tific observations without interrup comparatively free of ice and snow tion after the end of the year. In to facilitate landings each summer. February 1959, the base was trans- September, 1967

y*3r^9E5HMi

ow under construction. ANARE Photo

ferred to the custody of ANARE and, Shortly after the Wilkes Station since then, has been manned each was set up, a small party travelled year by Australians with scientists south and established a satellite base from the United States of America for meteorological and glaciological carrying out specialised work in studies, about fifty miles from the biology and meteorology until 1963. main base. This consists of a James- During the first two years, IGY way hut, a snow pit extended to a studies by United States scientists depth of about 120 feet, a small included meteorology, ionospheric generator room and two storage physics, aurora, cosmic rays, geo areas which are all joined by tunnels. magnetism, seismology and glaci This base has been regularly used ology; in addition, projects were for observations and, during 1966, undertaken in physiology, biology, was completely rehabilitated by a survey and glaciology. At the conclu construction party in preparation for sion of the international Geophysical winter occupation and work by glaci Year, work in these disciplines was ological teams. taken over by the Australians and The first glaciological traverse has been continued successfully ever from Wilkes was made in 1958 when since. From the party of 19 under an American party heading south Robert J. Dingle, which took over and west covered 400 miles in about the base in 1959, the size of the party sixty days, carrying out snow and has been increased to 25 as projects ice observations en route. Since then, have been extended and fields of there have been many traverses in study broadened in line with the land from Wilkes: in 1960, an Aus work and results from previous tralian party journeyed 460 miles to years. a point about 180 miles south of the September, 1967 satellite station, making meteoro heating. For the first year or two logical and glaciological observa after the station was established, tions; in 1961 and 1962 ANARE water supply came from ice and parties made ice thickness traverses snow melted in a Rosco asphalt to points about 400 miles south of kettle heated by burners with blower Wilkes and to the inland U.S.S.R. attachment; in 1958, a meltwater station of Vostok, linking up with pond was discovered under four feet other observations made to these of ice about half a mile from the points. camp and this is the present source of the water supply, which is ample Since 1964, field work has been for all requirements. One unexpected concentrated on the glaciology of a advantage of conditions at the medium-sized ice cap which rises to station, which makes life pleasant a height of about 1,400 metres east and usually elicits favourable com and south of Wilkes. The mass ment from visitors, is the lack of the budget and change of form of this characteristic drying of the respira dome or ice cap are studied by tory tract commonly experienced in regular remeasurements of the rates artificially heated buildings. This is of strain and flow at points on probably due to the meltwater and triangular routes which were staked snow everywhere, and good insula out iii 1964, 1965 and 1966; these are tion. then coupled with detailed measure ments of accumulation. Additional Since the station was established strain grids are being set up during in 1957, living quarters, working 1967 in preparation for further ob areas and offices, store huts and servations. Details of the earlier part equipment have been kept in reason of this programme were given in able order by constant and regular "Antarctic" of December, 1966. maintenance. Despite the provision of extra tradesmen in recent years Wilkes, which is a very comfort to rehabilitate buildings and keep able station by Antarctic standards, the station in repair, it was found is situated on the coast and con that most sections, particularly the sequently does not have extremely original Clements huts and James- low air temperatures; these occasion ways, were deteriorating rapidly and ally rise as high as 43 F. and seldom the point was being reached where drop below -37°F. Light rain falls their replacement was essential. In occasionally and wet snowfalls are 1963, it was decided that the most common; average wind speeds are practical and economic course to surprisingly high. lake would be to completely rebuild the base on another site close to the The station is basically made up of a cluster of Clements huts, some existing station and, after a pre liminary survey, an area on Bailey of which have been considerably Peninsula about a mile and a half altered and modified for the condi from the present Wilkes Base, was tions; interspersed with these are selected. several buildings designed for scien tific purposes. Storage space is pro vided in Jamesway huts which were "REPSTAT" transferred from the temporary camp which was used by Navy per The plan was for preliminary work sonnel while the base was being to be commenced in 1965, the station built, and by tunnels of one-inch to be built in four stages lo be sheathing set on two-inch frame and ready for occupation by 1969, full sealed by tarpaulins and composi use being made of summer periods tion. Jamesway huts, set some dis to bring specialised rigging and con tance from the main camp area and struction teams to press on with once used for emergency stores, are the work while ANARE ships were now virtually covered by ice. in the area. Mr. D. F. Styles, present Acting Director of the Antarctic Light and power are supplied bv Division, is responsible for organisa Caterpillar diesel generators, and oil tion and control of the project and, stoves are used for general internal under his guidance, construction September, 1967

m2&£

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The Present Wilkes Station. work is progressing well. In the movement of expedition men from planning stages, ANARE technical one building to another. Power staff were assisted by consultants supply, water reticulation and cen from the Commonwealth Depart tral heating are integrated in one ment of Works, the Aeronautical system to make best use of labour, Research Laboratories of the Depart to save fuel and minimise the fire ment of Supply, University of Mel hazard. bourne and other bodies with prob lems of design; the Commonwealth During the summer of 1964-65, the Department of Works prepared site was surveyed and building areas uilding desi ioxxkcu L-uiltraCtS lor then luusuuc- tion; an architect and road-construc with explosives and earthmoving tion experts from the Department of equipment, a landing area was Works also assisted the ANARE cleared for Army DUKWs, which construction teams at the station were to be used for unloading stores, and road areas were cleared in the during the summer. Site construc tion is being supervised by Antarctic very rough terrain for access to the Division technical staff. selected site. When the expedition ship left Wilkes in February 1965 the Buildings are arranged in a long preliminary work had been com line across the direction of the pre pleted and two buildings erected. In vailing wind, supported well above the following summer, work was ground by tubular framework, with continued on roads, and six huts, a semi-circular fireproof tunnel with a portion of their connecting giving a streamlined effect on the corridor, were erected. Temporary windward side to assist with the living facilities, provided in two of control of draught and to allow easy the buildings, were used by the con- September, 1967 JAPANESE CARRY OUT FIELD JOURNEYS AND PLAN MORE The present Japanese team, JARE VIII, has made an early start after the winter hibernation. Even before the end of July the first party was on its way from Syowa Base into the field.

m"F-u'o returncd to Japan on April glaciology,glaciology, etc., etc., five five mechanics and 19 via Capetown and Colombo. Dur- a a doctor. doctor. AnAn AmericanAmerican and and a Russian ing her anchorage at Colombo, a havehave been been invited invited to to join join the the sum-sum symposium on Antarctic sciences, mermer party party as as observers. observers. Four Four press- press sponsored by the Ceylon Association men will also be with the summer for the Advancement of Science, was party party and and one one of them is expected held on April 1. Dr. K. Kusunoki and to winter over.over, others presented the scientific data gathered by JARE VIII. The film of SPRINGSPRING AT AT SYOWA SYOWA JARE VII was also screened. At SyowaAt Syowa station station the the sun sun was was bc-be f TAnr m,and , Wi?{crm% team low low the the horizon horizon from from June June 1, 1, but bv* thnthe ot JARE VII, who left Fuji at moralemorale of of the the wintering wintering members men.4.., Capetown, returned home by air on waswas high. high. They They celebrated midwinter March 20. day on the 22ndday on and the 22nd took and tookmidwinter midwinter JARE IX holidays holidays till the till 25th. the 25th. The The sun sun re- re Ihe members of the wintering turnedturned on on July July 13, 13, when when activities activities in team for 1968 and the 1967-68 sum- thethe field field resumed.resumed, mer party will number 28 and 12 BetweenBetween July July 29 29 and and August August 3,3 a respectively. On June 26 JARE Head- short short trip trip to to establish establish a a fuel cache quarters appointed Masayoshi Mura- on on the the continent continent at at a a site about yama as leader of JARE IX and 130130 km. km. from from the the station station was was suc- suc Zanbei Seino as deputy-leader. Mr. cessful.cessful. Preliminary Preliminary observations observations on Murayama at 49 is already a veteranmeteorology, meteorology, geomagnetism, geomagnetism and of *}ve Antarctic expeditions. radioradio wave wave propagation propagation were were con- con The winter party will include three ductedducted during this trip.trip, meteorologists, workers in the fields A A party party of of nine nine men men departed departed on ot ionosphere, geophysics, geology, August 16 to the eastern part of Prins Olav coast. The party hoped, if struction party. Unfortunately, dur possible, to visit the Russian station ing last summer the two ships being Molodezhnaya, and they arrived at used for the relief of stations were Molodezhnaya at 1300 hrs. on August delayed in ice outside Wilkes and 23. They are conducting research in only a small proportion of the build meteorology, geomorphology, glaci ing materials was landed. Work was ology, biology, geochemistry, gravity, continued on foundations for new and the measurement of radio wave buildings, roads were widened and intensity. Possibly they travelled on improved, and a bulk fuel supply the sea ice along the coast. was installed. It is planned to complete most Three more trips will be made: buildings during next summer and (1) About two weeks starting from to finish the installation of plumbing, the middle of September. Six to water supply, heating, power and eight men doing seismic prospection, light reticulation, and all services gravity and surface morphology. For during the year. The work will be about 250 km. from the station they finished during the summer of 1968- will extend the trails made in the 69, and the transfer of scientific and July-August trip. About 15 tons of other equipment will then be made fuel will be cached at the destina to have the new base operational tion. during 1969. —Frank McMahon, July (2) About three weeks from the 1967. beginning of October. Six to eight September, 1967 men. Survey of the western part of Prins Olav coast, making observa WHALING tions of geomorphology, glaciology, THE 1966-67 SEASON biology, and geochemistry. (3) About 75 days' trip from the Norsk Hvalfangst-Tidende (the beginning of November. Eight to ten Norwegian Whaling Gazette) gives men. This inland over-snow traverse the comparative catch figures for the to about 75° S., 45° E., will cover the past three seasons, in "blue whale following observations: glaciology, units". surface feature, gravity, seismic 1964-5 1965-6 1966-7 prospection, geomagnetism, and geo chemistry, and will be preparatory 6,986 4,091 3,503 to the Pole journey mentioned below. The permissible catch in blue- TO THE POLE ? whale units was 3,500. All the expedi tions commenced the taking of fin Also scheduled is an over-snow and sei whales on December 12, traverse to 90° S. and back by a party 1966, and ceased operations as the of 12 men led by Mr. Murayama^ The stipulated quotas were reached, viz., trip will be made between Sep'tem- ber 1968 and February 1969, covering Norway, 800 blue whale units, Japan 1,633, U.S.S.R. 1,067. Actual catches the route from Syowa to 45° E., 75° S., were: Norway 801, Japan 1,633, and and from there to 90° S. The return U.S.S.R. 1,069. route will be the same. Scientific dis The total catch in whale species ciplines covered will be seismic was: prospection, gravity, glaciology, ice Blue whales: 1. echo (radio) sounder, geomagnetism, Fin whales: 2,882. meteorology, VLF reception, and Sei whales: 12,350. altimetry, including position deter mination. Four over-snow vehicles In the sectors between 130° East will be used (KD-60s). The journey and 170° West (Areas V and VI) will be one of about 6,000 km. (3,700 covering Ross Dependency waters (160° E. to 150° W.), blue whale units miles). taken were 603. During the summer relief season, INTERNATIONAL WHALING three buildings will be erected: liv COMMISSION ing quarters (20 by 5 m.), extensions to the garage (10 by 10 m.), and a In spite of their strong arguments generator shed (12 by 13 m.). that the fin whale is in real danger ol extermination, the scientists failed On July 3, a symposium on the to persuade the International Com long-range planning of the JARE pro mission, which met in London on gramme was held at the National June 26-30, to ban the taking of fin Museum of Sciences. Members of all whales in the Antarctic. The Com the working groups of the Special mission agreed to a small reduccion Committee on Antarctic Research, in the total number of whales that Science Council of Japan, and others may be caught, but refused to dis^ interested in the subject, discussed criminate between the fin and sei the future of JARE. At the meeting, whale. The scientists maintain that the construction of another inland the fin whale, being the larger and station, the use of aircraft in winter, more valuable, will be taken in pre the introduction of rocket observa ference to the sei. and thus will come tion, and other projects were con rapidly closer to extinction. sidered. Blue and humpback whales are AT SYOWA already protected, but it is too early Dr. T. Torii and his wintering team to say categorically that as a result at Syowa Station are doing well in of the ban on catching the great blue their routine work. The building whale, the species will survive. The area has been doubled, and vehicles Greenland whale, almost eliminated have been increased in number by the whalers during the 19th cen (three large KD-60s and six other tury, has been left alone for 50 years, snowcars). but is still extremely rare. September, 1967 SOUTH AFRICANS IN THE FIELD We are pleased to publish in this somewhat condensed form a lively report in "Antarktiese Bulletin" by geologist E. de Ridder, describing the geological field journey from SANAE last summer.

Members of the combined geomag sible and thereafter to travel to netic and geological field party gether, the one party being a support waited impatiently for the end of the to the other. Antarctic winter in order to set forth Weather conditions soon changed . the expedition to the mountains, to the foulest so that the sledging where their actual sphere of interest party had to spend much lime in lay. their sleeping bags. Radio contact The expedition had a multi-discip was poor, erratic and sporadic, so linary composition because it wanted that news from the base and the to collect concurrently, information other party could only be received over as wide a field as possible in with the greatest difficulty. a practically hitherto unknown por tion of this ice-covered continent, The dogs proceeded unfailingly where only the Norwegian-British- but slowly, and only on November 6 Swedish expedition of 1949—52 and did die other party catch up at 72° S., members of SANAE VI (1965) had 2° 40' W. Their Polaris sled was miss worked before on foot. The geomag- ing owing to irreparable damage netist wanted to estimate at pre sustained en route and the muskeg determined points the absolute mag had been kept going only by the netic forces; geological cartography genius of the diesel mechanic. and sampling of new and hitherto Work started in earnest in the unexplored nunataks could assist to immediate vicinity, which was well lift the veil over the past; boreholes known to many a South African ex and pits for measuring snow accumu pedition. After one week of geologi lation over past decades had to be cal sampling, depot-laying and other sunk; a survey of ice contours to activities, the journey was continued determine the movement of the ice to Pyramideh, a nunatak about cap— all these determinations and 280 km. south of SANAE. Way off wc subsequent studies could assist the could distinguish its characteristic glaciologist to elucidate the drift and flat table-top summit. nature of glaciation. Such informa The paths of various expeditions tion would help to establish whether have crossed and met at this lonely the ice-cap was increasing or decreas outpost. It was visited for the first ing. Geophysical work in the field time on January 18, 1950, by mem would be done with a gravimeter bers of the " Norwegian-British- and a magnetometer to give an idea Swedish expedition by air from their of the nature of the rock surfaces base at Maudheim. During Novem underneath. ber and December of the same year The route along which and the they established their main advance area where this multi-disciplinary depot on its slopes and from there survey would be carried out were carried out field-work in that area towards and at the Borga mountain and for 250 km. away to the south. range, a mountainous area of They left behind at this depot sub approximately 1,500 sq. km. about stantial supplies after their return 340 km. south of SANAE. The to Europe. On December 31, 1960, weather only settled early in Octo four members of the Vth and Vlth ber, and two men left by dog-sled on Russian Antarctic Expeditions landed the 10th. Five clays later the mech there again with an AN-6 plane. In anised transport party of three men 1965 members of SANAE VI added followed, using one muskeg and a to the store of supplies. This point Polaris mechanical sled. The inten was the most southerly of their tion was to join up as soon as pos traverse. September, 1967

The first thing we did on our the last shift of sampling and survey arrival was to examine the depot ing was carried out. The amount of itself. We listed the articles and dur material was impressive, the rock ing the rummaging a broken bottle, specimens being numerous and partially buried under rubble and bulky, and much information was snow was found. It contained a note obtained to enable greater detail lo describing the origin and history of be added to the maps. On December the depot. Amongst the supplies we 31 we bade farewell to the Borgas in found some home-made bread which fine sunny weather. we heated on a primus and it was The warm weather during the pre quite tasty, in spite of its Antarctic vious weeks had softened the surface sojourn of 16 years. We pitched camp thus impeding travel, but clear days at this historical spot and, inspired and uneventful mechanical and dog by the reminiscences of bygone ex behaviour were on our side. On the peditions, completed our surveys in evening of January 3, 1967, the mech that locality within one week. Then anised party arrived back at SANAE off we went once more further south. and two clays later, after a "constitu Wc crossed the Viddalen, a 40 km. tional" of 88 days, the dog-sledging wide glacier, on our way to the parly clocked in too. Borga Mountains. From far off we saw the towering heights of the Borga peaks and the nearer we AT SANAE advanced the more impressive they became. The gently rising slopes of IONOSPHERIC RESEACH snow reach a height of 2.000 metres above sea level. Perpendicular rock During 1967, the Rhodes University faces, 500 to 700 metres high, and representative on the SANAE 8 team some of them a few miles long, will carry on the programme of research into the Antarctic and spanned the horizon. Moraine Stretches for miles across the plains South Atlantic ionosphere that was and is reminiscent of ploughed fields. initiated five years ago. The "iono Glaciers slide down the steep rugged sphere" is that portion of the upper slopes, pushing their icy tongues ever atmosphere which lies above an alti downwards until finally they disap tude of about 50 miles. In this region pear into the depths of the snow be there are not only electrically neu low. In terms of geological time, this tral aloms and molecules, but also is a quick-changing part of the globe, unattached particles carrying elec renewing scenic outlays more than tric charges, viz., ions and electrons. those parts of the world where con The presence of these charged parti tours are not moulded in ice. This is cles enables the ionosphere lo act as indeed God's newest country! a reflector of radio waves of appro priate wavelength. By November 22 we had deposited our 8 tons of supplies at the provi A standard technique for carrying sional main camp and we started out measurements on the ionosphere with our work. Here too we found is to "sound" it from the ground signs of the Norwegian-British- with radio waves that have either Swedish Expedition's activities of been sent straight upwards or long ago. The network of stakes arranged to strike the ionosphere at erected by them in the blue-ice area an oblique angle. Both methods have to measure from time to time the been in use at SANAE since 1962, rale and direction of movement of and are currently being continued. the ice-cap was still, after 16 years, in The "vertical incidence" soundings excellent condition. Their positions vield information about the iono were determined and we extended sphere directly above SANAE, while the net, such follow-up studies over the "oblique incidence" transmis a long period being of inestimable sions, which start in SANAE and are value in determining glacier move received in Grahamstown, yield ment. information about the ionosphere over the South Atlantic. The latter Having celebrated our Christmas, transmissions are now being supple- September, 1967 mented by a "two-way" transmission experiment between Alice (South BELGIAN OFFICE Africa) and SANAE; pulses of radio waves sent out from Alice are re STILL BUSY ceived at SANAE, where they trigger off similar transmissions that arc Although activity has for the moment ceased at Base Roi Bau received at Alice. douin the office of "Expeditions The behaviour of the ionosphere Antarctiques Belgo-Neerlandaises" in over Antarctica has been notorious Brussels is still open. There is still for its unpredictability and general good hope that Belgium will resume peculiarity. Information obtained her Antarctic work "at the end of the from previous SANAEs has enabled year on a limited basis and in col research workers at Rhodes Univer laboration with other nations. Some sity to establish a correlation be months ago the Belgians contacted tween disturbed ionospheric condi the Chilean Antarctic authorities lo tions over SANAE and the bombard propose an eventual collaboration ment of this ionospheric region with between the two countries in Ant electrons from the Van Allen radia arctic research; but it was not pos tion bells. (Because the earth's sible to formulate a plan for the magnetic field is unusually weak in project in time for implementation the South Atlantic area, electrons this year. So there will be no Belgian- from the radiation belts are able to Chilean expedition in 1968. come particularly close to Ihe earth The main activity of the Brussels in this region.) The ionosphere pro oflice at present concerns the study, gramme for SANAE 8 is intended to at the various universities and other consolidate these discoveries. institutions, of data gathered during In this connection, an event of the the past year, and the publication of first importance will occur on Nov the results. (See reference under ember 2, 1967, namely, an eclipse of "Antarctic Bookshelf".) the sun in the Antarctic area. This eclipse, although only partial on the IN GERMANY ground at SANAE, will actually be total at ionosphere heights. It will The 6th "International Polar-meet provide a unique opportunity for confirmation and extension of the ing" of the German Society of Polar correlations already observed. Research is to be held at Stullgart from October 8 to 11, 1967. Among Since 1962, monthly bulletins of the papers of Antarctic interest are data obtained from "vertical inci the following: dence" ionospheric soundings al M. P. Hochstein (New Zealand): SANAE have been sent to interested Moraines under the Ross Ice Shelf in research workers and organisations the vicinity of Roosevelt Island. all over the world. This activity is being continued by SANAE 8. F. Burdecki (South Africa): Tem perature Gradients in the Antarctic. P. M. Buis (Holland): Atmospheric Electricity at Base Roi Baudouin, ERRATA Antarctica. We regret that in a review in our H. Miller (Germany): Geological last issue the publication of "Clima and Glaciological Studies in West tology of the Troposphere and Lower Antarctica, 1964. Stratosphere" was credited to the The most un-Antarclic-minded per wrong organisation. This Antarctic son should surely also be interested Map Folio 4 was published by the in Dr. Silvio Zavatti's paper: "An American Geographical Society, Ancient Eskimo Graffito discovered Broadway at 156th St., New York in Greenland". Dr. Zavatti is Director 10032. of the Italian Polar Geographical Vol. 4 No. 9, p. 450. The reference Institute, and a good friend of this here should be to the Smithsonian journal. A graffito is described as "a Institution. scrawled mural inscription". September, 1967 BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY CHANGE OF CONTROL NEWS OF SURVEY PERSONNEL We were sorry to say goodbye .s from April 1, 1967, the Survey become a component of the recently to John Green who had ., «*al Environment Research been with the Survey for 18 y< first as base commander at Council, under the overall control of tion Island and the Arg«,.. Ministry of Education and Islands, then as head of the olfic cience. It was, until recently, under the Falklands and later as Oj tne aegis of the now superseded Colonial Office. A committee has tions Officer in London. He is now heen established under the chair- on the staff of the Outward ~ School at Aberdovey in Walea, «n. nship of Admiral Sir Edward we hope that he will keep us sup ; (formerly Hydrographer to the Navy), to advise on the scientific plied with good recruits. programme to be carried out by the Dr. Stanley Greene, the Survey's Survey, and this committee will Supervisor in Botany, is at present work closelv with the British Na leading a small expedition on Disko tional Committee for Antarctic Island, west Greenland. This is part Research. of a bipolar botanical project, which aims to compare the performance of PLANS FOR THE FUTURE plants at several localities in the Arctic and Antarctic. He plans to The Survey is hoping to build a continue the work on South Georgia new ship which will replace R.R.S. in the 1967-68 summer. "Shackleton" in the 1970-71 season. Plans are at present being prepared Wally Herbert, who wintered at and will go out to lender in early Hope Bay in 1956 and 1957 and al 1968. Scott Base in 1961 and 1962, is now Another single-engined Otter air busy organising a Trans-Arctic Ex craft is being sent south in the 1967- pedition, scheduled to leave London 68 season; the one already there in the autumn. He intends to set out showed signs of severe metal fatigue across the Arctic Ocean from Point at the end of last season and was Barrow, drift across the Pole while therefore grounded. At present only in his winter station and complete one aircraft, a Pilatus Porter, is the journey to Spitzbergen the fol operational, and this is wintering at lowing spring. Together with three Deception Island as usual. companions he has just successfully completed a preliminary 1,200-mile journey from north Greenland, NEWS FROM THE BASES across Ellesmere Island to Resolute Work continues satisfactorily on Bay, Cornwallis Island, after winter the new Halley Bay base and on a ing in Greenland. new building at Adelaide Island. Fur ther buildings will be sent to Halley A RECORD ? Bay next season to re-house the scientific apparatus which is still A husky, named Mac, has been brought to Britain after having operating at the old base. established a record by pulling News from the bases is scanty, apart from detailed reports of mid sledges 40,400 miles in eight years winter celebrations. Halley Bay resi in Antarctica. dents (with the advantage of Mac arrived with a geologist, unusually large numbers — 38 in all) David Matthews, who landed at surpassed themselves with a lH-hr. Southampton with other members entertainment by the "Halley Bay of the British Antarctic Survey. After Theatre Group" following the mid six months in quarantine, Mac will winter dinner, as well as a special join David at his father's home at edition of the local newspaper. Shrewsbury. September, 1967 FIRST SCHEDULED WINTER FLIGHTS TO McMURDO

The 1967 winter was made memorable by the successful accomplishment of the first regularly scheduled mid-winter flight between New Zealand and the Antarctic in the twelve years' history of Deep Freeze.

The City of Christchurch reached convenient to them — the Northern out to McMurdo Station on June 18 Hemisphere summer. last, taking seven new residents, two teams of scientists and a technician, After six hours on the runway, for the blacked-out Antarctic and which was illuminated for its first 1,000 feet by electric lighting and for bringing two medical evacuees back. its remaining 3,000 feet by gasoline Only two days later than the lanterns, the City of Christchurch earliest scheduled date, the U.S. took off on her return trip to New Navy's ski-equipped Hercules, City Zealand, with unscheduled passen of Christchurch, made the first-ever gers Chief Petty Officer R. O. Hilton, regularly scheduled winter flight in who was suffering from a lung con twelve years of Deep Freeze history, dition, and Hospital Corpsman 1st departing Harewood, New Zealand, Class L. Goodrich, whose gall blad at 6.15 a.m. and arriving at a bril der complaint required his evacua liantly-lit Williams Field at 2.20 p.m. tion. Touch-down at Harewood was The weather was clear and the tem at 3.37 a.m. perature was - 29° F. Another winter flight is planned Three tons of mail and 12 dozen for the last week in August, for the purpose of bringing back the scien specially-baked (by women of the tists just taken to the Antarctic and Canterbury branch of the N.Z. Ant arctic Society) biscuits for Scott replacing them with a new team. Base residents, were carried by the The primary advantage of mid-winter flights, according to Rear Admiral aircraft, in addition to the 22 men Abbott, is the opportunity they pro aboard, one of whom was Rear vide for Antarctic visits by research Admiral J. Lloyd Abbott, Jr., Com scientists unable to spend the sum mander, U.S. Naval Support Force. mer there. The possibility of Ant The pilot was Commander F. Snyder, arctic winter visits during the CO. of VX-6. northern summer extended vacations During most previous years of Ant will open up a vast reservoir of arctic operations, scientific and sup scientific taient to the National port personnel who have wintered Science Foundation. Not more than over at McMurdo have been isolated two flights a winter are foreseen. there from late February or early March until late September or early SECOND FLIGHT October. The few winter flights that The second flight this winter from have been made have been occa Christchurch to the Antarctic and sioned by medical emergencies at back ended successfully about 7 p.m. Byrd Station, in 1961 and 1966, and on September 3, when the Hercules, at McMurdo, in 1964 and 1966. Now, City of Christchurch, landed at Hare for the first time, new personnel wood after a record-breaking trip. have joined the scientific comple ment at McMurdo Station during The Hercules first left for McMur the winter months. Senior scientists do about 1 a.m. on September 2, but will be able to carry out field met head winds which gusted up to research in Antarctica during a 115 knots and averaged 95 knots. period of the year that is often more At the end of its 2,200-mile flight September, 1967 the aircraft would have had only MIDWINTER enough fuel for one or two circuits of McMurdo Station if the weather had been poor, so a decision to turn UNDERWATER back was made about 800 miles from the Antarctic. The Hercules landed Scuba diving, through seal holes at Christchurch at 11 a.m., and the to the waters beneath Antarctic ice, crew of 16 had lunch and a sleep is not expected to be any colder than before leaving again at 11.45 p.m. scuba diving in any water. The shock On the second flight the aircraft will come when the divers come out carried about 20 per cent, more fuel, of the water. a n d a r r i v e d a t M c M u r d o w i t h The director of the Institu enough for it to slay in the air for three hours. It was a good trip, Oceanography in Norfolk, Vir; although the aircraft met strong Dr. J. S. Zaneveld, expr" head winds. opinion in Chi" The aircraft was on the ground for land, in June • about four hours, and 7,0001b. of arctic per m.. fresh provisions, mail, and spare graduate sti parts was unloaded. It returned with divers, Messrs. three scientists who went to the Leonard Nero, witn wnom n« Antarctic on the first winter flight planned to investigate occurrences on June 18, and two injured men — of algae and their adaptation to Lieutenant R. Shoemaker, who has extreme winter conditions. strained ligaments in a leg, and Little adaptation was, apparently, Petty Officer J. Muzzer, who has a planned for the divers. A tent, as twisted knee. near as possible to the selected seal Aided bv tail-winds up to 100 knots, holes, with hot water, towels and the aircraft completed the trip in six hot coffee was all that was to be hours two minutes, 10 minutes better provided for the under-ice swim than the record for Hercules aircraft mers. Scuba divers have operated in set last summer by the R.N.Z.A.F. the Antarctic before, but not in NOT ENOUGH ICE ! winter. Captain Kelley said on his return Nor was Dr. Zaneveld's party from McMurdo on the second Her alone in the waters. Dr. C. C. Lee, of cules flight thai there seemed to be the Institute of Marine Sciences of little ice in McMurdo Sound this the University of Miami, Florida, was winter, and because of this there also at work, with his colleague, could be difficulties with the ice run Mr. W. J. Boggs. Studies started dur way when the Antarctic season ing the summer of microscopic started in October. plants and one-celled animals in the It had appeared almost as though Antarctic pack ice belt will be con an icebreaker could force its way tinued by these two men. into McMurdo Sound already. The ice runway was built each year on The scientists seek ultimately to annual ice. provide a basis for estimating the amount of inorganic matter trans FIRE DAMAGE AT McMURDO formed into organic matter by Fire at McMurdo destroyed a new means of light energy (primary pro toilet block on August 25, the com ductivity) throughout the belt. mander of Antarctic support activi Such productivity forms the basic ties (Captain H. A. Kelley) said on link in aquatic food chains. Further his return to Christchurch in the studies in this area would be made Hercules' second winter flight. in the future from ice-breaker ships, Had the fire not been contained it Dr. Lee said. could have damaged or destroyed other parts of the station, Captain Dr. Zaneveld stayed in the Ant Kelley said. It was thought to have arctic until mid-August, but Dr. Lee started when an oil heater blew will stay until the ice begins to break back. up. September, 1967

Dr. Zaneveld said on his return END OF SEASON on the second winter flight, that the midwinter diving up to 112 feet be- Rear-Admiral J. L. Abbot, Com mander of the Support Force, left ristchurch for the Unitec aboard a Skylifter on March 1 Bakutis, the former ^oi for the winter, he said. rnanuer, left the previous day by Super Constellation. The Starlifter The programme also showed thai also carried 33 wives and eight chil the fantastic amount of sea life dren, dependants of American ser under the ice continued to reproduce vicemen. These included seven New during the winter, when the water Zealand brides of sailors from the temperatures were as low as 30° "Thomas J. Gary", which was based below zero centigrade. at Dunedin during the season. Dr. Zaneveld, and two graduate Two other Skylifters assisted, car students and expert divers, David rying about 95 passengers each, Brcsnahan and Leonard Nero, went mostly Deepfreeze men returning to the Antarctic on the first winter home. Earlier, in January and Febru flight on June 18. Dr. Zaneveld ary, over 300 scientists and service worked in the Antarctic on two pre men had been flown home. vious occasions, and in 1964-65 divers were used. Bui they did not dive in The only Navy aircraft to remain the winter. at Christchurch during the winter will be a Super DC-3. A skeleton staff This year's team had planned to at the airport Navy Base will be dive mainly at Cape Royds, entering commanded by Cdr. L. M. Johnson. the water by using seal holes in the From March 9 only 46 servicemen ice. But the ice at Cape Royds was remained al Christchurch. in bad condition. On one occasion the men had to jump for safety The communications blackout when ice gave way beneath them, which isolated McMurdo from Janu and Dr. Zaneveld severely sprained ary 27 to February 4 by culling out an ankle. most radio communications, proved So the diving was done near Mc the efficacy of the Automatic Picture Murdo Station, through man-made Transmission (APT) installation holes in the ice, which was up to 5 ft. which continued to receive weather thick. The divers had no serious information from passing satellites. problems, and stayed 110 ft. down This information proved to be so for up to 20 minutes at a time. accurate in the compiling of weather Photographs were taken and sam forecasts for the McMurdo vicinity ples collected. There was far more that only minor modifications would light under the water than had been have been made had more complete expected, although underwater lights information been available. had to be used. Usable light, for humans, ended aboul 70 ft. WE HAVE VISITORS The greatest danger from cold occurred when Ihe divers were enter February 17 saw the final flight of ing or leaving the water. They had lo the season into Plateau station, but go into the water immediately, be that was not the last visitation fore they and their equipment froze. Plateau received. On March 3, a Soviet traverse party in two vehicles The programme had been very came knocking at the door. valuable from the oceanographic aspect, and also from the knowledge No one in either party could speak gained of diving in the extremely both the languages necessary for low temperatures, Dr. Zaneveld said. easy communication, but an ex The divers had found some types of change of gifts and national em equipment, for instance air regula blems took the place of words, and tors, that were unsuitable for the the traverse party and the station conditions. complement attended a movie September, 1967 together before the Soviet party to fixed-wing aircraft, and the survi left again, having renewed their fuel vors, 40 miles along on their 100-mile trek to Little America, were in fact supplies from Plateau's slocks. found in such an area. A helicopter was used to rescue them, and the GOOD YEAR lessons learned in that rescue prompted the formation of an Ant The first accident-, if not incident-, arctic para-rescue team. _ free year in the Antarctic records of VX-6 was Deep Freeze 67. Six near- This team was first organised in accidents were prevented from even October, 1956, and this summer VX-6 tuating, including one to the Her will train another group of 12 men cules aircraft that made its landing for air-dropping in Antarctic regions at Harewood, New Zealand, despite where aircraft cannot land. The an unrctractablc port ski; another parachute drop, the provision of aircraft, an LC-130F, was stranded in limited medical care and portage ot mid-runway for seven hours after survivors by traverse to a site which severe blowing snow prevented it will allow aircraft landings will all from either taking off or returning be part of the training scheme. to its taxi-off position. The para-rescue team is composed 1967 was not entirely accident-free of 12 volunteers from VX-6, whose for other aviators in the Antarctic. assignment is in addition to the The U.S. Army aviation detachment men's normal duties. Three four-man lost a UH-1D helicopter supporting sub-teams are provided from the 12 the Byrd Land Survey team, and a volunteers and each of the sub-teams Coast Guard UH-13 helicopter is located in areas where quick crashed near Coulman Island, but mobilisation for independent opera 1967 was nevertheless below average tion is easiest. Two are at McMurdo, in aircraft mishaps. the third normally in Christchurch, New Zealand, and each comprises a Quite apart from accidents beyond jumpmasler, a hospital corpsman. a the Antarctic itself, and accidents parachute rigger and a specialist which neither destroyed nor forced from some other field in the squad the abandonment of an aircraft, a ron. Cross-training so that each man total of 33 aircraft have been des knows something of his colleagues' troyed or abandoned in 12 years of Deep Freeze aviation, with the loss special skills, with particular em phasis on first aid, should further of 25 lives. Hardest hit were the mili assure success in rescue efforts. Tra tary versions of the DC-3, 10 aircraft and 6 lives having been lost; Navy verse techniques, climbing, crevasse P-2Vs lost only two machines, but procedures, igloo construction com prise some of the practical trainin; 9 lives went with them; Iwo Air and classroom training in theory ic Force C-124s have crashed, with the also practised, covering such topics loss of 6 men; and three of the as safety procedures, wind-drift frequently-used field-party transport indication, parachute canopy control, Otters cost two further lives. first aid and self help. Heliconters, land or ship based, have a light record of mishaps. In Once in the Antarctic, training 12 years, only six ship-based mach becomes even more intense. Flights ines have been lost, with no lives of experienced climbers from the involved: VX-6 has lost three shore- Federated Mountain Clubs of New based helicopters and one man; four Zealand are arranged by VX-6 to Army machines have been wrecked and from the continent. There, but two were recovered and returned climbers devote their annual vaca to the U.S. tions to training not only the para- rescue team but also scientists visit From the crash of the third Otter ing the Antarctic for the first time. in February, 1963. a new method of search ' and rescue technique The para-rescue team, now 10 emerged. The Otter was thought to years old, has not yet been called have crashed in an area inaccessible upon to fulfil its rescue function, September, 1967

but the knowledge that the team is More than six million gallons of there and ready for any emergency bulk liquid fuels were delivered to is an encouragement to fellow-VX-6 New Zealand and the Antarctic dur personnel and the scientists whom ing Deep Freeze 67, as well as four VX-6 support across the continent. teen thousand measurement tons of general cargo. Liquid fuels consumed in the Ant "ELTANIN" arctic include diesel fuels for electric- More than five years of operations power generation, heating and vehi in the Southern Hemisphere will end cle operation; aviation gasoline for for U.S.N.S.N. "Eltanin' when she piston-powered aircraft and helicop returns to the U.S. in October- ters, and different petrolum products November this year for dry-docking. for turbine-powered aircraft; auto Cruise 30, scheduled to begin at motive gasoline for some vehicles Brisbane, Australia, in early August, and small generators; and jet fuels. will complete with docking and yard The bulk of the liquid fuel deliveries, work. Cruise 29 was carried out be 6,073,000 gallons, went to McMurdo tween Chile and Australia with em first, with 219,000 gallons to other phasis on hydrographic studies, American stations. Transportation to while Cruise 30 will stress geophysi McMurdo is effected by tankers, and cal observations including magnetic, from there by aircraft of Air Develop seismic and gravity measurements. ment Squadron Six. Some fuel is also delivered in drums. General cargo, which includes SIPLE HONOURED spare parts, food, clothing, construc The United States Department of tion materials, scientific equipment State has conferred upon Dr. Paul A. and drummed fuels, is conveyed Siple the mostly by sea, in ships from MSTS and from commercial shipping lines SUPERIOR HONOUR AWARD and in Coast Guard icebreakers. More than 14,000 measurement tons in recognition of his superior service (i.e. of volume equal to 40 cubic and exceptional dedication to duty feet) of such general cargo was as Scientific Attache in Canberra, carried to New Zealand and the Australia, from July 1963 to Septem Antarctic in these vessels, 41% re- ber 1966. supply materials, 39% construction Dr. Siple has rejoined the Army's materials. Chief of Research and Development Air-freighted cargo was also car after a painful illness which hospi ried, some 450 short tons of general talised him in Wellington, New Zea cargo, excluding passengers and per land, from June 6 till July 15, 1966. sonal luggage, being air-Iif led to New His many friends in New Zealand Zealand and the Antarctic, with 740 wish him a speedy and complete short tons being carried from Mc recovery. Murdo to other Antarctic stations. Dr. Siple began his long and dis tinguished Antarctic service as "A Boy Scout with Byrd" (the title of Dr. A. P. (Bert) Crary has handed his first book) in 1928, served on all over his duties as Chief Scientist, ve Byrd expeditions and was scien tific leader at the Pole Station throughout its first year of occupa position of Deputy-Director of the tion, 1957. Division of Environmental Sciences, of which Dr. T. Jones is Director. ABOUT SUPPORT Campbell Craddock, formerly on Cargo movement may be the most the faculty of the University of Min mundane of the many operations nesota, Minneapolis, has been involved in the logistic services pro appointed Professor of Geology at vided by the U.S. Navy in support of the University of Wisconsin, Madi Operation Deep Freeze, but it is one son, effective June 1967. Dr. Craddock of the most fundamental to the suc has led or directed seven geological cess of operations in the Antarctic. expeditions in Antarctica. September, 1967

It is envisaged that this new facility will speed up the Annual Servicing FROM THE ship's turn-round time because it will allow the crawler tractor to turn on the wharf while drawing a sledge SUB-ANTARCTIC to clear drums of diesel fuel that always seem to collect at the bottom of the railway hampering the efforts ISLANDS of the men working there. CAMPBELL ISLAND HUCKLEBERRY FINN COMES TO CAMPBELL ISLAND (New Zealand) To assist in carrying the large With the winter months behind us quantities of shingle on to the wharf and the knowledge that the U.S.S. extension site, a r; " "Calcaterra", the first ship to visit ance 3 was for seven months, is due to arrive a snowr' at Campbell Island on September 28, locally I morale is very high. Midwinter's day raft froi was observed in the traditional man much fun to Hi ner with a good binge and dinner, Gerry Th with an impressive toast list to our many benefactors. At noon, while the sun shone on the surrounding snow- severance Har. covered hills, led by Officer-in-Charge weather. Robin Foubister, Gerry Therkleson FIRST FIELD HUT and Bruce Dreaver took the plunge into the 41.9° F. of Perseverance Har Campbell Island's first field hut bour, all swimming the qualifying was established during August at a distance from the boat-slip to sheltered point on the Mount Faye Admiralty Steps. During the day, ridge approximately one mile from musical requests and previously the extensive Mollymawk nesting recorded messages were broadcast colonies on the cliff ledges near Bull by our old friends Radio 4ZA in Rock. The hut has been named after Invercargill. Also during June radio J. H. Sorensen who contributed schedules were kept with midwinter much to the knowledge of the wild Hercules flights to McMurdo Sound life of Campbell Island during his and the first of many interesting period as a coastwatcher during the schedules was made with our Aus last war and will be known as the tralian colleagues on Macquarie Sorensen hut. Island. Prefabricated at Beeman Cove Excuses for social occasions have from surplus materials from the not been allowed to pass unheralded unused buildings at Tucker Camp, and the birth of the Officer-in- the hut was carted to the site and Charge's fourth son in London was re-erected by the station staff. Apart no less an occasion. Thorpe and from the essential role it will play in Coombe Maternity Hospital in Lon establishing study colonies amongst don received the longest telephone the Mollymawks, it will also be pos call in its history as soon as possible sible to study the nesting habits of after the news reached Campbell skua gulls and Royal Albatross from Island on July 17. the hut. The hut is of A-frame con struction with a floor area of 64 WHARF EXTENSION square feet. It has been designed to accommodate up to three persons In exactly 31 days, using 44-gallon for periods of two to three days drums and 80 cubic yards of boul comfortably but this could be ex ders, rock and gravel collected from tended by increasing the size of the nearby beaches, and bordered by a water storage tank which, because concrete plinth, a 325 square feet of existing circumstances, is only 12 extension to the wharf area was gallons. Establishing the hut at this built by the station staff during July. point seven miles away from the September, 1967

camp over a 1,300 ft. saddle in ad ing his campaign to improve wire verse weather conditions called for less communication on the island. a high degree of endurance from the station personnel, and thanks Shennan, Evans, Ormay and must go to them for a job well done. Ryder started the fuel lift over to Bauer Bay in preparation for the The 1966-67 expedition to Camp bell Island has had an exceptional biologists' spring programme there. Returning the following day via year and the party will go away Sandy Bay they filled our larder to remembering the good times the brim with a bag of seven rabbits. amongst good mates and forgetting the bad moments which, after all, Well, midwinter has come and are only to be expected when 10 gone. The lack of a full-time cook men from different walks of life and did not hamper celebrations; indeed diverse views are thrown together the party was much more successful for 12 months with little outside con because everyone lent a hand. tact. We all say with feeling, "Thank Special mention must be made of Svensson's sterling efforts. His five- you, Campbell Island, for a most course meal and his cold table for enjoyable year". the following day were excellent, and The members for the 1967-68 Ex the disappearance of his 20 lb. fruit pedition are as follows: cake within the week mute evidence Officer-in-Charge: R. H. Blezard. of success. The cake was iced with Mechanic/Handyman: R. E. Adkin. marzipan and suitably decorated Radio Technician: W. L. Johns. with an almost life-sized model of a Senior Ionosphere Observer: D. E. Royal penguin. R. Bustin. Ionosphere Oberver: R. K. Staples. July was notable for the reason Chef: C. G. Surrey. able mild weather: the seas were Senior Met. Observer: V. W. Suss- calm, and for Macquarie the winds milch. were gentle breezes. Even the sun Met. Observer: J. R. Powell-Phelps. shone a bit more, giving over 21 Met. Observer: B. T. Dowie. hours as opposed to six in June, *Met. Observer: M. L. Hodgson. which the team think is a record — *Met. Observer: A. M. Bromley. the lowest ever. * For the summer season only. On tour down the island to do a stock inventory and also a bit more work on the Dominican gull pro gramme, the doctor enlightened his MACQUARIE ISLAND two companions on rats and their habits. He had plenty of opportunity (Australia) for the study, including a night in the same bunk with a few! May began with the fleeting visit from H.M.A.S. "Perth" described in Met. are sending up high altitude our last issue, to take to hospital the sounding balloons daily. So far this party's cook. Now cooking, of course, month the highest is just over has become a communal affair, each 108,000 feet. man doing a week in the kitchen. "Spring is almost with us," writes Graeme Smith, the first cook, ex leader Walker, "and as time goes on celled himself and has set an almost the changeover seems almost too impossible standard. Nevertheless, close. Most of us have that feeling others are maintaining a high stan that we will, in fact, run out of time dard. before all our jobs are completed; Chapman is still digging trenches nevertheless, there is that determina across the Isthmus and in the wal tion to complete everything prior to lows for cable; wading in Buckles departure." Bay to fix the tide guage, and build ing structures to house its instru ments. He was last seen, complete IN AUGUST with radio mast, wending his way up The main occupations for August Gadgets Gully en route to Bauer have been getting the Gnat, plus fuel Bay with Champness, who is start and stores, to the plateau for moving September, 1967 to Bauer Bav for the biologists' sum mer sojourn amidst the Royal pen MORE VETERANS PASS guins. ''Nella Dan" could not get into Year by year the ranks of the Bauer Bay during either the relief Antarctic veterans thin. There are trip in December or the March visit, now only three survivors of Scott's so all provisions have had to be sent "Discovery" expedilion, 63 years ago, from the main base. Several men while Shackleton's men, Amundsen's have spent many hours in back- men and the men of Scott's Last breaking toil hoisting about 50 gal Expedition are by now few in num lons of petrol, 200 of kerosene, half ber. Here we pay tribute to two a ton of miscellaneous stores, plus honest toilers in the ranks, loved the vehicle up the side of Gadget and honoured by those who knew Gully, where a track gives access to them, who have recently laid down the top of the cliff. their arms. The wasteheat recovery installa tion from the generators to the CLARENCE HARE boilerhouse via the sleeping quarters is proceeding smoothly and should (See "Antarctic", June 1966, p. 306) be in operation early next week. We should then start to save fuel. Paint Hare was a New Zealander born ing of buildings, inside and out, has and bred who never lost his love for gone ahead: fortunately winds have the land of his birth, though for been less boisterous than usual. many years resident in Australia, Merilces managed a flying trip along where he died on May 31. with Major down to Lusilania Bay Born in Invercargill in 1880, a to inspect and photograph the King banker's son, he was educated at penguin rookery. East Christchurch School and was a choirboy of St. John's Church of HISTORY England in Latimer Square. After leaving school he worked with a A history of Macquarie Island by firm of leather merchants for five Dr. John Cumpston is now with the shillings a week, doubled his pay as Australian Government Printer and assistant in a library and then tried should be available this year. Up to his hand at office work. Not liking it, 70 photographs are likely to be he ran away to sea and worked his included in the volume. Dr. Cump passage round the islands till he left ston regrets the unavoidable omis his ship at Suva to work as customs sion of much material relating to clerk for a firm of traders. Showing New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands. an early love for music, he became organist at the Native Church and also taught in the Sunday School. He eventually worked his way back to Sydney and after many and varied TOURISM experiences hi New South Wales and Queensland, finished up "broke" in The question of tourism to the Rockhampton and worked his way Antarctic, of who could or could not back to New Zealand, his homeland. visit McMurdo, is not one to be answered by either the U.S. Navy or It was while he was employed as the U.S. Government, in the view of a clerk in Shcppard's Grocery in Rear-Admiral J. L. Abbott, comman Lyttelton that Scott's "Discovery" der of the U.S. Navy's Antarctic arrived in that port on November 28, Support Force. 1901, to prepare for the famous voyage south. C. R. Ford called at Conditions under which tourists the shop to arrange for the supply could go, however, would be con of stores and the two young men trolled, he added. Self-sufficiency and became friends, with the result that safety would be necessary bases for Scott gave Hare a berth as "Assistant any such trip as the proposed "ex Steward" and his own personal pedition" this summer, referred to attendant. Hare joined the ship on elsewhere in this issue. his 21st birthday. September, 1967

Reference was made in our article MORTIMER MCCARTHY on "FOUR DISCOVERY MEN" to the alert enquiring mind and ready One of the few surviving members of Scott's last expedition (1910-13), pen of the young New Zealander, and these are reflected in his diary, 89-year-old Mortimer McCarthy, died which is now treasured in the Alex on August 4 from burns suffered ander Turnbull Library and was when his Lyttelton home caught fire used extensively by the present just before midnight. writer in his "SOUTH TO THE Born in Kinsale, County Cork, Mr. POLE". The toughness of the young McCarthy went to sea at the age of 12. explorer when he survived 44 hours alone and unprotected in a blizzard He came to New Zealand in 1906 on Hut Point Peninsula during and sailed from Lyttelton as an able Barnes' pioneer sledging journey seaman in the "Terra Nova" on Nov amazed Scott, Wilson and others. ember 26, 1910. When the ship was Wilson wrote, "How he survived no in the Bay of Whales, he sighted one, not even himself, can tell. . . . Amundsen's ship, the "Fram", from His escape is a very wonderful the rigging. Later, the crews met thing." Young "Skinny" Hare, as his and some were given pocket knives messmates called him, always popu by Amundsen. lar, was now something of a hero among them. His one-year engagement termin ated, Hare joined the relief-ship "Morning" in March 1903, returned to Lyttelton, and went on to England on "Discovery" a year later. He returned to New Zealand in 1904. He took various jobs on sheep and cattle farms before returning to office work in Christchurch, were in 1910 he married. He had made a study of piano-tuning, and the young couple sailed in July 1910 for Melbourne. After meeting Scott again when "Terra Nova" arrived in Melbourne, Hare regretfully declined an invita tion to join the new expedition. The couple now went to Sydney, where he was employed by Beale's Piano Factory. Back in Melbourne he be came Head Tuner and workshop foreman for Wertheim's Piano Co. After 25 years' service, when Wer- theims closed down, he formed a partnership with a former workmate which lasted 18 years. In 1957 he retired and later went with his Photo: Guy Mannering daughter Raemar and her husband to Queensland, where Mr. Cogdon Mr. McCarthy during his visit to Scott Base examines a lantern used in Scott's had purchased a pineapple (later time. citrus) farm, and he lived there until his death. Mr. McCarthy later accompanied He is survived by his three daugh an expedition to the Arctic, but he ters, eight grandchildren and a great- returned to New Zealand in 1920. grandson, who recall with thankful ness his faith, wit, intelligence, kind In the last 40 years he served in ness and love of music and flowers. many New Zealand ships, and was well known by travellers in the inter- L.B.Q. island steamer express ships "Ranga- September, 1967 tira" and "Wahine". He was a mem ber of the crew of the new "Maori" on its maiden voyage to New McMURDO'S Zealand. His seafaring career ended only five years ago. When he visited the Antarctic in FIRST the "Arneb" as a guest of the United States Navy in 1963, Mr. McCarthy became the oldest man to set foot TOURISTS on Antarctica. Subject to ihe final approval of Mr. McCarthy was at sea during the New Zealand and United States the Boer War, the First and Second authorities, arrangements have been World Wars, and three times was made by Lindblad Travel Inc., shipwrecked off the New Zealand New York, for two parties of Ameri coast. After 70 years at sea, he still can tourists to visit New Zealand, a made coastal voyages to fill vacan number of the southern islands and cies. McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, in early For some time before his death he 1968. Both groups will follow the worked as a night watchman aboard same itinerary and travel from New ships at the port. Flags above the Zealand and back on the Holm and Lyttelton Harbour Board's Port Co. (Wellington) chartered polar Building and the Watersiders' Cen ship "Magga Dan" (1,957 tons). tennial Hall were at half-mast in his honour. The first party of 20 is expected to Mr. McCarthy was an honoray life arrive in Auckland by air (B.O.A.C. Boeing-Rolls-Royce jet) on January member of the Canterbury branch 4, depart from Lyttelton on "Magga of the Antarctic Society. Dan" at 4 p.m. on January 8, and He is survived by three sons. have five days in McMurdo Sound. His brother Timothy was a r~~ On the return journey they will ber of Shackleton's 1914-16 er tion and one of the six who arrive at Wellington on February 4, e famous boat journey fro: Elephant Island to South Georgia. The second party's period in New

Admiral J. L. Abbot, Commander Incidentally, each "Expedition" U.S. Naval Support Force, Antarc member will pay from 4.495 to 6,195 tica. U.S. dollars for his (or her) experi ence, plus air fares between the United States and New Zealand, and ARGENTINE TOURISTS in New Zealand. The tourist ship Lapataia left "TOUGH" ! Ushuaia on February 3 for the Mel- The promoters claim that this is chior Archipelago, where the naval not a tour for those who just want base, temporarily closed, was visited; to say they have set foot on the then made for Gerlache Strait as far Antarctic continent, and state bluntly as Lemaire Island and anchored in that it will be "much too uncomfort Paradise Bay in front of Almirante able and involved" for people of that Brown station, where the tourists kind. went ashore to inspect the station. All the tourists are said to have After visiting the United Slates a genuine interest in the Antarctic Palmer Base and the team at Primero and to have been "specially selected". de Mayo Bay, the condition of the Nations represented by the 20 ice prevented any further advance tourists in the first cruise party are beyond Hope Bay so after calling at the United States, Canada, Denmark, Media Luna Island and visiting the Norway, Italy, Germany, Switzer naval base Teniente Camara (tem land, Japan and Sweden. porarily closed down) the ship made The crew of "Magga Dan" will con again for Ushuaia and the tour ended sist of four Danes and 21 New Zea on February 18. landers. The wife of the Captain Septembor, 1967

(Fenn Bang) and their nine-year-old through the Ross Sea the tourists daughter will also be on board. will study the lives of seals, whales, ITINERARY penguins and petrels. At McMurdo On the voyage south from New Sound they will make journeys of Zealand "Magga Dan" will proceed up to two miles on fooi. They will via the Chatham Islands, Bounty also meet scientists at the station Island, Antipodes Island, Campbell there and at Scott Base and learn Island and Scott Island, and reach as much as possible of their studies. the Ross Sea and Ice Shelf on Janu It is not intended, however, that the ary 19. Leaving McMurdo Sound on expeditions will ask the United January 23, the expedition will then States Navy or the New Zealand

IT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME Tourism has come at last. Twenty years ago, on March 8, 1947, William London wrote in the Auckland "Weekly News": "What is there in the Antarctic for the ranging sons of men? "Flying boat experts affirm this country has ideal hopping-off places. Primeval men and kindred spirits from all the world would make New Zealand their base with Antarctica as a tourist Mecca. Boarding house landladies would rub their hands. We could adver tise one of the newest and most unique trips in the world: Emulate Antarctic Saga Heroes Fly across Confetti-laden Seas Touch down on a New Continent Place your Hot City Feet on a Patch of Snow Untrodden since the Creation Morn Come to the Seal Barbecue "No woman has ever been in the Antarctic — no Eve has ever entered this Eden. Here is a short-cut to fame, girls. Who'll be the first?" call at Terra Nova Bav and other party in the Antarctic for any assist spots along the coast of Victoria ance. Land, Cape Hallett, the Balleny THE SHIP Islands, Macquarie Island, the Auck land Islands, the Snares, Stewart The "Magga Dan" has on board Island, and Milford Sound. much more radio and navigational Many of the tourists will spend equipment than is normal for a about 12 days in New Zealand on vessel of her size, with a special their return from the cruise. accent on equipment for the detec tion of ice bergs and ice floes, and INSTRUCTION she will carry a motor sledge for use in case of emergency. She can A very full tour programme is make her own fresh water — as being organised. Lectures will be much as 12 tons a day — and is fully given under seven categories: the air-conditioned. A well-equipped history of Antarctic exploration, laboratory will be installed in the marine biology, meteorology, ornith vessel, as will also a sizeable library ology, wildlife conservation, geology of scientific as well as entertainment and glaciology. There will be special films. emphasis on marine biology, ornith STAFF ology and wildlife conservation. At the sub-Antarctic islands with The expeditions will be led by Mr. permanent stations scientists will Lars-Eric Lindblad, principal of the tell the tourists about Ihe work they travel agency. are engaged on, and while travelling The tourists will have the expert September, 1967 ANTARCTIC THE READER WRITES Sidelights of Antarctic Research 1956-57 350 Letters, preferably not longer 1957-58 105 than 500-600 words, are invited 1958-59 150 from readers who have observed 1959-60 110 some little known facet of Ant 1960-61 60-100 1961-62 100 arctic life or who have reached 1962-63 100-130 conclusions of interest on some 1963-64 80-100 Antarctic problem. — Ed. 1964-65 SEALS KILLED Doubt over exact numbers has in some cases arisen through the keep ing of two sets of records. Our earlier contributions to "Ant BERNARD STONEHOUSE, arctic" ...(Stonehouse, ...June ...1965, Reader in Zoology, Thomson, September 1965) disagreed University of Canterbury, over the numbers of seals killed for Christchurch. dog food by official New Zealand R. B. THOMSON, Superintendent, parlies in McMurdo Sound. In view Antarctic Division, of the importance of these figures D.S.I.R., for present and future joint research Wellington projects, wc have compared sources, discussed possible errors, and ADVISORS reached agreement on the following figures: National Science Foundation's Ad visory Panel for Antarctic Programs has received a new member. He is Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger, Director of the Research Projects Division at ANSA'S George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama. Dr.' Stuhlinger replaces Dr. Robert Cushman Murphy of the American Commander and Deputy-Commander Museum of Natural History. of Operation Deepfreeze. In 1962 he Established in 1963, the Panel has was awarded the Patron's Medal of had five meetings to consider broad aspects of the U.S. Antarctic Re the Royal Geographical Sociely for search Program. Other members are "outstanding services to Antarctic Dr. Laurence M. Gould, University of exploration," including the first Arizona (Chairman); Ambassador coastal explorations in the south Paul C. Daniels, Dr. Richard M. Bellingshausen Sea. Goody, Harvard University, and Dr. The coordinator of the scientific Laurence Irving, University of programme is Dr. Roy L. Sexton, Alaska. M.D., of the Explorers' Club, New York, a medical practitioner for 40 Two troops of Boy Scouts in years in Washington who has acted Christchurch, New Zealand, are now as medical director on previous Lind- the proud possessors of Antarctic blad tours. Assisting him will be Dr. survival tents. J. P. Wise, a marine biologist of These tents were presented to Miami University, and Dr. R. T. boys in the Yaldhurst and Wigram Peterson, ornithologist. Also on the troops by Lieutenant-Commander R. staff will be Mrs. Marie Darby, a E. Berger of VX-6 after he had given marine zoologist of the Canterbury the scouts a talk and showed them Museum, Christchurch. films on life in the Antarctic. September, 1967

ANTARCTIC BOOKSHELF

MONDAY AT McMURDO, by David problems on his hands. Late in the Burke. Reed, Wellington. 247 pp. season a group of V.I.P.s arrives, $1.95. headed by Congressman Eric Has- sen, who has with him his glamorous An exciting plot, a realistic Antarctic press secretary, Marcia Dupree. setting and a practised writer with These two are on an Otter which a distinguished record in Australian makes a forced landing on the Tom journalism and with three visits to Thumb Glacier inland from Barne the Antarctic behind him; here, Inlet, 300 miles south of McMurdo, surely, are the ingredients of a com while a blizzard ravages the base. pletely satisfying thriller. This, pro Veteran British explorer Armsworth vided you have no objection to a parachutes to their aid from a number of incredible coincidences Beaver, and three days later Froce and a piling up of thrill on thrill as himself, at the controls of another we approach a gory finale, is what Otter, a hurriedly-repaired one, sets Mr. Burke has given us in "Monday off on a desperate do or die rescue at McMurdo". mission. Add to all this a sudden ice A reviewer who is not a thriller-fan break-up at the airfield, the clash of must, however, confess to disappoint strong personalities, the desperate ment that Mr. Burke has not given intrigues of a power-greedy politi cian, and the effect of exposure, us, as he could, something more; hunger and danger on a group of perhaps even the first great "Ant men — and a woman — whose paths arctic" novel. He knows the Ant have crossed, tragically, before, and arctic, "our" part of the Antarctic, and his descriptions of pack and you have, in the hands of a crafts floe, mountain and glacier, white-out man as skilled as Mr. Burke, the and scenic splendour, are realistic makings of a first-rate thriller, if not and with few exceptions convincing. of a first-class novel. He has flown into McMurdo on a long, hazardous pioneering flight Unfortunately for some readers, from Australia via the Pole. He Mr. - knows Antarctic weather and Ant arctic men. And he can write well: arctic horror. If it could have ended on the high note of Armsworth's selfless dedication, a reviewer might have been able to cheer more heartily. As it is, most readers will enjoy the narrative skill and the realism of the background, with humpedr ■ - shapes > - ■ of Black - • and . r White O f some reservations about dialogue dis interspersed with stilted, if neces turbing the primeval frozen sea that sary, explanations. The avid de- filled the horizon to the east. To the vourers of thrillers will go further west, headed by the broad dome of and thoroughly enjoy this most un Mt. Discovery, the column of snow- usual addition to their favourite covered peaks paralleling their flight reading fare. jutted into the sky, gradually closing It will not be surprising if we see with them as Froce guided Lonely Jo "Monday at McMurdo" as a film. towards the promontory of Cape Several of the characters, Father Kerr and the mouth of Barne Inlet O'Dcll for one, will surely, if well concealed behind it." depicted, hold audiences spell-bound. Froce is the McMurdo U.S. Base Commander, and he has a load of L.B.Q. September, 1967

NEW LIGHT ON THE HEROIC AGE

SOUTH TO THE POLE: the early the great sailors of the southern history of the Ross Sea sector, water's throughout the centuries Antarctica, by L. B. Quartermain. until "the discovery" in the nine Oxford University Press, London. teenth century. Then follows the 481 pp., 44 illustrations, maps. N.Z. great exploration and the stirring price $7.50. accounts of the "heroic age". Here Quartermain is at his finest and Reviewed by R. B. THOMSON fairest. Controversial issues are dealt (Superintendent, Antarctic Division) with fairly and squarely — and easily perhaps by the author who quotes The discovery and exploration of nearly one thousand references from Antarctica provides accounts of dar a very extensive selected bibliogra ing, heroism, and hardship, unsur phy and amazingly enough still passed by any other era in history. appears to retain a complete impar Many of these stories will no doubt tiality to favour. The author, aided survive the passage of time and be by substantial new material includ read enthusiastically as "the great ing many previously unpublished adventure stories of old", by people notes and diaries, and information of future generations. supplied by scores of personal con tacts, provides a splendid coverage But where does one find the true and gives a new insight to the lesser facts? Who first sighted Antarctica, appreciated journeys — Shackleton's and who was the first man to set near attainment of the Pole in 1909, foot on this southern continent? the outstanding trek of Mawson, Numerous books have been written David and Mackay to the South over the years, many contradicting Magnetic Pole, Amundsen's triumph, earlier works but many more adding the hardship endured by Scott's to the considerable wealth of Northern Party, and the work of the material available, particularly in Ross Sea component of Shackleton's describing the events of the "heroic Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1914-17. age". From all this, men attached to the present New Zealand expeditions Quartermain's book, "South to the will learn a considerable amount Pole", is not the book for one just regarding the areas they work in wishing to read an adventure story today and the place names attached, of the South Pole. This is truly a for the names of the men in these work of historic facts woven into an earlier parties form a substantial interesting and stimulating account portion of the Antarctic Gazetteer of of the numerous happenings in the today. Ross Sea sector of Antarctica. This book must appeal to all interested in The last chapter, "End of an Era", Antarctica, and particularly those is indeed appropriate: the "heroic wishing to obtain an accurate know age" has ended, the powers of the ledge of the great happenings of Governor of the Ross Dependency those earlier years without having are vested with the Governor-General to peruse numerous books and docu of New Zealand, and Antarcticr ments and perhaps still be left a awaits the onslaught of men anc little wondering. equipment of a new mechanical age. "South to the Pole" takes the The book is well bound, the cover reader back to the dawn of the first attractive without being over-bril century — to the days of the Greek liant, but it should certainly grace philosophers who believed in the a library or collection. The black and existence of a great Southern Con white photos provide quite an tinent to "balance" the known nor adequate illustrated coverage, and thern continents. Quartermain then pleasingly, not too many "old faith briefly and ably describes the fuls" are included. The substantial thoughts and voyages of many of list of references and selected bibli- September, 1967 ography provide the Antarctican Adrian Hayter, lone voyager, reader with a very full list of books author of "Sheila in the Wind" and he should read — if he is fortunate other popular books, and Leader at enough to have considerable time Scott Base 1965, has written a book available to do so. on life and work at the Base. "THE YEAR OF THE QUIET SUN" is be "South to the Pole" could be one of the "great books" lo come out of ing published by Hodder and Stough- Antarctica. It lacks little except to ton, ] provide a reader new to Antarctica with larger and more comprehensive EXPEDITION ANTARCTIQUE maps of Antarctica, Ross Island or BELGE 1957-58 the Ross Dependency. Resultals Scientiiiques Vol. VII. Geologie et Annexe Glaciologique This latest addition to the series of STUDIES IN ANTARCTIC METEOR "Scientific Results" of the Belgian OLOGY, by Morton J. Rubin, Edi Antarctic expedition 1957-58 is surely tor. Antarctic Research Series Vol. a model of what such reports should be if they are to be or interest to 9._ 231 pp., illustrations, maps and diagrams. ..American ...Geophysical a wider circle than that of the geolo Union. $14.00. gists themselves. This handsome, welS-bound volume of 300 pages, This volume contains the first col well printed and set out, on first-rate lection of meteorological studies for paper, promises easy and enjoyable the Series, and consists of seven reading without in any way losing its papers which are based upon data value for the specialist. The histori obtained by laborious and exacting cal and geographical introductions field work, some of it by the authors to each section are pertinent and themselves. valuable to anyone at all seriously interested in Antarctic research. The The subjects presented here com illustrations are numerous, good and prise micrometeorological studies of well captioned, and include seven wind, temperature, heat flux and the magnificent panoramas (19 to 24 surface energy budget on the polar by 4 inches). The whole effect_ is, plateau in the vicinity of the South surprisingly in a scientific publica Pole, analyses of measurements tion, one of space and clarity. made of snow drift density and par Non-scientists will eagerly await ticle size, study of snow drift gaug- the delayed appearance of volume 1, ings and techniques used at Byrd a general narrative of the expedition Station, distribution af snow accu and description of Base Roi Bau mulation in western Antarctica and douin. related synoptic meteorological fac tors, climalological characteristics THE ORIGIN OF CONTINENTS of ice-free Wright and Victoria Val AND OCEANS, by Alfred Wegener. ley systems and a regional climatic classification for the interior of A new translation by John Biram Antarctica. of the fully revised fourth (1929) edition of "Die Enlstehung der This collection of papers has set a Kontinentc unci Ozeane", 246 pp. fine standard. Clear presentation of Dover Publications, Inc., New text, tables and diagrams in each York. $2. paper is worthy of note, while the liberal inclusion of field data, en Most readers of "Antarctic" have abling the student and the specialist from time to time heard of Gon- to appreciate the difficulty of the dwanaland and/or the theory of the problems being studied and the drift of continents. Frequently new extent to which solutions have been discoveries in Antarctica are referred found, is most welcome. to as affording fresh evidence for or against the theory that in the remote E. G. EDIE. past the continents were not separ- oeptember, 1967 ate as now but formed one super BYRD MEMORIAL IN continent which later split apart. DUNEDIN Scientists — especially geologists, geophysicists, geodesists and paleon A statue of Rear-Admiral Richard tologists — are, of course, vitally Byrd designed by Felix de Welden interested and to a greater or less stands in Memorial Avenue leading extent informed. to Arlington National Cemetery in Both groups will be interested in Washington, D.C., and an exact a new English translation of the replica of the head portion of the book which started the controversy statue has been erected at McMurdo which still rages. Alfred Wegener, Sound. born in 1880, was a German scientist A second copy of this bust is in the and Arctic traveller who was wound foyer of the National Geographic ed during the first World War and Society building in Washington and who died on the inland icecap of a third has been presented by the Greenland in 1930. His book was first Society to the City of Dunedin, where published in 1915. The fourth edition, it is to be erected at Unity Park, Hke earlier ones completely revised, which overlooks the City and the has not before been published in an Pacific Ocean. English translation. This bust was presented to Dune Here, then, in full and in a particu din because Rear-Admiral Byrd's larly strong, attractive and easily Expeditions used the city as their handled paper-back edition, is one of base. the primary source books of the The bust will be unveiled by His earth sciences. It is not only a book Excellency Mr. J. F. Henning, United for every earth-scientist to study, but States Ambassador to New Zealand, one which will help any intelligent in October. It stands on a polished person with a penchant for science granite shaft which was sent from to understand more readily and fully America and is approximately six the significance of references by feet in height. The City Council pro Antarctic research workers to Wege poses to have the bust floodlit. ner's revolutionary theory of earth history. ANTARCTIC BILL The Antarctic Treaty Bill, which LIBRARIANS ! protects the flora and fauna of Ant arctica, was passed in the House of The Dictionary Catalog of the Lords on July 25. Stefansson Collection on the Polar Moving the third reading, the Regions, in the Dartmouth College Bishop of Norwich, Dr. Fleming, said Library, is now available from G. K. he welcomed the Netherlands Gov Hall and Co. of Boston. It contains ernment's assent to the treaty. 115,000 entries, published in eight Previous signatories included Bri volumes. tain, Australia, New Zealand, Russia The Stefansson Collection, a monu and the United States. ment to the collecting energies and acumen of the Arctic explorer Dr. geographical limits, while document Vilhjalmur Stefansson, existed as his ation of the international-relations private collection for a quarter of a aspect of the Polar regions is in century before its transfer in 1951 to cluded without regard to period. Baker Library at Dartmouth. This catalogue is available at the Historical coverage is the main price of $470.00 in the United States; emphasis of the collection, with pri there is an additional charge of 10% mary concern for the history of elsewhere. Polar explorations. Alaskan history, Descriptive material on this publi biography, description and travel cation is available on request. In also constitute an area of on-going quiries and orders may be addressed specialisation. Resources on the to the publisher, G. K. Hall and Co., Arctic and Antarctic are available 70 Lincoln Street, Boston, Massa within specified chronological and chusetts, U.S.A. 02111. September, 1967

N.Z. ANTARCTIC SOCIETY FOUR "DAN" SHIPS ON OFFICERS 1967 ANTARCTIC SERVICE Patron: The Rt. Hon. Sir Walter Four of the Lauritzen Company's Nash. polar expedition vessels took part in the supply service to Antarctic scien President: Mr. E. R. Gibbs. tific stations in the 1966-67 season. Committee: Dr. T. Hatherton, Mrs. Besides the veterans, the "Nella Dan", "Thala Dan" and "Magga Dan", D. Braxton, Messrs. V. E. Don the "Perla Dan" for the first time nelly, H. F. Griffiths, R. Heke, made the long and demanding voy A. H. Newton. age. The "Nella Dan" supplied Mac quarie Island and Mawson for Aus RECENT MEETINGS tralia's ANARE. Mr. Frank Shulte, from the Univer The "Thala Dan", under charter to sity of North Dakota who is studying Expeditions Polaires Francaises, for his master's degree in geology at made four calls at Dumont d'Urville the University of Canterbury under and furthermore supplied the Aus a Fulbright scholarship, addressed 40 tralian Wilkes station. members of the Canterbury branch The ice conditions off Wilkes and in July. He took for his subject the Repstat on the Budd Coast were discovery of an area of thermal and extremely difficult. Heavy pack ice, volcanic activity on the Antarctic concentration 9/10 to 10/10, and mainland. often underpressure due to wind and current, blocked the entrance. The "Nella Dan" and "Thala Dan" fought ;, with an attendance of 80. in conjunction for many days in this ice, but pro gress was so slow that eventually with the screening of the Mike Minc- the Americans sent their icebreaker han TV documentary on life at Scott "Eastwind" to their assistance, and Base; and a talk by Mr. R. B. Thom she helped the "Thala Dan" through son, Superintendent of the Antarctic to Wilkes. The going was so heavy Division, on the coming Antarctic and slow that it was considered too season (with slides of the Dry Valley tedious a job to get the "Nella Dan" area) and the thorny question of through in the same manner, and Tourism in the Antarctic. the most urgently required cargo Bill Hopper is again Chairman, and one passenger were therefore and Mick Donnelly is combining the transferred to the "Eastwind", and the "Nella Dan" proceeded to Maw Secretaryship of Society and Branch. son. Under charter to Expeditions Ant- arctiques Belgo-Neerlandaises, the "Magga Dan" called at Roi Baudouin. YOUR CHANCE! The British Antarctic Survey used the "Perla Dan" to service Port Stan Single copies of the following ley in the Falkland Islands, Decep issues of "ANTARCTIC", which have tion Island, Signy Island, South Georgia and the Halley Bay station been unprocurable for some time, in the Weddell Sea. Ice conditions in have come to hand, and are available the Weddell Sea were unusually easy to the first comer at 50c per copy. this season except for some difficul ties created by the breaking off of Vol. 1, nos. 1, 2. large sectors of the shelf ice, which Vol. 2, no. 9. deprived the vessel of its usual un loading "pier" and made the cargo Vol. 3, nos. 5, 7. operations more tricky. "ANTARCTIC" is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Subscription for non-members of the Antarctic Society, $2.50. Apply to the Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington, New Zealand.

Out of Print: Very few left: Volume 1 numbers number 8 1, 2, 9 Volume 2, numbers number 1 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9 Volume 3, number 7 number 5 Some other issues are in very short supply. Copies of available issues may be obtained from the Secretary of the Society, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington, at a cost of 50c per copy meanwhile. Indexes for volumes, 1, 2 and 3 are also available, 30c each. Copies of our predecessor, the Antarctic News Bulletin, are available at 50c per copy, except for numbers 9 and 10. The copies of numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 17 and 18 are authorised reprints. The New Zealand Antarctic Society comprises New Zealanders and overseas friends, many of whom have seen Antarctica for themselves, and all of whom are vitally interested in some phase of Antarctic exploration, development, or research. The Society has taken an active part in restoring and main taining the historic huts in the Ross Dependency, and plans to co-operate in securing suitable locations as repositories of Polar material of unique interest. There are currently two branches of the Society and functions are arranged throughout the year. You are invited to become a member. South Island residents should contact the Canterbury secretary, North Islanders should contact the Wellington secretary, and overseas residents the secretary of the New Zealand Society. For addresses see below. The membership fee includes subscription to "Antarctic". New Zealand Secretary Mr. V. E. Donnelly, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington.

Branch Secretaries Wellington: Mr. V. E. Donnelly, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington. Canterbury: Mrs. D. Braxton, 80 Clyde Road, Christchurch 4.