BaceB EEXXPPLLOORREERR’’SS GGAAZZEETTTTEE 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 21, Issue 2 Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc Apr-Jun 2021 Photo from S. Watson/Shutterstock They were likely the first humans to set eyes on Antarctic waters and perhaps the continent. Hinemoana Waka, a 72-foot double-masted Vaka Moana boat, designed & built by the Okeanos Foundation for the Sea. Maori May Have Travelled To Antarctica As Early As the 7th Century By Vita Molyneux The research followed the voyage of Hui Te Rangiora 8 June 2021 (also known as Ūi Te Rangiora) who sailed between the ew research is revealing Māori connections to islands—including possibly Antarctica. NAntarctica, detailing the exploration of a seventh- "In some narratives, Hui Te Rangiora and his crew century explorer who ventured far south—possibly as far as continued south. A long way south. In so doing, they were the frozen continent. likely the first humans to set eyes on Antarctic waters and The research paper is part of a project between Manaaki perhaps the continent," the paper, published in the Journal of Whenua Landcare Research and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu the Royal Society of New Zealand, said. researchers, led by Dr Priscilla Wehi from Manaaki Part of the voyage is retold in a late 19th-century Whenua. publication by surveyor and ethnologist Stephenson Percy Researchers scanned the literature and lined it up with Smith. oral histories to provide a record of Māori presence in early Continued on Page 4 Antarctic exploration. E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 21, I S S U E 2 A P R J U M 2 0 2 1 issues, to see what you all are up to—don’t ever be afraid P R E S I D E N T ’ S C O R N E R to reach out! Allison Barden—OAEA President It finally feels like we are slowly coming out of the MIDWINTER GREETINGS OAEs!—I woods enough to make travel plans for next year! The always enjoy the irony of basking in the 2022 Reunion is less than a year away—will we see you beginning of summer while simul- in San Diego next May? I can’t wait to hear your stories! taneously wishing a Happy Midwinter to I wish you all good health and a most excellent summer or winter, wherever you are. Be well, friends. those who have celebrated the darkness as Antarctica’s Frozen Chosen. I love Allison Barden reflecting on how special the Midwinter celebrations AKA Sandwich were during my winters at McMurdo. Happy Midwinter Southern Friends, it only gets lighter from here on out, and I hope the road is looking up and up for everyone as we turn a corner into another strange chapter of life. Welcome to new and returning members reporting in this quarter: Danielle Larson (NOK), Rex and Pat Coldwell (NOK), Franklin and Josephine Ball (USAP pair at Pole and Palmer), David Harrowfield (Noted NZ archeologist and historian), Janis Knight (NOK)< Scott Mosher (USAP McM), Andrew Fountain (USAP Pole and Dry Valleys). GROWLERS & BERGY BYTES Thank you to all who have donated to the Scholarship Feature Stories, Odds & Ends, Collected, Compiled, and General Funds this quarter: Sarah Gillens, Audrey Edited, & Written by Billy-Ace Penguin Baker Clark, Rex Coldwell, David Harrowfield, Phillip Dwyer, Page st and the OAEA-NE Chapter. As a non-profit organization, Cover StoryMaori 1 In Antarctica………………….1, 4 we rely on member dues and tax-deductible donations to Oakland, CA—President’s Corner………………………..2 cover our Scholarship Fund and operating costs. No Camarillo, CA—Web Master Emeritus…………………. 3 donation is too small (or too big!)—please see the Donor Here & There—Feedback & Letters to the Editor………11 Form and Information section of the OAEA website. Gresham, OR—The Prestige Of Becoming A CPO…….15 I would like to give a shout-out to OAEA Board Here & There—BMCS Joseph Worley………………….18 Member Charles Lagerbom, who wrote a wonderful Navarre, FL—Antarctic Adventures ………………….… 21 article about the R/V Hero in the last issue. He recently Here and There—In Memory: Obituaries……………… 27 gave an excellent presentation of the history of this Virginia Beach, VA—Chaplain’s Corner………………….31 incredible vessel which you can watch online here: Pelham, AL—Why I Still Explore…………………………..31 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMHtsLhZDQY&t=549s Atlanta, GA—Polar POD Floating Laboratory………... 32 Another piece of media I would like to share is a short Antarctica—A Whales Tale (Pun Intended)……… ……35 film called Under the Ice of Antarctica. It is about diving Pensacola, FL—Ball Of Yarns……………………………36 in McMurdo and the fascinating research of Sea Spiders Pensacola, FL—Days Gone By. Midwinter Parties… … 41 in the Ross Sea. The film was made in the 2019-20 Camarillo, CA—West Coast Group……………………. .46 season by Rachel Heckerman, who worked in the Galley. Brunswick, ME—New England Chapter Meeting……...47 Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/427575411 Pensacola, FL—New Members & Reunions…………….49 In the spirit of Midwinter—check out this incredible Here and There—Locator Column……………………… 50 replica of Shackleton’s Endurance, in the form of a cake DISCLAIMER STATEMENT and completely edible! This was made by Rose McAdoo for McMurdo’s 2020 Midwinter Celebrations. While The Old Antarctic Explorers Association publishes the Rose worked in the Waste department at McM, she also Explorer’s Gazette quarterly. Opinions expressed by the is a professional cake maker, and has made a number of editorial staff or contained in articles submitted by members, creative cakes inspired by the science at McMurdo. and non-members are not official expressions of the OAEA nor http://www.whiskmeawaycakes.com/antarctica.html does the mention of books, products, or events constitute This Gazette is such a huge labor of love that I want endorsement by the OAEA. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. to recognize our own Billy-Ace for putting it together Section 107, any copyrighted work in this newsletter is every quarter. Thank you, B-A for all your work and distributed under fair use without profit or payment for non- dedication. I would also like to give a special thank you profit research and educational purposes only. to Ed Hamblin, VP, and former President, who continues to mentor me. I look forward to reading this and all 2 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 21, I S S U E 2 A P R J U M 2 0 2 1 WEB MASTER EMERITUS The Explorer’s Gazette is the official publication of the Old Antarctic Explorers Association, Inc. National Headquarters 10819 Berryhill Road Pensacola, FL 32506–6201 USA Phone 850 456 3556 And is published four times annually Bob “Gabby” Gaboury DF-75 Editor Billy-Ace Baker As you all are probably aware, long time OAEA member Editorial Assistants and OAEA site webmaster Robert Gaboury (aka Gabby) Gus Shinn Kerry Konrad passed away due to COVID-19 related issues in December. Kenneth Henry Linda Thayer-Gaboury has asked for me to pass the word Pam Landy regarding his funeral service, which was postponed due to Gravity Physicist Emeritus John Stewart (RIP) pandemic restrictions and other reasons. For those Editor Emeritus interested, Gabby’s funeral is scheduled for 1100/11:00 AM Jim O’Connell 24 July 2021 at Conejo Mountain Memorial Park in 2001–2003 Web Master Emeritus Camarillo, CA. It will be patriotic theme with full military Bob “Gabby” Gaboury (RIP) honors. 2008–2020 Sincerely, Association Officers President – Allison Barden Ed Hamblin Vice President – Ed Hamblin Ed Hamblin Secretary – Marty Diller Treasurer – Bill Rouzer Life Director – Billy-Ace Baker Past President – Laura Snow Director – David Bresnahan Director – Rob Buettner Director – Allen Cox Director – Yolonda Washington Director – Journey Washingtonhigh Director – Charles Lagerbom Director – Charles Thompson Chaplain – Johnnie Draughon Historian – Billy-Ace Baker Parliamentarian - John Lamont West Conejo Mountain Memorial Park Web Master – Ed Hamblin . 3 E X P L O R E R ‘ S G A Z E T T E V O L U M E 21, I S S U E 2 A P R J U M 2 0 2 1 The Maori May Have Been First From page 1 oral accounts of Māori exploration, they conclude that these In the publication, the sights thought to have been seen by sailors were likely the first humans to see Antarctica at some Te Rangiora are recounted. point in the seventh century. "The monstrous seas; the female that dwells in those In fact, by the time American and European vessels mountainous waves, whose tresses wave about in the waters started embarking on voyages to the south pole in the 19th and on the surface of the sea; and the frozen sea of pia, with century, the Māori already had a reputation of being able to the deceitful animal of that sea who dives to great depths navigate these freezing and choppy waters. Those skills, foggy, misty, and dark place not seen by the sun. Other things researchers say, made them regularly sought after as guides are like rocks, whose summits pierce the skies, they are on Antarctic expeditions. completely bare and without any vegetation on them." “We found connection to Antarctica and its waters have Researchers say this account describes sub-Antarctic flora been occurring since the earliest traditional voyaging, and and fauna as well as geography.