The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Please note * indicates that the photo used successfully accomplished the task of back to the Antarctic. I just can’t live in is taken from the Sir George Hubert Wilkins crossing the Andes and charting unknown cities. I catch colds and feel unwell.” Papers, SPEC.PA.56.0006, Byrd Polar and areas. West Australian (Perth, WA), Saturday 12 Climate Research Center Archival January 1946, page 10. Program, Ohio State University Arctic Exploration. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 Soon after his return to New York, his 0320340 1946 father financed an Arctic expedition in which young Ellsworth and Amundsen took 22 February 1946 part. In two seaplanes they set off from ONE FOR THE QUIZ KIDS Spitsbergen on May 21, 1925, but were John Dease, well known Master of the forced to land. One plane was caught in the Quiz Kids, will present them with an almost ice and they had to wait until June 15 for its insolvable problem in the “Smithy” picture. release. During that time Ellsworth saved To the question: “Can you find John Dease six men from death. in the cast?” the kids will have to take the A year later he bought from the Italian gong. Ninety minutes of painstaking toil by Government the airship Norge and, with the the makeup man results in Mr. Dease being commander, Colonel Nobile, accomplished transformed into Sir Hubert Wilkins. The the feat in two days of flying right over the resemblance is quite staggering, and likely North Pole after flying from Spitsbergen to to confuse even close friends. Alaska. It was Sir Hubert’s old Fokker which After an unsuccessful attempt, in 1931, later became the “Southern Cross,” and with Sir Hubert Wilkins, the Australian brought fame and fortune to the crew who explorer, to pass under the Polar ice in a flew across the Pacific. submarine, Ellsworth then turned his Norseman-Esperance News (WA), Friday attention to the Antarctic. He set out from New Zealand in the motor ship Wyatt Earp 22 February 1946, page 11. with the intention of flying across the South https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 Pole. However, when the machine was 59442622 placed on the ice at the Bay of Whales ready for the flight, on January 7, 1939, the ice suddenly broke up, the seaplane was badly damaged and the scheme was abandoned. A few months later he again set out from New Zealand and this time succeeded in An advertisement from the (West Australian (Perth, WA), carrying out his plan to make a survey flight Saturday 12 January 1946, page 10.). of 2,700 miles, of which 1,500 miles was terra incognita and he thus became the first 12 January 1946 to fly across the Antarctic. SOUTH POLE AGAIN. U.S. EXPLORER’S PLANS. Search from Australia Now on Trip to African Wilds. His next big flight had a sensational ending, which is well remembered in NEW YORK, Jan 11. — Well known people are characterised in the Australian The American explorer Mr Lincoln Australia. On November 23, 1935, with the film "Smithy," now nearing completion. Ninety minutes of Ellsworth announced today before leaving Canadian E. Hollick-Kenyon as pilot, he set painstaking toil by the make-up expert transforms John for Africa that he plans to undertake out to fly 2,140 miles from Dundee Island Dease, well known radio personality, into a double for Sir to Little America, Rear-Admiral Byrd’s Hubert Wilkins. another Antarctic expedition in 1947. He base in the Ross Sea. They wirelessed that sailed later in the Swedish liner Gripsholm Kalgoorlie Miner (WA), Thursday 28 for Kenya where he will carry out a they had crossed a 13,000ft mountain and geological exploration in the volcanic areas made discoveries when their signals February 1946, page 2. of the Great Rift Valley, which extends stopped. They were missing, but had fuel https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 almost across Africa. for 20 hours and provisions for six weeks. 5580801 Mr Ellsworth, the 65-year-old millionaire At the request of the Australian explorer, has already claimed 381,000 Government, the British Government lent square miles of Antarctica for the United the research ship Discovery II to take part in States as a result of his expeditions. In the search. Then came the startling news on November, 1935, he was awarded a special January 15, 1936, after seven weeks of gold medal by Congress in recognition of a silence, that the explorers were alive and flight of 2,500 miles across Antarctica and well in the Antarctic wastes. After flying his claiming of 300,000 square miles of 2,000 miles, they had been forced down by new land for the U.S.A., and in 1939 he petrol shortage only 16 miles from their made a flight into the interior of the destination. They were first seen from the Antarctic, on the Indian Ocean side south of air by a seaplane from the British ship. Two Western Australia, claiming another 81,000 days later they were rescued and taken back square miles. to Australia in the Discovery II. Before he He began his adventurous career at the left Australia Mr Ellsworth expressed a age of 22 when he was axeman on the first desire to explore the Australian desert by grand Pacific railroad survey across Canada camel. and then practised his profession of On his return to the United States after engineering in outback Canadian areas this episode, he said he believed there was before, in 1909, setting out in search of vast mineral wealth in the high mountains gold. A year later he went to Alaska on the and vast plateaus of the Antarctic. He said same quest. Having made good there, he then that his next expedition would organised a geographical expedition in probably be his last, but added: “I have said that before, I do know, though, that I want South America from the Pacific Ocean to An advertisement from the (Kalgoorlie Miner (WA), the headwaters of the Amazon, which to die in action and I will be glad to get Thursday 28 February 1946, page 2.). 1

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

27 April 1946 Europe, and between America and Russia If we are to believe those who have Trade Routes under the Arctic Ice via the Arctic.” studied the question, submarines will no Submarines May Operate Them By 1960 Those who support the undersea plan are longer be employed solely as weapons, and By FRANK ILLINGWORTH, FRGS not slow to point out that submarines fitted Polar trade routes will be established by THROUGH THE PECULIAR with anti-ice apparatus would result in 1960 at the latest. Opaque World beneath Polar ice, a several existing trade routes being halved in Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 27 April heavily built submarine noses her way. length. 1946, page 12. What is she doing in these northern reaches, For example, from Liverpool to https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 where the 15ft thick white roof over her Yokohama is 11,000 miles, and 12,500 2244824 head is an impossible barrier to ice- miles via Panama and Suez respectively, breakers? And what is the strange device while the distance under Polar ice fields is 9 May 1946 about 6,000 miles. The latter route, offering like the bumpers of a giant car which CHARTING WEATHER a 60 days’ saving on return trips, would see extend above the conning-tower? Recent correspondence in the “Herald” commercial submarines carrying double the Strange as it seems to us — who have protesting against the failure of weather cargo transported by surface ships of equal come to associate submarines with savagery forecasts during the mid-April gales fairly size. Furthermore the shortest route — she is not seeking a prey. And the distinguished the weaknesses and between Russia and Canada, or America, is “bumpers” are designed not for war limitations of the meteorological service. via the North Pole. purposes but to lessen the impact against They indicted “indifferent control” at Sir Hubert Wilkins in 1931 set off in the the sea's frozen surface when the submarine Melbourne headquarters, parsimony in submarine Nautilius, with a crew of 22 chooses to find a “blow-hole” in the frozen salaries paid in the service, obsolete volunteers, with the intention of reaching roof. instruments and lack of any at all at some the North Pole by diving under the Ice Not only is she abnormally large 12 times inland post offices, and finally the absence Barrier. He got to within nine degrees of his the size of the biggest submarine in 1945 — of any reporting stations off the coast. In his objective. but in place of deck armour she carries published comments the Acting Divisional Now Soviet Russia sees a commercial derricks, and instead of torpedo tubes she Meteorologist in this State, whose and strategical purpose and developing her boasts cargo hatches. She is a cargo enthusiasm is undoubted, was obviously “Stalin Trans-Arctic Route.” Submarines submarine, and she is not off the beaten restrained; he admitted, in effect, that much are among the keys to the ice-locked wealth track. had to be left to guesswork, and that “the of Russia’s Arctic empire. Their advent The year is, say, 1960, and she is one of a money required to cover all exigencies may would result in vast riches, so far untapped, fleet of undersea merchantmen which have have an adverse effect on the Government flowing under the northern ice-fields to halved the distance between Yokohama and Budget.” The article published on this page world markets. Liverpool, Vladivostok, and European today reveals both the daily problem and “It is estimated that stainless steel ports, and several other trade routes. the limited resources for tackling it. With submarines could remain submerged for She has proved the theory at which most the expansion of air transport there is, a three years,” says a Russian scientific people in 1945 scoffed — that the plain challenge to the Commonwealth journal, “but Polar ice averages 15ft in development of trade routes under the Government to revise forecasting methods thickness, and vessels must be able to rise North Pole and the sea-ice flanking the shown to be sorely inadequate for today’s through it to replenish their supplies of air.” Soviet Arctic and Northern Canada and needs. More than a decade ago Sir Hubert How “can this be accomplished? By Alaska, was practicable. Wilkins, quoting the advances in the special apparatus designed to melt surface That Britain is alive to the value of the northern hemisphere, urged the need for ice, together with deck “bumpers” to reduce submarine as a cargo-carrier was proved Antarctic reporting stations, without which the shock of rising against the floes. Both when, during the war, HMS Porpoise saved long-range forecasting is impracticable. these inventions have been tested. Malta by delivering ammunition and petrol Local experts agreed with him, but Tarassov has evolved an interlocking at the height of the Luftwaffe’s attacks on officialdom remained unresponsive. The plan to serve submarines plying at 15 to 20 the George Cross island. coming age will undoubtedly demand them, knots beneath Polar ice. This comprises a “If Porpoise, a fighting ship, can be used along with much better scientific equipment system of aerodromes, marine ice-breaker as a ‘merchantman,’ specially constructed at home. depots supply bases, and meteorological submarines would prove far more Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Thursday valuable,” say the exponents of the stations-all built on the Ice Barrier — 9 May 1946, page 2. underwater “tramp.” together with amphibious “tanks,” situated Simon Lake, doyen of US submarine every 200 miles along the entire Polar https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 experts, has perfected an underwater marine route. 9764520 merchantman capable of carrying 7,500 tons of cargo at a maximum speed of 20 27 July 1946 knots. Tarassov, the Russian engineer, has NATURE NOTES planned a commercial submarine along (By MAED MONATH) similar lines, but his ambitions are probably THE TREE KANGAROO greater, for Tarassov has designed his craft Some years ago Sir Hubert Wilkins spent to meet conditions prevailing in the Arctic. a day in this town. He had been farther For years Sir Hubert Wilkins, veteran north to secure a specimen of these Polar explorer, has stressed the possibilities interesting creatures. They are also found in of Arctic undersea routes, and supporting different parts of this district. One of our him are Vilhjalmur Steffansson, the greatest townsmen, a keen student of Nature, who authority on the Arctic; the Russian spent some years in the North, kept one, as explorer Zubov, the previously mentioned a pet, for two years. Their size suggests that Tarassov and Schmidt, who has “tree climbing wallaby” would be a more accomplished more than anyone in appropriate name. They are not closely developing Russia’s frozen shores from An advertisement from the (Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), related to the grazing kangaroo and Saturday 27 April 1946, page 12.) North-Eastern Siberia to Murmansk. wallabies. All, however, appear to have When I was last in the Arctic Borg He has also designed a sphere with descended from the same common stock. Mersh, the Swedish explorer, said: “Cargo which, in the last emergency, men dogs, They feed on the leaves of white cedar and submarines would prove useful in and sledges can be shot to the surface from like birds’ nest ferns and all kinds of wild developing the Arctic coast of Russia, and a doomed submarine the sphere melting its fruits. Much of their time is spent on the they might even be used to good purpose on way through surface ice where this proves ground, but, when alarmed they climb under-ice voyages between Asia and an obstacle. easily in a succession of jumps. Limbs are more nearly equal in size than those of their 2

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day cousins. Hind feet are shorter and broader He added that plans for using the vessel with cushion-like soles covered with rough could not be made until sufficient funds had skin to prevent slipping. Hands are very been made available. large and have powerful nails. Tails are The Wyatt Earp was taken over by Sea longer and slim. Though resembling the Scouts as a training ship and renamed possum's, the tails are not prehensile, acting Wongala two years ago. as balancers and rudders for long leaps. The Sun (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 24 November tree kangaroos jump downwards from 30 to 1946, page 6. 50 feet without injury, but when climbing https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 downwards always climb backwards. On 29557582 the ground they sometimes walk backwards quite naturally. Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld), Saturday 27 July 1946, page 5. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 71144000

Map of the Antarctic showing Australia's territory, amounting to almost one-third of known Antarctic land.

Although the project has not yet reached Cabinet, External Affairs Minister Evatt and Defence Minister Dedman regard it as of vital importance. Sir Douglas Mawson, who commanded the British-Australian-NZ Antarctic research expedition of 1929-31, may be invited to lead the new expedition. Mainly owing to the outstanding efforts of Australian explorers, Australia claims almost one-half of the estimated total area of Antarctica as its own territory. A map prepared in 1939 by the Departments of the Interior and External Affairs is considered by oversea experts to be the best in the world. This map shows beyond doubt that a continent at least as big at Europe surrounds the South Pole. What knowledge there is of this great land mass and its mineral and other potentialities has been obtained only slowly and at great expense. It was not until 1895 that a landing was made on any part of Antarctica.

Mawson’s views. Between 1907 and 1914 eight expeditions An advertisement from the (Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld), sailed for Antarctic. Saturday 27 July 1946, page 5.). Aeroplanes were not introduced until the British expedition of 1928-29. 31 Oct 1946 In 1929, Rear-Admiral R. E. Byrd (USA) Sir Hubert Wilkins Hurt made the first flight to the Pole. Washington, October 29 (A.A.P.). The operations of Sir Douglas Mawson, Sir Hubert Wilkins broke his shoulder in a Sir Hubert Wilkins, Lincoln Ellsworth and bus accident. the Norwegian and German expeditions Cairns Post (Qld), Thursday 31 October were greatly facilitated by the use of 1946, page 6. aeroplanes. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 The British Graham Land expedition, 2514839 under John R. Rymill, used tractors. The Wyatt Earp motor ship, a former 24 November 1946 Norwegian herring boat of 400 tons, was Australia may join international race to used by Sir Hubert Wilkins and Lincoln share in wealth of southern continent Ellsworth on a number of expeditions Plan to explore Antarctic metals. between 1935 and 1939. “SUNDAY SUN” SPECIAL SERVICE Interviewed in Adelaide, Sir Douglas CANBERRA, Saturday. Mawson said there were at present no The fear that Australia may be beaten by indications that the Wyatt Earp would be other nations in the race for vast mineral used for Antarctic service patrols in the resources in the Antarctic has spurred the near future. “On this Day” graphics from the (Sun (Sydney, NSW), Commonwealth Government to action. Whether the ship would ultimately be Sunday 24 November 1946, page 6.). Vastly improved aircraft and servicing used for this purpose depended on any technique since the last expedition is developments in the Antarctic. expected to revolutionise exploration in the South Polar Regions. 3

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

28 November 1946 The shortest route between Russia and underside. All information points to the Cargo submarines are visualised for Canada, or the United States, is like-wise conclusion that even in winter there is no opening trade routes beneath the vast water by way of Polar icefields. continuous unbroken thick layer of ice over area of the Arctic ice-cap. Wartime developments in electronic the Arctic Sea, and that almost one-fourth warning devices, the production of new of the area is open water. It has been TRADE ROUTES UNDER THE ICE types of materials which combine strength established from the records of various by a Special Correspondent and light-ness, and the perfection of new expeditions and flights that from Europe to forms of propulsion will all hasten the day Alaska and quite close to the Pole, open Arctic Regions, so long forgotten, gained when submarines may ply these routes. water “leads” are constantly appearing. new strategic significance during World The Arctic commercial cargo-carrying From 1931 until 1939 Wilkins and War II, and recent cable reports indicate submarine is envisaged as a shining members of his expedition made several that in both the United States and Canada stainless steel monster, with great bumpers preliminary trips and did much research there is a growing realisation that the Arctic extending from the nose in a great sweep work with a submarine donated by the U.S. is the newest and most vulnerable frontier over the conning tower-bumpers which Government. The vessel was an ex-naval of these lands. «will lessen the impact against the sea’s submarine that had been structurally No less an authority than General H. H. frozen surface when the submarine comes adapted for under-ice work. It was 175 feet Arnold, former U.S. Army Air Force Chief, up to replenish its air and seeks a “blow- long, and was powered by twin screws. is quoted as saying that the North Polar hole” in the frozen roof. The danger of the Submerged speed reached over nine knots regions would be the strategic centre of the submarine being wrecked by striking an and surface speed 14 knots. Safe range was next war. obstacle or becoming stuck fast is 7,000 miles, and the vessel could carry six Very little was learnt during World War minimised. As an extra precaution, months’ food and 12 months' emergency II about military manoeuvring in the earth’s however, a sphere has been designed with rations for scientists and crew to do a trans- coldest climate, or pf the ability of which, in an extreme emergency, men and Arctic exploring journey of 2,100 miles in equipment to stand up to such conditions. equipment could be shot out from a doomed about six weeks. The Russians, however, were submarine, the sphere being heated in such A telescopic conning tower was fitted acknowledged to possess the most practical a way that it would melt its way through the with a boring head to melt its way upward experience in extreme conditions and it was ice "roof" where this proved an obstacle. through the ice. Sounding gear was to be probably due to their knowledge and Among the first to advocate the carried to warn of dangers of a suddenly- foresight in this work that they were able to possibility of establishing trade routes shallowing ocean floor. Wartime turn the Nazi tide in northern Europe. The under the polar ice-cap was Australian-born developments would make it possible for an Soviet has for years maintained weather Sir Hubert Wilkins, who in 1931 started out Arctic submarine to carry also devices stations in the northern vastnesses and kept in the sub-marine Nautilus with the object which would indicate any closing in on the ports and shipping operating along the of reaching the North Pole by diving under ice above, as well as to warn against northern coasts. the great ice barrier. He got within nine occasional “peaks,” which are known to Now Canada and the United States are degrees of the Pole. reach down to depths of as much as 400 striving to catch up on Arctic “know-how.” feet. The U.S. Navy is sending five new submarines from the Pacific through Bering Commercial Submarines Strait into the Arctic sea to practise Associated with Wilkins and Ellsworth undersea navigation amid the ice. was Simon Luke, a naval architect and Current interest in the Arctic as a inventor of submarines, who has now strategic frontier may lead to a speeding up perfected an underwater merchantman of plans already in hand for the opening up capable of carrying more than 7,000 tons of of trans-polar, undersea trade routes using cargo, and Sloan Farrenhower, a submarine the vast water area which lies beneath, the and salvage engineer. Arctic ice-cap a modern version of the The Soviet Union has given considerable centuries long search for a North-East and a attention to developing Russia's extreme North-west passage. north, and ways of opening up the frozen It has been established that the North shores be-tween north-eastern Siberia and Polar Regions are a wide shallow hollow in Murmansk are of paramount importance. the earth's surface filled with the waters of There are commercial and strategic the Arctic Ocean, over which stretches a purposes to be served in developing the great layer of ice averaging about 15 feet in UNDER-SEA CARGO SHIP: The Arctic commercial “Stalin Trans-Arctic Route,” and trade thickness. Beneath this ice-cap ocean cargo-carrying submarine is envisaged as a shining, routes beneath the Arctic ice would open up depths extend down, to three miles in some stainless-steel monster, with great bumpers extending vast new riches in Russia's untapped Arctic from the nose in a sweep over the conning tower. empire. parts. Tarassov, noted Russian engineer, has not Later, Wilkins planned another only planned a commercial submarine cap- Shortening Distances expedition in which he was to be associated able of operating under these conditions, Each new age produces its own routes of with Lincoln Ellsworth, distinguished but he has gone further and evolved an world commerce, and within the next few explorer and aviator who had worked with interlocking plan to serve a fleet of decades the world may see the emergence Amundsen and Nobile in polar expeditions. submarines plying the Arctic under-ice of trade routes operated under the floating One extraordinary fact that emerged was route. It covers aero-dromes, marine ice- Arctic ice-cap by cargo submarines. This is that the idea of using an under-water craft breaker depots, supply bases and weather no Wellsian fantasy, but a project which for Arctic exploration was first suggested stations, all built on the ice barrier at experts believe will be carried into effect almost 300 years ago (1648) by the regular intervals along the Polar submarine within a short span of years. clergyman founder of the Royal Society of route. Given backing, submarine experts can London, the Rev. John Wilkins, who was Western Mail (Perth, WA), Thursday 28 produce craft capable of using the bizarre, an ancestor of the present Sir Hubert opaque world beneath polar ice in cutting Wilkins. November 1946, page 4. many of the world's established trade runs Investigation undertaken by Wilkins https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 to less than half. From British ports to about ten years ago showed that ice would 3249146 Japan, for instance is about 11,000 miles by seldom be found more than 50 feet below way of Panama and 12,500 miles by way of the surface, and that over the great part of Suez. By the proposed Polar route it is the Arctic Sea the ice averages only about about 6,000 miles. 15 feet thick and is raggedly level on the 4

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

9 December 1946 AMERICA NEXT South Pole, in search of uranium and other More Than Ice in Antarctica As a result, it is almost certain that the valuable minerals. Intensive Search for Valuable Minerals British Antarctic team will be joined by an The vanguard of the 13 ships which The eyes of all nations are now on American group early next year. comprise the expedition left Norfolk Antarctica . . . the last unconquered The American group will be headed by (Virginia) last Monday. continent . . . five million square miles of the famous U.S. polar explorer, Rear- An Associated Press correspondent on frozen earth hidden beneath an ice-pack Admiral Richard E. Byrd, who led a similar board the flagship U.S.S. Olympus, at 2000 feet deep. But is not the ice that expedition in 1941. Norfolk says that: The ships will interests Governments, nor the snow, nor Object of the mission is stated to be the rendezvous at Scott Island, south-east of the chilling temperatures and biting winds location of all possible sources of fuel and New Zealand. The ships will then split into which whip across the frozen wastes at 180 energy, and “comprehensive research into three task groups. m.p.h., writes Max Coleman, in Sydney cosmic rays.” The central group, including the flagship “Sun.” and the submarine Sennet, will enter Ross The eyes of the nations are fixed upon the WHERE’S AUSTRALIA ? Sea below New Zealand, and establish an outcrops of black rock which stand out in In all this talk of expeditions, the one airstrip on the Ross Shelf Ice for six twin- bold relief along the coastline and poke up nation with the greatest reason to be engine Douglas transports to be ferried in unexpectedly through the glittering ice- interested in the development of Antarctica by the carrier Philippine Sea in January. packs of the hinterland. fails to receive a mention. That nation is The eastern and western groups will fan Geologists will tell you they belong to the Australia. out east and west of Ross Sea, sending pre-Cambrian age, which means they are By an Order in Council dated February 7, amphibians and helicopters over the coast between 700,000,000 and 1,400,000,000 1933, Australia now regards 2,472,000 and inland to distances of perhaps 700 years old. And Governments know that pre- square miles of Antarctica nearly, half of miles from the ships. Cambrian rocks often contain precious the continent — as her own exclusive metals — manganese and sulphide, gold property. HELICOPTER ‘DROMES’ and iron, tin and tungsten, wolfram and We claim this slice of territory because it The helicopters will land on the decks of tantalite, and — most important of all, was discovered, explored, surveyed, and the expedition's ice breakers. These planes perhaps, in this Atomic Age-uranium! charted by Australian explorers — will fly wide over areas largely unexplored. So maybe it's the thought of uranium Edgeworth David, Hubert Wilkins, John Through photography, radar, and other which has caused the nations to look south Rymill, and Douglas Mawson. devices, they may discover new data on — Britain, the United States, Russia, Having claimed the area, the Antarctic resources, and indicate what role. Norway, Chile, Argentina. Commonwealth Government has been content to sit back and rest upon its laurels. STRING OF BASES BRITISH SECRET EXPEDITION In Sydney Mr. Harold O. Fletcher, who Britain has had a secret expedition in accompanied Sir Douglas Mawson as Antarctica since 1943. Recently, the leader palaeontologist and zoologist on his last of this party, Lieut.-Commander J. W. S. expedition, warmly supported these Marr, returned to London for consultations. remarks. Newspapermen cornered him, but beyond “I would like to see a whole string of admitting that he hoped to return to the bases established along the coast in expedition soon, he wouldn't say a word. MacRobertson Land and Princess Elizabeth “I’m under a vow of secrecy,” he Land,” he said. explained. All this becomes highly “From these points, geologists, intriguing when you recall a British zoologists, and meteorologists could carry Colonial Office statement in 1944 that the out urgently needed research, while expedition was engaged in scientific and prospectors could search for uranium and research work in some of the dependencies other metals. of the Falkland Islands in an endeavour to “Since the rock formations belong to the solve a number of radio beam problems. pre-Cambrian age, there is every chance It’s hard to imagine a British naval that uranium will be found in workable officer getting coy and secretive over a quantities. radio beam. Apparently, the U.S. Wilkins with Mawson. *OSU Polar Archives Government thinks so, too. [wilkins35_14_1]. WHALING INDUSTRY “I can think of no better way of MAWSON’S VIEWS establishing bases in Antarctica than by Interviewed in Adelaide, Sir Douglas linking this project with a well-established Mawson had this to say about Australia’s whaling industry,” he added. “At current hesitancy, in re-entering the Antarctic field: prices, one 22,000-ton factory ship and a "The time is long overdue for Australia to few chasers, handling 6,000 whales a year, push ahead with the plan formulated in should be able to earn about £4,000,000 a 1939 for the reestablishment of a permanent year. research station in the Antarctic. The war held up the original proposal, WINTER SPORTS and now our delay in entering the whaling Another member of the last Mawson industry has further postponed our plans. expedition, Dr. W. Wilson Ingram, also of “If discovered in useful amounts, the cost Sydney, said: of working uranium should not be “It may sound like a fairy tale, but I prohibitive if air transport is employed.” actually dream of the day when, instead of This should solve all difficulties in tripping off to Kosciusko for our winter maintaining essential supplies to workers sports, we will step into a plane and fly and for carrying products to civilisation. down to Antarctica.” That’s certainly some dream. But, who TWO AMERICAN EXPEDITIONS knows? It may come true one of these days. Rear-Admiral Byrd is already on his way Antarctica might play in future strategy. to the Antarctic for what he calls The correspondent continues: ‘The navy also will be on the alert for clues to the Rear-Admiral Richard E. Byrd. *OSU Polar Archives “Operation High Jump,” in which he will [wilkins34_12_2]. make a three-way air drive towards the plans of other nations in their explorations 5

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day of the Antarctic for possible commercial, Supplies will be parachuted to the scientific, or military objectives. Russia is scientists on the ice. one of the nations which recently The expedition’s main purpose will be to announced plans for expeditions, and study climatic changes which are believed Britain has been active in Antarctica for the to be occurring at the South Pole. last five years. The scientists will also investigate the related problems of glaceology, RIVAL EXPEDITION meteorology, geology, and climatic history. Meanwhile, a rival American expedition Professor Bans Ahlmana, the Swedish is preparing to set out to explore the icy glaceology expert, is interested in whether waters of the Antarctic, not for valuable the Antarctic territories in the future will minerals, but for scientific data. become a vast fertile and habitable Retired U.S. Navy Commander Finn continent. Ronne, who accompanied Byrd on polar The expedition expects to find much coal explorations, has been selected to lead a in the Antarctic. privately financed expedition to the Worker (Brisbane, Qld), Monday 9 Antarctic. December 1946, page 15. Ronne, taking only one small ship and 20 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7 men, will leave the United States in 1429286 January. He is expected to return within 13 17 December 1946 months. An advertisement from the(Worker (Brisbane, Qld), Monday 9 December 1946, page 15.). Big Premiere For ‘Smithy’ Scientific organisations are providing the Much of the glitter of a Hollywood, film finance. greatly facilitate operations between the premiere will mark the first West Australian Chilean visas have been requested for 20 two continents, he added. screening at the Plaza Theatre on Friday members of this expedition, which is quite night of Columbia Studio’s Australian- distinct from Byrd’s. Sir Douglas was in the Shackleton made “Smithy.” It is known that vessels taking part in Antarctic Expedition in 1907, led an This is the authentic, widely praised film Byrd’s Expedition will, rendezvous off Australasian expedition there in 1911-14, version of the life of Sir Charles Kingsford Scott Island on their way south, but no and commanded a British, Australian and Smith. Spotlights, flags, red carpets, a brass other details have been disclosed. New Zealand expedition in 1929-31. band and a guard of honour of Air Training About 10 American newspaper, and radio Corps cadets at the street entrance will lend correspondents are with the party, but Seven Expeditions Planned colour to the opening. foreign newspaper men have been According to the London “Daily Mail,” Lieutenant-Governor Sir James Mitchell, excluded. no fewer than seven Antarctic expeditions Lady Mitchell, Premier F. J. S. Wise,

are on the way or being planned. members of State Cabinet, Lord Mayor J. MAWSON URGES AUST. ACTION Listing Sir Douglas Mawson’s proposal Totterdell are expected to attend. Former Australia had shown very little foresight to establish a permanent research station in associates of Kingsford Smith, S. and N. in developing the resources of the immense the Antarctic, and the hope of finding Brearley and V. Abbott have also been territory controlled in the Antarctic, the uranium, among the projects, the “Daily invited. Microphone interviews will be famous Australian explorer, Sir Douglas Mail” says: “Rear-Admiral Byrd’s included in 6PR’s foyer broadcast of the Mawson, said in Melbourne last Monday. Expedition (which sailed last week) is the function. He urged the Federal Government to second stage of the ‘race’ to discover the The first film to be made in Australia by sponsor an expedition to Antarctica to mineral ‘treasure chest’ hidden under the an American company, “Smithy” cost about investigate its vast natural resources. South Polar ice-cap. £80,000 to produce. In it the old “Southern Sir Douglas Mawson flew from Adelaide “Britain leads with a three years’ start — Cross,” reconditioned by the R.A.A.F., flies to confer with a special committee of the the survey force which has been at Byrd’s again. External Affairs Department which sought old base in Marguerite Bay since 1943. Its Its principals are Ron Randell (title role), his views on an Australian expedition to thirty members will soon be relieved by Muriel Steinbeck (as Lady Kingsford Antarctica. An American expedition headed other picked British scientists. Smith), John Tate (Charles Ulm), John by Admiral Byrd left yesterday for Little “Norway is planning an expedition in co- Dease (Sir Hubert Wilkins). Parts in it for America, he said. operation with Britain. W. M. Hughes, Captain P. G. Taylor and Undoubtedly this expedition would “Chile has decided to organise an John Stannage are played by those men. investigate reports of large uranium expedition; Russia is understood to be deposits in Antarctica. planning an expedition; and the Argentine It was too late this year for Australia to is con-templating sending a party. send an expedition, but he believed well- endowed expedition should go to THREE COMMON AIMS Australian-held territory at the earliest “These expeditions’ three com-mon aims possible moment. are to search for minerals, including oil and He was too old to head such an coal, research into cosmic rays, which will expedition himself, but would give every be helped by the dust-free atmospheric and assistance he could. weather investigations.” Discussing the mystery of the uranium METEOROLOGICAL POST search the “Daily Mail” recalls Byrd’s Living conditions in Australian-held denial of any “race for uranium” although, Antarctica territory were suitable for the he added, “The United States Navy will not establishment of at least a permanent turn its back on it if any is found.” meteorological observation post. It was only through apathy that this had not been JEEPS WILL BE USED RON HANDELL AS “SMITHY” done. Snow-travelling jeeps will be used by the Australian-held territory was within easy joint Anglo-Norwegian-Swedish expedition Daily News (Perth, WA), Tuesday 17 flying distance of Tasmania. Establishment which will, probably go to the Antarctic in December 1946, page 11. of a permanent observation post would 1948-49, reports Reuter’s Oslo https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/7 correspondent. 8216290 6

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

28 December 1946 the Work of Sir Douglas Mawson is 12 January 1947 CAIRNS particularly well known in this connection. SAT., DEC. 28, 1946. In March of 1939 — some months’ before The Cairns Post TODAY’S ISSUE the outbreak of the war — Sir Hubert TEN PAGES Wilkins, another famous Australian polar THE ANTARCTIC BECKONS explorer, was in Canberra and offered to lead an expedition to the Antarctic in the There is unprecedented world interest in Wyatt Earp, the exploring ship which the the regions of the Antarctic now and it is Commonwealth Government had acquired more than a matter of whaling. The world is from the American, Mr. Lincoln Ellsworth. searching for uranium, the mineral which is The Government, however, was unable to the chief source of atomic energy and it make up its mind about it and Sir Hubert may be found in the Antarctic. There is decided to leave for England and America a widespread belief that the Antarctic with the intention of organising an expeditions which have been, or are being, expedition to the Arctic. organised by half a dozen countries are Australia has claimed all the land between concerned with the discovery of uranium the 45th And 160th meridian of east more than anything else. longitude and an interesting question arose But the organisers do not say so. WILKINS concerning a claim by Ellsworth on behalf The American expedition, under the of U.S.A. to certain land over which he had His hearing aid went wrong leadership of Rear-Admiral Byrd, is on flown in his aeroplane — land which had Wilkins knew how submarines travelled such a scale that it may be almost called an never before been seen by any man. armada. It is stated that it includes no fewer under the ice It was in the sector of what is known as than 5000 technicians, and its equipment Though it is mouldy with age, the Princess Elizabeth Land and was comprises ice-breakers, aeroplanes, radio photograph still plainly shows a Balkan comparatively near the Pole. Does the claim apparatus of the most up-to-date type and king in a pop-eyed tantrum, trying to smack by Australia to all land between the points many, other appurtenances, besides the cameraman with a cane. mentioned hold good as far as the sector dehydrated foods and scientific aids for the Australian-born explorer Sir George reaching to the Pole is concerned? If comfort and well-being of the whole Hubert Wilkins still keeps a print. The King minerals are discovered there, the personnel. was Ferdinand of Bulgaria. probability of international complications Russia, Norway, Argentina and Chile are He was trying to hit Wilkins for sneaking arising on the question of ownership cannot expected soon to have their quota of ships, a shot of him during the Turko-Bulgarian be ruled. and scientists in the Antarctic, while war of 1912-13. Cairns Post (Qld), Saturday 28 December Australia and New Zealand will also be This year Wilkins, now 59, will work for represented. In so far as whaling is 1946, page 5. the US Navy, drawing up plans for a naval concerned, the Japanese are playing a https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 submarine expedition to the Arctic. leading role with Britísh and Australian 2519984 The submarine may travel under the ice observers in their ships. and it will test the theory that a sub. could The scientific expeditions in the Antarctic 1947 carry rocket-firing platforms to attack are ostensibly engaging in ordinary voyages America from the north. of exploration. The ownership of much of Before World War II Wilkins was 9 January 1947 the vast area has not yet been fully professional lecturer to women’s clubs in ARCTIC MANOUVRES FOR SUBS established, and concerning a good deal of America. Grey-eyed weather-beaten and it, claims that have been made by some NEW YORK January, 8. bearded he looks obviously an explorer, in countries are disputed by others. The U.S. Government intends to send a spite of the heaving aid he wears for his Topographical, meteorological and submarine expedition to the Arctic. It will deafness. geological investigations will be made by be directed; by the U.S Navy, and planned In 1941 a Sunday Sun man found him in the various expeditions. It is known that in consultation with Sir Hubert Wilkins, Java gathering lecture material. He was coal and copper are to be found there in Australian-born explorer. peering into the crater of the Tangkoeban large quantities, and it is believed that there Sir Hubert Wilkins is leaving for Alaska Prahoe volcano. is gold also. Is there uranium as well? If this on Friday with a U.S. War Department precious mineral, one of the scarcest on expedition. The Navy will complete its Newsreel cameraman earth, should be found there, the Antarctic plans for the submarine expedition when he “Is it true,” asked the journalist, “that you may become one of the most important returns, probably in several months. have become an American citizen and that regions in the world. Sir Hubert Wilkins is at present full-time you have registered your two first names as Great Britain, as usual, is ahead of all the consultant with the climatology and ‘Sir’ and ‘Hubert’ in America?” rest. As long ago as 1943 Britain quietly environmental section of the Military Wilkins didn’t seem to hear the organised a scientific expedition to the Planning Division of U.S. War Department. questions. His hearing aid suddenly went Antarctic, and the members of it have been Purpose of the submarine expedition will wrong. working there all the time. Some of them be the test methods of defence and counter- Wilkins was the youngest of the 13 have returned and been relieved by others, attack in the event of hostile action against children of a sheep farmer at Mt. Bryan and additional personnel have also been Canada or U.S.A. across the Arctic regions. East, South Australia. He drifted into sent on the relieving ships. What was at the The expedition will particularly test the exploring from a job as a newsreel back of the decision to dispatch the theory that submarines can be used for cameraman in London before World War I. expedition we have not been fully carrying despatching platforms for atomic Newsreels were new then and Wilkins was informed: but we do know that harnessing bombs and rocket weapons thousands of so willing to take stunt shots that Pathe of of atomic energy was well on the way at the miles nearer the foe — presumably Russia. Paris hired him at £2000 a year before he time. Travelling under the ice — which Sir was 21. Australian scientists are now to take part Hubert Wilkins proved possible in the 1931 Having walked away from a balloon in the work. If she has been slow to submarine expedition to Arctic regions — crash unhurt (and dodged King Ferdinand), recognise the importance of the whaling the submarines would be immune to radar Wilkins caught the eye of the explorer industry, out of which the Germans, detection and bombing attack. Stefansson who made him second-in- Norwegians and Japanese reaped such rich Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW), command of his 1913-1917 expedition in harvests before the war, Australia has put Thursday 9 January 1947, page 8. the Arctic. up a worthy record in Antarctic exploration, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 When it got back to civilisation, Wilkins 8486814 found that wars had grown in size and he

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The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day became official photographer and air The details of the US Navy’s submarine expedition to the Antarctic to protect its observer to the AIF in Flanders. expedition are highly hush-hush. Americans territorial claims against possible counter are wondering what advice Wilkins is claims by the United States. Monash’s tribute. giving about travelling under the ice. “I am glad to learn that Australia is now He ended with an MC and bar, two Sun (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 12 January planning to send an aircraft-carrier to the mentions in despatches, and a comment 1947, page 5. Antarctic;” Sir Hubert Wilkins,” said last from Australian C.-in-C. Sir John Monash: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 week. “That was my suggestion in the first “I do not know of a braver man.” 29994981 place.” In 1921-22 Wilkins was second-in- Sir Hubert Wilkins said he understood command of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s last 14 January 1947 that the United States State Department expedition to the Antarctic after which he The U.S. passed a special Act to get his would shortly formally file claims to unbuttoned his fur jacket and spent three considerable areas of Antarctica, including services years exploring Arnhem Land, Northern parts of Graham Land, which he had By THEO MOODY Australia, for the British Museum. officially claimed for Britain as personal WASHINGTON, Monday. — In April, 1928, Wilkins (as navigator) and representative of King George V on his The most striking current advertisement Carl B. Eielson, a hard bitten pilot from 1928 expedition to Antarctica. Sir Hubert all over America is for Lord Calvert’s rye North Dakota, became the first men to leap Wilkins said he believed that the whisky. right across the roof of the world in an disposition of the Polar Regions should be The distillers of the brew hit on the idea aeroplane. the task of the United Nations. The United of photographing leading men in business, They flew 2200 miles from Point Barrow Nations should not hold title to the areas, arts, and letters holding a glass of Lord to the island of Dauholmen, near but should determine their allocation. Calvert’s in their hand under the slogan, Spitsbergen, north of Norway, in 20 hours "I’ve long believed it would be highly “Men of distinction prefer Lord Calvert's 20 minutes. profitable for Australia to exploit the whisky.” Taking off from Dauholmen, Wilkins Antarctic areas to which she has laid A number of leading Americans posed pushed the plane to help it taxi. As the claim,” for the advertisements — wealthy men for a plane flew away without him he climbed up Sir Hubert said. “Apart from the case of Lord Calvert’s, others for a a rope trailing from the cockpit and got meteorological aspects, there’s ample handsome fee. back into it. evidence that these areas are highly The latest “man of distinction” to be By the end of 1928 Wilkins had been valuable mineralogically. Particularly in the photographed, dinner- jacketed and knighted, become engaged to Suzanne Indian Ocean section there are plenty of preferring Lord Calvert's, is the Australian Bennett, a New York actress, and left with indications of the existence of semi- Sir Hubert Wilkins, 58-year-old explorer Eielson for the Antarctic. precious metals. “There are also geological and meteorologist, who shortly will set as formations in this sector closely similar to consultant to the United States Government the geological formations near known in its projected submarine expedition to the deposits of uranium and similar metals.” Arctic. Sir Hubert Wilkins has been urging on So highly does the United States the United States Government the Government value Sir Hubert's experience internationalisation of meteorological that when it sought his services in 1942 a services to permit the development of long- special Act of Congress was passed range weather forecasting. enabling Wilkins to act with the War “That’s the only way to solve the world's Department merely by taking the oath of economic problems,” he said. “We must allegiance to the war aims of the United know well in advance the world’s States Government and not to the United agricultural requirements.” States flag. Sir Hubert Wilkins said that he hoped to He was thus able to retain his Australian visit Australia towards the end of 1948. citizenship, which he values very highly. Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW Tuesday But it seems Sir Hubert isn’t a man of Sir and Lady Wilkins on a mountain walk. *OSU Polar distinction in his own Empire, particularly 14 January 1947, page 6. Archives [wilkins35_25_15]. not in Australia. At the outbreak of war in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2

1939 he was in America and wrote first to 48307320 Mapped the ice the Australian Government then to the They were the first men to fly over it and British Government offering his services in the British-hating Hearst newspapers paid any capacity. the costs. Wilkins said he could find no The Australian Government merely British or Australian backers. replied stating it would call on his services By September, 1929, Wilkins had if they were required and he heard nothing whizzed back to America, married Miss more. The British War Office replied to his Bennett and left for the Antarctic again, offer by asking him to send references where he mapped many miles of coast. about himself from too reputable people In 1931 Wilkins left from Spitsbergen by and his personal biography. Nautilus, an antiquated submarine he had Wilkins immediately supplied these, but bought from the US Navy, for 4/-. It had that was his last communication with the skis fitted on top of it, for Wilkins planned British War Office. to travel to the North Pole under the ice. In the United States War Department, After he had travelled north 2000 miles Wilkins is at present chiefly engaged as (and mostly under the ice as planned), the consultant for the highly secret and highly propellers had been bent by ice-chunks, the important Climatology and Environmental rudders damaged and the patent machine Section. This section has the task of attached to the hull to bore holes through collating meteorological information and of the ice into fresh air had gone wrong. preparing equipment and weapons for use Wilkins had to turn back. The Nautilus was under varying climatic conditions. so battered he scuttled her off the When in October last he learned of the Norwegian coast before he joined the United States plans for the present Byrd Lincoln Ellsworth Antarctic Expedition in A cartoon from the (Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW expedition to the Antarctic, he suggested 1934. Tuesday 14 January 1947, page 6.). that the Australian Government send an 8

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

wrong. Possibly Amnyi Machen reaches 18 January 1947 19 April 1947 into the clouds farther than any peak known Out of the Mail bag There’s Still Room for Modern Drakes to man. Moreover, the encircling Can’t Keep Away A new era of exploration is opening. And mountains, rising in the snow covered Age seemingly has not wearied Sir it will be a new kind of exploration. In other ridges like the foamy billows of some Hubert Wilkins of the Arctic. At 58, he still days adventurous men set out to unveil mighty ocean the sombre tree-lined chasms keeps in touch with the Polar Regions, and remote and hidden lands; they succeeded so and bleak pleateaus are almost as unknown has fresh expeditions in mind. In a letter to well that today there are relatively few as the planet Mars. Adelaide relatives, Sir Hubert said that he unexplored places on the earth’s surface. The god, Amnyi Machen. Tibetans recently helped in the establishment of Now the emphasis is on scientific believe, dwells in the wild mass of towering Arctic weather stations for the United States exploration — the search for natural pinnacles, an isolated group of the Kuinlun War Department. “We have set up two resources and the examination of a legion Range, just west of the great bend of the stations in Greenland, and will move to the of problems ranging from meteorology to Yellow River in the Koko Nor region of Canadian Arctic next season,” he said. anthropology. eastern Tibet. The older explorers had one purpose in Mount Everest reaches a height of 29,141 view. Their task was to remove the blank feet. There is strong reason to believe that spaces from the world map. Amnyi Machen rises more than 30,000 feet The quest of the future will take many above sea level. forms. We want to establish new air routes Amnyi Machen is the greatest prize left in many parts of the world. That means to modern exploration. Despite the war, intensive study of weather conditions and when thousands of American and all aspects of flying over hazardous areas. Australian boys ploughed through tangled We seek new oil fields and we must vines and across mountains where no white uncover new mineral deposits. Uranium, man had ever set his foot, much of New source of atomic energy, the most coveted Guinea is virtually unknown. mineral of all, will lure the scientific There is still a large job ahead, especially explorers of all nations. in the ranges of Wilhelmina Top and While all this h going on, the geographic Cartensz Top. The mountainous region of explorer will not be idle. There, remain southern Chile, some of the Islands west of spaces on the globe not fully explored. Terra del Fuego, and the mountain region Antarctica, a continent in its Ice Age, is one directly north await the explorer. And there of them — the world’s largest unexplored are very large areas in Central Australia region. which have never been explored. It is because the Antarctic is so vast, and Who were the first inhabitants of the so impenetrable by ordinary means, and North American continent and where did presents so many problems, that it has the come from. No one knows. fascinated explorers. The South Pole lies in In Alaska a great job lies ahead. The Sir Hubert Wilkins the middle of a continent one-third larger Aleutian Islands and the Behring Strait “Later, we will again be seconded to the than the whole of Europe, capped by 2000 formed land bridges in ancient times across Weather Bureau for work in several large feet of ice. Only the summits of mountain which flowed waves of migration from groups in the Arctic. Last summer I was in ranges project above the snow. Asia, to people America with men and northern Canada on an Air Force research No one knows what new inventions may animals. job.” suddenly make the Antarctic of paramount Air fields are being built and roads Sir Hubert mentioned casually that in a importance in world strategy. constructed where these people passed. As bus accident he had broken a collar bone, Another vast area holds secrets for the the bulldozers work, scientists should be sprained both ankles, and damaged a few old-time explorer — Eastern Tibet. There behind them to examine the frozen earth for ribs. lies the least known and most exciting fossils which will tell the story of Mail (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 18 January habitable region on this globe, a pearl of America’s own lost history. 1947, page 4. great price to the explorer. Mammoths preserved in cold storage for https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 Is Everest the highest mountain on earth? a hundred thousand years are not 5885005 The encyclopaedias say yes. They may be infrequently uncovered. It is not beyond the

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The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Is Mount Everest the highest mountain in Chronicle (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 14 the world? August 1947, page 39. ROY CHAPMAN ANDREWS, world https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/9 famous zoologist and explorer, and 3220452 honorary director of the American Museum, of Natural History, writing in the New York 20 September 1947 Times, thinks not. Sir Hubert Wilkins tells how, on of one Andrews names Amnyi Machen, his Polar voyages, he and his party dined on reaching to the clouds in Tibet, as the the flesh of a whale that had been dead for greatest prize left to modern explorers. three years. Nature’s refrigerator had kept it Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Saturday 19 fresh. April 1947, page 2. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld), Saturday https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 20 September 1947, page 5. 9332279 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6

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A caricature of J R. Kemp. State Co-ordinator of Works, as seen by Jack Lusby. From the (Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Saturday 19 April 1947, page 2.). realm of possibility that the body of one of the earliest human migrants to Alaska may be discovered. In the North Polar Regions are problems of a different nature mostly in the fields of An advertisement from the (Chronicle (Adelaide, SA), meteorology and oceanography. Thursday 14 August 1947, page 39.). The Arctic will soon become a Broadway for intercontinental transport. Recent flights 14 August 1947 have charted courses almost directly across Gut Among The People the Pole. By VOX Turn now to the bottom of the world — Victor Harbor Memories to Antarctica. Years ago Sir Hubert Wilkins Mr. Ernest Sullivan (103 Gage Street, pointed out that the weather brewed in South Payneham) has had a letter from Sir Antarctica exerts a tremendous influence on Hubert Wilkins from New York, saying that agriculture in Australia and South America. they might find him dropping in at Victor It causes droughts, as well as destructive Harbor one of these days. storms. One day it is possible that explorer- “I remember Victor Harbor with great scientists will establish weather stations on pleasure,” he writes. “As a boy I had one or The famous Australian cartoon, “Ginger Meggs” from the this frigid continent. But there is other work two most pleasant visits there. It was near (Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld), Saturday 20 September for them there, for example, the study of 1947, page 5.). there I first saw the sea; and you can guess glaciology and the problem of whether the what a sensation that was to one brought up Antarctic continent was in remote ages at Burra Burra. connected with South America by a land “I remember we did some fishing, caught bridge. barracouta and other fish, and enjoyed them Java is one of the most important at my Uncle William’s house, also enjoyed localities of the world from the standpoint a stroll about Granite Island.” of human evolution. There on the banks of Sir Hubert says he enjoyed that job of the Solo River, were found the remains of collecting for the British Museum of the earliest creature that can be called a Natural History specimens from the eastern man. half of Australia; hopes that someday he Year by year, until just before the war, can make a similar collection from the west. new links, in the broken chain of human “It is some time since I have interested ancestry were being brought to light. myself in Australian mammals, and cannot From bones and teeth already discovered remember the name of the species of small we know that a race of primitive giants flying mouse I was looking for. The long- existed, that some of these men weighed tailed ones you mention seem to be rare, 600 pounds. and I wonder if at the Adelaide Museum In Australia the aborigines are probably they know about it. I believe there is a very the most primitive human beings in the keen mammalogist there, but I don't world today. Their Stone Age culture remember his name.” should be studied by scientists in Mr. Sullivan explains to me that the connection with what we know of the Stone flying mouse referred to was a small animal Age peoples who lived 20,000 years ago. he and his brother caught in the scrub in the Yes, there are limitless opportunities for Hundred of Mortlock. Eyre Peninsula, some both types of explorers. As one problem is years ago. It was a female with a young on Antarctic explorer Commander Karl Oom, R.A.N., of solved, another comes forward to demand Kirribilli, N.S.W., with a souvenir telescope, in the garden its back, its tail curled around its mother. attention. We do not yet know our world. It of his harborside home. He thinks his refitted ship will do He believes it is extinct now. a good job. is filled with fascinating secrets. 10

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

SOUTHWARD HO! TO CHART 26 November 1947 operation by Australia in a work of vital ANTARCTIC Deepsea Diver Dies Of High Blood importance to our rural industries. TO COMMAND WYATT EARP. Pressure The Commonwealth Government might NEW YORK, Tuesday — well extend its new interest in meteorology Frank V. Crilley (64), holder of the world to regions nearer home. The deficiencies in record for deep-sea diving, died on Sunday day-to-day weather forecasting in the night in Brooklyn Naval Hospital. Australian States, which are constantly Death was due to high blood pressure. under fire from the public, are not the fault Crilley set the record with a 306 feet dive of the Divisional Meteorologists. They and in a regulation diving suit to rescue a fellow their staffs do the best that can be done with diver during the raising of the Navy the facilities available, but they are submarine F4 off Honolulu in 1915. hampered by Government parsimony. He was chief diver on the Arctic cruise of Australia needs not only weather stations in Sir Hubert Wilkins in the submarine the Antarctic, but properly equipped inland Nautilius in 1931 and played a major role in observation posts. A competent and salvage work on the United States accurate meteorological service cannot be submarine Squalus, which sank off the east run on the cheap. coast of the United States on May 23, 1939. Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), Tuesday Crilley assisted in attempts to salvage the 23 December 1947, page 2. THE REFITTED WYATT EARP at Birkenhead, South Australia. She will explore the coastline between Heard Lusitania, and did work for the British https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 and Macquarie Islands, and is crammed with food, fuel, Government in the Second World War. 8054694 and water for the Australian National Antarctic Daily News (Perth, WA), Wednesday 26 Expedition. November 1947, page 3. Australian Women’s Weekly (1933 - 1982), Saturday 8 November 1947, page 20. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 6946115/4785028

12 November 1947 POLAR ISLAND “MYSTERY” No Land Where Reported NEW YORK, Nov. 11 (A.A.P.). The mystery of the “Weddell Sea Islands,” which has puzzled Antarctic geographers for 20 years, was reported yesterday to have been solved. The islands A cartoon from the (Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), do not exist. Tuesday 23 December 1947, page 2.). Commander Finn Ronne and another 27 December 1947 member of his expedition made an ANTARCTICA: VAST EMPTINESS exploratory flight last Friday from their advanced base at Cape Keeler, Palmer The Australian exploration vessel Wyatt Land, in search of the islands. He stated in a Earp may establish a permanent base in the message to the North American Newspaper Antarctic if conditions are favourable. Alliance yesterday that the islands simply The expedition will also take aircraft for do not exist. observation and mapping some of the The islands were first reported in 1928, 2,500,000 square miles of the Australian when the Australian explorer, Sir Hubert polar dependency. Wilkins, flew south from Deception Island Other nations are also planning Antarctic along the Weddel Coast. expeditions, including Britain, Norway and He announced the appearance of land off the United States. Russia, Argentina, South the coast east of Cape Keeler, but Africa and Chile have also announced plans increasingly bad weather and lowering to explore further this promised land of visibility prevented verification of the An advertisement from the (Daily News (Perth, WA), valuable mineral resources. Wednesday 26 November 1947, page 3.). Coal, and the uranium necessary for the presumed islands. In a similar flight over the area in 1940, manufacture of atomic bombs, are the most 23 December 1947 significant, though iron, copper, Commander Ronne reported a semblance of HELP FOR WEATHER PROPHETS land to the east and far off the coast. molybdenum, arid other metals have also Australia’s belated establishment of a been found in Antarctica. During the last two months pilots of the weather station in the Antarctic — a move Ronne expedition, flying to and from Cape Modern aircraft, special snow jeeps, which has been urged for more than ten radar, vitamin tablets and dehydrated foods, Keeler, have from time to time reported years by Sir Hubert Wilkins and other what they also believed to be low-lying all of which were developed during the war, experts — should make possible much ease the path of the Antarctic explorer, but islands. more accurate long-range weather [Commander Finn Ronne is leading a alt explorers agree that there is something forecasting. In the northern hemisphere, a almost terrifying about the Antarctic. scientific expedition of 18 to the Antarctic. network of such stations in the Arctic is His wife and the wife of the chief pilot are Unlike the Arctic which is a frozen sea responsible for the comparatively accurate encircled by land, it is an immense with the expedition. They are the first forecasting from which Europe now women to reach the Antarctic.] continent of 5,250,000 square miles, girt by benefits. Scientists consider that even better abysmal depths of ocean. Its isolation is results could be obtained in the Antarctic Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), extreme and its vastness overwhelming for the southern hemisphere. Britain has Icebergs as big as mountains can crush the Wednesday 12 November 1947, page 3. long been working on meteorological explorers' ships like a nutshell — and there https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 surveys in the Falkland Island is emptiness everywhere. There are no 7891508 dependencies, and it is to be hoped that the trees, no animals, no flowers, and no rivers. Heard Island venture heralds increased co-

11

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

In the waters of the Antarctic Circle Another famous explorer, Sir Douglas George Hubert Wilkins was born at Mt. occurred one of the most fantastic incidents Mawson, is acting as adviser to the Bryan, South Australia, 60 years ago. He of the sea. Department of External Affairs Committee has led many exploratory expeditions by In 1860 Captain Brighton and the crew of regarding the Australian Antarctic sea and air, but will be best remembered for the whaler Hope heard with alarm a series expedition. his trip in a submarine under the Arctic ice of detonating reports from the nearby ice in 1932. barrier, which split before their eyes with a [Modern equipment eases the path of the Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 17 reverberating roar. The Hope herself was Antarctic explorer, but there is something January 1948, page 1 far enough away to be safe from the almost terrifying about, the Antarctic . . . . https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 splitting towering cliffs, but as thousands of By a Correspondent] 43848414 tons of ice crashed down into the sea a horrifying spectacle met the men’s eyes. Advocate (Burnie, Tas.), Saturday 27 A ghost ship! Held firm in claws of ice, December 1947, page 9. she lay there, white, silent, and ghastly. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 The men shouted out in their fear as the 9038064 Ghost Ship drifted towards them, and it was indeed a blood-curdling sight. The deck and hull were crushed and broken, the sails 1948 ripped and hanging in frozen immobility. But worst of all, the terrified men on the 12 January 1948 Hope saw seven dead men lying frozen on Explorer’s Crash the battered deck. ‘BRISBANE TELEGRAPH’ CABLE Captain Brighton wiped the cold sweat of NEW YORK, January 11: fear away from his own forehead, and to Sir Hubert Wilkins, the Australian-born allay the terror of his crew, he cried, “Man explorer, walked the slanting deck of his me a boat. I will board the Ghost Ship and Polar ships in raging blizzards, without inspect her for myself.” mishap, but did not do so well on the He shuddered as he stepped on the death- lecture stage at Lipscomb University, strewn deck of the Ghost Ship — but there Nashville, Tennessee. was a bigger shock in store. He opened the This 59-year-old authority on the door of a cabin, and there, leaning back in a Antarctic became so enthused during his chair, with his pen in his hand, was the lecture that he walked right off the stage Ghost Ship’s captain. and fell among members of the first row of An advertisement from the (Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 17 January 1948, page 1). “Wh-a-a-t is your name?” asked the the audience. staunch captain, conquering his desire to Sir Hubert quickly picked himself up and 29 January 1948 turn tail. “And your ship? What has went on talking with the loss of hardly a EXPLORERS’ SECRET WORK OVER happened?” word. The audience applauded him. ARCTIC But answer came there none. Captain Brisbane Telegraph (Qld), Monday 12 NEW YORK, Wed. (A.A.P.) . — Brighton was addressing a dead man. January 1948, page 1. The captain leant over and read the last The explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 entry in the Ghost Ship’s log book. It was disclosed today that he had flown over 12258645 dated 37 years previously: North Polar Regions 16 times in the past 12

“May 4, 1823. No food for 71 days. I am months. the only one left alive.” “My work there is still on the secret list,” The ship was the English schooner Jenny, he said. “All I can say is that in my capacity which had sailed out of Lima, Peru, into a as consultant for the United States Army frozen death. and Navy and Weather Bureau I am making One of the main reasons for the present regular flights over the Arctic regions in Antarctic expeditions is to investigate and United States service planes. I expect to test meteorological facts and theories. It has make another flight soon.” already been proved that the Antarctic Sir Hubert said the United States policy covers the weather over a large part of the of studying Arctic conditions was “the only Southern Hemisphere. The rainfall in intelligent thing to do.” Australia and South Africa, for instance, He added that the United States now depends upon the highly variable climate of regarded the Arctic as its third coast and as the extreme south. It the same way, a cold an even more important strategic area than winter in the Weddell Sea is a sure sign of its East and West coasts. coming drought in the maize and cereal- Sir Hubert said he expected to finish his bearing areas of the Argentine. work in 1949 when he would return to So the proposal is to set up a great chain Australia. of meteorological stations on islands and on Mercury (Hobart, Tas.), Thursday 29 various parts of the mainland all around the Wilkins January 1948, page 16.

South Pole. Some of the stations will be https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 manned and some will be entirely robot, 17 January 1948 6447079 recording their observations automatically Mountain Man and transmitting them by radio to a central Sir Hubert Wilkins, the Australian 30th January 1948 receiving station where they can be collated explorer, has had a mountain range in the ‘Wilkins Flies Over Arctic’ and discussed. From this data, it would be Antarctic named after him. Commander NEW YORK, January 29. — Sir Hubert possible to forecast months ahead the sort Finn Ronne, leader of the American Wilkins, born explorer S. A. born explorer, of weather to be expected in Australia, expedition at present in the Antarctic, disclosed today that he had flown over the South Africa, New Zealand, and South radioed this news in a message stating that North Polar zone six times in the past 12 America. he had named his Antarctic discoveries months. “My work there is still on the Such a plan is not mere fantasy. It has the after men who had encouraged and helped secret list,” he said. backing of the Chief of the United States the expedition. The newly discovered range “All I can say is that in my capacity as Weather Bureau and of Sir Hubert Wilkins, will be the Sir Hubert Mountains, in future. consultant for the United States Army and the famous explorer. 12

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Navy and the [US] Weather Bureau I am or with cattle and buffalo camps. “Wild” stations (Methodist and Church Missionary making regular flights over the Arctic natives, who have never heard of a white Society). On the west and north-west are regions in U.S. service planes. I expect to man, and whose life continues in a pattern Oenpelli (inland) and Goulbourn Island, as make another flight soon.” centuries old, belong now to tales of the well as Croker island Barrier Miner (Broken Hill), 30 January past. 1948 p. 6. Probably no other aboriginal group https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 (except on the north-east coast of Queensland) has had such long and 8503214 continuous contact with the outside world as have the coastal people of Arnhem Land. 28 February 1948 Dutch and Portuguese voyagers came this Arnhem Land is Far From Unknown way in the 16th century, and, later, Flinders in 1803. But even before this, Malayan and by R. M. and C. H. BERNDT, Department Macassan proas were sailing down to the of Anthropology, University of Sydney. shores of Northern Australia on the north- west monsoon at the beginning of the rainy Recent reports dealing with the proposed season, returning again with the dry south- expedition by the National Geographic east winds. They came for pearl-shell, Society, in conjunction with the Department trepang, manganese and tortoise-shell, of Information, might lead us to believe that buying these from the natives with trade- Arnhem Land is a glamorous, exotic, goods, tobacco, liquor and knives. unexplored and dangerous land full of Their trading voyages continued until the strange new animals and birds, and teeming beginning of this century, when An example of an indigenous man and his artwork. *OSU with picturesque natives who have never Government legislation forbade them Polar Archives [wilkins32_16_184]. seen a white man. access to the coast. Even today most of the Actually, it is by no means unknown. It is older natives can speak “trade Macassan,” “Half-Caste” settlement. On the north an area containing people who are trying while a few of those who once visited the coast are Millingimbi (in the Crocodile hard to adjust themselves to our way of East Indies in the proas are still living. The Island), Elcho Island, and Yirrkalla (main- living. The aborigine is not a “quaint first European settlements on this coast land); on the east Groote Eylandt; and on savage,” or a “stone-age man.” He is a were under Army control — at Fort Dundas the south the Roper River station. And an contemporary of our own, living as we do (off Melville island) in 1824, and Raffles “out-station” at Rose River is planned. in the 20th century, and just as much Bay in 1827 — both abandoned in 1829 — During the war RAAF bases were affected as we are ourselves by the and at Port Essington from 1838-49. By the established at Oenpelli, Goulbourn Island, problems which confront the modern world. end of the 19th century the coastal Millingimbi, Wessel Island, Yirrkalla aborigines were also coming into frequent (Gove air strip and Melville Bay), and contact with customs and other officials and Groote Eylandt. Altogether, thousands of with settlers. Florida cattle station was RAAF personnel were resident in or passed being developed in 1886 on the mainland through these camps, in addition to naval between Elcho Island and Millingimbi, and patrol vessels. cattle and donkeys were driven across They came into continuous contact with Arnhem Land to the northern coast. Arnhem Land natives, some of whom they employed, while others, attracted by the display of material wealth, gathered to observe and to accept presents. The bombing of Milingimbi, the sinking of ships in local waters, the loss of one missionary and several natives, the capture A photo from Wilkins Australian Expedition. *OSU Polar of Japanese and the rescue or Allied airmen Archives [wilkins32_14_127]. — these gave the Arnhem Land aborigines

At the end of last century, the name at least a superficial introduction to modern Arnhem Land was given to the whole warfare. northern part of the Territory, from the In recent years Amhem Land has become Timor Sea eastwards to the Gulf of fairly well known to the Australian public Carpentaria. But the Arnhem Land Reserve, through the non-scientific books of Charles proclaimed in the early 1930’s, is a much Barrett, Ion Idriess and Bill Harney, and smaller area. It covers a roughly square- At one of the Missions. *OSU Polar Archives numerous missionary publications. The NT [wilkins32_14_129]. Administration boat regularly patrols the shaped block bounded on the west by the east Alligator River, on north and east by Arnhem Land coast, and overland patrols White traders and trepangers and Torres the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of by officers of the Native Affairs Branch, Strait Islanders made this coast their regular Carpentaria, and on the south by a line and occasionally by police, are frequent. beat between 1900 and 1930, with running down past Mainoru cattle station to Contacts have also been made by the pre- increasing numbers of Japanese pearlers. the Roper River. sent and past Directors of Native Affairs All along the coast missions bad been Much of the inland country is rugged and and by the NT Administrator. Medical established, and an (unsuccessful) attempt stony, broken by deep ravines and river officers fly from Darwin when summoned was made to find oil at Elcho Island. Police gorges, and dry, inhospitable plains. It is to any of these stations, all of which have parties also went inland from Milingimbi the fertile strip beside the coast, where food aerodromes, while Mr. Harry Moss and the across to Caledon Bay and Blue Mud Bay, is plentiful and fresh water usually easy to company of MacRobertson-Miller on punitive expeditions — and temporary find, that holds most of the native separately operate aircraft which travel police camps were set up at Trial Bay, population. This is reliably estimated at through these parts as required, so that Groote Eylandt and Elcho Island. The about 4,000 in and around the Arnhem planes are more or less continually Caledon Bay and Woodah Island murders, Land Reserve. Most of the groups are in traversing Arnhem Land. which received a tremendous amount of more or less constant touch with mission The Gaumont-British corporation last publicity, gave the local aborigines a bad stations, and even the so-called “Bush year sent personnel to make films at reputation, and were the cause of two natives,” living behind Milingimbi, around Yirrkalla and the Cato River (near Arnhem “peace expeditions” Arnhem Land today is the Liverpool and Rose Rivers, and Bulman Bay), while in 1946 a photographer for an almost completely encircled by mission Gorge, come into contact with the missions illustrated magazine toured the northern 13

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day coast, with the co-operation of Professor A. 16 April 1948 RAF during the last war. Proud possessor P. Elkin, the Department of Native Affairs, DISCOVERY OF VAST BAY IN AREA of the King’s Polar Medal, one of the rarest and mission authorities. Even Sir Hubert OF ANTARCTIC decorations in the world, he was closely Wilkins visited Groote Eylandt in the NEW YORK, Thursday. associated with the late Sir Ernest 1920’s. The earliest anthropological field Sir Hubert Wilkins went out to greet the Shackleton from 1914 until the death of the work in this region was carried out in explorers when the Finn Ronne Antarctic famous explorer in 1922. western Arnhem Land by Sir Baldwin expedition returned to New York, two days Spencer. And a number of people interested ahead of schedule. THEY LIVED ON AN ICE FLOE in anthropology have done research work in Ronne said that among the most CONTINUED this area — Dr. Churchward, the Rev. T. important discoveries by the expedition was Webb, Dr Donald Thomson, Messrs. N. B. the Larry Gould Bay, a great indentation in Tindale, F. Rose, G. Sweeney and others. the face of ice cliffs which form the Field-workers from the Department of Weddell Seas. Anthropology, Sydney University, with the The southern coast of the bay lies more full support of the Australian National than 990 miles from the previous nearest Research Council have carried out the most wintering station and will bring, a vast, detailed work in the NT, including Arnhem unexplored sector within aircraft range. Land, for example, Professors L. Warner Canberra Times (ACT), Friday 16 April and C. Hart, Drs. A. Cappell and W. 1948, page 1. Stanner; and Professor A. P. Elkin has been https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 MASSIVE GRANDEUR OF ICEBERG SEEN FROM studying local problems while doing pure 742450 EXPEDITIONARY SHIP. research.

2 June 1948 WILKINS BOUND FOR ALASKA NEW YORK. May 31. The Australian explorer, Sir Hubert Wilkins, left New York today for Alaska on a mission for the United States Government. His work will take him to the high glacial regions of the Mount Saint Elias Range. Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld), 2 June 1948 page 5.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/6 PENGUINS ENJOY GLITTERING ANTARCTIC MID- 3056638 SUMMER SUNSHINE.

21 August 1948 Epic Adventures in the Antarctic are They Lived On An Ice Floe Recalled By a Member of Shackleton’s Expeditions By L. P. QUIRK Taken during the Wilkins Australia Expedition. *OSU It was amusing the way I first got in Polar Archives [wilkins32_16_78]. touch with Shackleton,” he said. “As a young student I had accompanied your In the last two years we have continued our famous Australian explorer and scientist, survey of the Northern Territory for the Sir Hubert Wilkins, on an expedition to Australian National Research Council, Central Africa to collect anthropological working along the Arnhem Land coast and and medical specimens and data for British carrying out detailed anthropological work museums. Shackleton was a popular idol, at Bathurst Is., Goulbourn Is., Oenpelli, and I was intensely interested in the Echo Is., Groote Eylandt and Yirrkalla. Our Antarctic expedition which he was then survey ended towards the end of 1947, and organising. So I wrote to him from the we are now preparing the results of our Sudan volunteering my services. work for publication. Large collections of “Shackleton was so amused at the idea of photographs, bark drawings, and carvings anyone wanting to go straight from the of all descriptions are now in the custody of Equator to the South Pole that he replied. the Department of Anthropology, together “It’s no joke having to live on a floating When I met him in England later, he said: with a tremendous accumulation of data on block of ice for six months, depending on “Yes, I like you. You can come, if you aboriginal life, customs, ceremonies, &c., penguins and seals for food. Yet it speaks like.” which is gradually being put together. volumes for the lure of the Antarctic that “You remember that the plan of the 1914- Incidentally, we should add that this several of us who had that experience in the 16 expedition was for the exploration ship department is at present the only University Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of Endurance, with 28 men, to start from Department of Anthropology in Australia; 1914-16 were eager for more and went South America, while another ship, the and, apart from the academic training of again. It says much, too, for our boundless Aurora, starting from Tasmania, was to land ordinary students, it aims at training and confidence in and admiration for our leader, a depot-laying party in McMurdo Sound, in preparing missionaries, and patrol officers Sir Ernest Shackleton.” the Ross Sea. The trans-Polar party, under of the N.T. Department of Native Affairs, in These words were spoken to me with Shackleton, on the Endurance, myself the practical (as well as theoretical) modest sincerity by Dr L. D. A. Hussey, included, were to link up with the others problems which they will meet in their ship's doctor of the British freighter Clan after our ship and sledging explorations. everyday work among the aborigines. Macaulay, which arrived recently in “We struck a terribly bad ice year, Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Saturday 28 Australian waters. A small, spare man of unfortunately, and the Endurance drifted February 1948, page 6. amazingly youthful appearance, Dr Hussey for 15 months in heavy pack ice. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 is once again on the high seas, which he Nevertheless, Shackleton discovered and 3757870 loves, after 25 years’ general medical charted for the first time 200 miles of the practice, mainly in London, broken only by Antarctic continent. Thon the ship was five years as senior medical officer in the frozen in. 14

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

In October, 1915, as the ice expanded it “Our next big worry was when our ice “It was the very clay following the arrival crushed the Endurance like a nut. Her two block, which had been getting gradually of the Quest at the whaling station of sides were rubbing together. Fortunately, smaller, showed unmistakable signs of Grytviken on South Georgia, that we were all on deck at the time, and suddenly disintegrating altogether. Shackleton collapsed quite suddenly,” Dr hurriedly disembarked with our sledges, Hussey said. “I rushed for a hypodermic, dogs, three lifeboats, and stores enough for but it was no use. It was angina pectoris. It only one month. A fortnight later the was the way he would have wanted to go, I Endurance sank, leaving us on a floating know — swiftly, in the midst of the men block of ice in the Weddell Sea, south of who loved him. Cape Horn. The last thing saved from the “I took his body to South America and ship was my banjo. Shackleton retrieved it cabled Lady Shackleton in England, from the only corner of the wardroom that thinking she might wish to have him buried was not telescoped. at home. But it was on her instructions that “No, that’s not the one, unfortunately,” I took his remains back to South Georgia. Dr Hussey said as he observed mm eyeing We built a cairn of stones over his grave the handsome instrument lying on his bunk and a cross has been erected there since, in his cabin on the Clan Macaulay. “In all which still stands as a landmark for sailors. my travels I’ve taken a banjo along and Shackleton was a great man. He was born have found it invaluable in providing 400 years too late. He was the perfect entertainment for myself and my Elizabethan sailor, who should have lived companions. in the days of Drake and Raleigh. When I was in Africa with Sir Hubert “There are quite a few of us Antarctic Wilkins, a tribe of cannibals was so enthusiasts about,” Dr Hussey said. “In impressed with my prowess on the banjo THE LATE SIR E. SHACKLETON. London we have an Antarctic Club, and that they examined me with a view to the members meet for dinner in January every table thinking they might acquire my At last we took to our boats in the midst year. One of my greatest friends is Teddy magic. They were quite friendly about it, of the deafening din of crashing, thawing Evans (Admiral Lord Mountevans), whom I but I was relieved when they intimated that ice packs. Then, after a nightmare voyage met not so long ago. At the age of 67, he my food value was negligible. of six days and nights, frost bitten, had just returned from a skiing holiday in It was an uncanny feeling on the ice exhausted, and half-starved, we were lucky his wife’s homeland Norway.” block, hundreds of miles from the nearest enough to strike Elephant Island in April, “You must have been very young doctor, land and about a thousand from human aid. 1916. in the days of the Endurance?” I remarked The last sounding we had made indicated “It was then, realising that no search" pointedly. I that there was nothing but about 10,000 feet party would be likely to reach this remote “Well, I carry my age pretty well,” he of ocean beneath us. One of our party was spot, that Shackleton and five other men replied non-committedly. another Australian, Captain Frank Hurley made that most astounding boat journey of Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 21 all history — 860 miles in a frail, worn 22ft — one of the most inventive and August 1948, page 1. boat to the island of South Georgia, through remarkable men I have ever met. He made https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 us an excellent stove from a couple of oil the worst seas and storms in the world. After 16 days and nights, with only one 2691733 drums and the ash chute from the Endurance. sighting, they found themselves on the wrong side of the island. In their exhausted 11 December 1948 “When our ship stores gave out, we Noted ‘Survivor’ To Teach Art eagerly welcomed all penguins and seals, condition, they abandoned their boat and WASHINGTON, December 10. — rash enough to put in an appearance. The crossed on foot the three huge mountain Sir Hubert Wilkins has been attached to killer whales spouting around our ice island ranges which before or since have defied the United States Air Force’s Arctic were a little large to cope with. Finally, the efforts of expert mountaineers with Indoctrination school at Nome, Alaska, to when the local fauna got scarce, we ate our elaborate equipment, finally reaching the instruct airmen how to survive if forced dogs — without the slightest sentiment. Norwegian whaling station on the north down in Arctic wastes. We were so starved that we would have had side. The Air Force has thus called in a 60- little compunction about eating one another. After three attempts in different vessels to year-old Australian who has done more I remember I never tired of reminding my reach us. Shackleton, in the little Chilean “surviving” in the Arctic than most folks. companions of the poor report given of me ship Yelcho, succeeded in August, 1916. Daily Mercury (Mackay, Qld), Saturday 11 by my friends the cannibals, who, after all, There had not been a single loss of life were experts. among us, although three men died in the December 1948, page 7. party from the Aurora. Shackleton https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 immediately went to New Zealand and 71447177 sailed in the Aurora to rescue the survivors of this party in the Ross Sea. “We from the Endurance were all taken 1949 to Chile. The Chileans were mad with excitement to think that a ship of theirs had rescued us. One day of rejoicing was not enough the Chilean Government proclaimed a national holiday for a full month, and we were feted like heroes.” In 1918 Dr Hussey accompanied Sir Ernest Shackleton on a special military mission to North Russia, where the explorer, with the rank of major in the North Russian expeditionary Force, organised winter warfare and equipment. An item from the (Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld.), Saturday In 1921 Shackleton was again turning his 29 January 1949, page 2.). eyes back to the Antarctic and planning the Shackleton-Rowett Quest expedition. Dr Hussey and several others from the ROUTE OF EPIC BOAT JOURNEY Endurance were again eager to join him. 15

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

29 January 1949 smartly crack it like a whip, snapping the many young people among the other guests Snakes—an interesting way to kill them head off. who had “arrived.” NATURE’S WAYS In earlier years I have seen and heard Miss O’Shea was born in County Kerry, by HEBER LONGMAN “bullockies” with a whip, and I have seen Ireland, about 4 miles from the famous Twenty-Five years ago Sir Hubert exhibitions by stockmen that were most Lake of Killarney, and came to Australia as Wilkins was collecting specimens in interesting. a small child with her parents. Having lost Queensland for the British Museum, this Until recently I was very sceptical about her mother as a child, she cared for her being a placid interval between his wartime handling snakes like a whip, although with brothers, of whom there were 5 and her experiences and Arctic and Antarctic long, thin species, it is obvious that the father until their deaths. The O’Shea family explorations. whole anatomy of the reptile could be have lived at Middenbury for 58 years. Capt. Wilkins (as he then was) obtained a disrupted by a violent jerk. Racing was the great interest she shared snake out Winton way which was unknown A few weeks ago, however, I was chasing with her brothers, and from the very first to science. This was a pale brown species, an elusive whip snake, stickless, among race meeting to be held at Eagle Farm, with a series of dark patches on the upper vegetation, and the tail teas disappearing. which she attended as a little girl, she surface, the belly being whitish As it was This I seized and made a desperate and seldom missed a meeting. With her brothers related to the common brown venomous determined attempt to crack it. To my great she made four trips to the United States as snake, it was placed in the genus Demansia surprise and satisfaction, it worked, and the well as journeys to Ireland. and given the specific name guttata, this top of the head was flicked off. As a young woman she was in being Latin for spots or marks and accomplished rider, and was also a keen appropriate for the dark patches. * * * judge of horses. Each year until recently, For years no other specimens of what we Miss O’Shea celebrated her birthday by may call the Wilkins snake were collected, Perhaps it would be safer for me to entertaining at her home. Her illness, which but several were later sent to the handle a whip snake rather than a was long-standing, developed to an acute Queensland Museum from far western stockwhip, but you must first know your stage about three weeks before her death. localities. snake. Mr. R. K. King, Gamarren, Cunnamulla, Although our whip snakes are not really sends me a description of an unknown dangerous to adults, it is just as well to keep snake shot by him on 12th Jan., which is them out of suburban gardens. probably the same species. This was 4ft. Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld.), Saturday 29 9in., and was reported to be a “very fast January 1949, page 2. mover.” https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 Mr. King also records a small snake, 9917811 about 12in., which was reddish-brown, with jet black bands, which may be one of our coral snakes. There are small venomous species that are very prettily marked and living specimens, when in quick motion are really beautiful, the colours running together. Coral snakes may be readily recognised by the sharply projecting snout, and are harmless to man the fangs being very tiny. Incidentally the young of the common brown snake and allied species are conspicuously banded, but these markings The late Miss O’Shea. usually disappear in adults. Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Thursday 3 * * * February 1949, page 6.

Many inland snakes are quite distinct https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 from those found nearer the coast. The 9922018 desert death adder is a more slender snake, usually reddish, with darker markings. Judging from the only living specimen I have seen, it is much more lively than the typical species. A cartoon from the (Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld.), The common death adder may be so Saturday 29 January 1949, page 2.). sluggish that it can be unceremoniously picked up on a shovel — preferably with a 3 February 1949 long handle — when there is special need to SOCIETY HOSTESS DIES: 93 photograph it or to collect live specimens Miss Ella O’Shea, one of Brisbane’s best for research. From personal experience we known society hostesses until a few years soon found that the desert death adder ago, died at her riverside home, would not stay on the shovel, and it paid the Middenbury, Toowong, early yesterday penalty by dying in good spirits shortly morning. Had she lived until next Sunday afterwards. she would have been 93 years of age. Noted for her Irish wit and keen sense of * * * humour, Miss O’Shea for many years entertained for her brothers, Mr. P. J. It is often said that no bush-man will O’Shea, and the late Mr. T. J. O’Shea some permit a venomous snake to escape if it can of the most distinguished visitors to be safely killed, preferably with a long Brisbane. Among them were the explorer, flexible stick or by shooting, but I have Sir Hubert Wilkins, musical and theatrical frequently, heard of fearless fellows who, in celebrities, and artists in various spheres. A cinema advertisement from the (Courier-Mail emergency will seize a snake by the tail and Sunday nights at Middenbury before the (Brisbane, Qld), Thursday 3 February 1949, page 6.). war, were a recognised social event, with 16

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

27 February 1949 mission involved Army and Navy 10 April 1949 America to double army strength cooperation. You may yet travel by luxury airship in Alaska outpost When Wilkins passed through across the Pacific SUNDAY TELEGRAPH SERVICE AND Minneapolis yesterday he made these points NEW YORK, Sat. — A.A.P. about polar strategy and tactics: Australian explorer-scientist Sir Hubert NEW YORK, Sat.— • Minneapolis would be one of the most Wilkins, now engaged in Arctic defence American forces in Alaska, closest U.S. accessible of all American cities in a war research for the United States Government, base to Russia, are to be doubled. The U.S. between Russia and America. has lost none of his faith in the future of Army announced today that 13,200 men • Submarines would conduct much of their dirigibles. would be stationed in Alaska. warfare under the ice, partly because ice This week he forecast the time when On November I last there were 5991 men insulated them from radar. dirigibles would be transporting great in America’s Alaska garrison. • On the “Arctic Front” Russians would numbers of passengers in luxury across the In Minneapolis yesterday Australian have the advantage because half the Soviet Pacific between Australia and America. Polar expert Sir Hubert Wilkins said that if population is used to Arctic temperatures. Blueprints had been prepared, he said for there was another war the Arctic would be It is to offset this advantage that military new and bigger types of dirigibles which as important as the Atlantic or Pacific experts at Churchill are engaged in research would fly at 103 m.p.h. over great distances fronts. to protect soldiers’ equipment in and wide seas, while providing the luxury Submarines were ready for under-ice temperatures down to 80 degrees below and comfort of ocean liners. warfare, Wilkins said. zero. These airships would have dance halls, Wilkins, who in 1931 took the first Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW Sunday 27 extensive lounges, bars, and reading rooms. submarine under Arctic ice, was yesterday February 1949, page 2. Nothing now stood in the way of their on his way to the American and Canadian https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 construction, except the willingness of a army station at Churchill, a frozen 48258002 group of investors with enough faith in the settlement on the shores of Hudson Bay. new enterprise to make the huge financial He is special adviser to the U.S. War 7 March 1949 outlay required. Department on Arctic warfare. Wilkins has a new one Of the practicability and profit-earning The U.S. Army’s decision to double its OTTAWA, March 6 (A.A.P.). — capacity of such a service, Sir Hubert has Alaskan forces follows repeated warnings Australian Polar explorer, Sir Hubert no doubt. from strategists that: Wilkins has a scheme for submarine “goods He points out that there will always be • Alaska is the air crossroads or the shortest trains” to carry cargo beneath the ice to many people who are physically unable, or route over the North Pole between Russia north Canadian ports. disinclined, to accept the relative and the great industrial areas of the U.S. He said yesterday that submersible discomforts of long distance flights in and Canada. earners could be built in sections like goods planes. • It is the buffer between Russian bases in trains, and that the use of improved These people would gladly accept the Siberia and Arctic bases in Canada and the “Snorkel” equipment would enable the alternative of the dirigible as the medium United States. freighters to take in air through holes cut in between slow ship travel at, say, 20 knots, • For the past three years the ice. and plane transport at 250 miles an hour, or Russian planes have scouted over Alaska The Hudson Bay port of Churchill, he faster. and the Aleutian Islands. added, was the key to North America's After all, he says, a dirigible doing 100 • Submarines can now operate easily in the economic development of the Arctic. “It is miles an hour would cross the Pacific in a 57-mile-wide Behring Straits which the only way we can develop the north as a flying time of 70 hours, and could make the separate Alaska from the Siberian shore. step to reach the East or the West. journey, if required, without re-fuelling. • 9000 planes were delivered to Russia “I believe the development of The new type dirigible, now being blue through Alaska during the war and “there’s submersible freighters would enable printed, would carry about 250 passengers, nothing to stop them returning the same Churchill to be kept open to traffic or a great quantity of freight. way.” throughout the year,” he said. They were particularly adaptable to the • The Soviets have never recognised the Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Monday 7 air freight of perishables and frozen foods, the export of which from Australia to validity of the treaty under which a Russian March 1949, page 4. Czar sold Alaska to the United States in America was likely to grow fast. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 1837. Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 9909664 The U.S. Army announcement also said 10 April 1949, page 11. that the U.S. would maintain its strength in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 the Far East at its present level but would 48151558 slightly reduce Army forces in

15 May 1949 ROUND THE WORLD Blueprint for cold war From L. J. MILLER NEW YORK. Sat. — A cartoon from the (Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW Maybe, if ever America and the Soviet go Sunday 27 February 1949, page 2.). to war, bombers from both sides will roar over the Arctic wastes of Siberia, Alaska, Europe in Alaska the North Pole, and the Canadian Arctic on Early last year Sir Hubert Wilkins took their way to targets in Russia, Canada, or part in U.S. military operations in Alaska. the United States. Details of his work there were a closely An advertisement from the (Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld), guarded secret, but it was known that his Monday 7 March 1949, page 4.). 17

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

But land warfare in the Arctic involving with no grass, no trees, no water to cultivate it considers to have the most legitimate movements of many thousands of men is them.” claims to the area. out. City dwellers seldom give a thought to "the That is authoritatively reported to be the women of the real outback in their Plan Rejected conclusion reached after exhaustive unpainted, unloved, little houses.” It consulted France, Britain, Norway, experiments at Port Churchill, on the edge Queensland’s poet, George Essex Evans, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and of Hudson Bay (Canada), by American. wrote about them long ago— Chile, the seven concerned, and not one Canadian, and British military experts. accepted the American plan. Tests made there under the guidance of In the slab-built, zinc-roofed homestead Argentina and Chile flatly rejected it and Australian scientist-explorer Sir Hubert of some lately taken run, continued to press their claims to areas Wilkins, who is now in the employ of the In the tent beside the bankment of a listed as British domain. United States Government, have shown: railway just begun, Renewed U.S. interest in the Antarctic • There can be no movement of armies, In the huts on new selections, in the and her eagerness now to make formal corps, divisions, or perhaps even brigades camps of man’s unrest, claims to some of it is linked closely with in the sub-zero temperatures of those parts. On the frontiers of the Nation live the recent Russian interest in the region. • Any military action would have to be on a Women of the West. Soviet whaling fleets cruised in South small scale to be effective — with small Polar seas for four months last winter. battle groups of men, specially equipped Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 5 Recently Moscow Radio announced that armoured vehicles, specially designed guns, June 1949, page 2. two Russian explorers, Mikhail Lazarev and and specially equipped aircraft. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 Fadei Bellingshausen, first discovered the Under Wilkins’ guidance ways have been 8468312 Antarctic continent in January, 1820). found to keep men fit and active in the This Moscow claim completely fearful cold of 60 below zero, but it is still A cartoon from the (Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW), overlooked a book written by true that in such conditions about 90 per Bellingshausen, in which he wrote of cent, of their time is spent in the business of meeting Captain N. B. Palmer, of the U.S. moving and keening alive, leaving only 10 sloop Hero, returning from the Ant-arctic per cent, for fighting. continent. Bellingshausen promptly named Continuing experiments are designed to the continent Palmer's Land in his honour. increase this small fighting margin. Research has proved that existing maps Uranium Dispute of Canada’s Arctic north are based largely The frozen bit of earth which thus on guesswork, arid this has given much becomes a new bone of contention between comfort to the Canadian military chiefs, Russia and America is a territory a little who are now preparing new accurate maps, larger than Australia, nine-tenths of which confident that any now in the possession of has never been viewed by man. a potential enemy are highly misleading. When in June, 1939, the United States, Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), Sunday Britain, Norway, and Germany were Sunday 5 June 1949, page 2.). disputing about Antarctic rights, Byrd was 15 May 1949, page 15. made commander of the U.S. Antarctic https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 5 June 1949 Service and ordered to lead his third 48248996 World Spotlight expedition to Antarctica. He himself stayed Huge U.S. Expedition For Antarctic only four months, but his group in two Uranium May Be Factor In Counter To years’ work explored and observed nearly Russian Moves one million square miles. From Our Washington Office That expedition reported that it did not AMERICA is preparing a gigantic discover commercial deposits of minerals, Antarctic expedition which may lay the but enough traces of copper, molybdenum, groundwork for the first formal American manganese, and bituminous coal to claims to the strategic areas of the vast encourage mote investigations. Polar continent. It has been reported for some time that Commander Finn Ronne, who led the important quantities of uranium are buried 1947-1948 expedition to the Antarctic, under the ice. One of the first to recognise announced last week he would lead one this possibility was the Australian explorer, expedition. An advertisement from the (Daily Telegraph (Sydney, Rear-Admiral Renard Byrd may lead NSW), Sunday 15 May 1949, page 15.). another if the expedition is divided. 5 June 1949 Russian interest in the Antarctic and its (Candid (Comment . . . uranium possibilities has prompted this By ONLOOKER decisive U.S. move. WE are on the way The task force will be the largest Tin-shanty Lives Antarctic expeditionary force gathered by any country. Its size may compel the Years ago Sir Hubert Wilkins, South Australian-born explorer caused a stir Government to divide it into two by denouncing the conditions in which commands. Preliminary plans drawn up by the U.S. white women were expected to live in the hot north of Australia. Navy provide for scores of planes, and He thought it a pity, from the viewpoint dozens of icebreakers and aeroplane tenders. of the inlander, that galvanised iron had ever been invented. Five thousand technicians and experts will explore the minerals of the rich Polar Now Lady Lavarack, wife of region. Queensland's Governor, has been dis- The American Government decided to covering the “tin-shanty life” of north- Sir Douglas Mawson. send the expedition after it had failed to western Queensland. WHAT POWERS ARE CLAIMING NOW obtain agreement for international control Large segments of the Antarctic have already been pegged “No white women in the world,” she said of Antarctica from the seven nations which out in claims by several Powers, including Australia. In in Brisbane this week, “live in worse the area to the south of South America the claims of conditions. . . . They live in heat, flies, dust, Britain are challenged by Argentina and in part by Chile. 18

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Some scientists are still dubious. 1950 These say that even if uranium can be located in rich deposits it still cannot be worked. It would be covered by an ice-cap 13 January 1950 4,000 feet deep. CONTACT by Jim Macdougall Mining Hopes “Sheep-lifter” Alec Chisholm, noted Any mining would have to be carried out ornithologist, knows nearly everything at temperatures as low as 60 degrees below about eagles. There is no record in zero. Australia, he says, of an eagle injuring a Sir Hubert Wilkins is one of the more 27 August 1949 human, unless disturbed or injured. On a zoological expedition 20 years ago, optimistic experts. He says there is so much Sir Hubert Wilkins disturbed an injured coal in the Antarctic that it could be used to TRAVEL: eagle and it flew at the gallant knight, tore provide power for surface and sub-surface EARLY MAPS his pants off and lacerated his rear portion, mining. As soon as man began to think he began which carries the evidence to this day. At least two prominent geologists who to travel. However, his movements were not An eagle weighing 81b once picked up a have been on Polar expeditions have due to his desire to satisfy his scientific 501b sheep and carried it 100 yards. estimated that Antarctica contains the curiosity; he merely travelled in search of Sun (Sydney, NSW), Friday 13 January world’s biggest coalfields. food to satisfy his hunger. His successors Wilkins says many shores are ice-free for had other reasons for travelling. Some went 1950, page 2. two and three months in the Antarctic to trade, others to explore, and many in https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 summer, and the uranium could be loaded more modern times went merely to see the 30703221 and shipped in that season. sights. But whatever the object, men of all Admiral Byrd himself has long urged the ages have shared one thought about travel: United States to take more positive, steps How to find quicker and safer means of towards claiming Antarctic territory. getting “there and back.” Although his experts last time admitted So the story of travel is a tale of speed that they found no uranium, he has and more speed. It tells of man's first consistently advocated the long-term companions, the dog, the horse and camels; possibilities of the region. of the invention of the wheel; of roads, Meanwhile, with uranium and Russia bridges, and tunnels; of chariots, coaches, involved, the United States is taking no trains, and cars; of ships that sail on and chances. under the sea; of machines that conquered Because of the importance that uranium the air. The story has surprises, too. We discoveries would give the Antarctic, it is learn, for instance, that a flying-machine understood that Commander Finn Ronne was mentioned in records about 400 BC; will do his utmost to make sure that the and we find that Sir Hubert Wilkins’ sub- Western Powers retain control over areas marine trip under the Arctic in 1931 was legitimately belonging to them. anticipated in theory by one of his ancestors John Wilkins, 300 years previously! Claims Recognised During the next few weeks we will deal Ronne will be instructed to recognise with some of the most interesting chapters Britain's and Australia’s claims, which in the story of travel, but let us begin the together make up almost one-half of the tale by going back to ancient times. In those total area of the Antarctic continent. days men thought that distant travel was In his 1947-48 expedition, Ronne dangerous. The earth was flat, they succeeded in exploring, surveying, and reasoned, and therefore if one kept going in mapping a total of a quarter of a million a fixed direction he would eventually come square miles of new and exceedingly to the edge of the earth and would topple difficult Polar terrain. over. Where his fall would finish none Ronne established his base and flew the could say! We do not know when maps American flag less than 200 yards from a were first drawn, but the oldest known A cartoon from the (Newcastle Sun (NSW), Thursday 9 long established British base at Stonington maps were made in Babylonia about 2300 February 1950, page 8.). Island (Marguerite Bay), nearly setting off BC. They are clay tablets showing various an international incident. parts of Baylonia. 9 February 1950 A map of the world, thought to date from Wilkins Hopes To Explore Under Ice Hates Planes about 600 BC, and probably made by NEW YORK, Wed. (A.A.P.). — The British commander, Major K. S. Anaximander of Miletus (Crete), showed Sir Hubert Wilkins, consultant to the U.S. Pierce-Butler, objected to the flag, but after the Aegean Sea as the centre of the world, Army military planning division, said last Ronne made it clear that the United States the extremities being the Caspian Sea in the night that he had not abandoned hopes for a was not making any claims to British east and the Scilly Isles in the west. submarine expedition under the Arctic ice territory, the two commanders co-operated Herodotus, who has been called the from Alaska to Norway. in surveying the surrounding regions. Father of History, wrote of the map-makers Sir Hubert, an Australian scientist - Ronne, who hates planes, rescued three of his time: “For my part, I cannot but laugh explorer, is on his way to Alaska on a British fliers given up for lost after nine when I see numbers of persons drawing mission involving experiments on Arctic gruelling days in the deadly wilderness. maps of the world without having any survival. On his next trip, Ronne hopes to continue reason to guide them.” Herodotus, who was He added that he believed that expansion where the operations left off in 1948, a great traveller, represented the world of meteorological observation posts in the exploring and mapping to the south from a according to the illustration above. This Arctic would bring important developments base on Palmer Land Peninsula and was done about 450 years before Christ. in long range weather forecasting. eastward along the Weddell Sea. Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 27 Newcastle Sun (NSW), Thursday 9 Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 5 August 1949, page 26. February 1950, page 8. June 1949, page 6. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 2774663 58799367 8468414 19

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

adventure and danger. He was photographic United States bomber attacks from correspondent with Turkish troops In the Alaska would be difficult and risky and Balkan War of 1912. He was second in warships would be opposed by Russian command of Stefansson’s Canadian Arctic submarines, but the huge submarines he had Expedition the following year. In the First in mind could lie secretly under the Arctic World War he was granted a commission in Ocean. the Australian Flying Corps, A.I.F. Since Ice crews could cut holes with electrically then, he has commanded both British and heated drills to get air and discharge American Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. missiles or planes. There were no waves under the ice so that Flight to Spitsbergen the submarines could be as large as aircraft But of all his adventures, the most carriers, if desired. exciting for me, at all events, was the flight Sir Hubert Wilkins, who is a United he made in 1928 in a single-engine plane States Army adviser, said that America from Point Barrow, Alaska, to the island of before long hoped to send submarines into Spitsbergen. His co-pilot was Ben Eielson. the centre of the Arctic Ocean. “We are The two men were nearly 20 hours in the making some progress,” he added. air in some of the world's roughest flying Sir Hubert Wilkins had flown from conditions — snow, dense cloud, violent Alaska to make a public speech on the winds, long stretches of icy water and importance of the Arctic. He showed films fearsome cloud-shrouded peaks. Some 200 of the submarine he took under Arctic ice in miles from Spitsbergen they sighted several 1931. Metal runners along the top of the ice-bound peaks. submarine allowed it to slide along the Sir Hubert Wilkins describes vividly lower surface of the ice. what happened then. “The air was turbulent Maryborough Chronicle (Qld), Wednesday above the clouds; below them it was 15 March 1950, page 1. boisterous. Our now almost empty plane https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 was tossed like a cork in a stormy sea. 47802409 Loose things in the cabin tumbled and rattled . . . With the plane nosed down and 15 March 1950 engine full on she bucked like a brancho, U.S. Supersonic Bomber . . . but Eielson, never losing the upper hand,

An advertisement from the (West Australian (Perth, WA), held and guided her splendidly around the Friday 10 February 1950, page 12.). rugged mountain tops. ...” This was real adventure. The plane was running out of 10 February 1950 gasoline. The elements were doing their STILL HOPEFUL level best to smash it to pieces. And then Sir Hubert Wilkins, consultant for the they shot over a patch of smooth, snow- U.S. Army military planning division, who covered land. is now on his way to Alaska on a mission Dead ahead loomed a mountain. Eielson involving experiments on Arctic survival. turned the plane sharply. He came in to He said that he had not abandoned hope of land. Would the surface be firm? What a a submarine expedition under the Arctic Ice landing that was! The windshield, before from Alaska. Eielson was almost totally obscured with West Australian (Perth, WA), Friday 10 snow and frozen oil and then to a safe February 1950, page 12. landing as if by a miracle. If you are interested you will find a full https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4 account of this and other exciting flights In 7828348 Sir Hubert Wilkins’ book, “Flying the

Arctic”. It is grand and stimulating reading. 3 March 1950 When we read of the exploits of people Thrilling Arctic Flight from other lands, think it just as well to Nearly every day or so in the past keep in mind that our own Australians have months, daily newspapers have carried played leading roles not only in the world stories of numerous Arctic and Antarctic of music, art, literature, and science, but Expeditons. Today John Binning tells you also in Polar exploration. of a famous Australian Polar explorer and Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Friday 3 March a: — Thrilling Arctic Flight 1950, page 1. The rescue of a party of British scientists https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1 from ice-bound Stonington Island, in the 87647619 Antarctic, and the part played by planes calls to mind some of the great exploits of 15 March 1950 an Australian explorer and airman. He is, of course, Sir George Hubert Submarine Carriers Could Attack Wilkins, world famous for his air Russia An advertisement from the (Mercury (Hobart, Tas.), adventures in both the Arctic and the WASHINGTON, March 14. — Wednesday 15 March 1950, page 4.). Antarctic. The Australian explorer, Sir Hubert It may interest you to know that this man Wilkins, tonight predicted that submarines WILL FLY NON-STOP TO who gained one of the highest awards — as big as aircraft carriers would travel under RUSSIA AND BACK the Patron's Medal of the Royal the Arctic ice to attack Russia if war broke Australian Associated Press Geographical Society — was born in the out. They would carry guided missiles and YORK, Tues. little town of Mt. Bryan East, South planes, Sir Hubert Wilkins said. The United States was designing a Australia, in 1888. Soviet industrial centres now were supersonic B36 bomber to fly non-stop to He was educated at the local State school situated east of the Ural Mountains, her Russia and back, columnist Drew Pearson and later at the Adelaide School of Mines. Arctic coast was protected by radar and air reported yesterday. Sir Hubert Wilkins has had a career of high stations. 20

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

Writing the New York “Daily Mirror” Sir Hubert Wilkins (who will be going to Pearson said this feat previously was the Arctic again this year, for the United considered impossible. States Navy): “The Greenland Esquimeaux However, the Air Force aimed at a use a long single-knotted thong whip. bomber that could fly half way round the “They can direct the leash to any one of the off to the Polar Research Institute in world, rain bombs on Moscow and return to 10 to 15 dogs in a team. London, which had ordered them. the United States in less than 10 hours. “One method of controlling dogs is by But last week it was still impossible to The plan was on the drawing boards, voice, the other by whip. That doesn’t find out who had set the specifications for added Pearson. necessarily mean the dog is being whipped. the whips, and who precisely would use In Washington yesterday, the Australian The leash is directed to one side or the other them. explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins predicted that to turn the dog in the desired direction.” The men who made the whips hinted that submarines as big as aircraft-carriers would Commander Finn Ronne, U.S. Navy: “I had supermen would be needed. Whips used in travel under the Arctic ice to attack Russia a lot of experience with dogs on the Byrd Australia for bullock teams are seldom half if war broke out. expedition in 1933-34 and again on the as long. They would carry guided missiles and United States Antarctic Service expedition In Melbourne last week, two Wirth’s planes. in 1939-41. Circus men who really know whips were Sir Hubert said Soviet industrial centres The 36-foot dog whip is the most popular scornful. now were situated east of the Ural among Greenland dog team drivers. It’s They said the Antarctic whips were Mountains and her Arctic coast was also the easiest to handle, although longer useless for the job they were ordered for — protected by radar and air stations. whips are used, particularly when long tail controlling dog sled teams. United States bomber attacks from traces are on the dogs. Said whip-cracker Mike Wislang: Alaska would be difficult and risky and “The lead dog in the team may be from “If you want to crack a whip 42 feet long warships would be opposed by Russian 30 to 40 feet ahead of the dog team driver, you’ve got to have her tapered to balance. submarines. But the huge submarines he “Smart dogs in the team knowhow to loaf Six and a half pounds is too light. You had in mind could be secretly under the on the job of just trotting along with their couldn't crack it and you couldn't do Arctic Ocean ice. tail traces barely taut. anything with it. The crews could cut holes with “A team driver will soon detect this, “Even a heavy whip 42 feet long is only electrically-heated drills to get air and swing a long whip and hit the rear of the good for show tricks. You have to lay it out, discharge missiles or planes. culprit — no matter how far up in front the swing back and throw it forward. Then it There were no waves under the ice so dog is. cracks once. You can’t swing it around. submarines could be as large as aircraft- “The heavy handle end of the whip also “I’ve got a whip 55 feet long. It’s good carriers if desired. comes in handy when the dogs are fighting for one crack at a time, and that's all. among themselves.” “I’ve never driven huskies, but I wouldn’t Making Progress Sunday Herald (Sydney, NSW), Sunday 15 use one of these whips for driving bullocks Sir Hubert, who is a United States Army even. October 1950, page 2. adviser, said America before long hoped to “You know what I reckon, someone is https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 send submarines into the centre of the buying them for show purposes or an 8670645 Arctic Ocean. exhibition and doesn't want to let on. That’s “We are making some progress.” he show business.” added. Said Czech horse trainer Toni Smaha: “I Sir Hubert had flown from Alaska to have driven dogs and know. You cannot use make a public speech on the importance of a whip 42 feet long. “It is impossible.” the Arctic.

Mercury (Hobart, Tas.), Wednesday 15 [Whip experts in two continents — from Sir March 1950, page 4. Hubert Wilkins to circus performers — https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 disagreed violently last week about those 6696997 four 42-foot whips which Australia made for the Anglo-Swedish Expedition to the 15 October 1950 Antarctic.] Who’s Going To Crack Those 42-foot Whips? “In Lapland and in Poland, hunting the elk, I have driven as many as 20 dogs in a team and the whip I used was only 12 feet Wilkins and a dog sled team during the Detroit Arctic long. The longest dog whip I have seen ever Expedition 1926-28. From the ISO Polar Archives. was 16 feet. “The whip is only to make music for the dogs, like you say ‘click, Click’ to horses. “With these whips 42 feet long, you would not make a dog run; you would kill him.” In America, several famous explorers and “old hands” from Alaska and Greenland were also curious about the whips. But they weren't so sceptical. Here’s what they say: Vilhjalmur Stefansson the explorer: “Very long whips are used in Greenland, where they have a peculiar way of hitching up dogs. Dog sleds used during the Canadian Arctic Expedition “Evidently the Antarctic Expedition is 1913-16

These Huskies are affected too—although they didn't know using the Greenland system. it when they left London in the Queen Maud Land “I think a whip like the Australian 19 November 1950 Expedition. stockwhip would be too heavy. WILKINS NOT BADLY HURT “My own practice in driving dogs is to Montreal, Friday. — Sir Hubert Wilkins, The whips were plaited specially in use no whip at all.” 62-year-old former Australian scientist and Sydney at a cost of £19/10/ each, and sent explorer, is in hospital at Churchill 21

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

(Manitoba) suffering from a broken arm manoeuvres will be discharged from They called this 400-tonner “Fanefjord” caused by a fall while on winter hospital within a few days. He is attached to after, a fjord on the west coast of Norway. manoeuvres in the north of Manitoba with an American Army unit testing equipment For more than 10 years Wyatt Earp was the US Army. under Arctic conditions near Churchill. first a fishing boat, then a sealer off Sir Hubert Wilkins had the accident two — AAP. Greenland. days after his arrival about two weeks ago. Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 23 Then, in the early 1930s, South He will be released from hospital soon, and November 1950, page 5. Australian-born Sir Hubert Wilkins bought is expected to be back at work about https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 her for £3,000 for the American explorer Monday. — AAP. 44339583 Lincoln Ellsworth, who made several The Mail (Adelaide) 19 November 1950 notable flights over Antarctica, two of them page 2. 9 December 1950 with Wilkins. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/5 ROMANTIC BUT CRANKY “EARP”. But before Ellsworth took his herring 5851767 By Ian Lindsay boat south in 1933 he covered her with a Reports from Melbourne say that Wyatt skin of oak sheathed in steel, and named her Earp Australia’s Antarctic exploration ship, Wyatt Earp. will probably never go south again. There’s quite a story behind his choice of She is at present at Williamstown Naval that name. Wyatt Earp wasn’t a ship, Dockyards, greased up, but heavy with admiral, or explorer, but a wild, old-time, barnacles and with gaps in her timbers. gun-toting American sheriff of Dodge City, The sentimentalists will be sad about the Kansas, and later of Tombstone, Arizona, end of this famous little ship, but the who always shot, from the hip and who realists, particularly those who sailed in her could knock the neck off bottles at 40 in recent years, won’t be sorry. yards. He killed “only in self-defence.” In Tombstone you can still see the tablet, A cartoon from the (Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), marking the spot, where Wyatt Earp, a gun Sunday 12 November 1950, page 56.). in each hand, held off a mob of 300 men who were out to lynch him. 12 November 1950 That was in the bad, mad last-century TALKABOUT days of the American West, when men were KING BILLY men who shot first and asked questions If the Korean war extends into the sub- later. zero winter, a very great Australian will Tombstone in those days seems to have play a vital role behind the frozen scene. He been split into two feuding camps — those is polar explorer Sir Hubert Wilkins, who who supported Wyatt Earp and those who has long been advising the United States on supported a family called Clanton. technical means of maintaining military In Tombstone’s famous theatre, the Bird efficiency under polar conditions. Sir Cage, which was also a combination Hubert’s researches take him deep into the restaurant - gambling den - brothel, Earp’s Arctic Custodian of many of the United followers invariably sat in boxes on the left States top-level military secrets, this man of of the stage and scowled at their opponents the snows retains with pride, citizenship of in the right-hand boxes. his native sunny Australia. The climax of the feud was when Clanton Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), Sunday followers accused Earp followers of a 12 November 1950, page 56. stagecoach hold-up which included a https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 murder, and the two groups shot it out at 48566623 O.K. Corral at the end of 1881. The Wyart Earp Wyatt Earp was Lincoln Ellsworth’s

17 November 1950 hero. Ellsworth always carried the old “It’s the best news I’ve heard for years,” sheriff's cartridge belt with him on all his Sir H. Wilkins Injured says Commander K. E. Oom, R.A.N. NEW YORK, Thursday. — Australian expeditions, and also never moved without (pronounced “home” without the “h”), who a framed photograph of old two-gun Earp, explorer and scientist, Sir Hubert Wilkins, took her to Antarctica in 1948. 62, has been injured somewhere in the When Lincoln Ellsworth first took Earp “She’s too small, too slow, and too old. south in 1933 she immediately proved her Arctic while working on a United States She has shaken herself to pieces. She leaks. Army experiment. worth. In a radio message from Antarctica She’s cranky. She’s dangerous for Antarctic on December. 18, 1933, Sir Hubert Wilkins Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Friday 17 work. November 1950, page 3. said: “I’ve never known a vessel “which could “Ahead the ice seems more solid. There https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 throw itself so violently from one side to are wide, unbroken floes through which no 44347084 the other. steel ship might pass because of the risk of She doesn’t own a respectable roll. It’s fracturing her plates. The ice-packs extend just a violent movement 60 degrees on in every direction, but Wyatt Earp, with her either side. wooden hull, is proving herself a good ice “Serving in the Earp was like being ship and is safely wriggling through the constantly on the back of a mad camel.” narrow openings.” Commander Oom should know. He’s had Once the ice actually squeezed the a distinguished career with the Royal “Wyatt Earp” from the sea. She sat on the Australian Nayy, and was in the Antarctic ice for 48 hours before the ice thawed and with Sir Douglas Mawson. let her down again gently into the sea Wyatt Earp has a romantic history, which A cartoon from the (Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday Commander Oom says that was probably 23 November 1950, page 5.). stems from humble beginnings, and a the only time in the ship’s life when her curious name. crew was comfortable. 23 November 1950 Norwegian boat builders designed and Wyatt Earp was at the top of the world SIR H. WILKINS RECOVERS built her in 1919 for herring fishing in the news for weeks at the end of 1935 and start CHURCHILL, Manitoba, Wednesday. — Bay of Biscay. of 1936, when Lincoln Ellsworth Sir Hubert Wilkins, the Arctic explorer, They built her of the best Baltic pine, and disappeared on his trans-Polar flight from who suffered a broken arm on winter strengthened her with English oak. the Weddell Sea to the Ross Sea. 22

The Wilkins Chronicle A selection of Wilkins-related Trove articles, incorporating advertisements and cartoons from the day

While Sir Hubert Wilkins took Earp north from Antarctica to get another plane in the United States, the Australian Government asked the British and New Zealand Governments to cooperate in a search for Ellsworth. Britain’s exploring ship. Discovery II, then south of Durban, in South Africa, steamed to Melbourne, picked up two planes and airmen, and found Ellsworth at the Bay of Whales on January 15, 1936. In 1939 Lincoln Ellsworth sold Wyatt Earp to the Australian Government for £4400. Australia planned to use her for Antarctic exploration, but World War II intervened. During the war the Royal Australian Navy renamed her Wongala and used her to lay cables at Darwin, and later as a naval examination ship in South Australia. The Sea Scouts also used her as a training ship. Then, in 1947, the Federal Government, at a cost of £50,000 got her ready (under her old name, Wyatt Earp) for Australia’s 1947-1948 research expedition to Heard Island, Macquarie Island, and Antarctica. At Adelaide the Government refitted her, equipped her with radar, echo-sounding gear, instruments, to measure cos-mic rays, and a reconnaissance plane, and early in 1948 Commander Oom took her south to find a base for future Australian operations in Antarctica. Because of exceptional weather; Wyatt Earp, although she skirted the ice pack for 200 miles, never got closer than 30 miles to the Antarctic shore. But the ship herself was a failure, and her commander was glad to get her back to Australia and get himself off her uncomfortable deck. There’s little chance Wyatt Earp will ever go south again, but she's so packed with Life raft testing. [wilkins34_3_12]. history we shouldn't let her rot on some mud-bank. We should preserve her — like the Norwegians preserve Roald Amundsen’s famous “Fram” in a special waterside building in Oslo. And relics of two-gun Sheriff Wyatt Earp, The icy ocean.[wilkins34_3_25]. of Tombstone, Arizona — if we could find them — would be an added tourist attraction. Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW), Saturday 9 December 1950, page 22. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/2 48411377

Military, 1947. [wilkins34_5_19].

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