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ANTARCTIC SUMMER New Zealanders Herbert and Pain returning from the climb of Mt. Fridtjof Nansen,

January, 1962. Photo: P. M. Otway.

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DRAWN BY DEPARTMENT OF LANDS & SURVEY WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND, SEP. 1961 (Successor to "Antarctic News Bulletin")

Vol. 3, No. 3 SEPTEMBER, 1962

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

Congratulations IloGeSo Honour For Members of the New Zealand American Explorer Antarctic Society will unite in con gratulating Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, of Wellington, founder of the Society The 1962 Patron's Medal of the 30 years ago, on the honour ac Royal Geographical Society has been corded him by the naming after awarded to Captain Edwin A. Mc him of the LEIGH HUNT GLACIER Donald, U.S.N., retiring Deputy- (85°05'S., 173°50'E.), one of the far Commander of Operation Deep thest south place-names on the map Freeze, for his "outstanding ser of the Ross Dependency. vices to Antarctic exploration, in cluding the iirst coastal explorations Thc name was suggested by thc in the south Bellingshausen Sea." Southern Party of last summer's New Zealand Geological and Sur Captain McDonald was Rear Ad vey Expedition to commemorate miral Tyree's right-hand man and Mr. Leigh Hunt's long and dis Commander of Task Group 43.1,— tinguished contribution to New a quartet of icebreakers which an Zealand's Antarctic activities. nually play a big role 'in opening up Antarctic coastal waters for summer re-supply by cargo ships. His polar assignments have taken him by air over both poles and on PEPPING UP ANTARTICA six Arctic and seven Antarctic ex Americans at McMurdo like to peditions. make their outpost look a bit like home. Among well-known advertis ing slogans posted incongruously along the ice road from Williams airstrip to the 'town' of McMurdo are: CHALLENGE TO YOUTH "We have springboards into the "Smoky Bear says 'Use your ash unknown built by the young men tray'." of IGY. Perhaps you may sledge vised are these amateur efforts: curiosity of youth can play a great "Keep off the grass." nart in making this last unexplored "Help Keep Antarctica Green." frontier on earth yield its benefits And there are signposts indicat to all the world." ing nostalgically "Illinois 80," "High way 40," and "New Jersey Turn —from "Defrosting Antarctic pike." Secrets" (see page 131). September, 1962 New Zealanders at Scott Base Prepare for Summer i After the havoc wrought by the correlation of results may take 'ig storm on May 28, the Base was weeks or even months of work it practically back to normal by Mid is too early to assess the signifi winters Day, as the result of much cance of these observations. hard work by all hands. The bliz zard resulted in the death of one dog ihe others were all dug out GETTING READY ol the snow alive and well. Timber Preparations throughout the win and oil drums were blown away a ter for the coming summer's field radio aerial came down and part parties have included the re-lashing ot the Base heating system was of the dog-sledges, checking and put out of operation for a time. repairing polar tents. packing Ihe peak gust was about 98 knots twenty-man-day food boxes, repair the wind averaging about 70 knots ing and making up new dog har lor several hours. ness and checking and repairing the many other items needed to keep a party of eight men in the MIDWINTER field for three to four months. June brought good weather with The scientific programme ran relatively mild temperatures, the smoothly throughout the winter: average being about -4° F (-20° C) the few breakdowns were quickly he lowest "temperature recorded remedied by the technicians. during the month was -45° F Midwinter's Day was celebrated SPRING AT BASE on Friday June 22. Both Friday July brought colder weather, with and Saturday were declared holi the temperatures generally between days except for essential work. -30° and -40° F. but no blizzards, though the wind was from 5 to 20 THE BIG FLASH knots throughout. Interest in the detonation of thc A message received as we go to high-altitude bomb at Johnston press says, "The weather has still Island extended as far south as been kind to us: winds from one New Zealand s two stations Hallett to 20 knots with about 90 degrees of frost at the worst. All are hop (joint US-NZ"), and Scott Base. A radio message from Athol ing that the weather will remain Roberts at Scott Base on July 13 good for the arrival of the planes." says that the countdown on' the The New Zealand flag was raised yth was followed closely The again at the base on August 21, special purpose of senior-scientist though the sun itself was still tan Richards* observations was to hidden by Erebus and Terror. discover if disturbance of the iono sphere by the blast extended to TOUGH JOB Antarctic latitudes. A disturbance After the winter the oil stored which reached its peak about two in 44-gallon drums at Scott Base and a half hours after the nuclear needed replenishing to ensure a detonation was recorded on both good supply till the tankers arrive. the D-region and panoramic iono- This was done from a large Ameri sondes. The whistler equipment re can dump spread over acres of corded a crash but no whistler at snow and ice out on thc ice-shelf the time of the explosion. Only a about four miles from the base. minor change was noticed on the Here, during a break-out of sea- earth-current equipment for a few ice at the end of last summer, hours after the explosion. As the thousands of full drums were hur- September, 1962 A N T A riedly dumped by backing vehicles into the area at a fair speed and BIOLOGICAL PARTY suddenly applying the brakes. The University of Canterbury This left the drums in a jumbled team to work at Cape Royds this heap at all angles. Most of them summer will be led by Dr. Bernard are now buried under feet of snow Stonehouse, F.I.D.S. biologist and which has compacted into a hard, leader of last summer's team at almost icy consistency. So digging Cape Royds. Plans for this party down to the drums was solid hard have not been finalised at time of work. The Americans supplied a going to press, but Dr. Stonehouse crane and 20-ton sledges, but even will be accompanied by two men with that help the task confronting who worked with him last summer, Roberts (Scott Base leader), Mills, Warren Featherston and Murray O'Kane and Langston on August Smith, by O. Sutherland and pos 27 was a difficult and even danger sibly one other man. ous one. The cold affected the con The party plans to continue the trols of the crane, and often the work begun last year, with parti heavy drums suddenly dropped cular reterence to seals, penguins three or four feet and bouncea out and marine collecting. In the 1961- of the grips holding them. 62 summer, Smith gave special at A bitterly cold wind brought tention to the reproduction biology driving snow with visibility closing of the Weddell seal, and Feather in to a few yards. By the time the ston to the parasites of the Wed party was headed back for camp dell. Attention will be given also one man had to walk in front to t o A d e l i e p e n g u i n p o p u l a t i o n try and follow the outward track. trends, plankton and sea-bottom Later still, even the ground was sampling, and the McCormick skua not visible. But Scott Base now has (a study initiated by E. C. Young ample fuel on hand. in 1960-61). A major innovation will be the erection at Cape Royds of a pre T H E C O V E R E D WAY fabricated biological laboratory and living unit. This building, already Flat element heating tapes are to made, will house an electric gen be laid under the covered way at erator, a stove and a kerosene Scott Base to prevent ice forming space-heater. As well as providing on the "roadway." greatly improved facilities for bio At certain times of the year, logical research on the spot, this when there is a slight thaw, the amenity will make it unnecessary snow on the roadway begins to for the team to occupy the old Shackleton hut with the consequent melt. But before the water can risk of damage or destruction by drain away the temperature drops fire of the historic hut. The labora suddenly, freezing the water into solid ice which gradually increases tory has been constructed by the Ministry of Works in conjunction to 18 inches deep. with the Antarctic Division and the To prevent this, a steel trough is being laid under one side of the University. It will be maintained by the Antarctic Division. Erection road. The heating tapes will be of the building is expected to be installed in these troughs to main tain the temperature above freezing completed bv early February. point. The tapes will be encased in SCOUT VISITORS glass fibre reinforced resin, forming heaters designed to operate in a As was done last year, three New temperature range from minus 40 Zealand Queen's Scouts have been to plus 100 degrees centigrade. selected to pay a working visit to In the past, many summer man- the Antarctic this summer. The hours have been spent in attempt boys selected are B. S. Bythell ing to drain the covered way, (Blenheim), D. S. Gray (Whan- which has sometimes been ankle- garei), and C. M. Hope (Christ deep and more in water. church). September, 1962 Men Selected for 1962-63 New Zealand Expedition From over 300 applicants the following men have been selected for work under the New Zealand Antarctic Programme, either based on Scott Base or as the New Zealand component at Hallett Station. As usual, the applicants were TO WINTER OVER unevenly distributed among the The following men have been posts. For example, there were 60 selected for the wintering party at applicants for the one carpenter's Scott Base next year. One of the post, and about 100 applicants for two carpenters may not winter the job of field assistant. Among over. the applicants were three with pre vious Antarctic experience. The LT.-COL. R. A. TINKER: Leader shortage this year was in the field (Sec "Antarctic," June). of senior scientists and technical officers. T. J. ANCELL (22), Wanganui, TRAINING technician. Trevor Ancell is an air The men selected underwent an man (Trade Communication Fitter: intensive course of training in early air), in the R.N.Z.A.F. Born at August at Mt. Ruapehu. For many, Palmerston North and a pupil of it was a first introduction to snow Palmerston North B.H.S. and Papa- work. The course included training kura High School, he joined the in first aid, Antarctic search and R.N.Z.A.F. as an adult entrant in 1957 and in 1961 was posted to rescue, and snow-caving. Six of the the Radio Equipment Calibration party later attended a fire-fighting course at the Fire Services Train Centre, Woodbourne. ing School in Wellington ,and most I. D. CAVE, M.Sc. (25), Welling of the scientists and technicians ton, Scientific Officer. Ian Cave is a received further training at D.S.I.R. Demonstrator in Physics at the Vic establishments in various parts of toria University of Wellington. He New Zealand. was born in Stratford and attended The leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Wanganui Technical College, 1951- Tinker, and the deputy leader, Mr. 55. He graduated M.Sc. in Physics W. R. Logie, were expected to leave at Victoria University of Wellington for the Antarctic on one of the this year. He has had seven years first American aircraft to fly south, climbing experience in the South about mid-September. ern Alps. W. J. DOULL (33), of Dunedin. TRAMPERS LOOK TO ANTARCTIC Maintenance Officer (electrical). Bill Doull is an electrician with the Wellington trampers may tackle Ministry of Works. Born in Dune the rugged Tucker Glacier, west din he went to Kings High School, and south of Cape Hallett, next worked with the railways for six summer—if they obtain Government years and joined the M.O.W. in and United States Navy support. 1957. He is married and has four Sponsored by the Federated Moun tain Clubs of New Zealand, and children. organised by Wellington's Tararua E. C. GATLAND (38), Takapuna. Tramping Club, eight New Zea Technician. Eric Gatland, born at landers may make the trip. Onehunga was at New Plymouth Half of the party would be scien B.H.S. 1938-41. He is a research tists recruited from the Universi technician at the Naval Research ties. The other part would be made Laboratory, Auckland. He served in up of experienced climbers. the R.N.Z.A.F. during the war and September, 1962

was with the P. and T. before join Technician at the Dominion Phy ing the Navy Department. He is sical Laboratory. married and has four children. L. WELLS (30). of Auckland, Cook. Les Wells was born in Palm M. L. GLOGOSKI (25), of Tamaki. erston North and was at the P.N. Maintenance Officer (mechanic). Technical High School for eighteen Leith Glogoski is a fitter with thc months. He joined the Navy nine Railways Department. He was born years ago. He is married and has in Coromandcl, and was educated three children. at Avondale College. W. F. GOSS (36), of Porirua East, SUMMER SUPPORT Maintenance Officer (Carpenter). The following men will be sta Bill Goss, born in Auckland, went tioned at Scott Base during the to Petone Technical High School. 1962-63 summer: W. R. Logie, De He served with the Navy for three puty Leader (see June "Antarctic"); years in the Pacific area, and has G. J. Billing (P.R.O.); J. F. Grave- been a carpenter by trade for the son (driller); G. A. Jackson (store past 14 years. He is married with keeper); L. H. Louden (mechanic); five children. P. J. McGill (dog handler); D. G. Richards (postmaster and radio Q. F. McLEA (27), of Palmerston North, Radio Officer. Fred McLea's operator). birth place was Mangonui, but he An English electronics engineer went to Auckland Grammar School who has had considerable experi 1949-51. After training in radio work ence professionally in England and he was a radio officer on U.S.S. Germany will bc for this year a Coy's ships till 1958, when he went summer-party member. He is to the United Kingdom and served Arthur George Lewis (30), who flew on U.K.-registered ships before tak out from England in late August ing a position as Radio Inspector to join the Antarctic Division. Mr. at Palmerston North. Lewis has had previous Antarctic experience, having served for two M. S. R. SMITH (22), of Rangi- years with the Falkland Islands ora, Biologist. Murray Smith will Dependencies Survey at its Port join the Winter Party at Scott Base Lockroy and Halley Bay bases. after a season J^his second), in the Others who may visit the Antarc field with the University of Canter tic during the summer include J. bury Biological party. A Rangiora H. Miller, T. Hatherton and A. boy, he was at Christ's College Heine. All have had previous An 1953-57. He is completing his stu tarctic experience. Bob Miller was dies for B.Sc. (Hons), at the Uni Sir Edmund Hillary's second-in- versity. In rowing he has repre command during the Common sented Canterbury Tor three years wealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition and the South Island for two. 1956-58. Trevor Hatherton led the three-man New Zealand party B. M. T. WATERS (26), of Christ which reconnoitred for a site for church, Maintenance Officer (Car the New Zealand base in 1955-56 penter). Barry Waters was born in and was senior scientist in 1956-58. Christchurch and went to St. And Arnold Heine has been a member rew's College. A carpenter, he has of New Zealand expeditions and had wide experience as a building was New Zealand representative on foreman, including 18 months at Ihe U.S. Victoria Land Traverse in the Benmore Hydro. 1959-60. D. W. WEBSTER (24), of Silver- stream, Lab. Technician. Don Web SNOWCRAFT ster is having his second winter at Arrangements may be made for Scott Base, his previous service a six-man team of expert New Zea being in 1959-60. He has married land mountaineers to train some since his return from the Antarctic. 30 American scientists and others A Petone boy, he attended H.V.M. in snowcraft before they go into T.C. and also the Wellington Tech the field from their McMurdo base nical College. He is an Electronics this summer. September, 1962

ANTARCTIC MARINE LIFE NEW ANTARCTIC SHIP A New Zealand authority on THIS YEAR deepsea animals, J. S. Buliivant, from thc Oceanographic Institute, The 600-ton "Endeavour" which D.S.I.R., Wellington, will join was New Zealand's Antarctic supply American scientists working at the ship from 1956-57 till 1960-61, is Allan Hancock Foundation, Cali being replaced this summer by a fornia, on the study of the already new H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour. extensive collections from Antarctic She is a Patapsco class tanker waters. He expects to be away launched in the United States in from New Zealand for three years. 1944. She served in the United States Navy as U.S.S. Namakagon Mr. Buliivant will also probably and was placed in reserve after the accompany scientists from the Uni- war. In 1962 she was brought from -crsity during the cruise of the reserve and refitted for Antarctic .Icsearch ship "Eltanin" in south service. She was then commissioned, ern waters. Extensive preparations renamed H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour and have been made at the University sailed for New Zealand. of Southern California and at the The decision to retain the name icock Foundation for examina- Endeavour was made because of uuu of all material taken from the its close association with explora "Eltanin's" marine samplings. tion in the history of New Zealand Scientific teams from the univer and its link with Captain Cook, sity have been aboard thc "Eltanin" who rediscovered New Zealand in since the beginning of her shake H.M.S. Endeavour in 1769. The down cruises in North Atlantic ship's former name, Namakagon, waters several months ago. is that of a tribe of North Ameri can Indians. New Zealand's second Endeavour retains the ship's crest used by the first. This shows a sextant against ANTARCTIC ISSUE a background of the Southern Cross. The sextant is symbolic of '.ea- the exploration and the charting ieo- carried out by the various Endea ed towards vours, while the Southern Cross, -""voted besides being embodied in New —d re Zealand's flag, is the constellation search. The Journal has already which points the way to the great published a considerable number southern continent. of articles dealing, particularly, with Antarctic geology (two are noticed The new vessel's 'vital statistics' in this issue of "Antarctic"), but are: the special issue will bc wholly Displacement: 1,850 tons (light), concerned with Antarctic topics. 4,335 tons (full load). As well as oapei- dealing with Length o.a.: 310 feet. work done in the fields of geology Breadth: 48 feet. and geophysics, there will be ah Machinery: Diesel-electric; two article by W. W. Herbert, leader shafts; 3,300 b.h.p.= 14 knots. of the New Zealand field party Complement: Six officers and 62 which last summer explored the ratings. area east of the Beardmore Glacier The Chief of the New Zealand and climaxed a successful season's Naval Staff, Rear Admiral P. Phipps, work bv descending thc Axel Hei said that the vessel would be on berg Glacier, Amundsen's route to loan from the United States Navy. Ihe Pole. In addition to transporting new There will also be a full biblio personnel, stores and equipment for graphy of the publications which New Zealand activities in the Ross have sprung from New Zealand's Dependency thc tanker's bunkerage Antarctic activities during the past capacity would enable her to take six years. Altogether this promises fuel and aviation spirit for both to be a very significant publication. U.S. and New Zealand parties. September, 1962

*m*f i

SCOTT BASE TODAY

Loolcing along thc covered way towards the Gap and Ob;ervation Hill. Tho U.S. McMurdo base lies just to thc right of the Gap, about two miles from Scott Basc. Photo: H. D. O'Kane.

"In the past, out of the kindness He joined the Auckland Division of their hearts, the Americans have of the R.N.V.R. in March 1931 and taken down a lot of our stuff by was promoted to Sub Lieutenant air and sea," he said. "Thc new in 1935. Mobilised in 1940, Com vessel will enable us to recipro mander Lennox-King served in thc cate." Atlantic and Pacific during thc Second World War. He was men On August 2, 68 officers and rat tioned in despatches in August 1942 ings flew out of Auckland by for services during the capture of R.N.Z.A.F. DC6 transport for San Diego Suarez. Francisco. Two more aircraft-loads of personnel are scheduled to join Demobilised in 1946, he was ap them before the complement for pointed a lieutenant-commander in the trip to New Zealand is filled. t h e A u c k l a n d D i v i s i o n o f t h e R.N.Z.N.V.R. in 1947. Commander Admiral Phipps said on August Lennox-King rejoined the Royal 29 that "Endeavour" will make two New Zealand Navy in 1952 and in trips to Scott Base, Antarctica, this 1955/56 was Stafl" Officer to the summer and possibly three in later Canterbury Division of the R.N.Z. seasons. N.V.R. This involved liaison with the headquarters of the United COMMANDING OFFICER States Deep Freeze expedition and he spent seven weeks in the Ant Commander J. Lennox-King, arctic in the summer of 1956/57. V.R.D., R.N.Z.N., has served in the He subsequently held appointments Antarctic previously as leader at as senior officer of the Navy's Scott Base in the 1959-60 season, Fishery Protection Flotilla and as and is a former commanding officer commanding officer of the first of the previous Endeavour. Endeavour. September, 1962 NEW ZEALAND TEAMS WILL EXPLORE TERRA NOVA BAY HINTERLAND

In continuation of the planned geological and topographical survey of the whole Ross Dependency, two four-man New Zealand parties will work inland this summer from the Terra Nova Bay- Wood Bay coastal area of Victoria Land.

This area, lying approximately be the David towards the Larsen tween 74° S and 76" S, about half Glacier. way between Cape Adare and Minna Bluff, is notoriously difficult The Northern Party also of four of access, at any rate by sea. It men, will probably be flown in dur ing the first half of November, was here that Scott's Northern either to the Plateau, at the head Party, under V. L. A. Campbell, was landed by "Terra Nova" in of the Reeves, Campbell or Priest ley Glaciers or to the vicinity of early 1912, to be picked up a few weeks later. The weeks turned into Inexpressible Island, Terra Nova Bay, 75° S. Included in this party, months, and the six men spent an which will probably spend part of appalling winter on Inexpressible Island in Terra Nova Bay, huddling Oclober and early November in in a tiny cave cut out of a drift. practice sledging in the vicinity of In the summer of 1958-59 a team Scott Base, will be H. S. Gair, geo logist, and K. P. Pain, who was a of 12 men led by Dr. H. J. Har member of last year's southern field rington planned to work in this area, but adverse ice conditions party. made a landing impossible, despite On the arrival of the Northern United States ice breaker assis Party in the field in mid-November tance. the expedition will re-group and form a depot somewhere on the T h i s s u m m e r t w o d i f f e r e n t Plateau. One section will now methods of attack will probably be sledge south to the Larsen Glacier used. One team will leave Scott area, while the other section will Base early in the summer (mid- work north and may possibly de October), and sledge up the coastal scend from the Plateau via the sea-ice and piedmont as far as the Aviator Glacier (74.5'S, 165° E), David Glacier, which discharges in which flows in an easterly direction to the Ross Sea in the area of the from the southern side of Mt. Mon- Drygalski Ice Tongue at the south teagle to feed the Lady Newnes ern end of Terra Nova Bay. It is Ice Shelf between Cape Sibbald possible that this team will use and Cape Johnson, 17 miles to the the two American-made Polaris south-west. "Sno-Traveller" motor sledges which have been purchased by the The composition of the respective Antarctic Division and will be field parties has not yet been finallv taken south this summer. Dog decided, but the men involved will teams will also be used. be: I. D. Cave (25), of Wellington; This southern party will be led M. R. J. Ford (23), of Lower Hutt; by R. W. Hewson, an experienced R. W. Hewson (24), of Inglewood; field party man who is wintering H. S. Gair (36), of Christchurch; over at Scott Base after a summer K. P. Pain (34). of Wcstport; J. F. dog sledging in the far south. The Ricker (24), of Vancouver, Canada; team will later probably be flown M. J. Sheehan (24). of Invercargill; by U.S. aircraft from their position D. N. B. Skinner (24). of Auckland; south of the David Glacier across J. A. Tobin (29), of Hamilton. September, 1962

UNNAMED PEAK This arresting feature is situated in approximately 72° 10' S., 165° E., in the northern portion of the area which will be explored by New Zealand geological and survey teams this summer. An air photograph, U.S. Navy.

The motor sledge or toboggan N . Z . AWA R D chosen for the New Zealand ex pedition is the "Ranger" type. It Two recent students of Victoria weighs 550 lb., is 10 feet long by University have been awarded the Royal Society of New Zealand's 3 feet wide, seats two men and Hamilton Prize for Antarctic geo draws a load of 1,000 lb. The to logical research work. boggan is fitted with a Kohler 9.6 The students, now science gradu h.p. single-cylinder engine. The ates, are Messrs. P. N. Webb and body is of welded steel. While the B. C. McKelvey. These young geo logists pioneered in the 1957-58 and toboggan, of course, runs on tracks, 1958-59 summers, the series of ex it is fitted with two balancing peditions sent into the Dry Valley wood skis and is steered by means areas of Victoria Land by the Vic of wooden skis in front. toria University of Wellington. A N T A September, 1962 TRAPPED SUNLIGHT WARMS ANTARCTIC LAKE In the summer of 1960-61 a biological party from the Univer sity of Kansas, U.S.A., discovered that ice-covered Lake Vanda in the Wright Valley contained extremely saline water, at a depth of 200 feet, which was surprisingly warm, more than 71° F. Various explanations were offered lows a deep layer of virtually fresh to account for this phenomenon. water, under which is another deep Could it be due to hot springs layer of salt water of considerably bubbling into the lake? Could it higher saline content than seawater. be caused by a high geothermal The temperature at the bottom gradient — heat coming "from the is a consistent 25 degrees Centi centre of the earth? grade or 78 degrees Fahrenheit, in Last summer Dr. H. W. Wellman, spite of the fact that the summer senior lecturer in geology, and Dr. surface temperature rarely rises A. T. Wilson, senior lecturer in above freezing point, and the win chemistry, of the Victoria Univer ter temperature drops as low as sity of Wellington, were taken to 40 degrees below. the area by United States helicop The two New Zealand scientists ter and camped for 18 days on the found practically no life in the ice in the centre of the lake, in water—only a few blue-green algae. order to discover the answer to At the edge where the ice melts these questions. Using an ice-drill a little in the summer, a small supplied by the Americans, they amount of green algae spawned, took temperature readings and but not enough to interfere with other data. the clarity of the water. Lake Vanda is five miles long We are grateful to Dr. Wellman and one mile wide, and is 218 feet foi the following brief account in deep. The lake is covered to a layman's language of the results depth of 12 feet by ice. Then fol or their investigations.

STORED SOLAR HEAT AT LAKE VANDA by H. W. Wellman and A. T. Wilson Lake Vanda is permanently cov only a small supply of heat is re ered by about 12 ft. of ice. It quired to keep the bottom water occupies the lowest part of Wright warm. The Americans thought the Valley, near the centre of the Dry heat came from the rocks below Valley system of Antarctica, and the lake, and suggested that the is 15 miles east of the Polar Ice temperature increases downwards Plateau, and 30 miles west of the in the rock unusually rapidly— Ross Sea. that thc geothermal gradient is un On drilling through the ice in usually high. 1960 American scientists discovered We were able to force a probe that the water at the bottom of into the mud at the bottom of the the lake, about 200 ft. below the lake and found that heat was flow base of the ice, is warm with a ing down out of the lake and not temperature of 27° C. This is about up into it. The heat must come 47° C. hotter than the mean annual from above. Solar radiation is a temperature at the top of the ice. possible source. Most of the solar The warm water at the bottom radiation docs not get through the is well insulated from the surface ice. We measured the small amount of the ice by the 200 ft. of cooler that reached the water below, and water and by the 12 ft. of ice, and the amount that reached a depth September, 1962 of 50 li. From the difference we try Departments respectively) and estimated the amount that reached R. F. Benseman, will travel south the bottom of the lake. It proved in December and will spend two to be almost the same as the heat weeks at Lake Bonney. Investiga that was being conducted away, tions will be carried out similar and it seems likely that the water to those made at Lake Vanda last is being kept warm by this very summer. American scientists have small amount of solar radiation worked at Lake Bonney, but their that reaches the bottom of the lake. work has been in the main a study Heat is supplied during the sum of the chemical constituents of the mer months only, but the heat lake water. The New Zealanders leaks away so slowly that there will be more concerned with its will be not much difference be physical properties. tween the summer and winter tem peratures of the bottom water. Lake Vanda, being in Antarctica, receives much less sunshine than do most lakes, and you may won der why water is not warm at the SOCIETY NEWS bottom of all lakes. There are two reasons. The most important is CANTERBURY BRANCH wafer density. If water is warmed it becomes lighter and if the water From September 17 to 21 the of Lake Vanda were pure, the bot Canterbury Branch of the N.Z. Ant tom water would rise and carry arctic Society will organise in con away the heat. But the bottom nection with "Antarctic Week" in water contains salts that make it Christchurch, an Antarctic display much heavier than pure water even in a central city store. The display when warm, and a high salt con will be on view from 9 a.m. Sept. tent in the bottom water—salinity 17 to 9 p.m. Sept. 21. Lunch-hour gradient—is the first essential for lectures and film showings will be storage of solar radiation. The other a feature of the exhibition. There essential factor is clarity of the will be a public day at Christchurch water. Unless water is extremely International Airport, Harewood, on clear, sunlight will not penetrate Sunday, April 23, when United far and thc amount that reaches States Deep Freeze planes and the bottom will be insignificant. facilities will be open for inspec Silt and floating organisms make tion. most lake waters cloudy, but Lake WELLINGTON BRANCH Vanda is unusually clear. The ice cover prevents waves from stirring The September meeting of the up silt from the edge, and there Wellington Branch took the form are very few floating organisms. of a film evening, when Mr. Shcher- Consequently, although the sunshine bakov of the U.S.S.R. Legation pre is less than at most lakes, a greater sented several Russian films on Ant orooortion reaches the bottom of arctic exploration, with explanatory Lake Vanda. comment. Lakes with a strong salinity gradi DUNEDIN BRANCH ent may prove to be a useful way of trapping solar energy providing A well-attended meeting on Aug. the water can be kept very clear. 30 saw two films, one on Admiral Byrd's Second Expedition and the other a Lockheed Antarctic film. We regret to announce the death recently of Mr. Cecil Dunning, a AGAIN THIS YEAR foundation member of the branch, and the committee man responsible Following the research at Lake for the distribution of "Antarctic." Vanda last summer by Drs. Well- Cecil was a tower of strength to man and Wilson, a three-man party the Dunedin Branch for many years. comorising T. G. L. Shirtcliffc and He leaves a widow and an only B. Popolewell (Victoria University son, to whom our sincere sympathy of Wellington, Physics and Chemis is extended. September, 1962 VUWAE 6 UNIVERSITY PLANS NEW EXPEDITION Next summer the farthest south New Zealand field party will be from the Victoria University of Wellington. The University has mounted an expedition during each of the past five years, hence the name VUWAE 6.

This year's expedition will work across the Darwin on the south in the Darwin Glacier area of Vic side of that glacier. toria Land, some 150 miles south of McMurdo Sound. The Darwin WORK PLANNED Glacier, which takes its name from Basement metamorphics and dykes the Darwin Mountains, sighted and were exposed on the triangular named by Scott's 1901-04 "Discovery" coast section, and here, too, appear expedition after Major Leonard Dar to be exoosed the Basement-Beacon win, lies chiefly in Australian unconformity. The higher areas Antarctic Territory, 156° -160 E., appear to be of Beacon and doler 79°50'S., but enters the Ross De ite. This year's expedition will be pendency shortly before it dis studying the metamorphics in order charges into the Ross Ice Shelf. to compare them with the sections studied by earlier V.U.W. expedi THE DARWIN tions, the Koettlitz by VUWAE 4 (1960-61) and the McMurdo oasis The "Darwin Glacier" map pro by VUWAE's 1-3 (1957-60). The ex duced in 1961 by the New Zealand pedition will give some attention Department of Lands and Survey, to the Basement-Beacon uncon is based principally upon a survey formity and will also examine sedi of the area made in 1957-58 by R. mentary rocks with care. Glacial Carlyon of the Commonwealth geomorphology, and particularly Trans-Antarctic Expedition. It was glacio-chronolbgy, will be carried reconnoitred from the air in the out by the expedition as far as it summer of 1961-62 by Prof. R. H. is able. Clark and Mr. R. H. Wheeler (leader of the 1960-61 V.U.W. expedition). THE TEAM They report it to be "a reasonably The leader will be Ian A. G. Willis of smooth-surfaced glacier with rela Wellington, who was with the Uni tively few crevasses, extending from versity expeditions of 1959-60 and the plateau down to the Ross Ice 1960-61. Shelf some 200 miles south of Scott Deputy Leader will be American Base." geologist, Professor C. C. Rich of VUWAE 6 will map exposed rocks Bowling Green State University, and carry out geomorphic and glaci Bowling Green, Ohio, U.S.A. ological observations in the area. The other members are all stud A few miles back from the coast ents of the Geology Department, the Carlyon Glacier (named after Victoria University of Wellington: Roy Carlyon of the New Zealand T. R. Haskell of Napier, J. P. Kennett component, Trans-Antarctic Expedi of Wellington, W. M. Prebble of tion, 1956-58) diverges from the Eastbourne, and G. J. Smith of Wai- Darwin to meet the coast farther roa. The party expects to leave New north. The triangular area thus Zealand for the Antarctic about the enclosed by the Darwin and Carlyon middle of November. The expedi Glaciers, and bounded on the east tion will be under the general opera by the Ross Ice Shelf, is mostly tional control of the Antarctic Divi exposed rock. Again, west of the sion, D.S.I.R., and will be based on Carlyon towards the plateau are Scott Base. some areas of exposed rock, and a The precise operational picture very large ice-free area was seen is not vet clear, but it is likely that September, 1962

NEW ZEALAND DOG TEAM

traversing the Axel Heiberg Glacier. The lower slopes of Mt. Don Pedro Christophersen as seen from the top terrace of the Amundsen Icefalls. Photo: P. M. Otway. the party will be landed, by United States aircraft, on the Ross Ice BIOLOGY Shelf and will first cover the tri A symposium of Antarctic Bio angular coast area.j,The party will logy was held in Paris during Sep then move up either the Carlyon tember 2-8. It was organised by or the Darwin Glacier and examine S.C.A.R. with the co-operation of the areas at higher altitude towards the French Academy of Sciences the plateau. They will probably be at the Faculte de Medecine, Paris. brought out in late January or early Its aims were to review progress February after two months in the in Antarctic biological research, to field. discuss the most profitable lines of future research, to integrate Antarc tic work with biological research elsewhere, and to discuss the [STOP PRESS] special problems involved in re On September 12 two dog-teams search in thc Antarctic and Sub- left Scott Base on a spring training Antarctic, including international run. The goal for the first night co-operation. About sixty papers was Scott's hut at Cape Evans, and were read. Delegates attended from for the next day Shackleton's hut Argentina, Australia, Belgium, at Cape Royds. The men concerned France, New Zealand, Norway, were Hewson, Pain, McKenty and South Africa. U.S.S.R., the United Langston. They left in a —50° C. Kingdom and the United States. temperature using nose-guards to Dr. R. A. Falla, Director of the add to the protection afforded by Dominion Museum, represented their beards. New Zealand. September, 1962 AUSTRALIANS AT WORK IN THE ANTARCTIC portrayed in reports from the Australian stations, even in the winter months field trips have been made from Mawson Station. MAWSON the snowtrac snow bound up there. Newcomers to Antarctica, who During the winter at Mawson have always thought that winter some major works have been ac there meant six months total dark complished. The station now has a ness, have been pleasantly surprised smart new telephone exchange, a renovated radio-room, a cement byshortest the winter day at they Mawson. still had On five the floor in the garage and a most hours light and soon after the sun ingenious photo-electric snow-drift was already shining at mid-day on gauge which promises to be most the little hill behind the station. successful. The long dark hours have been compensated for by wonderful col IN THE FIELD ours of sky and ice in the short Two field parties were out dur days, and brilliant moonlight dur ing the winter. Firstly a party of ing the first half of June being four under Wigg as leader went bv succeeded by astonishingly vivid snotrac to Taylor Glacier, 5i miles auroras. west of base, for biology on Em peror Penguins. They were lucky May had been remarkable for with the weather and enthusiastic fine, cold weather but spoilt its record with blizzard which added about the charm of the emperors to the already huge drifts dividing and the beauty of the situation. They returned with a live specimen the station. of great dignity and social poise, In July weather was again kind who is quite at home in the mess. with not one blizzard during the The second party with Nelson as month. Snow drifts were reduced leader with two dog teams left on and polished by the wind. The June 29 in perfect weather for harbour ice was clear of snow, Auster Rookery, 35 miles east of showing the pale green ice five feel Mawson. :.. thick. The sun was well up at mid These teams returned from Aus day, with discernible warmth. ter after dark on July 5. After a The highest wind of the winter final day's run of twenty miles all was one of 105 m.p.h. during June men were dog-tired and doubtless and although July was the coldest the dogs were man-tired. Due to average July on record the lowest the necessity of camping on the temperature was only 27.8 below island the lack of daylight prevent zero Fahrenheit. ed their reaching the penguin rook May saw the first issue of "Kata ery and returning to the campsite batic," the occasional magazine, in one day. Though they failed to fifteen pages of articles, contem count the penguins they gained porary poetry and art, leave the valuable experience which will be printers after much cajoling and useful for much longer dog trips hard work by the editors. to follow. This journey was the From May onwards Henderson closest ever to mid-winter from weather station was manned for a Mawson. week at a time by successive pairs On July 15 five men took the and finally by Miller and Melvold, dogs on a sixteen-mile return run who had to walk the twelve miles down the west coast to see the back after a ten-day stay, leaving remains of the Dakota aircraft September, 1962

wrecked in 1960. There is now only Davis itself by the men who have the top tail-fin showing above the been relieved. snow. Sea ice journeys reveal many still-open breathing holes and occa DAVIS NEWS sional seals, indicating that they At Davis the sun disappeared on have not left the area at all this June 5 and although due to return winter. The wandering albatross on July 8, was not actually sighted and snow petrels have also been till July 18. sighted. Many beautiful sunsets occurred The main social event was mid towards the end of May, and it winter's day, for which were re was becoming difficult to judge ceived goodwill messages from whether it was sunrise, mid-day or many Antarctic connections—from sunset. Africa to Argentina. Dinner was The event of the winter, even supplemented by champagne and over-shadowing mid-winter's day, cognac, and other specialties pro was the birth of a litter of ten vided by Head Office were magnifi pups to Lulu, the best female cent. Royal toasts were followed breeding dog. Gasps of amazement by personal exchange greetings be accompanied the increasing count. tween us and Davis and Wilkes, In May two men made the first in the radio office, then a twilight trip to Platcha in the snowtrac but handicap race on the sea ice, with unfortunately on the return trip, competitors on motorcycles, bi while doing some local exploration, cycles, man-hauling, skiing and a Hulcombe met with an accident husky puppy team. It was won by which resulted in his being hospi a man rolling coil wire. This was talized. By July he was back among followed by a buffet tea in fancy his generators. dress and a concert. Platcha was visited again by suc cessive pairs in July who installed DAVIS the radio and meteorological equip ment in the 9 feet by 5 feet hut. Davis, named after Captain John During high winds the walls move King Davis, veteran of Shackleton's but the hut is well guyed down 1907-09 and 1917, and of Mawson's and living conditions inside are 1911-14 and 1929-31 expeditions, is very good, with electric light and situated approximately on the 69th gas stove, but no kitchen sink. parallel in longitude 78° E. It is on Davis had the worst blizzard of the shore of the Princess Elizabeth the winter late in May. At one time Coast about 3,000 miles S.S.W. of there vvas nearly as much sand and Fremantle. The locality is rocky, grit (lying past as there was snow. with many lakes arid fjords. This sand has blasted much paint Long Fjord, to which reference off the buildings. is often made in Davis reports, lies June weather was very mild with some 18 miles east of the station. an all-time high pressure of 1018/9 It is the site of an observation post m/bs for Davis. The maximum ideally situated for the collection temperature was 23.1 Fahrenheit, of data on thc violent katabatic the minimum temperature was winds which are caused by the minus 17.8 F. The strongest wind downflow of air from the high was 55 knots. The lowest tempera inland plateau. So furious are these ture of the winter was minus 29.7° winds that a special type of shelter Fahrenheit which occurred during had to be devised for the observers, a short spell of clear sky during two of whom occupy the observa a very overcast month. tion post at a time, for forlnightlv periods. This is a red-painted steel OATES LAND caravan which was mounted on a During float plane and helicopter sledge and hauled round the coast flights early this year from the after the sea froze in the 1960-61 "Thala Dan" off Oates Land, south summer. The journey of 18 miles of New Zealand, the Australians took six days of hard work. photographed 300 miles of coast The fortnightly relief is effected line and mapped 24,000 square by the new men with dog teams, miles of previously unknown terri the teams being driven back to tory. September, 1962

WILKES in 1959. Late that year he joined the Antarctic Division, Department June weather produced a change of Scientific and Industrial Re from the cool, calm days of May search, and left New Zealand for to the roughest, windiest days oh Hallett Station where he was Scien record, near the end of the month tific Leader throughout 1960, and when the winds peaked at 115 then for the 1960-61 summer was m.p.h. on June 24. These strong Public Relations Officer at Scott winds caused the following items Base. In April of last year he of damage: parked weasels were left for Australia to join the Aus blown some yards; heavy steel plate tralian National Antarctic Research was blown against and broke the Expedition to Wilkes Station as new garage windows, which re officer in charge. sulted in the garage being near The big event of th half-filled with blowing snow be- mid-winterV day, ceicuiuicu on Saturday, June 23, which also coin is broken cided with the six months' anniver up and disappeared; the new 5,000- gallon rubber fuel tank and its sary since the departure from Mel stand were broken off the founda bourne. tions and blown sideways; many A great deal of the work pro buildings suffered minor damage gramme has been directed towards and drift snow penetrated inside vehicle and equipment preparation most of them. for the long traverse planned to All the main station buildings leave Wilkes late in September for were by then buried under snow Vostok. drifts and the only exits were via July produced mainly cold, calm doorways and up many steps cut weather with a record low average in ice and snow or through roof temperature of 37.4 degrees below hatches. freezing. The latter end of the month saw the sun struggling a Before the sea ice had been little higher above the horizon to blown out a fishing contest attracted bathe the station in a few hours many entrants and over 50 fish were caught through innumerable of sunlight, but unfortunately not holes cut in the sea ice. much warmth. The big celebration of July was American Independence Day, July MAJOR JOURNEY PLANNED 4: a giant fire cracker, constructed As mentioned in the June issue by Goldenberg and Walker, was ' "Antarctic," plans have been placed on the headland across the -.awn up for a major traverse in bay and a^ mid-day it was fired. the summer. The object will be The resulting explosion and sheet to carry out seismic ice depth of bright flame was recorded on measurements for a distance of 850 numerous cameras and gave a vivid miles inland from Wilkes to link impression which was likened to up the work of the Australians in Cape Canaveral. 1961 with other seismic work car ried out by the Russians at Vostok Station. BALLOONS WILL TEST The expedition will be led by RADIATION the station leader, Robert Thom son, of New Zealand, says a press Radiation detection instruments release from Canberra dated June to be carried by balloons to an 21. altitude of about 20 miles over the Five Australian and one American Antarctic next year are being de technician will be in Thomson's signed and built at the University party. No further details were an of Tasmania. nounced. About 30 balloons carrying the Bob Thomson, whose home is in instruments will be released from New Plymouth, was senior iono Wilkes Base by scientists with the sphere observer at Campbell Island 1963 Antarctic expedition. September, 1962

The programme of upper atmos phere radiation study will be the JAPAK MAY RETURN first wholly conducted by Australia. Last summer, Australian Antarctic TO SHOWA scientists launched similar radia tion probes from Macquarie Island As Showa Base is—we hope tem in co-operation with the University porarily—unoccupied there is no of California. The United States news of recent Japanese activities university provided the equipment. in the Antarctic. A senior physicist of the Ant Mr. M. Murayama and his 1961- arctic division (Dr. N. R. Parsons), 62 wintering team returned to who is working at the University Japan by air from Capetown on of Tasmania, said the balloons March 16. The summer support would be sent up to an altitude '■»' "'- ~'n —"' ' ■ n"' -.c. of party under Professor T. Yoshi kawa returned on the "Soya" which reached Japan on April 17. "Soya" is unfitted for further Antarctic in the earth's magnetic field. work, and after repair will revert They would carry neutron-charged to her original work as a patrol particles and X-ray monitors, and ship along the Okhotsk coast of their information would be relayed northern Japan. by radio to a receiving station at Mr. Murayama and Prof. Yoshi Wilkes Base. kawa reported that Showa Station It was hoped that each balloon had been so carefully sealed for would drift about the 100,000 ft. the future re-opening that the level for several days, continuously station could be used at once any radioing information abqiut radia time within the next five years, and tion there. that the stocks of fuel and food Dr. Parsons said that radiation would be enough for a wintering detectors at ground level were be team of 10 men. Now at the station, ing used at Wilkes Base, but the where there is no sign of human —esence, the automatic meteoro logical observing tower will be carrying out its routine work, pos The balloon-carried instruments sibly till next March or even later. would overcome this handicap. FUTURE UNCERTAIN He said the balloons would be released during periods of radia Meanwhile pressure is being tion fluctuations because of sun brought to bear from many quar- . ots, solar flares, and auroras, nd the information from them would be recorded at the base on charts. At the end of April, the Science Council appealed to the Govern ment to re-open JARE as soon as possible. This, the Council claimed, is most desirable, especially in the Quiet period of solar activities in 1964-65; and unless the diesel-elec NORWAY tric icebreaker of 5,000 tons and No Norwegian Antarctic base has 10,000 h.p. and the powerful gas- been in operation this year and no turbine helicopters are built, though they are both desirable, the expedi Norwegian Antarctic activities are tion ought to charter a foreign ice proposed for the coming year. breaker. In May, the Ministry of The Norwegian Polar Institute Education is expected to examine (Norsk Polarinstititt) has published a concrete plan for future re-open two papers arising out of research ing. The Ministry of Finance is carried out in Dronning Maud Land believed to be concerned about the 1949-52, also six maps of limited expensive estimate (over £2,500,000) areas on the scale 1 : 250,000. for the building of the ship. September, 1962

The full scientific reports of JARE are now being prepared by OF THE various sections, though prelimin ary reports have already been print m DEPENDENCY ed in the "Antarctic Record." RESEARCH SHIP HOME The New Zealand Government is The research ship "Umitaka-Maru" steadily pushing ahead, by field of Tokyo Fisheries College returned work during the summer periods to Tokyo on March 16 after 140 and map drawing and production lays and a voyage of 48,000 kilo throughout the year, with the com meters (see "Antarctic," Vol. 2, plete mapping of the Ross Depen dency, which is under New Zea No. 12). Prof. T. Kumagori, the land administration. expedition leader, said that the re search field was around the Ant Readers who may wish to have arctic Convergence from 115°E. to maps, either of the Dependency, or 36°W., especially in the Weddell of portions of it, may obtain them Sea area, and the extensive obser on application to any office of the vations of marine life, weather, Department of Lands and Survey, oceanic currents, submarine relief, or to one of the numerous map- etc., were proving very fruitful. selling agencies. The following maps are all ob 50-YEAR-OLD BACTERIA tainable, at the prices stated: Map of the Antarctic Regions— FOUND ALIVE 1:16,000,000, 2nd Ed. 1955. NZMS 94. 4/-. Bacteria frozen in the Antarctic NZMS 135 Ross Sea Region — ice for half a century have been 1:4,000,000 and 1:1,000,000, 1957. 5/-. found alive in samples collected by NZMS 175/1 Beaufort Island— New Zealanders of the Huts Res 1:25,000, 1960. 2/6. toration Project, 1960-61, at the re NZMS 166 Tucker Glacier (Hal quest of an American scientist. lett region)—1:250,000, 1960. 7/6. The bacteria were deposited in Antarctica by the expeditions of NZMS 175/3 Part of Victoria Land (W. McMurdo region)— 1:250,000, Captain R. F. Scott and Ernest H. 1961. 6/- for set of two sheets. shackleton, just after the turn of the century. The scientist, George NZMS 166 Mt. Discovery—Prov. H. Meyer, a University of Texas Ed., 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. microbiologist, said that the history NZMS 166 Westhaven nunatak— cf the sites and the fact that the Prov. Ed., 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. organisms were recovered from NZMS 166 Darwin Glacier—Prov. human excrement deep in the ice determined the age. It is extremely Ed., 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. unusual for micro-organisms of this NZMS 166 Byrd Glacier—Prov. type to survive for a long time, Ed., 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. he remarked. NZMS 166 Shackleton Inlet — Dr. Meyer and Dr. Marie B. Mor Prov. Ed., 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. row, University aerobiologist, are NZMS 166 Mt. Rabot—Prov. Ed., trying to learn the relationship be 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. tween micro-organisms and their NZMS 166 Mt. Miller—Prov. Ed., environment, how they are influ 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. enced by solar irradiation, negative NZMS 166 Mt. Hope—Prov. Ed., temperatures, desiccation and other 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. conditions, and why they can sur vive in Antarctica. NZMS 166 The Cloudmaker — Prov. Ed., 1:250,000 (2 col.). 3/-. NZMS 166 Granite Harbour—1st Ed., 1:250,000 (full colour). 7/6. ERRATUM NZMS 166 McMurdo Sound—1st Vol. 3, No. 2, June 1962: p. 59, Ed., 1:250,000 (full colour). 7/6. 1. 19: for 1941 read 1841; last line: . NZMS 175/4 Cape Bird—1:25,000. for 150 read 120. 3/-. TWELFTH FRENCH EXPEDITION TO ADELIE LAND

French 'summer campaign' of 1961-62, briefly outlined in our last issue. For the first time the French unloaded directly on to the shore expedition made use of the Danish by means of a "flying fox" 200m Lauritzen Line vessel "Magga Dan," long and oil could be conveyed by replacing the veteran "Norsel." a pipe-line directly to the fuel- "Magga Dan" left le Havre on tanks. The oil cargo was trans October 25, 1961, with 34 passengers, ferred in this way from ship to the 19 men to winter-over in "TA12" snore in seven hours, on January 6. and 15 of the 20-man support party. There was, however, a 'hold up' The ship reached Melbourne on in the installation of the projected December 8 and Hobart on Decem cable railway. As the change of ber 11. Here the remaining five landing place meant surveying a summer-party men embarked: thev new route for the cable railway, it included Paul-Emile Victor, Direc was now necessary first of all to tor of Expeditions Polaires Fran investigate the possibility of con caises, and old campaigners Robert structing a new road instead. In Guillard, Claude Lorius, and Roland any case, the planned point of de Millicamps. parture for the cable-way, Jakobsen Leaving Hobart on December 14, Rock, was coated in ice and re "Magga Dan" arrived at the Pointe mained ice-covered till the end of Geologie archipelago, Adelie Land, January, making construction of on December 19. Unloading began the starting platform impractic next day in fine weather. The linger able. ing winter ice between l'lle des Petrels and l'lle Jean Rostand pre TRAVERSE PARTY vented unloading at the usual "pre" On Christmas Day the four-man (meadow) on l'lle des Petrels but geological field party under Lorius that evening Captain Pedersen, began its journey to the plateau. after meticulous soundings, manoe On January 11 Ricou was brought uvred his ship round l'lle des Pet back to Dumont d'Urville base rels and succeeded in mooring her suffering from a severe dental in at a new disembarkation place be fection. He was replaced by Du- tween the two islands. Here the cheron. The traverse team returned ice could be used as a quay and to base on January 29 after five when the ice went out it was onlv weeks in thc field." Three weasels a few cable lengths to the disem were used, each drawing a loaded barkation point. When unloading sledge. Meteorological observations was completed '"Magga Dan" an were carried out as well as the chored in the shelter of the west glaciological work. cliff of the Astrolabe Glacier be In February five men made ob tween l'lle Lamarck and l'lle Jean servations on the Astrolabe Glacier. Rostand. This proved a safe an An exceptional spell of good wea chorage. ther between December 20 and January 11 speeded up the disem FOR AND AGAINST barkation. During this period of The new landing arrangements over three weeks snow fell on only thus made necessary had two im two days and there were only three portant consequences. days of strong wind. There was a great saving in time The equipment required by the and labour. Provisions, construc hydrographers, glaciologists, sur tion material, etc., could now be veyors, and helicopter crews was September, 1962 all landed by December 22, so they at Cape Bienvemu, and Cape Jules, were able to get to work at once. off the Zclce Glacier and at Port Martin. The two small craft "Christine" HELICOPTER FLIGHTS and "Evelyne" which had been ex During "Magga Dan's" 53 days tremely useful during the work at l'lle des Petrels the Djin heli referred to above, were both dam copter was in 100 per cent, use on aged during a heavy gale on the 33 days. There were only 12 days 18th. A rock used for mooring was on which it could not be used at dislodged, and the two boats were all. The helicopter was re-crated dashed against the coast. They aboard "Magga Dan" on February were taken back to France for 10 after ferrying ashore 170 tons of cargo and 26 passengers in nearly 59 hours of flying time, without mishap. The group was under the CHANGE OVER command of Captain A. Simonot. On February 1 the new wintering team took over the base. The fol lowing day the base was visited by CONSTRUCTION WORK the Australian supply-vessel "Thala Among the main tasks of the Dan" with Philip Law on board. construction party under R. Guil Further cartographic, hydrogra lard was the laying of 130 metres phic and biological work was under of metalled road four metres wide. taken, after the return of "Magga This task occupied six men for 21 Dan" from Hobart. Ricou came days. Very light explosive charges back with the ship. For the first only could be used, and the rocks time the topographic survey was being demolished had to be shroud extended as far as Mathieu Rock. ed in steel nets to prevent possible "Magga Dan" finally sailed for damage to base buildings. Hobart on February 14. The construction of a shelter (number 21) for cosmic ray studies Radio communications with Nou was also carried out and consider mea, McMurdo, Mirny and Kergu able alterations were made to the elen were satisfactorily established, Base. The vehicles were recondi but Wilkes presented some diffi tioned where necessary. culties.

HYDROGRAPHY SETTLING IN A full programme of hydrographic February was a month at once work was carried out. The sum smiling and deceitful: smiling be mer's work in conjunction with cause it enabled the new-comers that of previous years and the ex to begin housekeeping after 42 tension of photographic coverage nights in the garage, deceitful be will facilitate the production of a cause it was a shocking month "Terre Adelie Pilot." climatologically, with wind, snow In biology, the work done in and blizzard "reducing an already cluded 14 dredges in the environs short month to a mere week dur of l'lle des Petrels to obtain bottom ing which outside activities were samples at depths of from 0 to 20 practicable. metres, horizontal and vertical Every day, when weather per- plankton trawls, water sampling mitted, everyone not otherwise em for temperature and salinity, a ployed sallied out to gather up tins, study of Giant Petrels on one of casks, old planks, boxes, frozen-in the islands of the archipelago, and rubbish, etc. The most spectacular census and marking of Fulmar "save" was that of the Continental nests on l'lle des Petrels. tractor half buried in the snow "Magga Dan" left for Hobart on since 1956. January' 17 in order to take Ricou Leisure time interests included back for hospital treatment. Before physical exercises before dinner this date work was carried out on every day, English lessons after chart-correction, biology and hydro dinner, and a game of radio-chess graphy, off the Astrolabe Glacier, with thc Russians at Mirny. September. 1962 A N T A F

T H E N E W T E A M struction work. The year's leader will be Robert Guillard, a member Thc "Magga Dan" with the new of Expeditions Polaires Francaises French expedition (TA13) for Terre since 1947, who has taken part in Adelie will leave le Havre about no fewer than 13 expeditions October 10 and is due to arrive m either in Greenland or in Terre Terre Adelie early in December, Adelie, including the first year in via Hobart. Terre Adelie for the I.G.Y., 1955-57. The Expedition programme tor He was responsible for the con 1962-63 differs greatly from those struction of Dumont d'Urville and of previous years. The Scientific Charcot Stations. Organization responsible for the The wintering party will number programme implemented by Expedi 20. M. Paul Emile Victor will direct tions Polaires Francaises has agreed the summer activities. For this to devote the efforts of the 1963 period two Alouette helicopters will wintering party to an extensive re be in use. modelling of Dumont d'Urville Sta tion. Of recent years the greater A PENGUIN BOOK part of the expedition's resources Readers wishing to have Prevost's has been devoted to equipment, fine study L'Ecologie du Manchot apparatus and scientific observa Empereur may obtain a cop^ from tions, to the detriment of the Base Hermann, 6, rue installations. The buildings erected Paris Ve, France, a in 1956 at the commencement of N.F. (See review in June "Ant .the I.G.Y., were temporary struc arctic"—and your bookseller.) tures. When the French Government decided that as from 1959 the base should be a permanent one, and in view of the projected acceleration of scientific activity for the Year of the Quiet Sun, modernisation of 8 0 0 - M I L E F L I G H T the base became essential. A bird taken from its seaside In addition to the amenities (men tioned above) installed last summer, nesting site, flown 825 miles inland the following installations will be and then set free, has found it way back to its mate and youn undertaken during the coming year: chick. This remarkable demonstra The various depots will be dis tion of homing instinct was ace mantled and re-arranged and a full inventory made. plished in 10 days and involve^ . Reinforced concrete foundations flight over the cold, barren ant comparatively featureless terr will be prepared for the erection the Antarctic Continent. in 1963-64 of a power plant, two The bird was one of six South laboratory blocks and a garage. The living quarters will be given Polar skuas caught and band--' Cape Crozier on January 25. over entirely to dormitory accom skuas were transported to McMurdo modation and the magnetic iono Station by helicopter and flown sphere and meteorological labora from here directly to the tories which at present take up Pole aboard a U.S. Navy C-13u an- much of the space will be trans craft. On arrival at the Pole the ferred elsewhere. same afternoon, the birds were The construction of new living released. quarters is scheduled for the season One of the six was seen again following the Year of the Quiet Sun. at its Cape Crozier nest on the In the light of all this construc afternoon of February 4. The bander tion work, the scientific programme had been camping near the nesting for 1962-63 will be limited to— area ever since the homing experi Aurora and night sky (two men) ment was initiated and had kept a Ionosphere (one man) regular watch over the nests in Meteorologv (one man) volved. Radio-activity (one of the above) This is believed to be the longest All the other members of the experimental demonstration of the expedition will be engaged on con homing ability of these birds. September, 1962 HEWS FROM S.A.N.A.E. On March 8 Albert Brand hurt his foot under a tractor. After the lool had been put in plaster of (70°20'S., 2°25'W.) Pans and he had to use crutches, he also recovered completely. Early in March the third South .itncan National Antarctic Expedi On Thursday, April 12, the first tion reported as follows: radio contact with another Antarc tic Base (Mawson) was made from We had another blow on Febru the new S.A.N.A.E. station. Un ary 24 with gusts to 40 knots. fortunately conditions were poor Ihen followed two clays of fine and this first contact did not last weather. On the 27th the wind started to blow from thc east and long. lasted for three days with gusts to IN MEMORIAM 60 knots and lots of blowing snow. While the M.S. R.S.A. was lying Within seven davs from the first in Polarsirkelbukta, the ship's radio blizzard the 330 ft. long snow cor operator, Mr. Thomas Moriarty, be ridor was dug out and covered. came ill due to heart trouble. The This corridor provides ample stor two doctors were by his side but ing space for boxes and fuels. at 1030 on February 8 he passed Driftsnow still comes in in a few away. places; these holes will be covered At the request of his family in now. The wiring of the technical Ireland, Mr. Moriarty was buried hut still has to be done. on the iceshelf on February 12. The small OC3 Oliver tractor has been repaired and is of great value. The first stars are already visible in the evening. The coldest tem perature so far has been —25° C. The three parakeets join in the o.C.A.R. conversations during meal times. The annual S.C.A.R. meeting was LUMINOUS OBJECT held at the University of Colorado, At 2007 GMT on March 18 a Boulder, from August 20 to 24. New brilliant luminous object was seen Zealand's delegates were Mr. W. H. to the north-east of the station. Ward, Director of the Dominion The object moved from east to Physical Laboratory, and Mr. G. W. north at about 10 degrees above Markham, Superintendent of the the horizon; it was visible for about Antarctic Division, D.S.I.R. 10 seconds. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e g e n e r a l OLD STATION TO NEW S.C.A.R. meeting, several specialist sub-commiltees have been meeting On March 21 about 90 per cent, under S.C.A.R. auspices to discuss of the meteorological instruments particular aspects of Antarctic ex and equipment had been trans ploration and research. ferred to the new station. One Redifan G40 B transmitter, two LOGISTICS Redifan R40 M receivers, one PYE At Boulder, August 13-17, a Logis VHF transmitter/receiver and a tics Symposium was held. The dele certain amount of mechanical gation from New Zealand com spares and supplies were still at prised Mr. G. W. Markham, who the old station. was joint organising secretary of the Symposium, Mr. F. Ponder, INJURIES Ministry of Works (architect of On March 21 Danie Olivier, diesel Scott Base), Sq. Ldr. J. R. Claydon, mechanic, fell in the snow corridor R.N.Z.A.F., who was senior pilot and suffered from brain and spinal of the New Zealand component of concussion. He recovered speedily the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic and by the end of the month he Expedition, 1956-58 and Cdr. J. could already assist in the lighter Lennox-King, Commanding Officer tasks. of H.M.N.Z.S. "Endeavour." September, 1962 A N SUMMARY OF THE YEAR'S WORK BY BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY

News from the British bases is scanty as activities during the winter months have been confined to routine scientific observations and general maintenance work.

Readers will, however, be interested shooting in the north-east part of in the following brief progress report thc Bransfield Strait proved to be to supplement the accounts of field most successful. Palaeomagnetic in work and summer relief activities vestigations have also continued which have appeared in earlier issues. successfully and the main results Seven main bases and three sub are now being published. sidiaries were relieved last summer and occupied during 1962 by a total TOPOGRAPHICAL SURVEY wintering party of 89. An eighth main base (Port Lockroy, Wiencke The triangulation of the east Island, off the west coast of Gra coast of Graham Land has been ham Land) was closed down, and continued southwards to the limit its staff and equipment transferred of the existing aerial photography to thc Argentine Islands base. The in about 65° S. Further south, in Survey's two ships, R.R.S. "John the Drygalski, Green and Crane Biscoe" and R.R.S. "Shackleton," Glacier areas, detail has been filled were again assisted by the charter in by sledge traverse and plane- table survey. ■ ship, M.V. "Kista Dan," and by two Otter aircraft operating from The triangulation of Adelaide Is Adelaide Island. land was started in the south and south-east of the island, and was extended to the off-lying islands PHYSICAL SCIENCES during the summer. In the north A full programme of geophysical, of the island, reconnaissance was meteorological, auroral and tidal carried out for a tellurometer tra observations was carried out at verse planned to link the triangula the two observatories at thc Argen tion in thc south with earlier work tine Islands and Halley Bay. Iono in Hanusse Bay, but bad weather spheric soundings and the investi prevented any observations from gation of "whistlers" were trans being made. Surveyors based at ferred to the Argentine Islands in Stonington Island travelled by Mus January when the Port Lockroy keg to Fossil Bluff in George VI base was closed down. Sound, but work there was cur The magnetic survey of northern tailed by unusually high tempera Trinity Peninsula has been extend tures and resultant wet snow. How ed southward from Hope Bay and ever, they managed to reconnoitre now covers the area north of southwards from Fossil Bluff to 63°51'S. Seaborne magnetic surveys Stephenson Nunatak (72°11'S.) and have been confined to detailed work set up stations for a tellurometer in the Bransfield Strait and to thc traverse. north-west of the South Shetland During the 1961-62 summer, addi Islands. Gravity observations, in tional angles were observed in the cluding repeat readings at stations Joinville Island group, supplement- established in 1959-60 and 1960-61, ins: the previous year's work. Six now cover most of the west coast tellurometer lines were measured of Graham Land as far south as on Robert, Nelson, Greenwich and Fossil Bluff at 71°20'S. in Alexander King George Islands in the South Island and isolated points on the Shetlands, in spite of very bad cast coast. Experimental seismic weather. September, 1962

Compilation was continued by ing the summer, a primary survev the Directorate of Overseas Surveys was made of the vegetation of and three topographical maps were Signy and a substantial collection "ublished during the year—one in of mosses, liverworts and five flow the 1:500,000 series and two 1:200,000 ering plants obtained. The ecology sheets. Work also continued on the of the more important species was Trans-Antarctic Expedition maps. studied in some detail. These and all future maps will use A new programme of research the cartographic symbols as agreed on the invertebrate fauna of soils by members of S.C.A.R. and bryophyte mats was also begun at Signy and will continue over the GEOLOGY next two years. The freshwater fauna of a series of small lakes is Detailed geological surveys of the also being examined in detail in James Ross Island area and Trinity relation to essential changes in the Peninsula, north of Cape Longing, composition and temperature of the have been completed. A reconnais water. sance survey of Adelaide Island is nearing completion and detailed Ornithology has continued to be work has been continued in central an important part of the biological Marguerite Bay and in the vicinity programme. Detailed work has been of Fossil Bluff. The raised beaches done on the general behaviour and of the South Shetlands have also breeding biology of Cape Pigeons been investigated. and Sheathbills. Adult and young Giant Petrels and nestling ' Cape Particular emphasis has been Pigeons have been ringed in num placed on stratigraphical, palaeon- bers together with smaller totals tological and structural investiga- of other species. gations in order to correlate the areas already investigated. The pre Routine observations on the ele phant seal population have con paration of a comprehensive geo tinued and Weddell Seal pups have logical map of Graham Island, com been tagged. piled from all available sources, is nearing completion. Some biological work has also been carried out away from Signv Island. Botanical collections have GLACIOLOGY been made in many areas including Glaciological studies on the small the South Sandwich Islands. At ice caps of the Argentine Islands Halley Bay a study of the endo have been completed and routine crinology and behaviour of Em observations and measurements are peror penguins was concluded, and continuing at other stations. the collections made are being ex Sea ice observations were carried amined in England. At South out from all bases. Georgia, the routine study of ele phant seals in relation to the seal ing industry has continued, and a BIOLOGY AND SOIL SCIENCE programme of research on the As part of the 1961-62 expansion breeding biology of the fur seal of biological research a number of has been completed. new programmes were begun at Signy Island in the South Orkneys. Priority has been given to projects providing fundamental background information such as the study of WANTED ! processes of soil formation, soli- fluxion phenomena and temperature regimes at various depths. In the ANTARCTIC Vol. 2, No. 2 1961-62 summer, 180 soil samples were collected from a representa (June, 1959) tive range of sites and brought Enquirer willing to purchase or back to England in cold-store. These lo exchange Vol. 1, No. 1, 2, 3 or 4. are now being examined by chem Apply: Secretary, N.Z. Antarctic ists and microbiologists. Also dur Society. September, 1962 A N T A R C 1 I C DEEP FREEZE 63 PLANS EARLY START

United States operations in the Antarctic for the coming season are scheduled to begin earlier than ever before.

Rear Admiral David M. Tyree, temporary scientific camp (see "Ant who will command U.S. Naval arctic," March, 1962); four major Support Force Antarctica until his overland traverses, one from Byrd successor, Rear Admiral James H. Station to Little Rockford summer Reedy, takes over, probably at the weather station, another from Byrd midway point of the operational Station north-eastward to the Mar season. Deep Freeze 63 will be Ad tin Peninsula to search for a site miral Tyree's fourth command in for off-loading bulk fuel for Byrd Antarctica. Station; and two manned by scien 11 all goes according to plan, the tists from the University of Wis first aircraft will end the six-month consin, beginning at the South Pole, winter of isolation for the 288 to study snow geophysical features Americans now in Antarctica on high on" the polar plateau. September 15, when Admiral Tyree At McMurdo Station, the largest hopes to make a ski-landing at of the U.S. Antarctic stations, a McMurdo Station. September 15 large (40 x 100ft.) sea-water distilla would be twelve days earlier than tion plant is to be constructed, as any previous break-through of the well as a partial sewerage system winter solitude. and other construction works for Deep Freeze 63, involving some further storage space and extension 4,000 men from all branches of the of present facilities. service, using twelve ships includ At Byrd, the cutting and roofing ing the New Zealand Navy ships of three tunnels and an aviation "Rotoiti" and "Endeavour," and fuel storage area, and the erection some 36 aircraft, is expected to be of three new buildings within this well under way by mid-October, "city under the snow" are among by when the airlift phase will bc the planned works; and construc in the midst of flying thousands tion plans for Amundsen-Scott and of pounds of passengers and cargo Hallett Stations are laid out. tu the inland and coastal stations A military version of the Boeing under U.S. control. November should 707 is due to arrive at Christchurch see the breaking-up; of the ice by International Airport on September the ice-breakers to permit the pass 11. This aircraft carries 61 passen age of cargo ships and fuel tankers gers and will fly direct from Hono bringing to the continent the pro lulu to Christchurch. visions, fuel and equipment that Considerable additions are to be will be handled from there on prim made to the facilities for scientific arily by aircraft, to fulfil the basic research at the McMurdo Station. mission of Deep Freeze 63—the The biological laboratory will be support of the U.S. Antarctic Re considerably enlarged. The new search Programme, which is under cosmic ray building is also to be the auspices of the National Science enlarged, in preparation for the Foundation. International Year of the Quiet Sun. PROJECTS PLANNED Further experimenting in snow compaction is scheduled to make Major projects for the coming possible the construction of a snow season include the exploration of runway for wheeled aircraft on the the Palmer Peninsula area for the Ross Ice Shelf. site of a future scientific camp; the establishment of Eights Station, AWARD MADE TO VX-6 a new year-round science outpost at the place where last year's "Sky- The Navy Unit Commendation Hi" airlift project established a has recently been awarded to U.S. September, 1962

MAKING THE NEW U.S.

BYRD STATION

Top left: The 19-ton Peter Snow Miller completing a passage-way between the two tunnels.

Top right: The bare interior of one of the tunnels, showing the underside of steel arches that form the roof.

Left: Seabees install steel arches roofing a tunnel. The arches will be covered by nearly seven feet of snow.

Official U.S. Navy Photographs. September, 1962

Naval Task Group 43.2, better maps are entitled the Newcomer known to readers as VX-6, for "ex Glacier, Vinson Massif and Nimitz ceptionally meritorious service from Glacier. Copies may bc obtained November 1955 to April 1961." The from the U.S. Geological Survey, presentation of the commendation Washington 25, D.C., for 25 cents was made by Admiral Tyree at each. Quonset Point, Rhode Island, on ROSS SEA ROCKETS April 19 last. The citation referred to the great co-operation and assist The sixth high-altitude weather ance rendered by the Task Group rocket to probe the atmosphere to the scientific effort made in Ant over the Ross Sea was scheduled arctica, citing the Group's achieve to be fired about June 20 from a ment in carrying out the first flight launching site a mile from Mc of land-based aircraft from New Murdo. Since April, five 92 in. Zealand to Antarctica; in making weather rockets had been fired. long exploratory flights in the face Two failed and a third soared to of perilous take-off and landing a height of 202,000 ft. conditions, unreliable communica The high-altitude weather probe, tions, inaccurate charts and adverse sponsored by the National Science weather; in performing the mercy Foundation, is a highlight of the flight from McMurdo to Wilkes and mid-winter scientific programme. back to evacuate the Australian According to Mr. J. F. Bettle, leader who was ill; and the technical skill, of the three-man rocket-firing team co-operative spirit, courage and de from Texas Western College of the votion to duty manifested by all University of Texas, the 1962 meteo personnel of this Group. rological programme is the first systematic rocket probing of the upper atmosphere to be conducted RELOCATION OF SOUTH from a land site in Antarctic his MAGNETIC POLE tory., New Zealanders A. L. Burrows and A. Hanley, working in conjunc THE BYRD SATELLITE tion with a U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office, succeeded in finding the pre (See "Antarctic," June, p. 67.) sent location of the south magnetic pole (see "Antarctic," March, 1962). A fuller explanation is now pos While U.S.S. "Burton Island" towed sible of the evacuation of the au a shipboard magnetometer back roral sub-station 42 miles north-east and forth across Commonwealth of Byrd Station which was to have been manned throughout the win Bay, Burrows and Hanley used the ter by a team of tnree which in ship's helicopters t® fly to various shore stations to measure the angle cluded New Zealander G. N. John of magnetic inclination. A prelim stone. inary plot indicates that the pole The station's 8 k.w. diesel genera is now located just off-shore in tor failed on March 13. A new 10 Commonwealth Bav at about 143°E,. k.w. generator was delivered to thc 67°S. sub-station on March 22, but com munication with Byrd was not SENTINEL RANGE MAPPED wholly successful, and in the ab sence of a stand-by generator and Three topographical maps cover effective emergency communications ing the Sentinel Range of Ellsworth Mountains have been published by the sub-station was closed down. the U.S. Geological Survey, being the first of a series of 1:250,000- "ELTANIN" scale maps being prepared by the The U.S. Research Ship "Eltanin" Survey. Thirty-eight more are now left Valparaiso on July 5 for a under preparation. cruise in the Drake Passage south Thc three maps of the Sentinels of Cape Horn. The vessel is re as well as physical features, carry ported as having gone as far south many names appearing for the first as the S. Shetland Islands. She was time since their approval by the expected to return to Valparaiso Board on Geographic Names. The early in September. September, 1962 Seven Men Will Never Scoff Again

Claude Taylor sent the following message on July 9 after the men at Hallett Station had heard a radio news report from New Zealand of a "strange sky phenomenon" seen there.

"Following observations recorded here by several observers and on HALLETT STATION all sky camera colour photo may be of help to interested parties in NEW ZEALAND TRIO FOR 1963 New Zealand. As usual, the scientific staff to 1. Object appeared at about 11.10 winter over at Hallett Station will hours Greenwich on July 7. Took include three New Zealanders. They about three to four minutes to will be: cross from south horizon to north D. M. SUTER (39), of Christ horizon. church, Senior Technician. Doug 2. At northern horizon bearing Suter was born in Wellington and from Hallet was 51 degrees east educated at Christchurch B.H.S. from true north. Closest approach and Mt. Albert Grammar School. to zenith was 36 degrees when A radar technician he served in the bearing was 39 degrees west from R.N.Z.A.F. from 1941 to 1945, and true north. later was in the Army (R.N.Z.E. 3. Object appeared as three with M.E.). He was senior Ionospheric Ob resolved spots of light, one much server at Campbell Island 1959-60. He is married and has three child brighter than other two. Greyish form around them was possible ren. vapour trail. Overall impression B. J. L. MAIN (22), Waiouru, was that object orbited well with Technician. Brian Main is a Radio in atmosphere. Certainly it was be Technician in the New Zealand low normal auroral heights as it Army School of Signals, Waiouru. passed below auroral. He was born at Christchurch and 4. When bearing was approxi went to St. Bedes' College. He has mately true north a flash of light served for 11 years in the Scout occurred which did not alter orbit Movement, being a Queen's Scout or form at all. No noise heard. and a Scoutmaster. He has repre 5. Revolution of three spots of sented Central Military District at light at great height indicated large Soccer. spread. Relative position of spots L. J. WYLDE (22), of Hamilton, did not seem to change. Camera Technician. Len Wylde is Tauranga photo did not revolve spots. born and was a pupil of Hamilton 6. No resemblance to satellite or B.H.S. 1952-56. He obtained his B.E. any sky phenomenon seen by any (civil), at Auckland University Col of seven observers who are unlikely lege, and worked in Wellington and to again scoff at reports of flying Hamilton. saucers." Taylor, Hallet Station. Two men will be carrying out biological investigations, chiefly at Cape Hallett. during the summer CONFIRMATION? months. They are B. E. Reid, who has had considerable previous An A luminous object similar to that tarctic experience, including a win described by Taylor as seen at ter at Cape Hallett, 1959, and H. Hallett Station was observed by J. Cranfield, M.Sc. whose two personnel at the South African brothers, Bill and Bob, have both SANAE Station, on the other side wintered at Scott Base in earlier of the Antarctic, on March 18. years. September, 1962 EIGHTH SOVIET EXPEDITION PREPARES TO GO SOUTH

Plans for Soviet Antarctic work in 1962-63 have been announced by the Marine Department of the U.S.S.R. Five stations will be operating during the forthcoming Antarctic summer, and four of them will be maintained throughout the 1963 winter. The expedition will continue the FIRE-PROOF HUTS established scientific research pro Two experimental huts are con gramme and will also make pre structed from non - combustible parations for the International Year materials. It is intended to estab of the Quiet Sun, January 1964— lish one at the reopened Molode December 1965. zhnaya Station, and the other at Vostok. The expedition's marine More than 40 countries have division will carry out oceano- agreed to take part in the Year graphical research in the coastal of the Quiet Sun. During that waters of Antarctica—in the area period Soviet scientists will con between Mirny Observatory and duct observations at four Antarctic Novolazarevskaya Station. stations: Mirny (66°33'S., 93°01'E.), The well-known Polar explorer Novolazarevskaya (70°46'S., H°49'E.), Dr. M. Somov (Hero of the Soviet and at two stations to be reopened Union) has been appointed leader in 1963. Vostok, situated in the of the expedition. He led the first region of the two Poles (South Antarctic expedition. Geomagnetic and the Pole of Cold) In accordance with tradition, the (78°27'S., 106°52'E.), was closed members of the eighth expedition down on January 21 and will be will continue to co-operate with re-activated next January. Molo scientists of Australia, Britain, New dezhnaya (67°58'S., 44°02'E.) in Ala Zealand, the U.S.A., France, and sheev Bay was closed on March 31 other countries conducting research and will re-open this summer. The in Antarctica. The members of the seasonal station Komsomolskaya Soviet expedition will assist scien will also be active. tists from Czechoslovakia, the Ger At the end of October and the man Democratic Republic and other nations. beginning of November the "Ob" and the "Kooperatsaya" will leave FROM THE OB Leningrad with the personnel and Oceanographic observations will stores of the eight Soviet expedi be made this summer by scientists tion. They are expected to reach on the "Ob," in the coastal waters the Antarctic in December. between Mirny and Novolazarev skaya and along the standard sec The eighth expedition will also tion on 20°E. Detailed observation continue the scientific investigations of the convergence between 100°E. begun last year in the region of and 0° will be made, as well as Enderby Land, with emphasis on observations along the route from geology. (he Soviet Union to Antarctica and back. The "Ob" will deliver several THE STATIONS thousand tons of expedition sup MIRNY, 30m. above sea level, plies, including powerful caterpillar- will have in 1963 a winter popula tracked truck-tractors, which will tion of 56, 20 of whom will be take supplies to Komsomolskaya scientists. and Vostok, and aircraft specially NOVOLAZAREVSKAYA is 112m. equipped for Antarctic work—"IL- above sea level, and will have six 14", "LI-2" and "AN-6" airplanes, scientists and seven others winter and an "MI-4" helicopter. ing-over. September, 1962

VOSTOK: 3,420m. above sea level, out oceanographic research in the personnel 12 (six scientists). area between Mirny and Novolaza MOLODEZHNAYA will have a revskaya. winter population of four scientists and two others. HEADED FOR VOSTOK T The Ty 6 newspaper gives some "Golos further Rigi" details of At the end of December 1962 four truck-tractors and a tractor will WMsed upon an interview with Alek- set out from Mirny and head for sander Afanasev. Vostok towing sledges. This train will cover nearly 1,500 km of ex MOLODEZHNAYA tremely difficult country and deliver Members of the eighth expedition fuel, scientific equipment and other will be working at Molodezhnaya stores to Vostok. The train will Station. This station has been estab return from Vostok to Mirny. lished on a favourable site, where the bedrock crops out above the POLISH GROUP surface of the ice-cover. Several The "Ob" will carry stores for fresh-water lakes are situated near Dobrowolsky Station, which was by. Veterans who have wintered- transferred to the Polish Academy over at other stations in Antarctica of Sciences by the U.S.S.R. The call this region the "Southpolar "Kooperatsiya" will deliver a group Switzerland." of Polish polar explorers and scien Alongside the new station there tists to this station. is an area suitable for the landing ,It was reported on July 19 that of aircraft. A great deal of con the Polish scientists, Professor struction work is to be done at Stefan Moncharsky and Tadeusz Molodezhnaya. The village will be Jasiuk, had been visiting Soviet enhanced by a new hut built of colleagues in Leningrad. Before "Arbolite" and other specially manu leaving for home Professor Mon factured light, but strong, non-com charsky told "Tass": bustible materials. "During our stay in Leningrad we have had an exchange of views SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH with Soviet scientists on forthcom ing operations in Antarctica. This The research programme of the autumn our scientists will com eighth expedition is vast and inter mence work again at Dobrowolsky esting. Meteorologists will conduct Station, nearly 400 km from Mirny. aerometeorological observations from The Polish scientists will leave for land and air, the results of which the Antarctic on board the 'Koop will be communicated by radio to eratsiya' together with members of the Soviet Union, and will make it the Soviet expedition. They will be possible to prepare local weather transferred from Mirny to their forecasts for Soviet Antarctic whal own station by airplanes and heli ing fleets. The geophysicists will copters." complete a large programme of geomagnetic, ionospheric and scis- AT HASWELL ISLAND mological observations and continue to study cosmic rays, polar aurorae, Prvor, the Arnerican biologist who earth currents and thc propagation is the U.S. exchange scientist at of radio-waves. The glaciologists Mirny this year, reported that it will investigate off-shore ice in the was planned to establish an emer Davis Sea and continue to study gency shelter and cache on Has- the structure and depth of the well Island for biological observa Antarctic continental ice-cover. Geo tions during the 1962 winter. The logists and geographers will explore last skuas and Adelie penguins had vast areas of Enderby Land. They left the area on March 16, and will be able to travel by land and their departure was followed by by air. During flights they will the return of the Emperor pen make photogrammetric surveys. The guins. scientists will not be confined to It was intended, he said, to flag studying the land. The marine a trail from Mirny to the island as division of the expedition will carry soon as the ice was thick enough, September, 1962 and to make journeys to this and ADELIES ON ICE other off-shore islands at three-day intervals. In "Information Bulletin," the Russian scientist L. 1. Dubrovin reports this unusual behaviour in MAPPING ihe penguin world: The Soviet Navy in co-operation "Adelie penguins unlike Emperor with the Arctic and Antarctic Insti penguins hatcn out their young on tute is publishing in a set of 15 the ground, therefore, one can only sheets the charts produced by the meet birds sitting on their eggs on Russian Antarctic Expedition of portions which are free from ice Bellingshausen and Lazarev in 1819- and snow. Great was our surprise, 1821. therefore, when in November of 1960 in the region of Lazarev Sta ON THE SCREEN tion we perceived a small colony "Trud" reported on May 18 that two new coloured shorts on Ant Beneath tnese birds water-filled arctica have been made by the holes 20 to 25 centimetres wide Central Studio of Documentary and up to 20 centimetres deep had Films, under the direction of pro formed. In fact, each penguin with ducer-cameraman Mark Troyanov- an egg was sitting in an ice bath. sky. "Moscow-Antarctica" is the title "These holes were also found of one of these films. This feature without birds. The water in them is devoted to the intercontinental had again changed into ice and on tne bottom deserted and cold eggs flight, the first ever made, by two Soviet aircraft from Moscow to lay. the Antarctic. (See "Antarctic," "What were the penguins about March, 1962.) when they chose this iceberg for hatching out eggs? Obviously they The second feature, "The Con were confused by the dark colour tinent of Peace," is an entertaining of its surface due to the small in story of Antarctic explorers from clusion of fine mineral particles. many lands. The audience sees the Jn this region there are no outcrops Mirny settlement of the Soviet scientists, the American base Mc of rock on the coast. The nearest Murdo, the Australian scientific parts which are free from ice are station, the Japanese settlement, at Schirmacher Oasis situated 80 and so on. "Here in the ice country kilometres from the coast. of the 6th continent scientists of "Unfortunately we were unable different nations are readily main to follow to the end this unusual taining friendly links and exchang behaviour of these penguins. Evi ing important scientific informa dently they did not succeed in tion," says "Trud." hatching out their young under such conditions." SUN APPEARS Dr. V. Konstantinov . reported from Novolazarevskaya, in the Soviet diplomat Nicolai Alcxayev Schirmacher Oasis, Queen Maud told the 12-nation Antarctic confer Land, that the sun on July 26 lit ence in Buenos Aires that the Ant up the rocky hills and ice with its arctic is a "part of our planet still rays. The rising of the sun co unknown when man is already incided with particularly intensive travelling in outer space." polar aurorae and a violent mag netic storm. Physicist N. Dimitriev, who is spending his second winter in the Antarctic, said that this was the first time he had seen such a INDEX polar aurora. The magnetic storm caused a stir among the radio men We regret that the index to who spent many hours trying to "Antarctic" volume 2 is not yet establish contact with Mirny. ready. September, 1962 ANTARCTIC TREATY LIGHT AHEAD? MEETING One matter discussed was the preservation of historic sites in The New Zealand Ambassador to Antarctica. Why, asked a writer in Washington (Mr. G. R. Laking) the London "Times" on July 7, will headed the New Zealand delega the conference be addressing itself tion at the Antarctic Treaty Con to this problem? "The signatories sultative Committee meeting which hope," he said, "that by reaching opened in Buenos Aires on July 18. agreement on interesting but un With him was Dr. E. I. Robertson, exceptionable issues like this they D.S.I.R.. and Mr. D. G. B. McLean, will learn to work together and Second Secretary to the New trust each other until they feel Zealand Embassy in Washington. confident about tackling, with some The meeting is the second of hope of agreement, the controver its kind held since the pact to sial and quite momentous problems preserve the Antarctic for peaceful of an almost virgin continent. What, scientific purposes was signed by for example, will happen when one 12 Powers in 1959. The first con country discovers in the territory sultative committee meeting was claimed by another country some held in Canberra last year. rich and accessible mineral'deposit tor which there is an urgent world The Australian High Commissioner demand? No one knows. The con to Canada (Mr. D. 0. Hay), Mr. tingency could not be covered under P. G. Law, Director of the Antarctic the terms of the treaty and last Division, and three others attended year's consultative meeting in Can on behalf of Australia. Heading the berra did not attempt to discuss it. United States delegation was Mr. Robert McLintock, the U.S. Am "The treaty came into force only bassador to Argentina. a year ago and all the member Argentina's Foreign Minister (Dr. countries know how much anxious Bonifacio del Carril) looked ahead negotiation preceded its signature to a time when Antarctica could at Washington in December, 1959. serve as "a territory of t transit" None of them wants to imperil too linking South America with Aus soon the remarkable achievements tralia and New Zealand. which it represented, not least the first international inspection system Delegates to the conference met accepted by Russia, and a formula on Julv 19 behind closed doors on sovereignty accepted by coun guarded by a permanent force of tries recognising and not recognis 50 policemen, says a press report from Buenos Aires. It was the ing claims within the area. The acceptance of a status quo is not second day of the consultative con often a permanent solution for any ference. thing, but the treaty is to run for Some delegations were reported 34 years and the habit of co-opera itching to bring up questions in tion may grow. volving jurisdiction. The meeting was held to consider "Then, if the area has remained the furtherance of the objectives without military installations, sove of the Antarctic Treaty and discus reignty would have become much sion centred round measures to less important and individual claims continue and if possible increase might finally be waived. The world co-operation among the 12 Govern would surely be relieved if five- ments carrying out scientific activity and-a-half million square miles of in the Antarctic. it became completely supra-national. Matters considered at the meet This is the ultimate hope. ing included the conservation of wild life in the Antarctic, arrange "The Antarctic Treaty exists to ments for radio communications, help the original signatories and iogistics, the exchange of informa subsequent signatories to cope tion on proposed scientific activi peacefully with emerging situations, ties, administrative facilities and which will obviously become more support for the International Quiet complex as the continent is de Sun Year. veloped." September, 1962

IN THE SUB-ANTARCTIC Reports from the Islands

M A C Q U A R I E I S L A N D Macquarie is the Hooker sea lion. These animals are much smaller (Australia) than the elephant seals but more At Macquarie Island in June aggressive: they will move quite darkness falls about 3.30 p.m. The fast and will chase men. first half of 1962 was relatively "The O.I.C. and Vestgens made mild, but in June, reports leader a ten-day trip around the island Pedersen, "We had snow, sleet or banding chicks of the Wandering rain on 29 of the 30 days." Albatross. These birds nest in the Two men made a field trip last tussocks and on the feather-beds of the west coast. Eleven chicks ing 17 days. "They visited many were banded." parts of our rugged island—down the east coast to Hurd Point and CADETS several areas on the gaunt west When the relief ship leaves Mel coast." The rats at Lusitania Bay, bourne, probably in December, she they reported, "are almost man- will again carry two school cadets eaters—attacking boots and gloves." for the trip to Macquarie Island. Evans has visited Lake Prior fort The two boys will be chosen from nightly for plankton investigations. Command nominations, one being "Our livestock section," says nominated from each command for Pedersen, "has yielded several prime the final selection by Army Head lambs and very sadly, our friends q u a r t e r s a n d t h e D i r e c t o r o f Fred and Freda, the pigs, ended ANARE. up in the station refrigerators. We Those picked will not be below look forward to more fresh meat the rank of cadet corporal, not less f r o m o u r fl o c k o f s h e e p . Vi c than 16 years of age, and must have Dwyer's poultry pens are now pro given outstanding service during ducing about a dozen eggs daily. their cadet training. Vic has confounded his charges by They must be boys who will be extending daylight artificially." a credit to themselves and the During mid-winter's afternoon, cadet corps. Cooke and Miller Went for a swim RESEARCH BOAT in Buckles Bay. The sea and air A 13 ft. catamaran-type craft temperatures were 39 and 37 de powered by a 5i h.p. Johnson out grees respectively. "Robin lolled board motor is being used in re about as if it was a hot bath, but search work at Macquarie Island. Johnno didn't last as long for fear The boat was specially designed of seals (so he said). to specifications of portability and "A cold snap early in July left ruegedness required for the work. the whole island frozen solid. Un Beam is five feet, and overall fortunately, this included the plumb weight is 200 lb. The twin hulls of ing. The uncomfortable result was marine plywood are filled with the hasty sealing of draughty cracks plastic foam for safety and buoy in a ramshackle outbuilding. "Since the first sighting at Buckles ancy.The whole craft is painted bright Bav of leopard seals on the day yellow for maximum visibility. following mid-winter, these animals, The boat is being used by bio with their spotted snakelike bodies logist A. I. Evans, on Lake Prion, and heads, have appeared all along a large fresh-water lake in thc the coast. They are one of the pre centre of the island. dators of the Gentoo penguins that Microscopic marine life is col overwinter here. Another one of lected for classification in a silk the rarer visitors seen lately on drogue towed behind thc boat. September, 1962

MARION ISLAND CAMPBELL ISLAND The South African Weather Bu (New Zealand) reau Newsletter says: It is not really cold at Marion Island, and A recent radio telephone conver a wind of 60 m.p.h. is nothing new sation with Colin Clark, the Officer —all you have to do is to put two in Charge, brought out the follow bricks in your pockets when you ing information: go outside. "The weather has consisted of a moderate amount of snow, very little sunshine and plenty of mist AUCKLAND ISLANDS and rain; repeat this day after day EXPEDITION and you understand a little of our weather. (New Zealand) "Mid-winter's day was honoured A party of New Zealand and as the major turning point in the overseas "scientists will spend a long winter and was celebrated month on the Auckland Islands witn a big 'binge' which exhausted from late December next. Although all the long-saved luxuries of our a good deal of information has solid and liquid stores. During the been accumulated about the bio speeches, reference was made to logy and geology of these islands tne desirability of forming an as by the 1907 expedition organised sociation of ex-Campbell and Raoul by the Canterbury Philosophical Islanders, to promote getting to Institute, and by members of the gether in similar fashion as the Second World War coast watching Antarctic boys. Plans to further parties (the "Cape Expedition") this discussion are in hand and much scientific work remains to action will be taken accordingly bc done. at the earliest opportunity. The members of the party so far "The year has been highly suc are: cessful in the field of bird band Dr. R. A. Falla, Director of the ing. On June 29 Goffin and Clark Dominion Museum, leader; Dr. R. banded 102 Royal Albatross chicks K. Dell and Mr. J. Moreland, Do during a very cold trip around thc minion Museum; Professor G. A. upper slopes of Mt. Honey. This Knox and Mr. P. Johns, Zoology brought the island's total to over Department, University of Canter 1,000 Royal Albatrosses banded dur bury; Mr. J. B. Wright, Geology ing the current mating season. This Department, University of Otago; is a very satisfactory figure con Mr. J. Dumbleton, Entomology Divi sidering that the banding is done sion, D.S.I.R.; Dr. E. J. Godley and only as a leisure occupation. Dr. F. J. Fisher, Botany Division, "The whole party has kept very D.S.I.R.; Dr. J. C. Yaldwyn, Curator good health during the winter and of Crustacea and Coelenterata, Aus morale has remained very high." tralian Museum, Sydney; Dr. L. The team for the 1962/63 expedi Gressitt, Entomologist, Bernice P. tion vear has now been finalized Bishop Museum, Hawaii; Dr. P. and the following will be making James, Lichenologist, British Mu seum (Natural History), London. Campbell Island their "home away from home" for this period: Transport for the party is being arranged by the Antarctic Division, Alan Wright, Officer in Charge. Department of Scientific and In Bill Groenestein, Radio Technician. dustrial Research. John Hall, Cook. The base will be at Ranui Cove, Case Roobeck, Mechanic Handy in Ross Harbour at the northern man. end of the main island, where the Ian Fisher, Senior Ionosphere buildings used by the Cape Expedi Observer. tion are still standing. It is hoped Allan Dodds, Ionosphere Observer. to have a smaller vessel in the John Sauibb, Sen. Met. Observer. area to help with transport around Peter Fox, Met. Observer. the island and to carry out dredg John Washer, Met. Observer. ing work for the marine zoologists. These men will really form a September, 1962

table as I write while on the wall VETERANS PASS is a picture of the unshipping of the "Aurora's" damaged rudder during her drift in the ice—a for A . H . L A R K M A N midable task that will always be The death occurred at Wanganui associated in my mind with him. on July io ot Alired Herbert Lark- I suppose I "had more contact man, /in cngiisnman Dy birtn, Jtsert with Larkman than the other mem LarKman was a member ol Shackle- bers of the "Aurora's" shore party tuii s irans-Antarctic Expedition of for I acted as greaser in the engine iyit-iV. ne was Chief Engineer of roorn on the voyage down. Th engines were in bad shape and my tne "Aurora," which carried the first impressions of Bert were Koss Sea component of the expedi formed then when he was tireless tion to McMurdo Sound, where it in doing everything possible to was intended that the ship should nurse them along. be frozen in. In May 1915 "Aurora" In more recent years I met Bert was carried to sea in a big ice again and had many intimate talks break-up, and drifted for nearly a with him. I think he was one of year before finally reaching New the most sincere characters I have Zealand. known. There was very little com Mr. Larkman went back to Eng promise in his make-up and when land but returned to New Zealand he believed in a cause he was in 1920 and became well known as tireless in trying to advance it. Right up to the last he retained head of the engineering department the keenest interest in Antarctica of the Wanganui Technical College and had just managed to complete and as a keen advocate of daylight his story of the "Aurora's" drift saving. before the end. Vale, Bert. A few days before his death Mr. Larkman was cheered by the news JOHN PIRRIT thai a peak rising from the Polar Plateau has been named Larkman Many New Zealanders will feel Nunatak. a deep sense of personal loss in We are pleased to be able to pub the death of "Jock' Pirrit, who was lish this tribute by an "Aurora" drowned in a yachting accident at Wemyss Bay in Scotland recently, ship-mate who is the sole survivor at the age of 37. of the epic depot-laying journey of 1916, south to thc Beardmore A geologist, a man of action, and Glacier. a man of vision, he had worked in the Canadian Arctic, had climbed in our own Southern Alps, and had A TRIBUTE engaged in oil prospecting in Timor and Indonesia, before wintering at by R. W. Richards Byrd Station as scientific leader in So Bert Larkman has passed on. 1959. In the 1959-60 summer he led He was the first person I met in an American traverse from Byrd Hobart in 1914 on my joining the Station which greatly increased our "Aurora" and I had my last long knowledge of the northern part of talks with him in March of this Marie Byrd Land. year. His photograph and that of Ernie Joyce are before me on the "It is clear that the discoverv and exploitation of the Antarctic miniature League of Nations orig continent cannot be credited to any inating as they do from various one nation. It is the result of the places on the globe and as five of work of very man expeditions—a this partv have already spent time truly international achievement." on the islands this "term should —Gordon de Q. Robin in prove to be of interest to all. Unesco "Courier." September, 1962 Whales Have Not Disappeared

The frequent reports suggesting the shrinkage of the Antarctic whale population and the necessity for drastic conservation measures may have given many people the impression that whales in Antarctic waters are actually scarce.

A dilferent picture is presented by Between January 10 and February an article in the May issue of the Nor 12, 1958, when we were working wegian whalers' journal Norsk Hval- and travelling in the area between fangst-tidende, outlining the sight Mirny and the Balleny Islands and ings of sea-mammals on the circum Rennick Bay we met 189 blue navigation of the world in southern whales, 769 fin whales, 527 hump waters by an expedition of the backed whales, 47 sei whales, 66 Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. minke whales, and 37 bottle nose in the 1957-58 summer. and killer whales. The Antarctic Ocean section of ONE DAY the voyage, between 60° E. and During one day, January 20, 1958, 120° W., south of the Pacific and near the "Ob" at 64°—65° S. and Indian Oceans, is recorded as fol U7°40'—121°22'E., we counted 277 lows (condensed): fin whales, 71 blue whales, 68 hump Between December 7 and 22, 1957, backed whales, 42 sei whales, 12 from the African coast to Mirny, minke whales and dozens of beaked we met and identified at least 77 and killer whales. blue whales, 660 fin whales, 5 sei Dozens of very big whales, mostly whales, 10 sperm whales, 15 small fin whales, were feeding in huge minke whales, and up to 1,500 killer areas of open water behind the whales and large dolphins. belts of floating ice. Killer whales Blue whales were met in groups were encountered even in small of 3 to 5 animals, rarely they were pools amidst heavy ice. seen singly; fin whales—in twos, in A great number of fin whales, threes (usually one calf), and in blue whales, and humpbacked groups numbering up to 10 animals. whales was seen near the Balleny Concentrations of these whales Archipelago in open water and numbered hundreds of animals, pools of different sizes. most of which did not get into Very big fin whales were observed the count. at the shore ice of Rennick Bay. Near the "Ob" we counted more On December 17 we entered a than 125 humpbacked whales and pack ice belt at 62°00'S. and 65° 26 blue whales. That was less than 37'E. Crossing floating ice belts we 8 miles off the shore. In Rennick met groups of fin whales and blue Bay we watched humpbacked whales; they were seen in large whales playing: several dozens of areas of open water. Numerous humpbacked whales appeared sud blows were observed all along the denly near the "Ob," coming from sky line. In one area of water we under the shore ice(!) and jumping counted more than 200 fin whales, out of water for almost I of their and more than 50 blue whales. length. The school observed in On December 22 we came up to cluded whales of different sizes. the roadstead of Mirny. Very big fin whales and humpbacked whales TO NEW ZEALAND appeared frequently near the shore In the period from February 13 ice. Once we saw the double blow to February 17, on the way from of a southern right whale. On the Balleny Archipelago to New December 24 four very big fin Zealand, we met 95 blue whales, whales entered thc lead made by 277 fin whales, and 63 sperm whales. the "Ob." Most of the blue whales and fin September, 1962

whales were moving fast to the T H E W H A L I N G N AT I O N S north and within an hour groups of these whales outdistanced the The annual meeting of the 18- "Ob," which moved at a speed of nation International Whaling Com 15 miles per hour. mission was convened in London on July 2. Australia and New Zealand were represented. During the period from March Among the subjects touched upon 18 to 29, in the section between was the setting up of an interna New Zealand and Sturge Island tional inspection system of Ant (the Balleny Archipelago) we count arctic pelagic factory ships. It is re ed 34 blue whales, 255 fin whales, ported that a meeting was to be and 273 humpbacked whales. Some convened in August to discuss the of the whales were moving north matter further. wards, but most of them were still feeding. On March 31, in the area of Scott AGREEMENT REACHED Island, we encountered hundreds of whales which were feeding at The Antarctic Whaling Conference ease. We counted near our boat 15 in July re-introduced the limit of blue whales, about 50 fin whales, 15,000 blue whale units previously and more than 100 humpbacked imposed on the Antarctic whale whales. (A detour was now made catch. to the north.) Over recent years whaling has By April 20 we returned to the become more costly and less profit ice zone at 66° S. and 126° W. We able. Whales have become steadily were in the midst of numerous ice more scarce until even the long- bergs about 100 m. high, newly established Norwegian whaling in formed ice and pack ice. Neverthe dustry has been threatened. When less whales were frequent. We met the 15,000 blue whale unit limit there blue whales, fin whales and was imposed the nations could not individual minke whales. agree on the proportionate catch On April 24 we headed north for each nation, with the result ward for Easter Island. that larger and larger fleets as sembled at the beginning of a season and caught frenziedly until the overall total was reached: a During the 105 days of observa costly process. At the same time, tion in the Antarctic Ocean alone the demand for whale-meat fell, we encountered and identified 4,089 and prices for oil dropped from large whales, including 14 southern over £100 a ton to about £50. right whales, 526 blue whales (12.8 per cent.), 2.378 fin whales (58.1 When in 1959 Norway and the per cent.), 1,025 humpbacked whales Netherlands withdrew from the (25.0 per cent.), 73 sei whales (1.78 catch-limiting agreement, the over per cent.), and 73 sperm whales all catch rose above 15,000 units. (1.78 per cent.). Marine biologists warned that even this size of catch was too high for adequate conservation measures. Blue whales, fin whales, and sei This is why at the recent meeting whales migrating to summer feed the catch-limit was reimposed, fol ing areas or to winter breeding lowing an agreement on national quotas: Japan 33 per cent., Norway places moved at a speed consider 32 per cent., the Soviet Union 20 ably exceeding 15 miles per hour tor quite a long time; in the course per cent., the United Kingdom 9 per of a little more than one hour they cent., the Netherlands 6 per cent. could appear at the sky line, catch This agreement will expire in 1965. up with our vessel, and disappear Japan and Russia have in recent somewhat ahead of it. Therefore, vears been steadily increasing their they must have been moving at a lead in Antarctic whaling at the speed of about 20 miles per hour. expense of the other nations. The September, 1962

Russians added a new factory ship in each of the last two seasons, BOOKSHELF making four in all. A fifth is under construction and two more still are planned. The Japanese have in creased their fleet by purchase from Two short books, each of about 100 pages, have recently been pub Norway and Britain. lished, both of which make splen did reading for anyone anxious to 1961-62 CATCH obtain a general picture of the Pelagic whaling began on Decem Antarctic of today. One is Austra ber 12 for fin and sei whales, and lian, one American, and both are on February 1 for blue whales. written by prominent Antarctic men Catching did not end till April 7, who write well. The emphasis in except for the Japanese fleets, which both books is on "what's going on": ceased operations late in March, but the authors of the two books and the season was on average have quite different aims, and there rather longer than in the previous is little overlapping. Our advice is year, 115 days as compared with 96. to buy, read, and keep both of In spite of this the catch totalled them. only 15,242 blue whale units as compared with 16,433 units in 1960-61. THE FAR SOUTH. John Bechervaise, Twenty-one factory ships with a Angus and Robertson, 103 pp total of 260 catchers were engaged. maps and illustrations. N.Z. Provisional oil production figures Price 19/-. for the past two seasons are as follows (number of expeditions in John Bechervaise is one of Aus brackets): tralia's most experienced Antarctic 1960-61 1961-62 explorers. He has served three Norway (8) 743,712 (7) 569,108 times as Officer-in-Charge of an U.K. (2) 196,472 (2) 163,496 Australian Antarctic station. His Netherlands (1) 139,774 (1) 90,088 book is a splendid introduction to Japan (7) 667,350 (7) 735,541 Antarctica for the adult, who will U.S.S.R. (3) 376,263 (4) 351,213* appreciate it all the more if he "Catch for new fleet not given. has a good general education and an enquiring mind, and a liking for BLEAK FUTURE? sound imaginative writing. A press report from Oslo on A brief historical survey is fol August 10 said that only three Nor lowed by chapters on the general wegian whaling fleets were being nature of the "World of Ice," the prepared for participation in the elements which shape its climate, coming season's Antarctic whaling. its natural life, how man lives in Work had been secured for only this stern environment, and the 1,000 to 1,500 men, compared with prospective value of the scientific last season's 4,000 to 5,000. Owners, research which is today the princi said the report, were hesitating to pal reason behind the nations' con decide after last season's poor catch tinuing presence in the Far South. and the present slump on the oil The penetrating wisdom of this market. little book, and the quality of the writing, are evident in the final words: "We live in an age of atoms and NUCLEAR POWER satellites. Antarctica, at this long The nuclear re-actor at McMurdo last, could become a bitter testing (U.S.) Station began delivering ground of the strength of national power to the station on July 10. rivalries and ambitions—or it could The plant developed a self-sustain provide a vast international labora ing reaction first in early March, tory for the study of geophysics, and had been under routine check whose language is universal and ing and observations since that whose achievements are a common date. heritage of humanity." September, 1962

DEFROSTING ANTARCTIC SECRETS. Mr. Sorensen, a member of the Henry Francis Jnr. and Philip New Zealand Antarctic Society, M. Smith, Coward McCann Inc., spent four years on the island as New York, 121 pp., illustrations. a coast-watcher (and unofficially as U.S. price $2.95. a bird-watcher) during the second world war, while Mr. Bailey visited This is the ideal book for a the island with the Denver Museum questing, adventure-loving boy, or expedition in January and Febru for the man who is still a boy at ary 1958, a visit which he describes heart. The emphasis is on youth. as "the most interesting of my fifty The American authors, though Uni years of travelling to the far versity graduates with very con places." The enthusiasm of both siderable Antarctic — and Arctic — men irradiates the book, which experience, are both young men, provides, for good measure, a short a n d t h e i r b o o k i s w r i t t e n i n historical narrative and notes on straight-forward, non-technical langu the island's geology and vegetation. age, which never becomes childish. They emphasise, too, the part play ed by young men in Antarctic ex PUBLISHED IN NEW ploration and research. ZEALAND The book, like The Far South, gives a first-rate general picture of Geological Investigations in South the Antarctic, what goes on there ern Victoria Land, Antarctica. and what it is like to live there. Part 8—Evaporite Salts in the But it is much lighter in tone than Victoria Valley Region: G. W. the Australian book. The emphasis Gibson. In N.Z. Jnl. Geol. and is on men, real young men who are Geophys. 5 (3). August 1962. and the 92 illustrations and four The Geology of the Mt. Markham Region, Ross Dependency, Ant maps fit in admirably with this artico: B. M. Gunn and R. I. Wal- general tone. But here too is chal cott. In N.Z. Jnl. Geol. & Geophs. lenge. 5 (3). August 1962. Growth of Adelie Penguin Chicks: SUB ANTARCTIC CAMPBELL IS R. H. Taylor and H. S. Roberts. LAND. Alfred M. Bailey and J. In N.Z. Jnl. Sc. 5 (2). June 1962. H. Sorensen. Denver Museum of Natural History. 305 pp, illus trations and maps. $7JJ0 (soft cover $5.50). WATCH FOR THIS! Two well-known . naturalists, the The second "Special Publication" Director of the Denver (U.S.A.) of the Scott Polar Research Insti Museum of Natural History and tute, to be published later this year, the acting Chief Inspector of Fish will be of very special interest to eries in our New Zealand Marine New Zealanders. It is The Ross Sea Department, have joined forces to Shore Party, 1914-17 and is written produce a fascinating book which by Mr. R. W. Richards of Pt. Lons quite remarkably provides a wealth dale, Victoria, who is the sole sur- of detailed and authoritative in vivior today of the six-man party formation on all aspects of the which sledged south right to Mt. wild lffe of New Zealand's Camp Hope at the foot of the Beardmore bell Island, in a volume which is Glacier in order to lay depots for interesting throughout its 300 pages Shackleton, who, so far as they even to the man who does not knew, would be depending on these know the scientific name of a single depots Fn the later stages of his plant or bird. The authors achieve proposed crossing of the Continent this result by an easy natural style, from the Weddell Sea to the Ross frequent quotations from field dia Sea. ries and journals, an attractive lay They did this despite the fact out and a wealth of no fewer than that "they had been marooned at 230 extraordinarily beautiful, some Cape Evans when the "Aurora," on times humorous photographs. which they were to winter, was blown out with its imprisoning ice WORSLEY ICE FALLS (82°50'S., in May, leaving 10 men to subsist 156°30'E.) extending for 20 miles as best they could on what they at the head of the main Nimrod could find in the old huts. Only Glacier, are named in honour of seven of them survived, to be New Zealander Frank Worsley, rescued nearly two years later and master of the "Endurance" and brought back to Wellington, New Zealand. Eilotrom on Elephant Shackleton's Island boat to journey South This will be an illustrated volume Georgia. of over 40 pages. We hope to review The series of "AURORA NUNA it in our December issue. TAKS" (85°34'S., 177°30'E.) is named after members of the crew of the "Aurora," which carried the NEW NAMES ON Ross Sea party of Shackleton's proposed Trans-Antarctic Expedi tion in 1915, and was trapped and DEPENDENCY MAP drifted helpless in the ice for nearly a year. They are LARKMAN NUNATAK (see page 127), MAUGER Among the new place-names sug NUNATAK (Mr. Mauger, ship's gested by the New Zealand field carpenter, lives today in Dunedin), parties who explored thc area east DONELLY NUNATAK (after the and west of the Beardmore Glacier second engineer), NINNIS NUNA in the Ross Dependency last sum TAK (for A. H. Ninnis, later of mer, and approved by the New Dunedin), and STENHOUSE NUNA Zealand Geographic Board, are TAK (first officer of the "Aurora" some of particular interest. and in charge of the vessel during the long drift). VETERANS HONOURED FORD SPUR (84°55'S., 173°40'E.) is named in honour of C. Reginald IN MEMORY OF Ford, of Auckland, who was Stores Officer on the "Discovery" in Scott's first expedition (1902-04), wintered AMUNDSEN in McMurdo Sound for two years, and after the expedition acted for some time as Scott's secretary. A temporary research station has been established at King's Bay, HARE PEAK (84°49'S.. 173°50'E.) Svalbard (Spitzbergen) as the nu is named after C. H. Hare, a 21- cleus of a memorial to Roald year-old Christchurch boy when he Amundsen. It is proposed to ex joined the "Discovery" in Lyttelton. pand the station by adding new He wintered in the Antarctic_ in buildings as laboratories and living 1902, and was within a hair's- quarters for a permanent staff, and breadth of losing his life when the establishment will bc called participating in the sledge journey The Roald Amundsen Institute for on which George Vince was killed. Polar Technique. Mr. Hare today lives in Queens land. The purposes of the Institute are research, the collection, study and EVANS GLACIER (83°47'S., 170° testing of material, and practical E.) commemorates Petty-officer E. training in the field of polar tech Evans of Scott's Last Expedition, nique, including survival, transport, who died near here on the journey navigation, engineering, resources back from the Pole in 1912. and raw materials, Polar settle ments and industrial planning. WILD ICE FALLS (84°50'S., 162°00'E.) at the head of the Beard The chairman of the Governing more west of Mt. Buckley are Board, to whom enquiries should named after Frank Wild, one of be made, is Einar Sverre Pedersen, Shackleton's companions on the Sandhamnsgt 19, Stockholm, N.O. first ascent of the glacier. Sweden. The New Zealand Antarctic Society is a group of New Zealanders, some of whom have seen Antarctica for themselves, but all vitally interested in some phase of Antarctic exploration, development or research. You are invited to become a member. BRANCH SECRETARIES Wellington: W. J. P. Macdonald, Box 2110, Wellington. Canterbury: J. H. M. Williams, 85 Waimea Terrace, Ch'ch. Dunedin: J. H. McGhie, Box 34, Dunedin.

"THE ANTARCTIC TODAY" This volume is out of print, but a limited number of the follow ing separate sections is available, the stapling slightly rusted: Ionosphere Research (J. W. Beagley). Meteorology (A. R. Martin). Marine Biology (R. K. Dell). Aurora Australis (I. L. Thomsen). The Nations in the Antarctic (recent Australian, South African, French, etc., exploration by leading experts in the countries concerned). These separates are available at a cost of four shillings each from the Secretary, N.Z. Antarctic Society.

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