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Vol. 5, No. 4 52nd ISSUE DECEMBER, 1968 Winter and Summer bases. . Scotr S u m m e r b a s e o n l y t H a l l e t r NEW ZEALAND Transferred base Wilkes _ U S f v A u s t - ! TASMANIA temporarily non -operational. .K5yowa

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DRAWN IY DEPARTMENT OF LANDS I SURVEY WlLLINGTON,NEW ZEALAND, MAR. I9G4- 1"." EDITION (Successor to "Antarctic News Bulletin") Vol. 5, No. 4 52nd ISSUE DECEMBER, 1968 Editor: A. S. Helm, M.B.E., M.A., 37 Worcester St., Wellington, N.2, New Zealand. Assistant Editor: Mrs R. H. Wheeler. Business Communications, Subscriptions, etc., to: Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington, N.Z. CONTENTS

Accident to Vehicles on Trek to Vanda Germans Like Scott Base Stamps Expedition to Mount Minto Proposed Visit by Governor-General Wilkes Station Belgian Activities in Antarctica during 1969 News from French Bases: May-August 1968 British Antarctic Survey News American Stations Comment on Tourism News from South Africa Russian Plans for 1968-69 Season Tenth Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition 1968-70 Antarctic Stations, 14: Plateau Station Norwegian Whalers Withdraw from Antarctic New Building for Scott Polar Research Institute New U.S. Officer-in-Charge at Christchurch News of the Sub-Antarctic Islands Mapping the Last Continent by Denys Rainey American Tourists Visit First Tourists Cross the South Pole: By Tracey Simpson Society News The Reader Writes Antarctic Bookshelf December, 1968 ACCIDENT TO VEHICLES ON TREK TO VANDA

The completion of the wintering- Loaded with the huts, fuel and over station at Lake Vanda in the supplies weighing five tons, the trac Wright Dry Valley, about 80 miles tor-train made good progress, travel north-west of Scott Base, was ad ling non-stop where possible, the six- vanced further following a helicopter man team rotating between driving and ground reconnaissance on 20 and sleep. Shortly after midnight, on October. October 28, having travelled up tire This reconnaissance was carried Wilson Piedmont Glacier without ^ut by the Scott Base leader, Robin trouble, the party set up a tempor oubister; the deputy leader and ary camp high above the Wright Val leader of the Vanda Station, Bill ley. Then Bill Luey in the Snocat, Lucy; the base engineer, Allan followed by Hugh Clark in the bull Guard; the 1867-68 base diesel dozer, pushed on, when suddenly the mechanic, Alan Magee. The group rear of the 8-ton bulldozer broke was flown in by helicopter mainly to through a snow-bridge over a cre pinpoint a route into the Lower vasse. Lucy turned back to give as Wright Valley, which runs off the sistance but, when within 50 yards coastal Wilson Piedmont Glacier. of the bulldozer, the rear pontoons of his Snocat broke through another It was the first time that an at crevasse. Fortunately both men tempt had been made to have escaped from their vehicles un vehicles enter the valley, which is scathed. hemmed in by steep moraine-covered A severe radio blackout delayed slopes and the Lower Wright Glacier. communications, but as soon as They decided that after coming off word reached Scott Base plans were the glacier the tractor-train would made to get the two vessels out of have to descend about 700 ft. to the the crevasses. As expected, this took valley floor before travelling about several days, the bulldozer being re 16 miles up the valley door to the covered first, and then it was used to site of the new station, 150 yards haul out the Snocat after recovery south-east of Lake Vanda. A road gear was flown from Scott Base. way would have to be formed off Afterwards the party was dogged the glacier down into the valley. by mechanical breakdowns. While it This would be done by a Caterpillar was being recovered the Snocat D4 bulldozer which formed part of broke a differential and a universal, the tractor-train. and a spring which had been tem porarily repaired earlier in the sea Two huts had been erected at son. Spare parts had to be flown Lake Vanda last season, but the main from Scott Base to carry out the re accommodation hut for the five men who will winter over lay in a dis pairs. mantled state at the foot of Hog Following two weeks of intensive back Hill, where it was deposited bv effort, the vehicles were recovered, helicopter last summer. This hut had and the two Fergusson tractors and been formerly used as a summer all the equipment lowered to the val ley floor. The final task was hauling base for Canterbury University the loaded trailers by the Fergussons biology studies at Cape Royds. to the site of Vanda Station. Here The bulldozer, two tractors, and a the party ran into a new Antarctic Sno-cat used by Sir Vivian Fuchs on hazard — dust. The tractor wheels his Trans-Antarctic Expedition of caused large clouds of dust which 1957-58 moved out of Scott Base on hindered visibility and made driving October 22, and moved northwards conditions extremely difficult. The up the sea ice to Cape Royds before trailers also suffered — being con heading west to the Wilson Piedmont ditioned for Antarctic work, they Glacier. were not equipped with air cleaners. ^m December, 1968

By the time the tractor train reached Base Postmaster (Mr B. C. Hool, of Vanda the trailers had almost stop Thames), "until we received a letter ped—their engines choked to death which enclosed a newspaper cutting by dust and grit. But the main task depicting the four Ross Dependency had been completed — the vital sup stamps. Apparently this appeared plies and material had reached together with an article in a German Vanda Station. national newspaper." Most of the 500 letters sought the full set of stamps—two cents, three GERMANS LIKE SCOTT cents, seven cents and 15 cents—as well as the post office's three cachets. BASE STAMPS Payment has been made in inter national reply coupons which are New Zealand's southernmost post equivalent .to the cost of overseas office is attracting intense interest surface mail. from philatelists around the world. In six weeks prior to December Mr Hool's assistant is Mr R. J. more than 1,300 letters have been Hancock of Wellington. They said handled at Scott Base: 500 received that Scott Base was New Zealand's through the mail; about 400 date- busiest philatelic post office and was stamped for personnel at nearby New Zealand's only post office to McMurdo Base, and 300 from the have its own set of postage stamps. Byrd Memorial flight over the North New Zealand's new station at Vanda and South Poles. is also attracting its share of phila About two-thirds of the letters re telic mail. More than 100 letters ceived in the mail came from Ger have so far been received. These man philatelists. will all be cacheted and signed by "We wondered about the sudden the first winter-over party when interest from Germany," said Scott the station opens in January. December, 1968 EXPEDITION TO MOUNT MINTO PROPOSED Subject to approval by the Ross perience in Europe, Scandinavia Dependency Research Committee and North Africa. and the Minister of Science, seven All are members of the New Zea members of the New Zealand Alpine land Alpine Club, and five belon ri,,b, one of them a woman, are also to the Canterbury Mountaine ning a scientific and mountain- ing Club. Mr. N. D. Hardie, :ring expedition to Victoria Land, Chrislchurch, who has had ex^, ,- Antarctica, in November 1969. ence both in the Himalayas and the The expedition will be financed bv Antarctic, will be the expedition's personal contributions, and bv patron and advisor. grants from the Trans-Antarctic As Both the mountaineering and sociation, the New Zealand Alpine scientific work will be done in a Club, and the Canterbury Moun largely unexplored area centred on taineering Club. an unnamed glacier north of Mount Minto (13,340 ft.) in the Admiralty To be known as "MOUNT MINTO SURVEY EXPEDITION ANTARC Range, Victoria Land. Mount Minto TICA 1969", it will be the first Ant is the main mountaineering objec arctic expedition to have a woman tive. Mount Minto is on the south-west as a member of the field party. side of Robertson Bay and about -50 Those planning to take part in the miles from Cape Hallett. It was dis expedition are: covered in January 1841 by Sir James Leader, Surveyor: Mr. P. L. Squires, Clark Ross, and named after the an electrical and mechanical en Earl of Minto, who was First Lord of gineer, with previous experience the Admiralty. in the Antarctic during the sum Provided the Ross Dependency Re mer of 1965-66. search Committee and the Minister Deputy-Leader: Mrs. M. G. Clark is approve the expedition as part of its a geomorphologist, and has had scientific programme for the 1969-70 alpine experience in Europe, season, the party hope to leave Scandinavia and North Africa. Christchurch on or about 15 Novem She has also climbed extensively ber 1969, and spend six weeks in the in New Zealand, and has made field when snow conditions should ascents of Mount Cook and Mount be at their best. This period will Tasman. allow for about two weeks of bad weather. Geologist, Glaciologist: Mr. T. J. H. Chinn, a geologist who is serving The main scientific work will be as the Glacial Hydrologist with a topographical and geological sur Ministry of Works Water and Soil vey. A large geological fault in Division. Mount Sabine will be investigated Scientific Officer: Dr. D. R. Hutton, and samples will be taken from a physicist of the University of every rock outcrop in the system of Canterbury, will be chief scientific ridges above the glacier. officer for the party. Other scientific studies include sky Assistant Geologist: Mr. J. Glasgow, polarisation by telephotometer, mag a geologist, worked in the Ant netic dip circle measurements, and arctic last season as a field assis snow sampling for radio tritium tant in North Victoria Land for dating. the D.S.I.R. Mr. Squires said that Mrs. Clark Transport Officer: Mr. I. B. McDon became a member of the party be ald wintered over at Scott Base cause the expedition was partly her as a dog handler. idea, and because she was such a Logistics Officer, Field Engineer: Mr. good organiser and climber. She had J. K. Clark, an alpinist with ex been appointed as secretary. December, 1968

He said in an interview that the guests of the Antarctic Policy Group. scientific and mountaineering in They would be from the Interior and terests of the expedition were a Insular Affairs Committees and the useful combination because of the Sciences and Astronautics Com advantage of mountaineering experi mittee. ence in geological work. Admiral Abbot said that three The expedition would use two parties of foreign exchange repre adio systems, one between the field sentatives would also visit McMurdo this summer. Representatives of the parties and the second would main tain a link with Scott Base. At this countries which are signatories of time it is uncertain whether dogs or the Antarctic Treaty, thev will come motor toboggans would be used on from the Argentine, Australia, Bel the field trips, but either would gium, Chile, France, Japan, the draw hickory sleds. Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and the United Kingdom. DR HARRINGTON TO WILKES REVISIT McMURDO PENGUINS: Dr. H. J. Harrington, Assistant Pro- October was definitely the 'month c^ssor, Geology Department, Univer- of the penguin" at Wilkes, with the sighting of two more Emperors by „.ty of New England, New South Winston Nickols. Nev Dippel herded Wales, who has several times visited them away from the dog-line and a Antarctica, plans to return to Mc grisly end, and enabled more photos Murdo this summer with USARP to to be taken of what is a rare phen carry out two tasks. One is to collect more fossiliferous rocks from Minna omenon at Wilkes. Not to be out done, Adelie penguins arrived at the Bluff, for those obtained in the 1958-59 collection made with Brian rookery on the 20th, much to the de light of Gil Maher, who won the Fitzgerald and John Harrison have all been used. The second purpose is sweepstake on the date of their ar to carry ou? a traverse through the rival. type Beacon Sequence on the south FISHERMEN: side of the Upper Taylor Glacier. He Four of the expedition members will be accompanied by a student are keen fishermen, and they recently assistant from the University of New cut a hole in the ice, Eskimo fashion and proceeded to catch a dozen fish England this year. which were eaten with gusto. CHESS MATCHES: VISIT BY October saw the end of the chess GOVERNOR-GENERAL match between Byrd Station and Wilkes. Byrd conceded the match on The Governor-General, Sir Arthur account of their team's return home Porritt, will be one of the United after seven months' play and no States Navy's distinguished guests at mate. McMurdo Station this season. Rear- BIKE AT BASE: Admiral J. L. Abbot, commander of A new addition to the vehicle park the United States Navy's Antarctic is Frank Scaysbrook's motor bike I on 7 Nov- which arrived in small pieces, was ..,,.,., ,,,.,, ,,,. ,,.„._.uor-General assembled during thet year, and is would visit Antarctica some time in now the latest contender for the land January 1969. speed record on the Continent! Other guests would include promin WEATHER RECORDS: ent Americans such as Mr. T. Watson, October was a noteworthy month the Chairman of the International weather wise at Wilkes: they record Business Machine company, and Mr. ed the highest gust in 1968—98 m.p.h.; D. Ripley, Curator of the Smithsonian and the first temperature above freez Institute, Washington, D.C. ing since middle April—32.8°F. Most About a dozen United States Con amazing of all, rain was observed— gressmen would also visit the ice as most unusual for Antarctica. December, 1968

Belgian Activities in Antarctica During 1969

The scientific activities at "Base Work Programme to be carried out Roi Baudouin" have been tempor by the Belgian Field Party: arily suspended following the close Glaciology: Measurements of ice- down of this base in February 1967, thickness by radio-echo sounding the Belgian Antarctic activities for on the principal flowing glaciers the year 1969 being limited to a sum in the zone named under 2, 3. mer campaign as had previously Some measurements of mean been the case in 1968 in collaboration annual temperature. with the South African Antarctic Ex Study and sampling of the Blue peditions. Ice zones. This campaign will be extended Gravimetry: Measurements of gravi from December 1968 until March metric profiles across the glaciers 1969. measured by the echo-sounding radar. Shipping Gravimetric measurements on Transport aboard the South Afri rock as a contribution to the can vessel "R.S.A.". regional gravimetric mapping (with a connection to Sor Ron- Departure vessel "R.S.A.": Cape dane). Town, end December 1968; Ant Magnetism (possibly): Measure arctica, approximately 15 Febru ments and recording with the ary 1969. Elsec Proton Magnetometer in Arrival vessel "R.S.A.): Antarctica, stalled in the Otter. approximately 15 January 1969; Geology: Local studies. Cape Town, 1 March 1969. Duration of stay: From approxi Principal Scientific Equipment: Geodesy: Wild T3 Theodolites, and mately 15 January 1969 until ap all the necessary accessories for proximately 15 February 1969. geodesic and topographic work. Field Party's Itinerary Photogrammetry: Oblique camera. Glaciology: One Randall (35Mc) Sanae-Borga Massivet-Novolaza- radio-echo sounder; one Worden revskaya-Sor Rondane-Base Roi Bau douin— and back. gravimeter; one proton magneto meter; one GFZ balance; field equipment. Belgian Field party (8 members): Aircraft: Commander of Summer Campaign Cessna, 180 B, single engine; Otter geology, glaciology: T. Van Auten- DHC-3, single engine. boer, civilian. Chief pilot (Otter): R. Fagnoul, cap tain. Gravimetry, glaciology: H. Decleir, civilian. ICE CUBE IV Electronic technician: C. Stelling, The series of three flights to the civilian. Antarctic, known under the code Electronic technician: J. M. Cor- name of "Ice Cube IV", made by the bisher, under-officer. R.N.Z.A.F. Hercules for the 1968-69 Pilot (Cessna): W. Kother, 2nd lieut. season, ended late in October 1968. Aircraft mechanic: G.Nicolas, under- The plane carried more than 80,000 lb. officer. of freight for the United States and Aircraft mechanic: V. Daniels, under- New Zealand projects on the con officer. tinent. December, 1968

NEWS FROM TRENCH BASES: May-August 1968

During the four months from May The new 35 Kw transmitter has to August which, other than M'iy, been put in place and its trials have constitute the real antipodean win been satisfactory. ter, the various bases in the French A new rhombic (Kerguelen-Paris) territory have enjoyed relatively antenna has been tuned in for use friendly weather, having had lew by the new transmitter. snowfalls and a temperature rather The timber-frame for the radio high for the season. Therefore, after offices has been erected, one has the end of the summer campaigns, been completely boarded and the they have been able to pursue their other is ready to complete. work in conditions more favourable than they had hoped. The access road to the future marine biology laboratory has been completed. The platform on which KERGUELEN the building will be built is finished The celebratic ns of Midwinter and as far as the foundation level. of the 14th of July which marked The work of converting the 110-volt these months of solitude were cele- braled with appropriate ceremonial electricity supply to 220/380-volt is and gaiety. . proceeding cautiously, it being neces sary to modify the cabling of certain Life at Port-au-Francais would lines. have been uneventful, divided be tween work and leisure, but for the The work of interior refurbishing burning of the two containers on the buildings, appropriate to the win August 22, in which were the chemi ter season, has enabled the renova cal laboratory, the source of the tion of the Hospital, the club house disaster, and a part of the general at Port-aux-Francais, and the station electronic maintenance. The neigh at Molloy. bouring lodgings were saved, and The teletype communication re there were no personal injuries. cently established with Reunion However, the observation of natural Island and Adelie Land has been and artificial radio-activity had to be excellent. provisionally suspended. A team charged with rounding up CROZET sheep on Mussel Island had to wait for the low tide towards midnight, Relatively little snow was experi to free the barge's propeller which enced at Crozet during the winter, unfortunately had been fouled by the except for August, and the winds hawser. Because of this they had to were less violent than usual, while the temperature ranges was from spend a night in the open. Arriving at Port-aux-Francais just before the + 13° to -5°. With such mild condi tions the work programme was able fire, they had the opportunity to warm up again quicker than they to be executed with ease. had expected. The installation of the bulk car- These events should not minimise burelted hydrogen depot is nearing the importance of the work done completion, while the six 50 cubic during these months which can be metre cisterns have been placed on summarised as follows: the tar-impregnated cradles. The new radio transmission centre The loading point comprising a on Gabrielle Hill has been built and cistern of 5 cubic metres and a pump the installation completed. is in place near the higher station of December, 1968

the lelepherique, and a pipe line go Pleasure/leisure activities have not ing from the depot as far as the been overlooked, ranging from be loading point has been laid. At last a ginner's bridge to evening classes. shelter has been constructed near 1 he weekly lectures have taken place the depot, to house the transformer throughout the winter months with, which will transmit the current com it seems, great success; these sub ing from the station. The yard for the lozenge antenna on the platform jects range widely from the exposi has been opened, and the holes for tion of the research enterprises of the lour big posts and the anchorage the base laboratories in the fields of magnetism, of the ionosphere or of block have been dug. radiation to information topics such The maintenance work has in as cancer, the internal combustion cluded the greasing of the tractor engine, Australian economy and cable of the small telcpherique and tourism, palace kitchens, and seals. that of the carrying cable of the — All this adds up to a studious life large telepherique. which would be envied by the Sor- Several reconnaissances and sor bonne and which arouses sympathy! ties have been effected by teams of two or three men to Gauss Cape, to American Bay and to Christmas Bay. PROMINENT ADELIE LAND N E W Z E A L A N D E R S During the winter months, natur ally, work at Adelie Land has been TO GO SOUTH mainly confined to indoors. During The American Ambassador (Mr this period a relief radio station has Henning) has invited six prominent >een installed and directionallv New Zealanders, including the tuned in at Marret. The work in Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nor cluded the erection of a transmitter man Kirk), to visit Antarctica from mast. January 23 to 28, 1969. In order to better assure the The Prime Minister (Right Hon. security of the base, three alarm klaxons have been installed in vari Keith Holyoake) was invited, but ous buildings as well as a relief light was unable to accept because he will be overseas at the time attend ing system at the central electric- power station. ing the Prime Minister's Conference. The garage, the electricity work The members of the party will be: shops, and the structure of Building 22 as well as the mechanical work Mr Kirk; Mr W. L. Young, National shops housed in the old central block M.P. for Miramar; Mr Peter Snell, have been entirely refurbished. 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games gold On August 2 the first preparatory medallist; Mr Peter Read, N.Z. measures were taken for the 1968-69 Broadcasting Corporation television summer campaign, and comprised personality; Brigadier J. R. Page D.S.O., C.B.E., Director of the Duke putting the field vehicles in order of Edinburgh Award in New Zea and the installation at Cap Prud' lomme of a depot of 2,000 litre of land; Mr C. G. Gibbons, Chairman •etroi and materials and stores of the Wellington Rugby Football Union; and Mr Arthur' C. Lillig, necessary for the execution of the American Embassy economic officer. anticipated glaciology programme. The attempts at a teletype link The party, which will be the with McMurdo, Mirny and Kerguelen guests of the commander of the have turned out respectively very United States Naval Support Force Antarctica (Rear Admiral J. L.' satisfactory, satisfactory, and quite Abbot. Jun.), will spend four days good. in the Antarctic, visiting McMurdo The first radio-telephone link with Station, Scott Base, and Shackleton Port-aux-Francais took place with and Scott's historic huts on Ross complete success on August 25, 1968. Island. December, 1968

BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY NEWS

RESCUED MAN DIES air and are now flying in a British It is with great regret that the field party to provide ground control British Antarctic Survey report the and carry out geological work. death of Kenneth Portwine on Octo As the British relief ship, the ber 10 in the British Hospital in chartered "Perla Dan", will not Buenos Aires. His brother had flown reach Halley Bay until the end of out from Britain to be with him. January, Ken Blaiklock and a second Kenneth was 32. surveyor are being flown there via The Survey are most grateful to Washington, Christchurch and Mc the Argentine Government, their Murdo. At Halley Bay they will pick Antarctic personnel, his companions up two geologists, two general assis at base and the British Hospital in tants and three dog teams, and the Buenos Aires for the tremendous whole party will then be flown to efforts which they made to save his the Shackleton Range where they life. will be working for about 10 weeks. While he was in hospital he was Ken first went to the Antarctic in visited by Dr. John Brotherhood 1948. He spent two winters with Sir who, readers may remember, was Vivian at the British base on Ston- flown out to Christchurch by the ington Island, Marguerite Bay, where Americans last November after be he celebrated his 21st birthday, two ing severely injured at Halley Bay. at Hope Bay with David Stratton, John was on his way back to Britain two with the Trans-Antarctic Expedi after spending several months in the tion and two more with the Belgians. Falklands, and subsequent went to Altogether he has spent eight years Mexico as one of the physiologists and two summer seasons in the Ant accompanying the British Olympic arctic, which is the world record. team. He has made a complete recovery from his accident, except for the loss of a few teeth. NEW BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY SHIP The Natural Environment Re JOINT BRITISH -U.S. PROJECT search Council have decided to ANTARCTIC VETERAN replace R.R.S. "Shackleton" with a new ship which is to be built at RETURNS Leith at a cost of about £l3A million. A joint British-American project The overall length will be 326 ft., the has been organised to survey the beam 60 ft. and the cargo capacity Shackleton Range which lies about 1,800 tons. Two diesel-electric engines 300 miles south of Halley Bay. This will provide 5.000 s.h.p. to a single range was discovered by Sir Vivian variable-pitch propeller. Her endur Fuchs' Trans-Antarctic Expedition, ance will be 50 days at full speed, 1955-58, on their journey to the with an economic service speed of South Pole, and a preliminary survey about 14 knots. was carried out by two of the expe The hull will be all-welded plating dition's members — Ken Blaiklock of special steel, one inch or more and David Stratton. A possible route thick, and the stem will be cut-away was reconnoitred from Halley Bay to enable her to ride up on the ice via the Therons last year but, be and break it with her weight. Other cause of heavy crevassing, it was features will be an enclosed crow's found to be 450 miles — too long for nest provided with full controls, and field parties without air support. The a helicopter deck. There will be ac Americans have already photo commodation on board for 62 expedi graphed the whole area from the tion personnel and crew. Although December, 1968 primarily designed to carry person shoe Island base, 30 miles to the nel and cargo, a gravimeter room, a north. Four men also set out for large laboratory and a hydrographic Fossil Bluff, but were hampered by davit have been incorporated for bad weather, thick snow and impass oceanographic and biological re able tide-cracks near the entrance to search. The cargo handling gear has George VI Sound, and were forced to been designed for rapid discharge at turn hack as their supplies were run exposed anchorages. The ship is ning low. They were met by a three- expected to serve in the Antarctic in man relief party from base at the the 1970-71 season. Puffball Islands in the south of Mar guerite Bay. Meanwhile, from Fossil H.M.S. "ENDURANCE" Bluff, two depots were laid in the As mentioned briefly in the June Sound south of 72° S. in preparation issue, H.M.S. "Protector" has been for summer field work. A third depot replaced by the ex-Lauritzen Line was established on the east side of "Anita Dan" which was purchased by the Sound, and an attempt made to the Royal Navy in 1967. After refit at find a new route up on to the the Belfast shipyard of Harland and plateau. A survey party is now carry Wolff, the vessel was renamed "En ing out a tellurometer traverse link durance" by the Hon. Alexandra ing the Stonington and Fossil Bluff Shackleton, grand-daughter of the surveys. Antarctic explorer. The vessel is 306 ft. overall with a At Halley Bay, six men with three beam of 46 ft. and a displacement of clog teams left base at the end of approximately 3,650 tons. It carries September to reconnoitre and flag two Whirlwind Mk 9 helicopters and the most difficult part of the route to is fitted with laboratory accommoda the Shackleton Range, in preparation tion and facilities for hydrographic for a six-man depot-laying tractor surveying. party which set off a month later. Shorter journeys were undertaken to OTHER NEWS FROM THE carry out local glaciological work BASES and to train dog teams for work in At Signy Island in the South Ork the Shackleton Range. neys, summer field work was initi ated during a fine spell in September SHIPS' MOVEMENTS and was in full swing during Octo R.R.S. "Shackleton" sailed from ber. Various biological projects Southampton on October 8, and including seal tagging are being R.R.S. "John Biscoe" on October 23. undertaken and frogmen-biologists have carried out a number of dives. The Deception Island base re mained closed throughout the 1968 J U N E D R E W R E M E M B E R S winter but it will be re-opened for the summer, as the northern base The British and New Zealand for a twin-engined Otter aircraft members of the Trans-Antarctic Ex which is being flown south from pedition, and those associated with Canada and a single-engined Otter the raising of funds for it in New which was left in its crate at South Zealand will remember Miss June Georgia last year. Drew, the Welsh girl who served as At the Argentine Islands salvage Head Typist in the Wellington office work was started in September on for the duration of the Expedition. the Argentine naval aircraft which crashed there in July when trying to June is now married to an English man, Mr Alan Archer, and they have fly Kenneth Portwine out to Esper- anza base. Routine geophysical ob two children. They are living at servations continue, and several Awali, Bahrein, where Alan is work ing for an oil company, but June journeys have been made to the still has a keen longing to return mainland. and settle in New Zealand. In a From Stonington Island, Mar recent letter to the Editor she asked guerite Bay, two parties spent a few to be remembered to all her friends clays in September at the old Horse of Antarctic days. December, 1968 AMERICAN STATIONS ■ —i,■-- &:• .'*»;' ).;..-' Hallett Operation DEEP FREEZE 69, the 1968-69 summer support season tor A three-piece salt water distillation United States scientific work in the unit for Hallett was among the cargo Antarctic, wr.s officially opened when, carried by the first Starlifter aircraft on October 8, the first U.S. aircraft to reach Antarctica this year, and its arrived at Williams Field, McMurdo, installation will save Hallett person and landed Rear Admiral J. Lloyd nel the arduous necessity of having Abbot, Jr., Commander of the U.S. to melt down ice from a fresh water Navy's Antarctic Support Force. glacier during their stay at this station. Operation Deep Freeze has been supporting the National Science Foundation's scientific research in McMurdo Antarctica for 14 years, housing, feed Main project for the Seabees ing, supplying and transporting civi (Naval Construction Battalion Unit lian scientists engaged in all the 201) at McMurdo this season is the many different projects which have completition of a large personnel been and are being undertaken in building which will be the largest m that continent. This year more than the continent, a "miniature city" 2,000 men from the Navy Coast under one roof, providing messing, Guard, Army Air Force and Marine berthing and recreational faciilties Corps will be involved in moving for the McMurdo population, as well men and supplies to Antarctica by as a laundry and barber shop. This air and sea over an 11,000-mile supply is Seabees' third season in Antarc- line from the United States. Before Deep Freeze 69 began offi Plateau cially, there were 263 Navymen and scientists already in the Antarctic Among the smiling faces which and bv mid-summer there will be greeted the first aircraft to reach more than 1,000. Ski-equipped Her Plateau Station in nine months were cules aircraft will open up the three those of a number of Japanese, who inland stations at Byrd, South Pole had beaten the first flight in by and Plateau; Palmer Station, ina^es- three days. November 12 brought to sible by air because of its ^nall Plateau its first new faces since the area, will be opened by Coast Guard last flight out in February last, when icebreaker, while Williams Field, the Japanese Antarctic Research Pro Hallett Station and Brockton Station gramme Traverse party, on a round will operate throughout the summer trip from Showa to the South Pole, to facilitate logistics operations. reached Plateau for refuelling, vehi cle maintenance and a four-day rest. STATIONS The incoming aircraft brought five Six United States Antarctic sta Navy men and a USARP scientist tions, various international co-opera from South Pole Station. These men tive foreign stations and remote field had had a four-day acclimatisation sites will be operating U.S. Antarctic at Pole to accustom them to the Research Programs during the 1968- cold, thin air and were to relieve and 69 season. Byrd, McMurdo, Palmer assist the wintering-over personnel. and South Pole stations are all year- Relaxation for these "stayers" had round operational sites, while Hal been provided earlier with a four- lett, site of a joint N.Z.-U.S. scientific man team football match on the programme will be open from Octo Plateau gridiron. There were no ber to February, as will Palmer, the spectators, as the entire population smallest of the U.S. bases. was needed to man the two teams. December, 1968

SUPPORT FORCE ACTIVITIES A f u r t h e r S t a r l i f t e r fl i g h t i s Units under command of Rear planned for later this year, to bring Admiral J. Lloyd Abbot, Jr., in this back live wild-life specimens from year's Deep Freeze include Antarctic Antarctica. Support Activities, headquarters in Rhode Island, and maintaining sta tions "on the ice"; Air Development Project Magnet, a continuous Squadron Six supplying Hercules world-wide geomagnetic survey being and Constellation aircraft and LH-34 conducted by the U.S. Naval Oceano- helicopters; Construction Battalion graphic Office, is under way in the Unit 201; an Army aviation helicop Antarctic, for the first time since ter detachment; a Military Airlift summer, 1966. An NC-121K Super Command detachment helping in the Constellation, operated by Air De movement of personnel from the velopment Squadron Eight, left United States to New Zealand and Christchurch, N.Z., on November 1 of cargo from New Zealand to to make flights from McMurdo for a McMurdo; and a Naval Nuclear week to measure the intensity and Power Unit operating the McMurdo direction of the earth's magnetic nuclear reactor. field, data required for the improve Not even five per cent of Antarctic ment of navigational and world iso- supplies are taken in by air. More magnetic charts. than ninety-five per cent is taken by A modified U.S. Navy transport sea to McMurdo, the ships entering aircraft, the Super Constellation is by a channel cut in the annual ice equipped with a vector airborne by Coast Guard icebreakers, this year magnetometer and special naviga four of them —"Glacier", "Burton tional equipment to collect the data Tsland", "Southwind" and "Edisto"; for the construction of nautical, hree Military Sea Transportation aeronautical and world isomagnetic Jervice cargo ships ("Wyandot", charts published by the U.S. Govern "Pvt. John R. Towle" and "Alatna") ment. will serve as cargo carriers, with Cargo Handling Battalion Unit One unloading and unloading them in the SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH Antarctic. Some 150 scientists and techni cians from more than 50 colleges, universities, government agencies Jet aircraft, whose feasibility in and industrial firms will participate Antarctic support operations was in this season's National Science tested in 1966, have this year been Foundation research. used for eight scheduled flights in The new research vessel "Hero" the opening of Deep Freeze 69. The will give extra mobility to the scien first C-141 Starlifter of the operation tists, some of whom will use "Hero" reached Williams Field 4 hours and as a base for their investigations into 7 minutes after leaving Harewood, chan N.Z., carrying 36,980 pounds of by iii^ i_cii niLjuaivc anu voicanic priority cargo. Only 4,200 ft. of the eruptions which wracked the island 20,000-11. runway were needed to and drove out the 52 members of land the aircraft, which met with the Argentine, British and Chilean near-"banana belt" weather at Mc research stations in December 1967 Murdo—more than 15 miles of visi (See "Antarctic", March 1968, p. 23). bility, only 6 knots of wind and a Launched in March this year, temperature of 9° F. "Hero" is a 125-ft. diesel-powered and sail-equipped wooden ship designed Within a fortnight, eight flights to carry a complement of 10 scien had been completed by the two Star- tists and 10 crew members. Fitted lifters from the 438th Military Airlift with laboratory space, she is fitted Wing, each carrying some 40,000 for all the over-the-side operations pounds of cargo. One of the round required for scientific projects to trips to Williams Field and back was allow her to serve as a biological and completed in less time than it takes other disciplines' research platform a C-121 Constellation to fly one way. in the Antarctic. December, 1968

Deep Drilling Study Twenty-four researchers at four Ant Scientists at Byrd Station will arctic stations will participate in this international study. analyse, this season, the continuous ice cores obtained from the drilling U.S. scientists will also help to to the bottom of the ice sheet com make up the 35-man team which will pleted last season. Measurements of participate in the International Wed- the temperature and deformation of dell Sea Oceanographic Expedition, the 7,100-fl. drill hole and determina: while support will be given by, lion of the electrical properties of among other vessels from other the ice at great depth will also be nations, the U.S. Coast Guard ice made. breaker "Glacier". Sleep Patterns U.S.N.S. "Eltanin", together with Psychiatrists will complete this her sister research vessel "Hero", season a three-year study of the will accommodate a number of sleeping, dreaming and waking be foreign researchers as well as their haviour of Antarctic personnel with own. Two U.S. Exchange Scientists field studies up to November fol have so far been named for this lowed by analysis and interpretation season's Antarctic work, one to join of data at the University of Okla the British Antarctic Expedition (Dr. homa Medical Center. Information Paul Williams, U.S. Geological Sur obtained is expected to help in plan vey), and the other the Japanese ning for human factors in future Antarctic Expedition (Gerard Roach, terrestrial and extraterrestrial ex University of Denver). plorations. International Co-operation American scientists will be based COMMENT ON TOURISM at a number of foreign stations in Tourist flights to the Antarctic the Antarctic this season, again ex would place a burden on metoro- logical staff there and the idea is not emplifying the international co-oper popular with either New Zealanders ation that flourishes in that con or Americans working on the Con tinent, while foreign scientists will work at U.S. bases at the same time. tinent, a United States weather ex pert said in Auckland on November Dr. Boris G. Lopatin of the Insti 27. tute of Arctic Geology, Leningrad, wintered over at McMurdo this year Commander Charles Bird, top meteorologist with the United States and will take part in the U.S. Geo Naval Support Force for Operation logical survey of Ellsworth Land, together with a Chilean scientist, Deep Freeze, said weather forecast srnando Munigaza. This multi- ing and accommodation would be the main problems for a commercial discipline survey, along the coast of Ellsworth Land, consists of five airline operating to the Antarctic. separate projects, geological, topo As recorded in "Antarctic", Scp- graphical, botanical and magnetic. tem 1968( pages 162-163), Air New Dr. Lopatin's opposite number, Zealand and Holm and Co. Ltd. are U.S. geophysicist Dr. H. LeRoy jointly investigating the possibility of operating tourist flights to the Scharon, wintered over at Molodezh- Antarctic next summer. naya continuing his magnetic field studies, while another U.S. Exchange Commander Bird said he felt the Scientist will work on upper atmos official American view was not to get pheric studies at Vostok. involved with commercial operations in the Antarctic, but if something Wintering over with the New Zea- landers in the ice-free Wright Valley went wrong, the task force could not will be Allan Riordan, studying help becoming involved. micrometeorology, and other U.S. "People in the Antarctic are work scientists will be working at the Aus ing a 12-hour day seven days a tralian Mawson and Wilkes stations week and commercial flights woujd on the satellite programme, which is mean a considerable increase in designed to measure the exact shape their work, particularly for metoro- of the Earth by means of satellites. logical staff," Commander Bird said. December, 1968

I personally am not in favour of observatory there. tourist flights because I know how Professor F. B. Wood, the Reese hard the meteorological tvpes have W. Flower Professor of Astronomy at to work down there. the University of Pennsylvania, who "We provide the met. service for had been working at the Mount John southbound Antarctic flights at Observatory in Canterbury, said that resent and I don't think the New it was purely an exploratory study. ^aland service is geared to do this." "No funds have been alloted and Commander Bird said that Decem none have been applied for, I am just ber and January were the only two going to see if the observatory is a months in which the weather was feasible thing to even think about," reliable enough to permit commer said Professor Wood. cial flights and even then they could It would be a national effort, he be subject to many disruptions. said. Much would depend on the An Air New Zealand spokesman financial climate. There was no said the airline was aware of the thought of any multi-million dollar •roblcms of Antarctic flights and project and it would be on a modest would not consider beginning them scale initially, probably about the until all had been solved. same size as the Mount John Obser It is understood Air New Zealand vatory. envisages a weekly service on a Professor Wood said that the charter basis during the summer South Pole Station would be an ideal using either Electras or DC-8s. site. "The sun is up for six months It is believed such a tourist ser of the year and the other half we vice would be among the most expen have the stars." sive in the world but the airline Pole Station was first choice for believes there is a valuable market. such a project because the weather was good, and Byrd Station was the second choice. NO POLLUTION FOUND When he has completed his survey, Professor Wood will report to a corii- BEFORE 1850's mittec in the United States which Evidence of pollution only went back to the days of the Industrial will discuss the matter. Revolution, said Dr W. O. Davis, an American scientist, in Christchurch VISITS TO DEEP FREEZE on November 8. HEADQUARTERS . He said that captured in the Visitors to Christchurch will now ice cores which were being drilled have the opportunity of louring at Byrd Station were traces of con Operation Deep Freeze advance head tamination throughout the world, quarters at Harewood International but none were evident before the Airport. 1850's. At Byrd Station the ice core A letter, well in advance of the drill went to 7,100 feet before reach visitor's estimated time of arrival, to ing rock, and it was estimated that Public Affairs Office, Operation Deeo the oldest ice there was about Freeze, Private Bag, Harewood, 40,000 years old. Christchurch, will give the writer The recent solar flares which dis- the opportunity to go out to the air ruppted communication between port, to see a movie on Antarctic McMurdo Sound and Christchurch operations and to ask questions of had isolated Byrd Station for five an Operation Deep Freeze representa days. tive. A visit to Antarctic Air Develop ment Squadron Six's aircraft hangar POSSIBLE OBSERVATORY area will follow, with a sight of an LC-130 ski-equipped Hercules or a AT POLE C-121 Super Constellation, if either An American astronomer paid a plane is available. Entry to the air visit to the Amundsen-Scott South craft will not normally be permitted, Pole Station in November to ascer on account of maintenance require tain the feasibility of establishing an ments that must be met. NEWS FROM SOUTH AFRICA

IONOSPHERIC PROGRAMME student from Stellenbosch Univer South African participation in Ant sity, at present undergoing training arctic Research began in 1960, when at Rhodes University. the first team, Sanae 1, took over METEOROLOGY AND GEOLOGY the Norwegian base in Queen Maud Land, Antarctica. When the new base Due to longer periods of daylight was built at SANAE (South African and higher temperatures, the par National Antarctic Expedition) in ticularly fine weather of October 1962, the team was expanded to in encouraged much activity at the clude, amongst others, an Ionos base. The first summer party of four pheric Physicist. Since then an members returned from the moun Ionosonde has been in continuous tains after a very successful expedi tion lasting about a month. During operation as part of the Ionosphere Research programme. Antarctic this time various depots were re Ionosphere Research has its head plenished with fresh supplies for the quarters at, and is controlled by future use of the geologists. Many Rhodes University at Grahamstown interesting experiences were recount in the Cape Province. ed on their return. During this sum mer a joint American, Norwegian Due to the fortuitous placing of and British expedition will be work SANAE base just west of the Green ing halfway between SANAE and wich Meridian on the Antarctic Halley Bay. SANAE will assist with coastline, a mere 3,000 miles south radio communication. west of Johannesburg, hourly values of Ionospheric characteristics can be TENTH PARTY scaled at the base and transmitted The names of the tenth South back to South Africa. The results are African Antarctic Expedition have sent to Rhodes University where they been announced. They are: are published and then distributed Leader: Mr Henry Fulton. all over the world. Meteorologists: Captain P. C. L. The convenience of the telex facil Steyn, Mr J. B. Kock, Mr J. R. ity coupled with a routine fortnightly van der Merwe. radio telephone call from the Uni Geologists: Mr Anton Aucamp, Mr versity to SANAE base, used for L. G. Wolmarans. checking the data, allows the data Cosmic Rays: Mr P. J. Konig. to be published within a maximum Ionosphere: Mr E. Engelbrecht. of three months, which is thought Geomagnctist: Mr P. R. Sutcliff. to be a world record. Medical Doctor: Dr A. G. Grobler. Mechanics: Mr W. Hodsdon, Mr For the second five-year period of C. A. Spencer, Mr G. J. Mackie. the South African Antarctic Research Radio Operators: Mr A. J. Nie- Programme, the Department of mandt, Mr C. B. Muir. Transport has allocated approxi Radio Technician: Mr R. W. John mately R20.000 per annum for the ston. Ionospheric Research Programme. This has made it possible to develop It is of special interest that the leader, Mr Henry Fulton, is taking I »j i*r-4 r-> i hub part in an Antarctic expedition for the third time. He over-wintered in The Ionosphere Research Physicist Antarctica during 1962 and 1966 and at present "down South" is Mr M. H. in the latter year he was deputy Williams, a Ph.D. student in Physics leader. at Rhodes University, as a member This will also be Mr Wilf Hods- of SANAE 9. He will be replaced at don's third turn of duty in Ant the beginning of 1969 by Mr Schalk arctica. He over-wintered in 1965 and Engelbrecht, a Physics Honours 1967. He was deputy leader in 1967 December, 1968

and has been invited to act as leader the mountains. The party will con of the mountain expedition which is sist of the two geologists, a senior to over-winter in the mountains. mechanic and a radio operator. A Another member who is a veteran Parcoll hut and an emergency hut is Captain Steyn, the senior meteor are going to be erected and equ5""0'1 so that they will be as safe ai ologist who has been appointed as comfortable as can be expected, deputy leader of the expedition He over-wintering will provide a tr< was a member of SANAE 8 during mendous impetus to the Geology pre gramme as they can start work im . Two members of the ninth expedi- mediately. Mr R. W. Rand, Assistant Director Mri!i0n Anton F nresent Aucamp in Antarctica, (geologist) namely and of the Division of Sea Fisheries of Mr Uive Spencer (senior mechanic) the Department of Industries will ac have decided to remain at the base company the "RSA" to make a study of plankton, fish and other pelagic SANAEc0ArKT?£°&er™v.ear 10. This is most as members advantage of fauna. Special attention will also be ous for Antarctic research, as these paid to the study of seals. persons as well as the aforemen During March, 1969 a visit is ex tioned three members, will return pected from the 9th Japanese Ant to South Africa with a wider and arctic Expedition on board the better understanding, experience and "Fuji". The French Antarctic Re knowledge of Antarctic conditions. search ship, the "Galhini" is expected to depart from Cape Town en route The members of the team are to the Antarctic on the same date as mainly bachelors, with the excep the "RSA". This will be the first time tion of the leader, Mr Johnston and that a French Antarctic Expedition Mr Niemandt. will pay a visit to South Africa. The team has assembled in Pre toria and will attend a training course which will include fire fight W I L D L I F E F R O M ing, first aid, cookery and elemen ANTARCTICA tary needlework, physical fitness One hundred and ten specimens nountaineering and special instruc of Antarctic wildlife passed through tions m the knotting, tying and join- Christchurch on December 2 on the mg of ropes. The Public Service commission will also give training way to American zoos and research in supervision and management as institutions. well as instruction in human be Carefully crated in a US Air Force haviour under adverse conditions. Starlifter, the live cargo consisted of 28 Emperor penguins. 48 Adelie The South African supply vessel, penguins, 30 skua gulls and four the RSA", is expected to depart Weddell seals. In charge of the from Cape Town on 28 December, cargo was Dr R. Penney, of the 1968. A Belgian research team com New York Zoological Society, who prising of nine members under the had spent three weeks in the Ant leadership of the experienced Mr arctic collecting the specimens. Tony van Autenboer, wil accompany the ship. They will return with the The seals were about five weeks old, and weighed approximately 200 "RSA". lbs. At airports in the United States During the sojourn of the "RSA" in the plane will be met by refrigerated a bukta near the base, and while the trucks which will pick up the live supplies for 1969 are being unloaded consignments for delivery. and transported to the base, a new It was the third airlift of animals winter-over base will be erected and birds from Antarctica to the south of SANAE. The eouipment and United States. Normally, because supplies will be transported bv Mus of the expense, the United States keg and with the help of the Belgian Antarctic Research Programme tries aircraft. For the first time in South to plan such flights only every two African Antarctic history, a four-man or three years rather than as an field expedition will over-winter in annual event. December, 1968

RUSSIAN PLANS FOR 1968-69 SEASON

In the 1968-69 season the Russians seismic phenomena. The medical will be operating their five Antarctic programme includes psychological, Stations, Mirny, Molodezhnaya, Vos Diochemical and physiological obser tok, Novolazarevskaya and Bellings vations at Vostok Station which is hausen. located at the Pole of Cold. Mirny remains their major observ The new Expedition and its equip atory and base. However, much will ment will be shipped by four ships: be done to extend Molodezhnaya, "Ob", "Professor Zubov" sailed in where the Antarctic Meteorological November, and a freight vessel and Centre will be organised which a tanker embark at the beginning of will supply information, including 1969. During the voyage the ships weather forecasts to interested sta will conduct oceanographic measure tions. A powerful radio station will ments. be installed. At Molodezhnaya a scientific rocket polygone will also Apart from the crews, 300 men will be built for the study~of high layers take part in the Expedition, and of the atmosphere. Among other more than 200 men will stay for the studies this will allow the Russians winter period. In addition to the to conduct very interesting compari Soviet scientists, the party will in sons with the results of rocket sound clude scientists from France, Poland ings in the Arctic: on the Heiss and East Germany. Dr D. Maxioutov Island (Franz-Josef Land). of the Leningrad Arctic and Antarc The Soviet geologists plan to un tic Institute is the Head of the Ex dertake studies of the Antarctic pedition ; Dr A. A. Artemiev is Chief platform and of the paleographic oi the Vostok Station (he wintered conditions of its formation. This there before); Dr T. Serveiev is the will allow ore prospecting in future, Chief of the Novolazevskaya Station, for coal, mica, iron, graphite, etc. and P. Kudriavtse is the Chief of the On the Queen Maud Land it is Bellingshausen Station. olanned to accomplish seismic sound ing of basic rocks along the profile Wohlthat Mountains — Novolazarev RUSSIAN ATLAS skaya — the sea. The text and map legends of the Extensive activities will be con first volume of the Soviet Antarctic ducted by glaciologists. A traverse Atlas published in 1966 have been will be undertaken with glacio- translated into English and pub geodetic aims along the route Mirny- lished as a special issue of the jour Vostok. The French scientists, as nal "Soviet Geography" (Vol. 8, No. four years ago, will take part in the 5-6, 1967) published by the American traverse. The party will determine the rate of movement and the char Geographical Society under a grant acter of deformation of the glacier. by the National Science Foundation. In the Molodezhnaya area the radar measurements of the ice thickness will be conducted from aircraft. At POSSIBLE ANTARCTIC SHIP Vostok Station it is planned to drill a deep hole in the ice by the aid of FOR AUSTRALIA an electric bore. 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8961- 'Jaqtuaoaa December, 1968 ANTARCTIC STATIONS

Africa, Plateau Station has been sus PLATEAU STATION tained by LC-130F Hercules aircraft By Lieutenant Archie D. Blackburn, which flew from McMurdo, 1,400 M.C., U.S.N. miles away, frequently staging For three years from 1966 the through Amundsen-Scott South Pole United States has operated a station Station. The isolated site was chosen at a remote spot on the south polar to fill a gap in scientific coverage. plateau. Situated at 79° 15' S., 40° 30' Programmes were conducted in E., the station has sat atop approxi meteorology, micrometeorology, up mately two miles of ice at an altitude per atmosphere physics, and geo above sea level of nearly 12,000 feet. physics. Because temperatures during the winter months averaged below -70° Built during the 1965-66 operating F., no aircraft operations were pos season, the main station cons:sted sible from mid-February to mid- of four prefabricated vans, each November, leaving the eight-man measuring 36 by 8 Vz by Wi feet with complement completely isolated, ex a maximum weight of 23,000 lb. The cept for radio communications, for space between the vans was floored eight months each year. and roofed to give a central living Located about 700 miles from the area of approximately 25 by 72 feet. South Pole in the direction of South A fifth van and a 16- by 32-foot

PLATEAU STATION. December, 1968

Jamesway hut were set up about frequency radio noises were carried 1,000 feet from the main building to out as part of the Antarctic upper- be used in case of emergency. The atmosphere physics programme. construction crew lived in two Jamesways, which were left on the The prevailing climatic conditions, site. These, with two others added relatively high altitude, and the long later, provided recreation and stor and virtually absolute isolation at age space. Plateau Station offered unique op portunities for medical observations Two 55-kiiowatt generators were related to the specific disciplines of installed in the main building. Each physiology and psychology. Though was sufficient to power the station. the Navy medical officer also has The emergency huts housed a third served as officer-in-charge of the generator. Heat was derived from station, he has found time to record the warmed engine coolant of the several parameters of physiological diesel generators by means of a and psychological information. Liv heat exchange system. The exhaust ing in close quarters with a few heat from the same engines was used other men for long periods of time to melt snow for water. Other ameni proved as real a stress as did existing ties included an electric kitchen, in an environment where tempera washing machine, clothes dryer, a tures never exceed 0° F. Awareness of shower, and flush toilets. The United the impossibility of survival without States Navy has manned the station fuel and functioning equipment can with a physician, a mechanic, an not be hidden from consciousness electronics technician, and a cook to even by exceptional personal con support the programme of scientific fidence and reliability. investigation carried out by four civilian scientists under the auspices During the current season, the of the United States Antarctic Re scientific equipment will be removed search Programme. (except for the micrometeorological tower), and the station will be closed about 1 February 1969, but otherwise The station was ideally located for left ready for immediate reoccu- studies in meteorology. No signifi panc.y. The feasibility of such a cantly different weather conditions small and isolated station has been existed for hundreds of miles proved by three years' operation, but iround, and the remarkable pheno the final justification for this type of mena of air stratification and tem operation (and the several preceding perature inversion could be studied years of planning) depends upon the in a clarity not seen elsewhere on extent of scientific knowledge gained, Earth. At 79° south latitude the Ant which will come from the reduction arctic night and day are each four of the scientific data so arduously months long separated by two two- gathered. monthly periods during which the sun rises and sets. These long periods of light and dark, combined with the FIRST WINTER POSTMASTER vast expense of snow, provided an The first man to spend a winter as opportunity for basic studies in heat postmaster at Scott Base returned radiation. Routine weather measure to New Zealand this summer. He ments revealed one of the hardest is Mr George Edlin, who worked in environments known to man: tem Invercargill for 20 years in the Post peratures varied from -1.3° F. to Office before going to Scott Base. A -123.1° F., with the mean annual man of many interests, he has temperature being approximately dabbled in poetry, some of which -70° F. y has been published, been a com mando in Borneo, served in the Observation and measurement of Merchant Navy as a radio officer, the aurora australis and the Earth's and also tried a year as a lighthouse- magnetic field contributed to studies keeper. in physics. Micropulsation tech Mr Edlin claims to be the oldest niques and monitoring of very low- man to winter-over at Scott Base. December, 1968 A N

NORWEGIAN WHALERS WITHDRAW FROM ANTARCTIC

It will come with amazement to many, and sadness to those who have been associated with the Norwegians in the south, to learn that they have decided to abandon Antarctic whaling from this year.

Of all the countries associated It was Svend Foyn, a Norwegian with whaling the Norwegians had sealer who invented the grenade har the longest association with the poon gun in 1872, and utilised steam- South Polar regions, although their driven launches to pioneer modern bases were as far removed as they whaling. This method revolutionised could possibly be. whaling and changed it entirely. Not only was it now possible to chase For sixty years Norwegians have more successfully the slower sperm hunted the giant mammals, and I whale but also the faster and well remember as a lad standing on a hill on my father's farm at River- whale, fin whales and humpbacks. ton watching the enormous mother ships and their satellite whale At the time of the invention of the chasers passing through Foveaux harpoon gun most whaling was car Strait like a huge armada en route ried out in the Arctic regions, and from their base at Paterson Inlet from 1863 to 1904 no less than 18,000 in Stewart Island. After a few years whales were caught in Arctic waters, they withdrew from Stewart Island, and the numbers were sadly but while they were there many a depleted. young man from Riverton, Bluff and Stewart Island served a term or As early as 1892-93 Mr Christensen, more as a whaler, and earned high of Sandefjord sent his whaler, "Jason", to Graham Land, under the wages. command of Captain C. A. Larsen. Antarctic whaling was a way of Ten years went by and whale stocks life for an entire community in the in the north had diminished to such Vestfold County south of Oslo, and an extent a new area had to be marriages and birth statistics in found. Captain C. A. Larsen re that region clearly reflect the whal turned in the "Antarctic" and in 1904 ing seasons. Most children were founded a whaling company which born in the new year and spring, is still flourishing at Grytviken, in and most marriages took place in South Georgia. Mr Chr. Christensen, May and June when the sailors re the other famous pioneer of Antarc turned to port with plenty of money tic whaling sent the first factory in their pockets and a keen longing ship, the "Amirlen" to the Falkland for home life after the long and Islands and South Shetlands in 1905. arduous season in the Antarctic. In 1908. in an effort to regulate the Sandefjord, a small town of 7,000 whaling industry, the British people, on the west coast of Oslo Government claimed the Falkland Fiord, was one of the whaling capi Islands Dependencies. Until 1920 al tals of the world, with more men in most all of the Antarctic whaling its population acquainted with the was centred in that region, but fol Antarctic than could be found in lowing the published accounts of most major capitals or ports. This the Scott and Shackleton expedi tiny town was a household word all tions interest began to centre on the over the world because of its whal Ross Sea where it was apparent that ing associations. there was a vast untapped reservoir December, 1968 of whales awaiting the attention of Whaling men have settled down ambitious whaling captains. ashore to the regular hours of other occupations, and the famous whale Captain C. A. Larsen and his fountain at the city centre of Sand partner, M. M. Konow, trading as efjord is now only a focus for nos the Rosshavet Whaling Company of talgic memories of Antarctic whal Sandefjord, entered into an agree ing and the great days when ex ment with the British Government ploration was coupled with busi to pay a commission on all whale ness, and many remote parts of the oil taken from the region, and to Antarctic coastline were first sighted pay an annual licence tee. The Bri from the deck of ships from this tish Government claimed the Ross small port. Dependency sector in 1923, follow Last year Norway sent only one ing the agreement made with the expedition south with one factory Norwegian company a year before. ship, five catchers and 384 men—a The Norwegians established their sad decline from former years. Nor way believes that present prices for Stewart Island base and at first had whale oil are too low and the cost a monopoly, but soon other com of expeditions too high to make panies sent fleets to this lucrative whaling an economic proposition. area. Some companies paid royal Now the last Norwegian Antarctic ties, others did not. and from 1929 whaling company has announced it no further royalties were paid. The will send no more expeditions, and staggering total of 66,000,000 gallons of whale oil was taken from the thus leaves the field free to its re Ross Dependency area in the years cent rivals Japan and Russia who between 1923 and 1931, with the bulk will inherits its pioneer work. of it from Norwegian ships. In 1930 there were 41 expeditions, RESEARCH STATION of which 30 were Norwegian, with catches in those years as high as ASSISTS AUSTRALIANS 40,000 whales in a season. Following Scientists and engineers of the a glut caused by over-exploitation Australian Antarctic Division in mak coupled with the world depression, ing final arrangements for the 1969 the whales in the Ross Sea had a ANARE expedition carried out tests period of comparative peace, for there was negligible operation from on new equipment at a little-known 1931 until modest activity was re field station situated at Eltham, Vic sumed in 1938-39, and none at all toria. from then until the 1946-47 when The station houses specialised re there was keen competition among search equipment for studies of the fleets from various countries. upper atmosphere, similar to that used by ANARE scientists at Mac- Even earlier the enormous drain quarie, Mawson, Davis and Wilkes on whale stocks had naturally stations. caused concern as to the possible Although the Antarctic Division extinction of the species, and a Con has its own laboratory in Melbourne, vention for the Regulation of Whal where new equipment is developed ing was drawn up at Geneva and and constructed, the Eltham site came into force in 1935. Since then was chosen to get away from city whaling has been strictly controlled; lights and electrical noises that inter certain types were not allowed to fere with the sensitive detectors be killed, and the number of the needed to study auroras, air-glow, others to be taken was severely cosmic radio noise and weak fluctu restricted. ations in the earth's magnetic field. Once as many as 10,000 Nor During severe sunspot activity the wegians went to sea after whales, auroras occur closer to the equator and earned very high money for and may be seen over Australia. their labours. Now in recent years Recently Division scientists showed more shipowners have transferred that auroras occur similarly and their attention to the more profit simultaneously in the northern and able and stable tanker industry. southern hemispheres. December, 1968

m SCOTT POLAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Because of the tremendous expan ground space and to integrate attrac sion at the Scott Polar Research tively with the old building, a four- Institute at Cambridge, England, it storey rectangular brick block joined was necessary to erect a new build to the existing premises by a two- ing on the limited space available on storey link would be the best the site. method. The floor area of the old The original building, designed by building was 510 square metres, and Sir Herbert Baker, R.A., was opened this has now been increased to a in November 1934, and contained a total of 2,100 square metres, thus museum on the ground floor, a giving four times the space of the library on the first floor, a picture original building. jallery above and a few offices and research rooms. A formal classical The lecture room has been de Mock, designed in Georgian style, signed for the dual purpose of hous the small building was of attractive ing lectures and conferences, and warm buff-coloured facing bricks can accommodate audiences of up with limestone dressings and a to one hundred. It is particularly brown tiled roof. suited for a continuation of the public lectures which have been a The Institute, founded to honour popular feature of the Institute's the memory of Captain Robert Fal activities. con Scott and his comrades, and designed to foster polar research, Because of the enormous influx of soon became world famous, and books and pamphlets on polar mat rapidly became a centre of reference ters over the last twelve years the and research. Almost from the begin first floor, both old and new, is now ning the premises were inadequate, virtually all library. Large sliding and this has been particularly evi fire doors, normally left open, lead dent since the tremendous expansion from the old library into the link, in Antarctic research and explora which is furnished with fixed book tion over the past decade. Few of the cases forming three reading bays. well-known scientists of later expedi The Institute has given great atten tions have failed to benefit from the tion to the safe storage of the many work and resources of the Scott irreplaceable documents. Various Polar Research Institute. systems of air conditioning were con Soon after the Second World War sidered for the archive room but in the firm of architects of H. C. the end they were all rejected in Hughes and P. Bicknell, of Cam favour of low-temperature electric bridge, was consulted about exten ceiling heating and small portable sions, but it was not until 1965 that air conditioning units. The room is funds for building became available. specially protected against fire or By that time the demand for space flooding. in the old building threatened to A well-lit map room, eight research choke the work of the Institute alto rooms and a laboratory for geophysi gether, and it was clear that the cal work are contained on the top extension should be as large as could be reasonably contrived on the floor. In the basement of the main block, apart from functional store limited site. rooms and photographic darkrooms, After careful consideration of etc., are two cold rooms, which can several designs it was agreed that to be kept at temperatures down to obtain the maximum use of the - 40° C. These two cold rooms form December, 1968 an interesting feature of the build All those with an interest in and ing; in order to prevent damage to appreciation of the work of the Insti the foundations they stand on elec tute will wish the Director and his trically heated pads, and the inspec staff a long and successful associa tion windows are surrounded with tion in their splendid new premises. electrical filaments to prevent their becoming frosted up. Facing bricks exactly like the original ones could not be obtained, so the external walls of the building PAPERS ARE ANTARCTIC are faced with hand-made Stamford stone bricks which are very similar CONSCIOUS in appearance. The floor of the link Although most newspapers give entrance gallery is of quartzite, considerable coverage to Antarctic which comes from northern Norway, events, there would be few in the within the Arctic Circle. world which are so Antarctic- The architects found this a most conscious as the two Christchurch interesting and enjoyable project. newspaper, the "Press" and the The premises of the Scott Polar Re "Star". Ever since Christchurch was search Institute are the only ones in selected as the New Zealand centre the world which have been specifi for Operation Deep Freeze they have cally designed for the purpose of reported every event of importance polar research. This has meant that in polar affairs. nearly all the design problems have been unique to this building, but the But their interest goes deeper than difficulties have been overcome by merely reporting facts, as was shown the close and cordial co-operation by an appreciation in the "Christ between the architects and the church Star" of 3 October. Entitled Director and officers of the Institute "A Notable Absentee' it read in part: over the comparatively long prepar "The man who was the oldest in atory period. habitant at the Deep Freeze organisa tion in Christchurch did not come The way they have tended to think back this year and his many friends along similar lines is shown by the in this city will deeply regret his economy of the plan, which is largely retirement. Quiet, good-natured, due to the fact that all the sub knowledgeable and highly efficient, sidiary rooms open off the main Eddie Goodale has been the United spaces — library, museum and map States Research Programme repre room, thus obviating passages. This sentative for the National Science form of planning proposed by the Foundation almost from the begin architects was welcomed by the ning of Deep Freeze and hundreds of Institute as it tends to bring people scientists passed through his hands working in the building together and fosters the feeling of community during this time. which is a feature of the Institute. "For ten years he dealt effectively Likewise staff tea and coffee is with the stream of scientists and served in the link gallery, so that scientific equipment bound for Ant everyone in the Institute, and many arctica and with the data and speci visitors, are brought together twice mens being returned through Christ a clay in the heart of the building. church to laboratories back in the United States. He also aided in the The general contractors were co-ordination of American and New Messrs. 'Rattee and Kett, an old- Zealand Antarctic programmes, and established firm of Cambridge altogether was one of the key figures builders with a very high standard at the advanced headquarters of the of craftsmanship, and the building United States Naval Support Force was finished ahead of schedule and in Christchurch. ..." within the estimated cost. Building Readers will recall that in "Ant operation began in July 1966 and the arctic" of June 1968 Les Quartermain new part of the building was occu also paid a tribute to the work of pied early in 1968. Eddie Goodale. December, 1968

New U.S. Officer-in-Charge At Christchurch

U.S. Navy Commander Elvin G. once more, this time to spend a great Lightsey Jr. of Delhi, Louisana will part of the season exploring in the relieve Commander Lauren M. John Seotia Sea. Captain David Turnbull, son, on December 7, as Officer-in- Sciiled on the very day that "The Charge of the U.S. Naval Support Times" announced Government ap Force, Antarctica Advance Head proval of the expenditure of $4 quarters in Christchurch. Ceremonies million for the new ship to take over will be held at the headquarters. from the "Shackleton". Commander Lightsey, who report On this voyage, for the first time ed to Christchurch at the end of on a British ship, the "Shackleton" is November, is a graduate of North western State College in Louisiana. carrying some of the equipment He entered Navy Officer Candidate which will make her successor the ichool in May, 1953, and was desig most modern scientific laboratory nated naval aviator in November, afloat. This includes a special navi 1956. gational aid developed by the United States Navy for Polaris submarines, Since that time Commander Light which uses satellites launched by the sey has served in various commands. He has held positions as Flight In American Department of Defence to structor, Material Officer, Assistant obtain a fix on a ship's position of Anti-Submarine Officer and Adminis accuracy of 100 yards. trative Officer. His last post, prior to Called the Magnavox navigation reporting to Deep Freeze, was as system the equipment costs about Administrative Officer for Fleet Air $50,000. It was supplied with the Wing-3 in Brunswick, Maine. agreement of the American Govern In his new job Commander Light ment, and a second set of equipment sey will be responsible for maintain has been bought by the National ing station facilities for the Christ Institute of Oceanography for their church end of Deep Freeze opera research vessel, "Discovery". tions. The new navigation system should Commander Lightsey is married help a research team from Professor with two chidren — Elvin II and Donald Griffith's Department of Geo Richard. The Lightsev family is now physics, Birmingham Universitv. in residing in Christchurch. the exploration of continental ridges Commander Johnson, who has on the floor of the Scotia Sea. hpen Oflicer-in-Charge since July, 1966 has been ordered to Norfolk. Virginia as the Officer-in-Charge of the Naval Air Logistic Control Office, Atlantic. While there he will be re YOUNGEST PERSON TO sponsible for co-ordinating U.S. Atlantic Fleet airlift requirements. VISIT THE ANTARCTIC A 12-year-old boy left Canberra, Australia, on November 8. to make history as the youngest person to BRITISH VESSEL TO visit Antarctica. EXPLORE SCOTIA SEA He was Bill Crook, Jnr., — eldest of three children of the U.S. Ambassador With her Timaru-born, Christ's Col to Australia (Mr. William H. Crook). lege-educated captain in command, Young Bill accompanied his father the British Antarctic Survey's ship, on a week's tour of McMurdo and "Shackleton", is southward bound Byrd Stations. December, 1968

Other members of the Ambassa gineering laboratory. He has worked dor's party included the head of the with the laboratory ever since, going Australian National Capital Develop south each summer. ment Commission (Sir John Overall) and Australian novelist Thomas He now lives with his American Keneally. wife and two children in West Leba American Embassy officials said non, New Hampshire, U.S.A. that young Bill had spent most of his free time reading anything he could find about Antarctica. NON-STOP FERRY ACROSS SEA-ICE Fuel and supplies for Vanda AUSTRALIANS PLAN Station were ferried across the sea- ice of McMurdo Sound from Scott ICE-YACHT Base in mid-December in a non-stop shuttle lasting four days to beat the Two Melbourne men, Lou Bela, 40, ice break-out. and David Cowan, 23, plan to build the first Australian ice-yacht. The A team of three manned the for men are training for jobs in the mer Trans Antarctic Expedition senior observer radio of A.N.A.R.E. Sno-cat, towing two heavily-laden They will sail in the "Nella Dan" on sledges, on each of the 20-hour trips January 28 from Perth to Davis Base. of 70 miles to the Wilson Piedmont Bela is a former radio technician Glacier above the Bay of Sails and and Cowan an industrial radiogra return. The shuttle service was an pher. The sport of ice-yachting has all-out effort to get as much fuel received a big boost with the design and supplies to the glacier and save of the DN-60 Ice Yacht in Europe. In on US helicopter time. America and on the Continent one can buy an "ice-yacht" or "ice- The station is scheduled to be scooter" for beween $250 and $500. opened by the Governor-General of The two men consider that the New Zealand, Sir Arthur Porritt, on eleven men at Davis will greatly en January 9. It was hoped that most joy the sport when the ice-yacht of the supplies would be able to be arrives. transported overland to the new station, however the first tractor train was unable to find suitable vehicle access off the Wilson Pied ELEVENTH SUMMER IN mont Glacier into the Wright Valley. Fuel and supplies as well as two ANTARCTICA Fergusson tractors were lowered over the edge of the glacier by wire A New Zealand petrologist, now rope. A US helicopter was used to working in America, arrived at Mc Murdo in the last week of November uplift the former Cape Royds Hut to begin his 11th summer probing from nearby Hogback Hill. The hut, the ice. which forms the main living quar He is 36-year-old Mr. A. J. Gow, a ters at Vanda, has now been com former lecturer at Victoria Univer pleted. The electrical work, too, sity, Wellington, and formerly of has been completed as has the erec Blenheim. tion of a wind generator. The fuel Mr. Gow first went to Antarctica and supplies at present being clump in the summer of 1957-58 on a year's contract with the United States ed on the glacier will be ferried up Army cold regions research and en to the valley by a Fergusson tractor. December, 1968

hard work. Some of the sections were carried by full Expedition man NEWS OF THE power, not without incidental humour such as the mechanic dis appearing down a hole. The three SUB-ANTARCTIC roof sections must have weighed about one-third of a ton each and the task of raising these into posi tion was wondrous indeed. How ISLANDS ever the building is to the stage of painting the interior; the next thing to look forward to will be the erec tion of necessary aerials. The edi CAMPBELL fice has been named Aurora House commemorating its known research purpose and having a little dig at ISLAND Civil Aviation Headquarters. It is logical therefore that the walkway (NEW ZEALAND) yet to be constructed to it should be named Plimmer Steps. The Mr Brian Smith, the Officer in official opening is scheduled for January 8, 1969, the first visit of Charge at Campbell Island has for H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour this season. warded by radio telephone the fol "The visit of U.S.C.G. Southwind lowing notes on activities on the on November 25, 1968. was highly island: successful and very enjoyable: "The evening of 1 October, 1968 stores transfer was accomplished by saw the M.V. 'Holmburn' entering a combination of helicopter and Perseverance Harbour with eight landing craft and heralded the de quiet and reflective persons on parture of Ionosphere Observer Ross board. Very little was said but most Staples and the arrival of replace- were deep in thought. Servicing it metn Iain Lynn. I was very sorry to self went off well despite the burden see Ross go as he has been an excel of some 370 drums of diesel. an in lent team mate. The Americans crease this year due to anticipated could not do enough for us and went extra power requirements. This far beyond the call of duty. Our year's party have settled in remark thanks will be to them for a bounti ably quickly, and if the situation to ful table at Christmas." date is any indication we can look forward to a very successful year. CORRECTION "The project which has eclipsed The following corrections should all else so far is the erection of a be made to the September issue new hut to house D.S.I.R. equip (Page 147): ment. In the initial stages this neces Senior Met. Observer should read sitated the resurrection of a home B. V. Maguire. brew pile driver to drive six inch R. J. Taylor's designation should square hardwood piles through 11 read Met. Observer. feet of peat to bed-rock. The gadget J. N. Walden will now be staying was just not built for this purpose for full expedition and the asterisk and broke down a few times every should be deleted. day. The building of a helicopter landing pad has also occupied our M A C Q U A R I E I S L A N D time and the 25 piles for this were (Australia) driven within our first week here. In November most of the person All credit must go to Ross Staples nel on Macquarie Island took the for his steady work in taking over opportunity of having their last look from this stage right through to around the island; several expedi completion. The transportation of tions setting off for the large Royal very heavy prefabricated sections penguin rookery at Hurd Point and for the new building to the site the scenic coastline at Caroline above the Hostel was no mean task Cove, at the southern end of the requiring ingenuity and not a little island. December, 1968

ITALIANS AT SCOTT BASE ascent of Mount Erebus. Other members of the party include Alessio Four Italians left Christchurch Oilier, leading guide and alpinist, International Air port on November Ignazio Piussi, one time champion 15 for Scott Base, where they will skier of Italy, and Dr Marcello Man- gain knowledge and experience of zoni. geologist. Mauri and Oilier the scientific work being undertaken will work with the Victoria Univer by the New Zealanders in Antarctica. sity geological party as field assist The visit followed a decision by ants for a period of from six to eight the Ross Dependency Research Com weeks in the Boomerang Range mittee earlier this year that some area, and will provide the necessary support should be given to small alpine experience to support the Victoria University party. Piussi provided that logistic support was and Manzoni will assist New Zea available. The Italians had set up landers in the construction of Vanda a Committee to investigate the possi Station and the scientific investiga bility of their country ultimately tions to be undertaken in the Dry participating in Antarctic expedi Valley area. tions. Mr R. B. Thomson, Super While in the Antarctic, Mauri and intendent of the N.Z. Antarctic Divi Oilier who are also experienced sion, later visited Rome where he movie photographers, intend making had discussions with top-ranking a documentary film which they hope Italians who were interested in the will be of assistance in enabling project, and as a result an invitation Italians to gain a knowledge of Ant was extended to four Italians to arctic conditions. work at Scott Base this summer. Later the four men will be to The group is being led by Italy's gether and will work with New Zea best-known alpinist, Carlo Mauri, land field parties for the last few who spent some time at Scott Base weeks before they return to New last season and participated in the Zealand in early February. CHARLES UPHAM, V.C., WITH SCOTT BASE TEAM. December, 1968

MAPPING THE LAST CONTINENT By DENYS RAINEY The peaceful occupation of Ant the printing stage. These four will be arctica as a result of the 1957-58 printed within the next few months International Geophysical Year and and the coverage of the 40 maps will consolidated by the signing of the be from west of the Matusevich Antarctic Treaty is well enough Glacier (latitude 69° S., longitude known. 156° E.) to the (Isaiah) Bowman Part of the scientific studies car Glacier at latitude 85° 30' S., longi ried out has been the surveying and tude 162° W., extend- ' ! coastline to tf" Continent, and New —jtribution compares Antarctic Mou.,,.«..,o favourably with other nations' work less' Polar Plateau. in this field. With the completion of reconnais The Early Years sance mapping in the 1963-65 season, New Zealand's active entry into 150,000 square miles had been sur Antarctica began with the 1955-58 veyed by New Zealand field parties period of the International Geophysi and at this stage 36 maps have been cal Year and the primary objective published leaving only four maps at was the choosing of a site for a New

WALLY HERBERT WORKING ON MAP. December, 1968

Zealand base. This was closely linked USGS as an exchange basis. This with the task of selecting a feasible agreement was made prior to the route through the mountain barrier United States venture into surveying to provide the most direct travel and mapping but we have been for back to the McMurdo Sound area for tunate to receive prompt replies and the impending traverse of the con service to any request for aerial tinent by the Trans-Antarctic Expedi photography which may have been tion. Scott Base has been New Zea of assistance to our mapping pro land's first home in Antarctica for gramme. more than a decade and the "escape" route for Sir Vivian Fuchs' traverse Lands and Survey have now been party — the Skelton Glacier —was supplied with 42,000 aerial photos. the first area to be mapped by New Even the cost of contacting these Zealanders. Prior to this, maps had prints from the original negatives must have been prohibitive. I would labelled the feature Skelton Inlet. therefore request any reader who The Skelton Glacier survey, there holds any unreturned photographs to fore, as events proved, was the fore forward same to the Lands and Sur runner of New Zealand survey and vey—so that a full library is avail mapping endeavours and it was not able for future Antarctic personnel, long before the programme became and to avoid the necessity of request established, sophisticated and, more ing duplicate prints from the S.ates. important, acknowledged as an ac cepted item of New Zealand's partici However, back with the Surveyor, pation in Antarctica by successive who has now his sketch maps, aerial New Zealand Governments. photography and survey gear. Or dinary field note entries are made regarding horizontal and vertical Surveying angle readings to any points of refer The areas to be surveyed were ence and supplementing this a selected well in advance once the 35 mm. camera is mounted on top "establishment" was secure and after of the theodolite and a complete the highly successful 1957-58 season ground panorama film is made of with parties operating in the Dry the country while the country is Valley areas, Darwin Glacier and the also sketched in a graph book so a Miller-Marsh sector of the Queen tie-up between otherwise difficult to Elizabeth Range, systematic map interpret field book entries can be tied in with the ground photos and ping of New Zealand's area of interest was programmed. field sketches after the surveyor's return to civilisation where the base Field parties generally comprised manuscript map is prepared. four men — a surveyor, geologist and two field assistants. The huskies of The ground control itself pre course were always there, though in sented the main task to the surveyor latter seasons the "tin dogs" did and, after the 1959-60 season, the assert certain claims. instructions were for him to observe The surveyor's job was to establish to "daylight" stars as well as the control stations and from these to sun for position, as in the high lati expand control by means of rapid tudes or operation, refraction and triangulation. other factors affected normal sun Whenever possible, reconnaissance observation results. The ideal obser sketch maps were prepared and all vation to overcome these anomalies salient aerial photography was sup was to observe at least one star in each quadrant within a relatively plied. The aerial photography has been supplied by the United States short period of time between obser Geological Survey, Washington, and vations. The results were gratifying flown by the U.S. Navy VX-6 Squa and subsequent evaluation with the dron under an agreement with the USGS tellurometer traverse posi New Zealand Department of Lands tions showed that both countries and Survey where New Zealand sur independent position fixes were m close agreement. vey control was supplied to the December, 1968

With the completion of a survey and features and, through a build-up programme, one of the main tasks of intersections, the position of those remaining was the drawing of a peaks and features based always on "manuscript" map back in New Zea ground control established by the land. Calculation of field observation surveyor. positions and the build-up of inter sected points enabled a sound base The identification on oblique for further mapping work from the photos of ground observed pointings aerial photography. is not always a simple matter, just as confidence is not always high in Aerial Photography recognising the same features from The photography supplied by the opposing flight paths. Generally, how USGS differs from the normal verti ever enough selected points are cal coverage employed in New Zea chosen to enable the rogue points land mapping. With vast spaces to to be discarded. In particularly be mapped and relatively sparse mountainous country as many as 50 survey control it is expedient and features are used on one photo. The economical and logical to use oblique intersecting rays used are a result photography and by employing an of these same features appearing on instrument (the photoalidade) to successive photos — the further away plot from these obliques, satisfactory the features are, the more photos results are obtained for the purpose can be marked up and the more of mapping such areas as the Ant reliable the intersections become. arctic. Vertical photo coverage is, in fact, Only three factors are required to incorporated with the obliques as set up the photoalidade to simulate the planes are equipped with three what the camera was doing during cameras synchronised for simultane its operation. ous exposures so that resultant photo prints cover from one horizon The plate on which the photo is to the other with overlap between placed is inclined at the same angle left and vertical and vertical and at which the camera was exposed, right. The breakaway frfom the nor calculated from flying height deter mal vertical pattern occurs when mined through adjustment of that the flight paths are generally de angle to established survey height- signed to have the principal point of ings: the distance from the axis of one oblique lining up with the oppo the theodolite to the principal point site oblique principal point of the of the plate corresponds to the focal return flight path and the resultant length of the camera; and the photo gap in vertical coverage is that itself is tilted to coincide with the which is mapped from the obliques apparent horizon line. (Each oblique with the aid of the photoalidade. photo print quotes the focal length The vertical photos are of course of the particular camera being used. used for mapping those strips so Other relevant data such as altimeter covered. With no ground control and time readings are given as well markers for the guidance of the as date of run.) Fixed to the theodo photo-aircraft the principal point lite is a straightedge which moves oblique pattern is in theory onl> with the horizontal movement of and the mapping of country from that instrument and transparent obliques varies greatly in extent tracing material placed under the from nearly coinciding vertical cov straightedge is the base on which erage to bands of "oblique" country rays are drawn from observing to twenty miles in extent, though sub the marked photo feature. All such sequent flights are often carried out rays pass back through the one com to reduce this. General altitude of mon point —the nadir point which the aircraft ij either 20 or 25 thou is the aircraft station point and these sand feet. station points are shown on the The Photoalidade map as well as ground survey points. The photoalidade is used to deter The rays are placed over the base mine heights of unsurveyed peaks manuscript drawing which by now December, 1968 shows the plotted positions of the Conclusion rectified ground control points and, From the surveys carried out, and by moving the rays so that the with the use of the aerial photos, drawn lines pass through these pre some interestinj determined points, the further build Some mountains were cut down to up of intersections to aerial observed size by as much as three thousand points are pricked through to the feet from the early surveys of Shac manuscript. kleton and Scott, while positions of A further appraisal of the photos features shifted by 20 miles or more. allows the drawing in of detail to Features named by prc-IGY expedi bridge the numerous plotted points tions proved incorrect such as Cape and such detail as ridge patterns, Downshire and Cape Cotter. There is land slope, crevasse and glacier pat no evidence of a cape existing as terns, rock exposure, icefalls are Cotter so the name was retained by depicted. renaming the area Cotter Cliffs ex tending from Cape Hallett to Cape When the manuscript drawing has Wheatstone. Similarly, Downshire been completed the final drawing is enjoyed a minor spill out glacier but commenced. Sheet lines, conforming now possesses Downshire Cliffs, a to SCAR recommendations, are used. feature of some 25 miles running These area based on the Interna south from Cape Adare. tional Map of the World 1 : 1,000,000 sheet lines and used by most Ant The photography also proved that arctic mapping agencies. The main Lady Newnes has to be content with factors for making what may seem a bay, the "ice shelf" though it may appear as such from sea level, is in a further unnecessary drawing are fact a series of glacier tongues (1) the preparation on sheet lines of thrusting into the sea. a clean drawing acceptable to the Most significant of all has been standards required by the map print the mapping of previously unex ing authority — in our case the Government Printer. The manu plored regions with one time blank spaces now occupied by major script, by the time of its completion, has usually become a real war horse glaciers and mountain systems. with amended position determina tions, intersecting pencil rays, pin pricks and so on. (2) The further N.Z. TO QUIT WHALING opportunity for the cartographer to revise detail from still more study of COMMISSION the aerial photography. (3) The New Zealand's decision to with separation into individual drawings draw from the International Whaling of the place names sheet, exposed Commission on June 30, 1969, was rock, ice areas and glacier bed sheet announced by the Minister of necessary for printing. Marine, the Hon. W. J. Scott, on December 3. The Printed Map Mr. Scott said that the decision The New Zealand Provisional map was a natural consequence of the series is produced in two basic termination in 1964 of whaling activi colours — brown for rock areas and ties based on the whaling station at blue for ice features, with all names Tory Channel. in brown. The general glacier bed While New Zealand had been a areas are light blue. The general member of the commission she had symbols and features follow the continually striven for conservation recommendations laid down by the and rational use of the whale species Scientific Committee for Antarctic in the southern Pacific and Antarctic Research with information such as Oceans. She had co-operated in re flight lines, routes of expeditions, search, and New Zealand scientists historical notes where information is have produced a number of papers available, penguin and skua areas which have contributed to the fund and available relevant data. of knowledge of whale species. December, 1968 AMERICAN TOURISTS VISIT The United States Government miral Byrd. Antarctic policy authorities approved When the party reached Welling- the Antarctic flight of the 67 Ameri- ton on November 21 they were enter- cans on the "round-the-poles" flight tained at luncheon at the White which took them to every continent, Heron Motel, which had an Antarctic and cost them $10,000 for the 26-day display provided by the N.Z. Ant- flight. The polar flight was approved arctic "Division for the occasion. Mr. because it was non-recurring and Tracey Simpson, Chairman of the non-commercial. Richard E. Byrd, welcomed the visi It was organised by the Admiral tors, and the Hon. P. B. Gordon, Richard E. Byrd Polar Centre, of Minister of Civil Aviation, spoke on which Commander Fred G. (Dusty) behalf of the Right Hon. the Prime Dustin is President and Professor Minister. Edward C. Bursk is Chairman of the Before flying on to Christchurch Committee. Commander Dustin is a for another functions that evening veteran of six Antarctic expeditions. they attended a short service at the After meeting the cost of the tour, Byrd Memorial on Mount Victoria at the funds will be used to establish which members of the New Zealand a polar studies centre at Boston, Antarctic Society and the Byrd Fel- Massachusetts, in memory of Ad- lowship were also present. COMMANDER DUSTIN AND A. S. HELM AT BYRD MEMORIAL.

■ December, 1968 FIRST TOURISTS CROSS THE SOUTH POLE By TRACEY SIMPSON

I count myself very privileged in the Snows at McMurdo. At its con deed that as Chairman of the Richard clusion the wife of the flight leader, E. Byrd Fellowship of New Zealand Commander Fred G. Dustin, who I was invited to accompany the was in the party as doctor's nurse, founding trustees of the Richard E. laid a bunch of roses (sent to her in Byrd Polar Centre on their history- Christchurch by the writer's daugh making first tourist flight across the ter) at the fool of the Memorial. Antarctic Continent from New Zea All these men, who were trustees land to South America. for the Byrd Polar Centre in Boston, The flight was made in the "Polar must have realised something of the Byrd", a Convair 990 with 75 on immensity of the task this pioneer board, which took only 4 hours 35 they remembered had undertaken minutes to reach Williams Field over thirty years before. from Christchurch Airport. This set The parties were escorted around a new record for a fast flight from McMurdo base area (including New Zealand to Antarctica. Scott's hut). In USARP Headquar Command Pilot was Captain Hal ters a lecture was given by Ken Neff, formerly pilot of "Air Force Moulton on the scientific programme One", the United States Presidential under way this season. Seals were Aircraft. Admiral "Bud" Abbot, Deep basking close in on the Bay ice, Freeze Commander, flew with the which of course had the cameras party as co-pilot. clicking. The day was perfect for photography and there was no risk Those in the plane had a busy of lenses fogging. A breeze came up time writing letters to be post suddenly causing a drastic body tem marked at Scott Base and McMurdo. perature drop. Immediately everyone All members of the group wore was glad of their warm clothing and thermal boots and full Antarctic recognised the dramatic weather clothing which was beautifully made, changes that can so quickly occur. mostly from synthetic materials. The sled dogs and pressure ice However, as it was warm summer and the New Zealand accent at Scott w e a t h e r f o r m o s t o f t h e fi v e Base were the main features of the hours spent on the ice, the heat visit there. generated by such perfection be came an embarrassment even to the I had a sense of nostalgia at re visiting familiar places five years heat-loving Americans. after my previous visit as a guest of "Throughout the flight approaching the U.S. Government. A great thrill and over the continent the pilot flew was had from getting a slap on the as low as possible to enable close-up shoulder and hearing one's Christian views. The Transpolar Flight party name, to turn around and be greeted seemed very impressed at really set by Ken Moulton, who is in charge of ting foot in the Antarctic, after hav USARP operations this season. ing seen so much of the ice floes A perfect take-off from Williams and the coastline from the air. Field had the party on its way to the Parties were made up for escorted flight over the Pole. The low flying tours over McMurdo and Scott Base. height combined with perfect sun Before setting out a brief ceremony shine, made the flight almost a scenic was held at the Richard E. Byrd tour. At the moment of the Pole fly Memorial alongside the Chapel of over, a toast was drunk by all in December, 1968

What a contrast this plane was need for two societies with parallel from the first flight over the Pole interests, so after much correspond undertaken by Byrd whose memory ence with Mr C. E. Collins, the they honoured. Society's Secretary, it was eventually decided to allow the formation of On to Rio Gallegos at the southern Branches, of which Dunedin would tip of South America, the landfall be the first. The inaugural meeting there making history, in that this was held in May 1936. and the was the first plane to approach the Branch made a good start. In 1940 American continent from the south. the exigencies of war forced it to This was recognised by the towns go into recess, and by 1945 most of people who were waiting at the air the old members were dead, scat field in great numbers to give an tered to other centres, or had lost excited welcome. Shops and schools interest. were closed for the occasion. It was the arrival of Dr. N. E. The actual flying time from Christ- Odell in Dunedin to take up the '•hurch to Rio Gallegos, 5,173 miles chair of Geology, plus Harold's interest, that reinvigorated the was 11 hours 59 minutes. For Branch. When Harold was trans twenty-four hours the flight was in ferred to Christchurch in 1954 he sunshine and it was not until reach- handed over the reins to Colin Grey. There was no Branch in Christ church, but Harold did the spade- work all over again with such good results that in April 1955 a Christ church (subsequently Canterbury) SOCIETY NEWS Branch was formed. Late in 1957 the Deepfreeze execu THE NEW PRESIDENT tives invited him to go south with a party of VIP's for eight days, then Harold Griffith's interest in the in 1961 he joined the ice-breaker Antarctic started when he was a pri Glacier for a cruise to McMurdo, mary school boy in Dunedin, when during which he visited Scott's and the "School Journal" in 1917 fea Shackleton's huts and flew back to tured articles on Captain Scott and Christchurch. Sir Ernest Shackleton. When at high school he went down to Port Chalmers and boarded the Norwegian whalers and talked with THE RETIRING PRESIDENT the crew. Meanwhile, within his limited means he was building up Mr. Eric Gibbs, the retiring Presi a l i b r a r y o f b o o k s a b o u t t h e dent of the New Zealand Antarctic Antarctic. Society, lives at Taihape, about as In 1928 the first Byrd Expedition far from the sea as it is possible to arrived in Dunedin. and Harold get in the North Island. spent a great deal of time on board the "City of New York" and the Eric's interest in the Antarctic "Eleanor Boiling", where he met stemmed originally from his school Admiral Byrd, Bernt Balchen, Paul boy hobby of stamp collecting. When Siple and many others. It was forty Admiral Richard E. Byrd was going years ago, on December 2, 1928, thai south on his second (1933-35) expedi the ships sailed south. tion, Eric wrote to the Admiral with Again in 1933 he met Byrd, and in a request to return an envelope from 1934 Sir Hubert Wilkins and Lincoln Little America. This was duly done. Ellsworth. Since 1930 he has been Then in 1939-41 during the U.S. Ant considering the idea of starting a arctic Service Expedition, he wrote Polar Society but lacked the neces to Captain Lystad of the U.S.S. sary contacts. The formation of the "North Star", who also sent him New Zealand Antarctic Society in envelopes from the Antarctic. From 1933 made him realise there was no this beginning grew his Antarctic December, 1968

Postal History which has become WELLINGTON BRANCH probably the best collection in New Zealand, and is in world class. With Wellington Branch members at the this grew his interest in the Ant Annual Meeting heard a most in arctic. He joined the Society, and formative talk from Mr. R. B. Thom when in i960 a party was being son, Superintendent of the Antarctic selected to restore the historic huts Division of D.S.I.R., on November 27. of Sir Ernest Shackleton at Cape As well as learning something of the Royds and Captain R. F. Scott at current New Zealand programme in Cape Evans, he was chosen as a Antarctica, members gained an member. In 1963 a further party was appreciation of the international formed to restore Captain Scott's flavour now attaching to Scott Base 1901-05 Expedition hut at Hut Point, activities. Particular mention was and Eric was chosen as leader. The made to Mr. Thomson's visits this next season he paid a flying visit to year to Japan and Italy. Already the McMurdo Sound to complete the evidence is available of the goodwill project. and co-operation that has followed these personal contacts. In 1966 he was elected Dominion Branch officers elected for the cur President and held that office until rent year are as follows: this year. Chairman: Mr. L. Donnelly. Treasurer: Mr. P. L. Hinge. Secretary: Mr. V. E. Donnelly. Committee: Messrs. J. Duggan, W. ANNUAL MEETING OF Hopper, H. Malitte, P. Wilson. COUNCIL Tribute was paid to the retiring Treasurer, Mr. A. Newton, who for The Annual General Meeting of many years had been a most astute the Dominion Council of the N.Z. financier for both the N.Z. Society Antarctic Society was held in Wel and the Wellington Branch. lington on September 28, 1968. Love's Labour Lost! This season the N.Z. Antarctic Society sponsored two more mem Election of Officers: bers to assist wtih the establishment President: Mr H. F. Griffiths. of the new Vanda Station. The two Secretary: Mr V. E. Donnolly. participants were the reserves who stood by the previous season, Jack Editor: Mr A. S. Helm. Folwell of Hamilton and Frank Gur- Assistant Editor: Mrs R. H. ney of Christchurch. Due to the Wheeler. mishap to the supply train the Auditor: Mr W. Summers. opportunity for long and exacting labour at the Vanda site did not Patron: Decision deferred until eventuate and the two Society mem Branches can consider recom bers came dangerously close to being mendations. classified as tourists. However, though the "Antarctic factor" has Honorary Life Membership not been eliminated despite the best On the proposal of Mr Gibbs, Mr laid plans the good intentions of Jack L. B. Quartermain was elected to and Frank were well appreciated. The Society is indebted to the Super Honorary Life Membership of the intendent of the Antarctic Division, Society. The election was carrie with acclamation. D.S.I.R., Mr. R. B. Thomson, for making the visit possible. Both men thoroughly enjoyed their experience Amendment to Constitution and were impressed by the work be Rule 3 has been amended to read: ing carried out at Scott Base. It "The President of Dominion was a particularly unique experience Council shall be appointed at an for Jack Folwell because twice in Annual General Meeting from his seafaring career he had been in nominations received bi-annually Antarctic waters without getting from Branches in rotation." ashore. December, 1968 ANTARCTIC

THE READER WRITES Sidelights of Antarctic Research

Letters, preferably not longer than months. A very good book on the 500-600 words, are invited from subject is "Photography for Expedi readers who have observed some tions" in the "Focal Library" range little-known facet of Antarctic life or by Joyce (if my memory serves me who have reached conclusions of correctly). interest on some Antarctic problem. J. S. TALBOT — Ed. c/o Plant Physiology Divn., D.S.I.R., AUSTRALIAN STATION Private Bag, Palmerston North. LEADERS 6 November 1968. The leaders of the four parties Dear Sir, which will form the Australian I have just finished reading the National Antarctic Research Expedi latest issue of "Antarctic" and was tions in 1968-69 have now been very interested in the "Tips for Pho appointed. tographers", p. 151. I should like to A schoolteacher, Mr. Edward Chris comment on the matter of "winteris- topher Howells, 31, of St. Albans, ation" which is recommended in the Victoria, will lead the party at first paragraph. Wilkes Base Station which has been rebuilt. Having just spent a year at Scott Base as the Auroral Technician, I The officer in charge at the Mac- was invariably called upon to "have quarie Island Station will be Mr. a look" at cameras that were giving John Richard Canham, 51, who suc trouble. In all I dealt with 15, signi cessfully led the party at Wilkes ficantly only one during the winter, Base in 1967. Born in "England, he when temperatures were lowest and served with the Royal Air Force from trouble might have been expected. 1938 to 1960, attaining the rank of The most common fault was the Wing Commander. lack of lubrication in cameras that Mr. Timothy Neary Cassidy, 32, of had been "winterised". This applied Coopers Plains, Queensland, will lead to both still and movie cameras. the party at Mawson. Mr. Cassidy, My own camera, which had not who graduated as Bachelor of Sci been "winterised", performed with ence, majoring in zoology, is a lec out any trouble clown to -30°C. At turer at the Queensland Institute of -40°C. trouble was experienced with Technology. the film becoming so brittle that it Mr. Nils Tonder Lied, 48, will lead broke while trying to advance to the the party which will reopen the Aus next frame, but the camera works tralian station at Davis, which has were still operating. been closed since 1965. Born in Nor "Winterising" is an expensive pro way, Mr. Lied served as a radio cess and should be followed by an officer in the Norwegian navy and equally expensive "dewinterisation" merchant marine in World War II on return to more temperate lati and arrived in Australia in 1948. tudes. So I beg anyone to think very He has been a member of four carefully before having anything ANARE expeditions. At the time of done to their camera, especially if his selection as leader he was em they are only going to be in "the ployed on aviation weather forecast coastal regions during the summer ing at Hobart Airport. December, 1968

ANTARCTIC BOOKSHELF

Many will not agree with his de T H E Y E A R O F T H E Q U I E T cisions — as indeed many of his SUN group at Scott Base did not, but no one can doubt that here is a man who has convictions of what is right, and who has the courage to carry them out in the face of disapproval of 1968. New Zealand price, $3.90. some of his team. Adrian Hayter is well-known for Any VIP going to Scott Base or his books "Shiela in the Wind", "The McMurdo should certainly read this Second Step" and "Business in Great book before leaving New Zealand, in Waters". Now he has written an ac order to learn how to conduct them count of the year he spent at Scott selves down south, and of the re Base as leader of the New Zealand actions they are likely to meet from Party for 1964-65. He did not apply men who have been cooped up with for the position, and it came as a a small group of companions for the shock to him to receive a telegram long winter months and then sud asking him to undertake the task. denly meet people from "the out side". 'The Year of the Quiet Sun" sets out, in searching fashion, the diffi Equally, this book should be com culties which can arise when a group pulsory reading for all, particularly of men, some of them scientists, the leaders, who are going to be sta some of them technicians and others tioned at Scott Base. Even the sum dog-handlers, a radio officer, and a mer partv ran lonrn here of the nrob- cook are thrown together to spend lems a long Antarctic winter away from plav their part in making iue a 101 contact with all others except the easier for others as well as for them personnel of the American Base at selves when, full of enthusiasm for McMurdo. their special field of work, they ar From his own account, Adrian rive at the overcrowded base and find that it is not possible to proceed Hayter may not have been the best leader that Scott Base has had, but immediately into tl there would be none who could have written so searchingly of the prob To the reader without any special lems to be encountered and his way ist knowledge of Antarctica, it will appeal as an enthralling account of of dealing with them. life in a different environment. The A major problem caused by the book is well illustrated and contains small New Zealand base being in end-maps of the territory around such close proximity to the large Scott Base. American complex has been evident vear after year ever since we built Scott Base on Pram Point only two ANTARCTIC BIRD STUDIES miles distant from McMurdo. Oliver L. Austin, Jr., Editor. Volume The amount of fraternisation, the 12 of the Antarctic Research Series, level of mutual help, and the ten published by the American Geo dency of some to sponge on others physical Union of the National has aways had to be worked out each Academy of Sciences, 1968, Publi year. cation 1686, 262 pp., U.S.S16.50.

'i.rr;

Here is the latest of the 12 volumes great Antarctic bird rookeries for in the splendid Antarctic Research those who are prepared to work Series, published to give a forum for along modern lines. writers in various scientific discip lines connected with Antarctica. The first paper, by W. L. N. Tickell, compares the author's field research It contains eight original papers, work on the wandering albatross each written by an expert in a parti with the published works of others cular field, and as would be expected on the royal albatross, showing that emphasis is placed on the Adelie apart from differences in the number Penguins, no less than five of the and location of breeding islands, no articles dealing specifically with differences in oceanic distribution these interesting birds. are apparent between the species. Of The birds of Antarctica have been singular interest are the unique known to mankind for a compara breeding cycles of the great alba trosses which he describes and tively short period of time, less than two hundred years, and, of course, explains. a thorough study of their habits has Madison E. Pryor, in the second not been easy, for field work has article, describes the seven species been made difficult by climatic con of birds which nest on Haswell ditions. Further, until the commence Island, varying in numbers from the ment of the International Geophysi 63 South Polar Skuas to 35,000 Adelie cal Year in 1957 the expeditions were few in number, lacked continuity, pengins. Other birds studied were the silver-grey fulmar, Antarctic petrel, and did not normally have space for Pintado petrel, snow petrel and specialists in ornithology. Usually it Wilson's storm petrel. A colony of was the doctor who, among those 18,000 Emperor penguins also nested expedition members who had the on the sea ice near the island. Except ability, knowledge, interest and for the skua, Pryor found that the found the time to study the bird numbers in 1962 for all species were life. Among these was Dr G. Murray considerably in excess of estimates Levick, R.N., whose "Antarctic Pen made in earlier years. Each species guins" is a minor classic among is dealt with, covering time of books on birds. But incomparably the greatest in the field was Dr arrival, the breeding season, brood mortality, a count of numbers and Edward A. Wilson of Scott's two various other aspects. expeditions, who was the first to report the amazing breeding habits "Territorial and Social Behaviour of the Emperor penguins in the mid in the Adelie Penguin" is the subject dle of the Antarctic winter and whose interest in studying them led of the paper prepared by Richard L. Penney. The objective of this study to "The Worst Journey in the World". was to explore territorial and social Wilson was not only a keen and behaviour in the breeding biology of patient observer, but his wonder the penguins. Emphasis has been fully accurate field sketches are still without peer. placed on the physical and social aspects of territorial behaviour and After Wilson's death there was on the importance of individual little clone until the end of World recognition in pairing and parent- War II when Dr W. J. Sladen, an offspring bonds. A small rookery English surgeon and ornithologist, near Wilkes Station, consisting of made pioneering studies on the pen about 2,700 adults grouped in 14 dis guins of the Falkland Islands Depen tinct colonies, was chosen as the dencies. Dr R. A. Falla, of New Zea study area. Half the occupants were land, also became an expert on marked with numbered flipper Antarctic birds. bands, and details on territory loca tion within the rookery, pairing, and Now, in this latest important book, breeding success were determined a gifted band of American ornitholo for several hundred birds for por gists has proved that there is still tions of three successive breeding unparalleled opportunities in the seasons. December, 1968

It is interesting to note that as out, and a technique was devised the birds grow older they show a whereby food could be removed progressive increase in their attach from the stomachs without harming ment to particular colonies and the birds, thus making possible the territories. Fifty per cent of the collection of a large number of birds retained their mate in suc samples. The Adelies nesting in the ceeding seasons, and 99 per cent of Ross Sea region were found to feed breeders returned to their previous on small marine organisms that colonies. Young birds tended to swarm in the upper layers of the nest on the periphery of established water. colonies. The final paper deals with the Dietland Muller-Schwarze studied USARP bird-banding programme for the activity distribution throughout the period 1958 to 1965. It has main the day of the 100,000 members of tained three special areas of ac the Adelie colony at Cape Hallett. tivity, international co-operation He covered general activity prior to through providing bands to other nating; the ecstatic display of the, countries in support of their own males;' adults walking over the ice specialized ornithological studies; to and from their feeding grounds; support of USARP research workers ^dults swimming to their feeding following their own research prob rounds, and the general activities lems; and support of Johns Hopkins University programmes in three of the chicks. A midday minimum main locations, South Georgia. Ross activity, when the light amplitude was on the average 200 times greater Island and the Falkland Islands. than at midnight, was noticeable in The book is profusely illustrated, all forms of activity. This seemed contains many diagrams, tables and to be connected with the birds' maps, and has excellent bibliogra upper limit of tolerance. phies in each section. A team of five scientists from the This volume is a significant con College of Agriculture, University of tribution to the scientific knowledge California, studied the egg and of Antarctica, and shows that the blood serums of the Adelie penguin new generation of observers are as at Cape Crozier and in laboratory dedicated as those in the past. tests and compared them with those of other avian species. Their study constituted an introductory pro gramme on the comparative bio J A PA N E S E T V C O V E R chemistry of the Antarctic penguins. Eggs of the Adelie were incubated The Japan Broadcasting Corpora and penguin chicks were success tion (Nippon Hoso Kyokai). which fully raised. Feeding experiments is the only public broadcasting or were conducted for a 10-day period. ganization in Japan to operate a An interesting section deals with nation-wide radio and TV network, the palatability of penguin eggs. is sending a reporter to the South Pole. There he will meet the 9th At the Cape Hallett rookery, Don Japanese Antarctic team which is ald S. Douglas, of the George Wash making a trans-polar trek from its ington University, made a study of Showa Base to the Pole, a return the salt and water metabolism of trip of 6,000 kilometres, cover the the Adelie penguins. To carry out scene and give world coverage of tests it was necessary to develop this historic event. Mr Norio Kum- techniques of handling, restraining abe was the man chosen for this and experimenting that permitted assignment, and while waiting for all experiments to be carried out by the Japanese team to arrive he will a single person. also cover Scott Base, which has Feeding preferences of the Adelie already twice featured in pro penguins at Cape Crozier, Ross Is grammes by the Japan Broadcasting land, is the subject of William B. Corporation, and make a visit to Emison's paper. Field studies for Vanda Station where he will make 1964-65 and 1965-66 wcrae carried a colour film for showing in Japan. "ANTARCTIC" is published quarterly in March, June, September, and December. Subscription for non-members of the Antarctic Society, $2.50. Apply to the Secretary, New Zealand Antarctic Society, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington, New Zealand. Out of Print: Very few left: Volume 1 numbers number 8 1, 2, 9 Volume 2, numbers number 8 1. 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 Volume 3, number 7 number 5 Some other issues are in very short supply. Copies of available issues may be obtained from the Secretary of the Society, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington, at a cost of 50c per copy meanwhile. Indexes tor volumes, 1, 2 and 3 are also available, 30c each. Copies of our predecessor, the Antarctic News Bulletin, are available at 50c per copy, except for numbers 9 and 10. The copies of numbers 1. 2, 3, 4, 7, 11, 17 and 18 are authorised reprints.

The New Zealand Antarctic Society comprises New Zealanders and overseas friends, many of whom have seen Antarctica for themselves, and all of whom are vitally interested in some phase of Antarctic exploration, development, or research. The Society has taken an active part in restoring and main taining the historic huts in the Ross Dependency, and plans to co-operate in securing suitable locations as repositories of Polar material of unique interest. There are currently two branches of the Society and functions are arranged throughout the year. You are invited to become a member. South Island residents should contact the Canterbury secretary, North Islanders should contact the Wellington secretary, and overseas residents the secretary of the New Zealand Society. For addresses see below. The membership fee includes subscription to "Antarctic".

New Zealand Secretary Mr. V. E. Donnelly, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington.

Branch Secretaries Canterbury: Mrs. D. Braxton, P.O. Box 404, Christchurch. Wellington: Mr. V. E. Donnelly, P.O. Box 2110, Wellington.