EEXXPPLLOORREERR’’SS GAZETTE GAZETTE Published Quarterly in Pensacola, Florida USA for the Old Antarctic Explorers Association Uniting All OAEs in Perpetuating the Memory of United States Involvement in Antarctica Volume 14, Issue 1 Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc Jan-Mar 2014 —Photo by Peter Rejcek USCGC Polar Star at McMurdo Ice Pier – January 2014 P O L A R S T A R S E A S T O R I E S by Zoe Eppley he Polar Star, a USCG Polar class icebreaker, returned Tto McMurdo this January, its first trip to the ice since 2006. It resumed its Operation Deep Freeze duties, clearing a channel through the ice so re-supply ships could reach McMurdo. Reading about the Polar Star’s return got me reminiscing about my first Antarctic deployment in 1985—a month long cruise on said ship. At the time I was working for a professor who studied seabirds and had projects in the Arctic and Antarctic. The National Science Foundation, which sponsored his research, offered him the opportunity to put people on an oceanographic cruise from McMurdo to New Zealand. He sent me and a graduate student (AKA “The Other Bird Lady” TOBL). We would census birds while steaming —Photo from DF-85 cruise book between stations. We headed to McMurdo to join the ship. Polar Star at McMurdo Ice Pier – January 1985 Continued on page 4. E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 14, I S S U E 1 J A N M A R 2 0 1 4 P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O R N E R Laura Snow—OAEA President FELLOW OAEA MEMBERS: During this quarter, the board voted on a resolution to appoint Bob Gaboury as chair of the OAEA Election Committee for the 2014 election of officers. As a result, Bob will once again serve in this capacity. An GROWLERS & BERGY BYTES announcement soliciting vol- Feature Stories, Odds & Ends, Collected, Compiled, & unteers to run for office has Written by Billy-Ace Penguin Baker been promulgated via the Page OAEA topica.com and OAEA Cover StoryPolar Star Sea Stories…………………..1, 4 yahoogroups.com bulk email § systems. See page 15 in this Chesapeake, VA—Scholarship & Reunion Info…………3 issue for more information § about the election. Centennial, CO—Coastal Erosion………………………...6 Notification of the scholarship opportunity for the § 2014–2015 academic year was made. Life Members and Here and There—Letters to the Editor…………………...7 Annual Members with membership through 6/30/15 are § eligible to sponsor a student who will graduate from high Boronia Victoria AU—Mawson’s Hut……………………9 school in the class of 2014 and has been accepted to an § accredited college or university. Additionally, applicants West Jefferson, NC—This Quarter in History…………11 currently attending an accredited college or university may § apply. See page 3 for details regarding the OAEA Here and There—In Memory: Obituaries………………12 scholarships. th § The dates of the 7 National Old Antarctic Explorers Camarillo, CA—2014 OAEA Election…………………..15 Reunion were announced: 12–14 November 2014, in § Norfolk, Virginia. The reunion will be held at the Sheraton Norfolk, VA—Tidewater Group Meeting………………15 Waterside in downtown Norfolk. See page 3 for more § information on the reunion. Pensacola, FL—Call of the White Book Review……….. 16 Your suggestions, recommendations, and constructive § criticism are always welcome. I look forward to seeing Pensacola, FL—New Members & Reunions…………….19 everyone in Norfolk in November. § Laura Snow Here and There—Locator Column ………………….…..20 § OAEA President Rathdrum, ID—The Penguin Man………………………20 [email protected] § Pensacola, FL—GCG Chapter Meetings……………….21 § Chesapeake, VA—Penguin Club Donor Awards……….24 DISCLAIMER STATEMENT The Explorer’s Gazette is published quarterly by the Old Antarctic Explorers Association. Opinions expressed by the editorial staff or contained in articles submitted by members, and non-members are not official expressions of the OAEA nor does the mention of books, products, or events constitute endorsement by the OAEA. Sheraton Waterside Hotel Norfolk 2 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 14, I S S U E 1 J A N M A R 2 0 1 4 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS by Ed Hamblin It is time to start thinking about scholarship awards for the 2014–2015 school year. To be eligible for consideration for receipt of an Old Antarctic Explorers Association scholarship award, an individual must be graduated from high school or The Explorer’s Gazette is graduating in the Spring of 2014 and accepted for undergraduate the official publication of the enrollment at an accredited college or university; or presently be attending an accredited college or university. Applicants must be Old Antarctic Explorers sponsored by a current member of the Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc. Association (for the 2014–2015 school year, all Life Members, and Annual Members with membership through 6/30/2015 are National Headquarters eligible to sponsor). 10819 Berryhill Road For a scholarship award application, contact Ed Hamblin at: Pensacola, FL 32506 USA 3104 Deepspring Drive Chesapeake VA 23321, by email at: Phone 850 456 3556 [email protected], or by phone at: 757 405 3362. The cutoff for receipt of applications will be 30 June 2014. And is published four times annually ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ § ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Editor 2014 OAEA REUNION INFORMATION Billy-Ace Baker The 7th National Old Antarctic Explorers Association Reunion Editorial Assistants is set for 12–14 November in Norfolk, Virginia at the Waterside Gus Shinn Sheraton in downtown Norfolk. The hotel is accepting Kerry Konrad reservations at event rates ($109.00 + taxes). In order to make Pam Landy reservations, telephone 1 800 325 3535 and mention the Old th Editor Emeritus Antarctic Explorers 7 National Reunion. Jim O’Connell We are several weeks away from the special reunion edition of 2001–2003 the Explorers Gazette with the reunion information, which will include the actual reunion registration sign up and tour information and local area information. The reunion will include Association Officers an icebreaker reception, several guest speakers, and a final banquet. Tours planned include Naval Station and Naval Air President – Laura Snow Station Norfolk with lunch; Colonial Williamsburg and the Vice President – Dick Cameron Williamsburg Outlet Mall, Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach with lunch, and an evening dinner cruise on the Spirit of Secretary – Marty Diller Norfolk. Treasurer – Cyril Buehler The reunion hotel is situated in downtown Norfolk on the Life Director – Billy-Ace Baker Elizabeth River with over 30 downtown restaurants and a downtown shopping mall all within walking distance. The hotel Past President/Director – Jim Heffel is approximately 1/2 mile from Nauticus, home of the USS Director – David Bresnahan Wisconsin. Easy to get to, Waterside Sheraton is 1/2 mile from Director – Wayne Germann the Amtrak station, 20 minutes from the Norfolk airport; and for Director – Ed Hamblin those driving in it is two blocks off I-264 with adjacent covered Director – Thomas Henderson parking for autos. Remote RV parking is also available with Director – William Smith shuttle service to/from the hotel. Information about the hotel Director – Russ Livermore itself is online at http://www.sheratonnorfolkwaterside.com/. Director – Dick Spaulding We are ready to be good hosts, and looking forward to seeing you in November. Chaplain – Vacant Historian – Billy-Ace Baker Ed Hamblin Parliamentarian – Jim Eblen 7th National OAEA Reunion Chairman 3 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 14, I S S U E 1 J A N M A R 2 0 1 4 Polar Star From Page 1 snow on scoria, and the scent of diesel. had received little previous study, it We were lucky flying from The plane would fly back the next was thought to not support large krill Christchurch to McMurdo. Only twice morning, taking the last of the summer aggregations. did we have to suit up in our Antarctic people; then the station would be We enjoyed the gracious hospitality Extreme Cold Weather Gear and spend officially closed for winter. At the time of the officers during our work from hours wilting in the summer heat, until Mac Town was much smaller, relied on the pilothouse and the wonderful meals released in the late afternoon to find a US Navy support personnel for in the wardroom. We explored the cool pub to rehydrate. On the second logistics, and women were even more whole ship. It didn’t take us long to day we got as far as boarding the plane, rare than now. For the day we were discover that the helo guys had the best squeezing our parka-clad bodies into there, the TOBL and I significantly coffee. the web jump seats. On the third day, increased the female population. Knowing we would be on the ship the weather at McMurdo looked good We found the Polar Star and settled for Valentine’s Day, we had brought a enough to try and we took off. into our stateroom. The ship would sail few packages of those little candy As a “fengee” (FNG), I was some- the next day, so in great maritime hearts with mottos on them. We passed what alarmed to see a crewman tradition, we went into town to find the the hearts out to all we met in the walking around tightening screws and bar. It was packed—going away passageways. The recipients were looking out the window—when I parties, dejected couples, and hordes of pleasantly surprised and said we asked, he said he was checking to see if young men hoping to get lucky or reminded them of sister, cousin, the props were still turning.