THE PUBLICATION OF THE NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 33, No. Vol
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03 The National Antarctic 9 770003 532006 Programme of Japan Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 Issue 233 Contents www.antarctic.org.nz
is published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc. ISSN 0003-5327 The New Zealand Antarctic Society is a Registered Charity CC27118
EDITOR: Lester Chaplow ASSISTANT EDITOR: Janet Bray New Zealand Antarctic Society PO Box 404, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand Email: [email protected]
INDEXER: Mike Wing The deadlines for submissions to future issues are 1 November, 1 February, 1 May and 1 August.
Patron of the New Zealand Antarctic Society: Professor Peter Barrett, 2008
NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY LIFE MEMBERS The Society recognises with life membership, those people who excel in furthering the aims and objectives of the Society or who have given outstanding service in Antarctica. They are 30 elected by vote at the Annual General Meeting and are restricted to 15 life members at any time. Current Life Members by the year elected: News 25, 35 1. Jim Lowery (Wellington), 1982 2. Robin Ormerod (Wellington), 1996 The Final Tragedy: Remembering Hilda Evans 26 3. Baden Norris (Canterbury), 2003 4. Bill Cranfield (Canterbury), 2003 5. Randal Heke (Wellington), 2003 Antarctic Mythbusting 29 6. Bill Hopper (Wellington), 2004 7. Arnold Heine (Wellington), 2006 Exploring the Work of Antarctic Treaty National 8. Margaret Bradshaw (Canterbury), 2006 Antarctic Programmes: Japan 30 9. Ray Dibble (Wellington), 2008 10. Norman Hardie (Canterbury), 2008 11. Colin Monteath (Canterbury), 2014 Painting Below Zero 32 12. John Parsloe (Canterbury), 2014
ELECTED OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY: The Spoken Word: The Antarctic Society’s Oral History Project 34 National President: Mariska Wouters South Island Vice-President: Margaret Bradshaw ADAM – The Antarctic Digital Asset Manager 35 North Island Vice-President: Linda Kestle National Secretary: Myra Walton Book Review – Frank Worsley, Shackleton’s Fearless Captain 36 National Treasurer: Lester Chaplow Immediate Past-President: Jud Fretter Seeking Expressions of Interest: BRANCH CHAIRS: Voluntary Work in Antarctica – Auckland: Linda Kestle Canterbury: Ursula Rack Exterior Painting / General Maintenance Back cover Wellington: Daniil Ivshin
Cover photo: Meteorite found 28 January 2013 by 54th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-54). It turned out to be the biggest found during that expedition. Photo © NIPR. Photo above: Syowa Station. Photo © NIPR. Back cover: Scott Base Antarctica. © Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection.
Issue 233 NEWS
From the President his is a busy time of the Antarctica New Zealand. You will this work. We are also planning Tyear for national Antarctic find application information on some national events for 2016. programmes as well as the the back cover of this issue and Our Branches continue to offer Antarctic Society. we look forward to receiving your regular regional public meetings. The beginning of the busy application by 18 September. We welcome new faces at these summer season of Antarctic science The Society’s National events and offers of help for is near. We wish the operational Council has also been active Branch committees. staff and science teams around behind the scenes. We are We look forward to seeing the Antarctic continent a most looking at ways to improve our you at the Branch AGMs held successful season! We also welcome services to our members. We are in Auckland, Christchurch and their contributions to Antarctic to expecting to introduce an online Wellington late September – early keep our readers up-to-date with store before the end of the year. October. The Antarctic Society’s the range of science activity. Next year we hope to review AGM will be in Christchurch on We are again delighted our website’s functionality. We Saturday 17 October. Check out to continue the Scott Base are refreshing our oral history our website for events and AGM volunteer programme for Society programme and always welcome dates www.antarctic.org.nz. members introduced late 2009 by financial contribution to assist Mariska Wouters
From the Editor Branch News o you know who Hilda History Programme, which is Wellington D Beatrice Russell was? explored in more detail with ellington branch In The Final Tragedy: an outline of some of the early Wheld their annual Remembering Hilda Evans, oral histories. midwinter event on 18 June. we learn a little about Antarctica New Zealand It was well attended by NZAS this forgotten woman, her brief introduce us to ADAM – the members, representatives of life, her marriage and connection Antarctic Digital Asset Manager the diplomatic community, to Antarctic history, her tragic – and our book review looks and guests from organisations death, and her lasting memorial. at John Thomson’s revision of associated with Antarctica. This issue of Antarctic is an his Frank Worsley biography: Mariska Wouters acted as interesting mix: continuing some Shackleton’s Fearless Captain, MC. Bella Duncan delivered themes from previous issues, and includes a giveaway offer to the Loyal Toast. We dialled we continue our look at the work financial members. up the team at Scott Base, and of Antarctic Treaty National Sadly, the Society has lost Tony Taylor presented a short Antarctic Programmes with a another Life Member with the talk and the toast to Present look at the National Antarctic passing recently of Malcolm Parties. The folks down at Programme of Japan, and do Laird. His obituary will appear Scott Base were having their some Antarctic Mythbusting. in a future issue. An obituary midwinter dinner with the We have another article from for David Geddes, a former American team and they jointly a previous member of our head of the New Zealand presented the toast to Past Volunteer Programme discussing Antarctic Programme appears Parties. Ambassador Torres of the specifics of Painting Below on the Society’s website at the Chilean Embassy led the Zero, and The Spoken Word www.antarctic.org.nz/pages/ other diplomatic representatives looks again at the Society’s Oral history/obituaries.php. in a toast to the Treaty Nations.
Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 25 PEOPLE The Final Tragedy: Remembering Hilda Evans By Bill Conroy
The deaths of Captain Robert Scott and his companions in the blizzards and misery of the Antarctic wastes were not the last of those associated with the British Antarctic Expedition of 1910–12. There was one more life to be forfeited before the Polar expeditioners returned to London.
his story begins officer aboard the ship Morning. While based in New Zealand, early in 1902 when This ship joined Terra Nova as the Morning made two trips to T an ambitious young two support vessels forming part of Antarctica. Prior to heading south on Royal Navy lieutenant, Edward Scott’s first foray into Antarctica: the second occasion, on 24 October Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans the Discovery Expedition. Morning 1903, Teddy Evans announced his (known as Teddy Evans; later sailed from London in July 1902 engagement to a Christchurch girl, Baron Mountevans,) was seconded and reached Lyttelton on 16 Hilda Beatrice Russell, daughter from the Royal Navy to be second November 1902. of T.G. Russell, a prominent
Captain Scott RN and Mrs Scott (LHS), The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Cardiff (centre), Lieutenant Evans RN and Mrs Hilda Evans (RHS). Photo courtesy of Dundee Heritage Trust.
26 Issue 233 TRIBUTEPEOPLE
local solicitor. Teddy returned to Christchurch on 1 April 1904, and on 13 April the couple were married in a fashionable naval wedding at St Barnabas Church in Christchurch. The reception was held at Quamby, the home of the bride’s parents in the suburb of Fendalton, and the cake was cut with a naval sword. The presents included a handsome silver casket from the officers of the Discovery, Morning and Terra Nova. The bride was 20 years old and the groom 23. By the middle of August 1904 Hilda was in London, and she was Wives and husbands: Capt. Edward Evans and Mrs Evans (left) and Dr Edward and Mrs Wilson, joined by her husband in October © Otago Heritage Books, copyright permission sought. when the Morning reached her between the wives to jealousy. 26 November 1910. In October 1911 home port. In recognition of his He regarded Hilda Evans “as a Terra Nova returned to New Zealand service in Antarctica, Teddy Evans womanly woman of remarkable and, after a refit, sailed for Antarctica was awarded the silver Polar Medal, beauty and general charm who was again on 15 December 1911. and he resumed his naval career. everything that a wife should be” When the expedition got Hilda occupied herself by getting (p. 130). Apparently Bowers had underway in the Antarctic things did acquainted with her husband’s a different view of the worldly and not go well with Teddy Evans. Early family and becoming involved in somewhat aggressive Kathleen Scott. in December 1911 he went down London society. Captain Lawrence Oates, in with scurvy and when the relief ship In 1909 Evans was appointed a letter home, described a major arrived at the expedition base in second-in-command of Scott’s clash between the women in January 1912 he was sent home to second expedition to Antarctica New Zealand shortly before the England, by way of New Zealand, (the Terra Nova Expedition, 1910– expedition headed south: where he spent close to twelve months 1913) and also captain of the Terra Mrs Scott and Mrs Evans have to regain full health. Evans returned Nova. Despite the need for a close had a magnificent battle! They tell to Antarctica in January 1913 and, working relationship between me it was a draw after 15 rounds. as a result of the death of Scott, took the two men, Scott seemingly did There was more blood and hair command of the Polar expedition and not fully trust his deputy, and the flying than you would see in a set about preparing for its return to situation was exacerbated by the Chicago slaughter-house in a month. New Zealand. Terra Nova arrived fact that their respective wives had The husbands got a bit of the in Lyttelton on 15 February and she a difficult relationship. Kathleen backwash and there is a certain was readied for return to the United Scott and Hilda Evans had nothing amount of coolness which I hope they Kingdom by the middle of March in common, except perhaps a mutual won’t bring into the hut with them.1 under the command of Lieutenant suspicion of each other’s husband, It is interesting to reflect on the Pennell. At the beginning of March and their relationship was a volatile impact these women might have 1913 Commander Evans (he had mix. Whatever the causes of their had on some of the major decisions received a special promotion to that mutual dislike, they were never affecting the expedition when they rank on 1 July 1912) and Hilda resolved, and the pair remained had the ears of their husbands. boarded the SS Aorangi in Wellington hostile to each other for the duration On 15 June 1910 the Terra Nova bound for Sydney. After a week in of their relationship. In her book left Cardiff and, after stops at Simons Sydney the couple boarded the SS A First Rate Tragedy, Diana Preston Town and Melbourne, reached New Otranto on 12 March 1913 for the comments that Lieutenant “Birdie” Zealand in late October. She sailed for voyage home via a number of ports Bowers attributed the tension the Antarctic, via Port Chalmers, on in the Mediterranean.
1 Diana Preston, A First Rate Tragedy. (New York, Houghton Mifflin Company,1999), p. 131
Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 27 PEOPLE
On Monday 14 April, when the expeditions. Teddy Evans makes very Otranto was cruising along the coast few references to his late wife in his of Italy, Hilda was taken ill with book South with Scott, published in what later proved to be peritonitis. 1921.3 The longest comment was: She was attended by the ship’s doctor “It was many months before I could and a medical specialist who was get about in comfort, but my wife travelling as a passenger on the ship. nursed me back to health” (p. 10). On the 15th an emergency operation He does not mention her by name was carried out, which seemed to and it is almost as though Hilda was have been successful, and when the airbrushed out of the story about ship reached Naples on Thursday Scott’s two trips to Antarctica. Hilda was conscious. However, in Hilda must have been a special the early hours of Friday morning, lady. She strongly supported her when the ship was at sea, her husband in his Antarctic work and condition began to deteriorate and she did all in her power to ease the Hilda died at about midnight on 18 lot of the men of the expedition. April. She was aged 29 years. Hilda Consider this comment from was buried in Toulon, her pallbearers an obituary in the Christchurch being officers of the Otranto. Press on 21 April 1913: Teddy Evans continued his Always cheerful, always brave, in journey home to a private and the face of wearing anxiety, she was informal reception that included a wonderful woman, and she was a welcome from Kathleen Scott. regarded with respectful admiration A London newspaper commented in and affection by every member of the part in the following way: Expedition. She took a keen personal Lady Scott, with true womanly interest in every man, no matter how sympathy, made a special journey humble his rank or station, and she to Charing Cross and waited for gave up much time and worked very more than an hour in order to hard to provide comforts for the men greet Commander Evans and to of the Expedition, and her numerous offer him in his time of sorrow a useful gifts to them were treasured word of comfort and a welcome. as sacred things. ... [By the men] of The meeting between the widow and the Expedition, and especially the the widower was a touching scene.2 officers and men of the Terra Nova On 16 May 1913 Evans met the ... the death of Mrs Evans will be King and was made a Companion regarded as almost a second disaster.4 of the Order of the Bath, the first As well as a simple of a torrent of medals, decorations commemoration on her mother’s and awards that he received headstone at the Linwood cemetery throughout his glittering naval in Christchurch, Teddy Evans career. Evans remarried in 1916 and funded a memorial window of had two sons (his marriage to Hilda Saint Hilda, at St Hilda’s Collegiate had produced no children). He died School, Dunedin. The window, and in August 1957 aged 75. accompanying plaque, were unveiled What of Hilda? No trumpets in the school’s chapel for Easter or drums for her. We can learn 1914, and later moved to the new little about her from the books chapel, where they remain today. written about the Scott Antarctic Requiem in pace, Hilda. Images top to bottom: Saint Hilda, in St Hilda’s Collegiate School Chapel, Dunedin. Photo courtesy of the school. 2 The Press (Christchurch, New Zealand), 4 June 1913, datelined London 25 April 1913, p. 4 Plaque adjacent to Saint Hilda Window, 3 E. R. G. R. Evans, South with Scott (London: Collins, 1921) St Hilda’s Collegiate School Chapel, Dunedin. 4 The Press (Christchurch, New Zealand), 21 April 1913, p. 7 Photo courtesy of the school.
28 Issue 233 POLICY AND GOVERNANCELETTERS
Antarctic Mythbusting
Neil Gilbert1 and Alan D. Hemmings2
s it your understanding that the Antarctic Treaty Like the Antarctic Treaty, its Environmental Protocol is “up for renewal” in 2048? And that the ban has no “end” date. But it does contain very similar I on mining runs out after 50 years? Media stories procedures that allow for its review and amendment. often suggest as much. Like the Treaty the Protocol can be modified or And yet these commonly held beliefs fall into the amended at any time by consensus agreement among same category as Christmas card images of polar bears the Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty. and penguins sharing the same ice floe – they could not And after a set period of time – though in the case of be further from the truth. the Protocol it is 50 rather than 30 years – any Party Let’s unpick these misunderstandings in an attempt can call for a conference to review the operation of the to set the record straight. Protocol. That 50-year mark will be 14 January 2048. We will start with the misconception of an This is usually the confusion behind speculation of an end-date for the Antarctic Treaty. The Treaty, which “Antarctic Treaty” ending in 2048. was agreed in 1959, has no end-date. Neither does the If such a review conference were called, any Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty, which proposed amendments need only be agreed by a simple was agreed more recently in 1991; nor indeed do any majority of the Parties – though with the proviso that of the other instruments agreed under the auspices of such a majority includes three quarters of the Parties the Antarctic Treaty. In the drafting of these instruments that were Consultative Parties at the time of adoption the negotiators did not foresee the need for these of the Protocol back in 1991. international treaties to expire. So, as we can see, both the Treaty and the However, the Antarctic Treaty does provide for its Environmental Protocol have no expiry date, but can own review. In its Article XII the Antarctic Treaty sets out be modified at any time under certain voting conditions. two principle aspects as to how it can be changed. Firstly The misunderstanding over mining in Antarctica it states that the Treaty can be modified or amended has been frequently caught up in the confusion over at any time provided that the proposed amendment Treaty end-dates. The prohibition on mining enshrined or amendments are agreed by consensus. in Article 7 of the Protocol is indefinite. The mining Secondly, the same article of the Treaty states that ban does not expire! It has no end-date! (Are we clear 30 years after the date of entry into force of the Treaty on that?) In fact the mining clause could not be simpler. (i.e. 23 after June 1991) any Consultative (voting) Party It states that “any activity relating to mineral resources, can call for a conference to “review the operation of the other than scientific research, shall be prohibited.” Treaty” and that at such a conference the Treaty may be However, as we have just discovered all elements modified by a simple majority of the Consultative Parties. of the Protocol can be reviewed under two different That June 1991 date coincided with the height scenarios – and this includes the mining prohibition. of the debate around whether the Antarctic Minerals But the architects of the Protocol agreed that any future Convention should or should not enter into force – decisions to overturn the mining ban should not be as a contentious period in Antarctic politics. But even then simple as a reversal from “off” to “on”. The Protocol there was no interest in modifying the Antarctic Treaty. provides that the ban on mining can only be overturned No calls to do so have been made in the 24 years since. if there is in force a binding legal regime to regulate such Whilst it would be entirely legitimate for any Party to activity in the region. What the designers of the Protocol call for a review conference in the future, Parties are had in mind was something like the Convention for acutely aware of the dangers of taking such action. Any the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resource attempt to open up for discussion even one element Activities (CRAMRA) that was agreed in 1989, but has of the Treaty carries the risk of unravelling the entire never entered into force. CRAMRA, or more likely Treaty. This in turn has the potential to undermine the (given CRAMRA was negotiated in the 1980s under Antarctic Treaty System as a whole. a very different world order) a successor instrument,
1 Constantia Consulting, Christchurch Continued on page 31 » 2 Perth, Western Australia and Gateway Antarctica, Christchurch
Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 29 INTERNATIONAL
Exploring the Work of Antarctic Treaty National Antarctic Programmes: The National Antarctic Programme of Japan
s a nation, Japan has long been involved and international scientific exchanges. Developing first in Antarctic expeditions. These began class polar researchers is a large part of NIPR’s mandate. A in 1910 with the Japanese Antarctic As a parent institute of the Graduate University for Expedition under the leadership of Lt. Nobu Shirase. Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), NIPR accommodates Shirase and his crew sailed to the Antarctic aboard the a five-year doctoral course for graduate students Kainan-maru from Tokyo Bay in November 1910, in the Department of Polar Science in the School of given an enthusiastic send off by a crowd of 50,000 Multidisciplinary Sciences, thereby fostering the supporters. Japanese scientists were active participants development of promising researchers with high-level in the International Geophysical Year 1957/58 and research capabilities and skills for use in the field. Japan is one of the original signatories to the Antarctic Japan has four Antarctic stations: Syowa, Mizuho, Treaty. The National Institute of Polar Research Asuka and Dome Fuji. Syowa, the largest of the stations, (NIPR), founded in 1973, is the body responsible for was built in 1957 and can accommodate up to 130 the management of the Japanese Antarctic Research people in the summer and approximately 40 in the Expedition (JARE). In collaboration with international winter. Mizuho Station, which is currently closed, is 270 research communities, NIPR has been pursuing cutting- kilometres south-east of Syowa and has had intermittent edge studies on the earth, the environment, life, and occupation since 1970. Asuka Station was operational space. It is involved in a wide range of activities in Japan’s from 1984 until 1991 to support field work in the Sør Antarctic research programmes, both temporally and Rondane Mountains. Dome Fuji Station was built spatially, through research that uses advanced-method, in 1995 for the purpose of the deep ice-core drilling long-term monitoring observations and field and ocean programme and for atmospheric observations. observations. The Director-General of NIPR, Professor With conducting science in Antarctica, comes the Kazuyuki Shiraishi, is the current Chairman of the Council responsibility of environmental protection, which of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP). NIPR takes seriously, as demonstrated by its long-term The NIPR is opening up new frontiers in monitoring programmes. Syowa Station in particular has interdisciplinary research under the framework of the an extensive programme that has been in place since 1957 Trans-disciplinary Research Integration Center. Japanese to monitor changes in global and regional environments. scientists collaborate with many international partners. NIPR also promotes various outreach activities Every summer since 1958 the Japanese Government to educate Japanese citizens about its science through has dispatched one or two Japanese scientists to the initiatives such as the Polar Science Museum, which expeditions of other Antarctic Treaty countries and opened in Tachikawa, Japan, in 2010. The Museum is invited one to three foreign scientists to join JARE. used to educate visitors on the history and the current In order to orchestrate international collaboration status of Polar research. There is also a public outreach and relationships among Japan and its partner countries, programme sponsoring public lectures, exhibitions of the International Affairs Section was established at NIPR Antarctic items both modern and historic, and Antarctic in 2006. This section conducts business in regards to classes offered to school children. Antarctic Treaty meetings and conferences, co-operative More information on NIPR can be found at research scientific agreements with foreign institutes, www.nipr.ac.jp or at www.comnap.aq/Members.
30 Issue 233 ARTSINTERNATIONALEDUCATION & CULTURETRIBUTE
Fifteen bronze dog statues outside the Polar Science Museum, Tachikawa, Japan. The display pays tribute to the Sakhalin huskies of the Japanese Syowa Station during the long Polar night. Photo © NIPR. expeditions to Antarctica in the 1950s. Photo by M. Rogan-Finnemore.
S-17 air base near Syowa Station for Japan–German collaborative Aerial view of Syowa Station with the icebreaker Shirase in upper left. study on airborne geophysics in 2006. Photo by K. Shiraishi. Photo © NIPR.
« Antarctic Mythbusting continued from page 29 would have to be negotiated and be in force before the a reconsideration of the mining ban could trigger such mining ban could be overturned. a review. The likelihood of this happening is difficult The Protocol is a complex instrument and likely to to assess, and as we have noted even if this is the require periodic updating. However, it was designed so that pathway some favour, overturning the ban is unlikely its series of technical annexes could be updated individually to be a simple process. Attempts to renegotiate a mining (this has already been done for Annex II on Conservation convention could take some considerable time. And of Antarctic Fauna and Flora in 2009), and new annexes given the need to kick the hydrocarbon habit if we are added (an annex on Liability Arising from Environmental ever to stabilise the global climate, one would have to Emergencies was added in 2005, although it has not yet suppose that the international community should be entered into force). This means that technical updating is having a rather serious discussion about the acceptability less likely to trigger a general review of the Protocol. of mining Antarctica. Parties could call for a review of the Protocol at some So – spread the word! If ever you hear the notion point, if fundamental elements in the main body of the of expiry dates being discussed in the context of the instrument no longer sustain general support. Plainly, Antarctic Treaty you are armed to bust the myth!
Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 31 VOLUNTEERS
Painting Below Zero in Antarctica – Is it Science or Serendipity?
By Linda Kestle
the daily “norm”. Rain never fell; temperature of the surfaces to instead there was snow precipitation be painted, and the ambient air for almost a week in early temperatures are between +10ºC and January 2012, and the occasional +35ºC. Do not apply paints in snow, declaration of Condition 2 (very rain, fog, or mist; when relative high – 80kph-plus – winds, freezing humidity exceeds 85 percent; or temperatures, and driving snow), temperatures less than 3ºC above the meaning that anyone outside had to dew point, or to damp/wet surfaces.1 immediately head back inside Base. Paint films are designed to form After returning from the painting at specific target levels. Whilst there stint at Scott Base, I contacted the are exceptions, solvent-borne enamels chief scientist at Resene Paints generally utilise relatively low Limited to discuss the painting molecular-weight polymers called project, and establish whether alkyds, which contain reactivity by there was a scientific rationale for way of unsaturated oils, and are Mobile scaffolding – not the easiest ground why standard off-the-shelf Resene carried in hydrocarbon solvents. Film conditions for meeting daily manoeuvrability. Photo courtesy of Linda Kestle. Supergloss Enamel provided a formation occurs when the solvent sound and successful outcome in evaporates and is followed by a ntarctica New Zealand theoretically unsuitable climatic curing process involving chemical and the New Zealand conditions at Scott Base. cross-linking via the oil unsaturation. A Antarctic Society signed The climatic conditions in Acrylic binders are quite different a “Memorandum of Understanding” Antarctica are very different to by comparison, as they are based in 2009, and on four occasions two those assumed when manufacturers on high molecular-weight polymers experienced painting maintenance are specifying solvent-borne paint in the form of tiny thermoplastic volunteers have been rigorously application systems. The humidity spheres, dispersed and stabilised in selected from the Antarctic Society levels in Antarctica are very low. a watery medium. Film formation is applicants to undertake painting Temperatures were never greater achieved when the water evaporates, maintenance work, at Scott Base, than +2ºC for the duration of the allowing the plastic particles to Antarctica. month-long painting maintenance approach each other, touch and The main focus of the December project on Scott Base in the coalesce (or fuse), into an intractable 2011–January 2012 painting December 2011–January 2012 mass. There is no post-curing. The maintenance programme for myself, period. How then might polar success of film formation is critically and the other selected volunteer, was climatic conditions alter the dependent upon the softness of the to prepare and repaint 24 exterior “normal” application system and thermoplastic particle, which is, in timber window frames. In terms resultant finishes of a solvent-borne turn, dependent on the temperature of weather conditions, there was painting system in Antarctica? at the time of film formation. 24/7 daylight, and temperatures In the paint specification In New Zealand, acrylic paints, ranged from +2ºC to -18ºC, when literature, reference is made to such as those used at Scott Base in wind chill was taken into account. in-the-field conditions, and how they the 2011–2012 season, are typically The atmosphere was very dry, with might affect timing in regard to the designed to suit an mfft (minimum humidity levels in the 35–40% application of paint: film forming temperature) of 10ºC. range. Light southerly winds were Apply paints only when the If paints are applied below this
1 Masterspec Services for Paint Specifiers (2010) and Resene Ezyspec (2010) for recommended preparation and paint systems for external timber joinery, at www.resene.co.nz/comn/services/masterspec.htm
32 Issue 233 ARTSVOLUNTEERS & CULTURETRIBUTE
temperature, film formation will in the Antarctic, the conditions are 1 be impaired, ranging from minor surprisingly good for durability. reduced strength and increased Chemical change (including porosity at one or two degrees below degradation, such as peeling, the mfft, to catastrophic cracking fading and flaking) slows down and complete powdering at lower dramatically at low temperatures temperatures. The key to failure is (in fact, Resene always keep colour the temperature being below the standards in the deep freeze in order mfft at the time of film formation, to maintain best colour stability). not at the time of application. Antarctica has a low ultraviolet So why has the painting at incidence, and the very dry Antarctic Scott Base been successful to atmosphere removes water damage 2 date? According to Resene’s chief from the equation. By comparison, scientist, the success may have been these twin aggressors usually account serendipitous. For whatever reason, for a large proportion of the paint a solvent-borne enamel was chosen film degradation experienced in as the topcoat, over an acrylic base, New Zealand. perhaps without recognition that it The objective of the original is unusual to “mix” such systems investigation was to establish (enamel and acrylic). The common the “normal” paint systems hydrocarbon solvent used in enamel recommended for exterior timber paints is “mineral turps”, which is joinery where ambient temperatures a highly complex mixture of over at the time of film formation 90 hydrocarbons, about 40 percent ranged from +10ºC to 35ºC, and 3 of which are in the “aromatic” to then compare and document grouping, where there is a small the experiences of painting exterior amount of toluene, and a larger timber joinery in below-zero amount of xylene. These two solvents summer temperatures at Scott Base, are the most active of the aromatics Antarctica. Standard solvent-borne present and comprise 15 percent of enamel paint was not meant to be mineral turps. Whilst toluene and applied below 10ºC, according to the xylene are not chemically polar paint suppliers’ recommendations; enough be considered good acrylic but it was, and it worked. Essentially, coalescing agents, they do have some the scientific rationale determined utility. The application of the enamel that it was serendipity in part, and finishing coat over the partially film- that the very low humidity levels 4 formed acrylic undercoat would in Antarctica allowed the film have allowed these solvents to flood formation to occur as if it were in a through the porosity in the acrylic, “normalised” context. softening the acrylic particles, and The full research paper allowing a “post applied” film “Painting below zero – the Antarctic consolidation to occur, thereby challenge”, was published at the creating a successful foundation. Australasia Universities Building Once a paint film has been Education Association Conference successfully applied to timber joinery in Australia in 2013.2 The 4 stages – 1) state of window to be Volunteers wanted worked on; 2) after handscraping back to If you would like to be a Society Volunteer, see the information on the back cover, bare Tawa timber (note taping and cloths or www.antarctic.org.nz/pages/projects/paint.php. to meet zero environment harm requirements); 3) undercoated (acrylic primer undercoat); Applications close 18 September 2015. 4) topcoated (two coats alkyd supergloss). Photos courtesy of Linda Kestle.
2 www.library.auckland.ac.nz/external/finalproceeding/Files/Papers/46530final00114.pdf
Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 33 ORAL HISTORY
with the building of Scott Base, even though, at that The Spoken Word: time, the programme came under the umbrella of the British Commonwealth via TAE The Antarctic Society’s In 1997 the Society celebrated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Scott Base with a reunion in Oral History Project Christchurch. Before this event the Society applied for a Lottery grant for three supporting projects to coincide By Margaret Bradshaw with the reunion: a 14-panel photographic display about the TAE and IGY, the publication of a book on Scott ew Zealand has had a long association Base by David Harrowfield, and the recording of 10 oral with Antarctica. It began in early whaling histories of representatives of the TAE and IGY by oral N times, and continued with the provision of historian Julia Bradshaw of Arrowtown. Sadly, when the hospitable departure points for the historic expeditions oral project began, some important members of the Scott of Scott and Shackleton. New Zealand men were Base and support teams had already died – people such supplied for the crews of these expeditions’ ships, the as Trevor Hatherton (IGY Leader), Bob Miller (Deputy most prominent being Frank Worsley of Shackleton’s Leader, Scott Base), Peter Mulgrew (radio operator), Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Harry Ayres (mountaineer), and George Marsh and Roy In 1920, the British government proposed that Carlyon (surveyors). New Zealand, at that time a British dominion, should Since 1997 the oral history programme has continued exert a territorial claim to the Ross Dependency in to receive further Lottery grants (2004–5, 2012–14) Antarctica. New Zealand authorities reluctantly agreed, together with contributions from Canterbury Museum seeing it as a consequence of being part of the British (2006–8) and Antarctica New Zealand and private Empire and lying due north of the Dependency. Thus, individuals (2010–11). Interviewing was taken over by in 1923, the responsibility for the Ross Sea Dependency oral historian Jacqui Foley, who was based in Oamaru. was formally passed to New Zealand through its To date, 48 oral histories have been recorded, Governor General. including those of two high-profile Americans who had From its inception in 1933, the New Zealand liaised closely with the New Zealand programme, and Antarctic Society became the main driving force within nine TAE and IGY wives who shared their memories and New Zealand to pressure the government into exploring home experiences. All interviewees have been generous and protecting the little known Ross Dependency. The with their memories and experiences and seem to have Society wrote a letter in September 1953, strongly urging enjoyed the process, taking the opportunity to dig out for the establishment of a permanent scientific station diaries and renew contact with old Antarctic friends. It is in the Dependency, to coincide with the International not just the facts of working in Antarctica at a time when Geophysical Year (IGY) in 1957. New Zealand’s experience down there was limited that are Not long afterwards (8 December 1953) the first important to record; the interviews are also a permanent announcement was made of a proposed crossing of record of a person’s voice and mannerisms, which say Antarctica by Sir Vivian Fuchs from the Weddell Sea much more than the written word. These histories are to Ross Island, which anticipated help from a New treasures of the Society that document an important Zealand support team on the Ross Sea side as part of period in New Zealand’s Antarctic involvement, and they the Commonwealth effort. In early 1955 the Society was will be available to all serious researchers for all time. still urging a rather reluctant New Zealand government Over the next few issues it is intended to list the to support both the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic individuals interviewed and a bit about how they were Expedition (TAE) and the IGY, as well as to set up a involved in Antarctica. A full list of all individuals committee to assist with the New Zealand participation. who have been interviewed is found on our website: A few months later, the New Zealand government made http://www.antarctic.org.nz/pages/projects/oral.php. a grant of ₤50,000 towards the TAE, and the Ross Sea Committee of the TAE was set up in Wellington, including such influential Society members as Robert Falla and Arthur Helm. This was a highly important event for both the Society and the nation, as it marked the initiation of New Zealand’s Antarctic Programme
34 Issue 233 DIGITAL HISTORYTRIBUTE
Antarctica New Zealand Branch News Auckland Digitises 60 Years of his year’s enthusiastic T and innovative Auckland Antarctic History Committee of Linda Kestle, Brett Fotheringham, Myra By Jenny Ryan, Information Services and Applications Advisor, Walton, Roger McGarry and Antarctica New Zealand Nichy Brown has met regularly to plan a varied calendar of ince 1957, New Zealand ADAM now brings those events. In addition, Myra has sent photographers to amazing images to the world: to (Nat Sec) and Linda S Antarctica to record our scientists, Antarcticans, schools, the (NI VP/Akl Chair) were our activities on the Ice. The output, a media and anyone with a love of representatives at the National mixture of slides, negatives, prints history or Antarctica. It hosts images, Council meetings in March and film, was carefully stored at science and event profiles, videos, and August. Antarctica New Zealand, where it and information on associated Among the events the survived earthquakes, two floods people. Thanks to Google Earth we Branch has held this year was and plumbing catastrophes, among have also been fortunate to be able the midwinter dinner on 18 other things. to tag the locations of the images on June at the Royal New Zealand Accessing the collection was a Google Maps. Yacht Squadron – great food, time-consuming and tedious job, ADAM allows the knowledge great venue. A short Antarctic made all the more difficult by its of the public to add greater value quiz was run and networking sheer size. By the time Antarctica to each resource it holds. Users was a real plus for the 16 or New Zealand decided to transfer can tag people in images, add so gathered. A visit to HMNZ the collection to Archives New their recollections and stories, and Dockyard at Devonport was Zealand in 2002, we had over upload their own images to enrich offered in early August. Our 40,000 images. The issue of how our collection. Users are also able to most recent event was held to catalogue the photos remained download low-resolution images or on 13 August, when Pat problematic for the next 10 access high-resolution versions for Langhorne (Head of Physics, years. As early as 1998 it had publications or research. The portal University of Otago) gave an been suggested that digitising the highlights our stunning visual record animated and informative collection was the best way to of New Zealand in Antarctica for the presentation entitled “Antarctic preserve it – but that remained a whole world and is now the largest sea ice and ice shelves: pipedream: too expensive, too time collection of Antarctic imagery on 100 years of science”. There consuming and just too hard. the Internet. were 22 attendees, most of Fortunately, technology moved This is not only a collection of whom were members. Again, on and eventually produced two key New Zealand’s Antarctic history; there were great questions from ingredients that changed everything: it also future-proofs our ability the attendees, avid networking cheaper high-resolution scanning, to manage our experience going and great refreshments. and the Recollect software from forward, in real-time. We hope to have our NZMS, a brilliant, cost-effective Begin your own Antarctic 2015 National NZAS speaker cloud-based graphical database. journey and visit ADAM today at Neil Gilbert (Antarctic Add in a new Chief Executive willing www.adam.antarcticanz.govt.nz. environmental specialist to green-light the project and a from Christchurch) make a custodian passionately determined presentation within the next to see this awe-inspiring collection couple of months, and we made available to the public online, will run the Auckland AGM and you have ADAM – the Antarctic sometime in September. Digital Asset Manager.
Vol 33, No. 3, 2015 35 BOOKS
Frank Worsley, Shackleton’s Fearless Captain: The Biography of a True New Zealand Hero
By John Thomson Reviewed by Ursula Rack With the centenary of Shackleton’s Endurance expedition approaching, John Thomson has revisited and revised his 1998 biography1 of Frank Worsley – perhaps best known for his skills in piloting the James Caird from Elephant Island to South Georgia (24 April to 10 May 1916), leading to the eventual rescue of the entire crew of the Endurance.
rank Worsley is an unsung “… the only criticism I have to make expedition, summarised Worsley’s hero today, but he was is in regard to your commentary, character in his obituary as a “man F once a household name which is … excellent. […] But of action, always on the move and in New Zealand and Britain. Born you are too modest in regard to extremely alert, both mentally in Akaroa on 22 February 1872, yourself…” (p. 178). and physically…” (p. 199). Worsley showed an interest in During this time (c1934) he The content in this new edition adventure from an early age. He was also a treasure hunter on is enhanced and the analysis was intelligent, and was easily bored Cocos Island, following a request of Worsley’s character is better in a rigid school system. However, for assistance from the Treasury developed. One recognises the he passed his exams with high Recovery Ltd expedition. The strong bond between the biographer grades and was well grounded expedition created a conflict and his subject, but the book is far in a classical education, as well with Costa Rica, which saw the from biased. This is a thoroughly as being a good observer with a endeavour as an intrusion. Ninety researched biography and a very strong artistic ability. Worsley’s Costa Rican soldiers landed on good source for future research. first sea experiences were not very the island, removing the party to The photographic material is of high promising: he was seasick and once Panama – creating an international quality and enriches the book. It is wished he “would go overboard” affair, and thus ending any chances a pleasure to read and to return to (p. 23). Overcoming these obstacles, of finding treasure. Worsley again and again. he quickly acquired the seafaring apologised to the President of Costa Frank Worsley, Shackleton’s skills that later allowed him to be Rica and after some negotiations fearless captain: The biography the life-saving navigator on the epic all was resolved. A second attempt of a true New Zealand hero. voyage of the James Caird. ended in 1935 because of lack By John Thomson. (Craig Potton Along with Frank Hurley, of funding. Publishing), Nelson, 2014. ISBN: the official photographer on the World War Two broke out and 978 1 927213 12 4. NZD 49.99 Endurance expedition, Worsley Worsley saw his chance to serve kept Shackleton’s story alive. his country, Britain, in the Royal Giveaway Worsley lectured at public venues Navy. At 67, he was eventually Antarctic has two copies of all over Britain, focussing always given a command in the Merchant Shackleton’s Fearless Captain on Shackleton’s leadership and Navy. One of his duties was to to give away. To enter the draw, downplaying his own role in the blow up acoustic mines. From please write to “Shackleton’s expedition. Hurley’s film South June 1942, Worsley was teaching Fearless Captain”, PO Box 404, was released in 1933 and Worsley at the Royal Naval College in Christchurch 8140, with your name and address. Financial delivered the introduction and Greenwich. Unfortunately his health members only please. commentary in it. Worsley asked was deteriorating and he died on Winning entries will be drawn Albert Armitage for his critical 1 February 1943. James Wordie, 31 October 2015. review of the film. His response was: the geologist on the Endurance
1 Thomson, J. (1998). Shackleton’s captain: A biography of Frank Worsley. Christchurch: Hazard Press.
36 Issue 233 You are invited to join; please complete the membership application form:
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The New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc Payment by: Cheque (payable to NZ Antarctic Society) was formed in 1933. It comprises New Zealanders and overseas friends, Mastercard/Visa/AMEX many of whom have been to the Antarctic Direct deposit to NZAS account and all of whom are interested in some aspect of Antarctic exploration, history, Card no: science, wildlife or adventure. A membership to the New Zealand Expiry date: Card security code: Antarctic Society entitles members to: (The last three numbers on the back of Visa/Mastercard Signature: or four numbers from the front of the Amex card) • Antarctic, the quarterly publication of the Society. Antarctic is unique in Antarctic literature as it is the only periodical which provides regular and up to date news of the activities NZ Antarctic Society account Please send your membership of all nations at work in the Antarctic, details are: application form to: Southern Ocean and Subantarctic 02-0800-0685108-02 New Zealand Antarctic Society Islands. It has worldwide circulation. New Zealand Antarctic PO Box 404 • Attend meetings, and educational Society Inc. Christchurch 8140 and fun events that are held by the BNZ, Christchurch Branch New Zealand Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury branches of the Society. Overseas branch enquiries should be Claims for missing issues should directed to [email protected], be sent to [email protected]. or to: Such claims can be considered only if The National Secretary made immediately after the subscriber New Zealand Antarctic Society has received the subsequent issue. PO Box 404 Christchurch 8140 The Editor of Antarctic welcomes articles from any New Zealand DESIGN: Gusto Design person on any subject related to the Antarctic, the Southern Ocean or Sub-Antarctic regions. Antarctic magazine correspondence, PO Box 11994 In particular, articles recounting personal experiences advertising enquiries, and article Manners Street of your time in the Antarctic are welcomed. submissions should be sent to Wellington Articles may be submitted at any time to the Editor [email protected], or to: Tel (04) 499 9150 at [email protected]. The Editor reserves the The Editor Fax (04) 499 9140 right to decline to publish an article for any reason New Zealand Antarctic Society Email: [email protected] whatsoever. Note that all articles will be subject to PO Box 404 PRINTED BY: Format Print, Wellington editorial review before publishing. Please see our Christchurch 8140 This publication is printed using advice to contributors and guidelines for authors at New Zealand vegetable-based inks onto Sumo Matt, www.antarctic.org.nz/pages/journal.html, or contact Enquiries regarding back issues which is a stock sourced from sustainable the Editor. of Antarctic should be sent to forests with FSC (Forest Stewardship Advertising, including inserts, is also welcome. [email protected], or to the Council) and ISO accreditations. Please contact the Editor for rates and bookings. National Treasurer at the above address. Antarctic is distributed in flow biowrap. Seeking Expressions of Interest Voluntary Work in Antarctica – Exterior Painting / General Maintenance Mid-December 2015 to Mid-January 2016
The New Zealand Antarctic Society and Antarctica New Zealand have entered into an agreement to provide an opportunity for two New Zealand Antarctic Society members to work voluntarily at Scott Base, Antarctica for approximately four weeks from mid-December 2015 to mid-January 2016. The voluntary work will involve exterior painting and general maintenance tasking at Scott Base and will report to Antarctica New Zealand’s Engineering Supervisor and work under the direction of the Scott Base Carpenter. While formal painter/decorator trades qualifications are not necessary, previous experience painting and general maintenance is required. The successful volunteers will be expected to work safely outside on scaffolding. The candidates must have the following: ·· Proven ability in exterior painting and general maintenance ·· Current membership of the New Zealand Antarctic Society and be resident in New Zealand ·· Strong Health, Safety and Environment values ·· Sound decision making and work ethics ·· Hold a current full Class 1 NZ drivers licence ·· Hold a current first aid certificate valid for the duration of the role ·· Demonstrate the ability to work safely & effectively without direct supervision ·· Possess the personal qualities required to fit in socially and professionally with a diverse range of people
The Volunteers are required to undergo all Antarctica New Zealand’s induction processes prior to departure; including obtaining a medical clearance, providing a suitable Ministry of Justice check, pre deployment training and any role specific training deemed necessary. Successful candidates are to provide a report of their activities to Antarctica New Zealand and the New Zealand Antarctic Society by the end of February 2016, and submit a short article about their experience to Antarctic. An application form for this opportunity is available from the New Zealand Antarctic Society website www.antarctic.org.nz/pages/projects/paint.php. If you are interested in applying for one of two positions please download and complete an application form and return it to any of the addresses marked “Volunteer Application”. Previously successful candidates cannot reapply.
The Secretary The Secretary The Secretary Canterbury Branch Wellington Branch Auckland Branch New Zealand Antarctic Society New Zealand Antarctic Society New Zealand Antarctic Society P O Box 404 PO Box 2110 11 La Veta Ave, Mt Albert Christchurch 8140 Wellington Auckland 1003 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Applications close Friday 18 September 2015