Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

them through binoculars for about 10 mins. They were dusky dolphins,
Lagenorhynchus obscurus. So beautiful, their fins cutting through the surface film, with
miniature rainbows in the spray and the greenish black shapes under water, planing
down the slopes of the bow waves (position 52° 30'S, 64°W). ]
After breakfast John Carter (Third Engineer) came in to talk about Gemini
overhauls. This year's work had been badly done and he proposed that he and some
of the other engineers and the electrician should do the repairs this summer on a cost
repayment basis, plus salaries and subsistence. It seemed a good idea and Chris
Elliot was in favour. I spoke with Malcolm who was also happy about the
proposition. After lunch I looked into the lab where Bill Schoonemaker was
assembling the Geoceiver equipment. I discussed the problems of the film makers
with David Cobham, Duncan and Brian. Then I had the Geomorphologists (Dick
Birnie, Jim Hanson, Gordon Thom and John Gordon up for drinks before dinner.
There were more dusky dolphins in the afternoon and large flocks of prions.
I was up at 7.30 next morning to find the ship just off the Cape Pembroke light;
we rounded the corner past Yorke Point, Yorke Bay and Sparrow Cove and then
passed through the Narrows to see Endurance and Bransfield at Anchor in Stanley
Harbour. By then it was windy and wet. We anchored temporarily and Bransfield's
launch came across with Eric Salmon, Barry Peters and Ray Clements. I caught up
with their news and at about 10.30 am we tied up alongside Bransfield and went
aboard. Brian and I settled into the State Room, while Endurance's helicopter flew the
film crew around to photograph the three ships together. David Smith went ashore
to paint.
At 12.15 the Governor and Mrs French arrived with his Secretary, for lunch in the
Captain's cabin. Noel Bearne (HMS Endurance's Captain) joined us. We had a very
pleasant lunch and talk until about 3 o’clock. Meanwhile cargo shifting was going
ahead- from Bransfield to Biscoe - but it was clear that we wouldn't get away early
and Brian and I were invited to GH on the morrow for discussions with Lord
Shackleton's group, who were in Stanley collecting evidence for his economic report
on the Falklands to the British government. Noel hoped we would be in South
Georgia at the same time as them for a wreath-laying ceremony at Shackleton's
grave. We might just be, but I hoped not to lose any more time. Because of the
conditions that year the Halley relief would have to be from the Low Shelf, with a 50
mile haul to the base, so we'd need all the time we could get. The afternoon passed
quickly talking with people, including Roy Piggott (Head of BAS Life Sciences
Division), the wind and rain ceased and the sun came out.
Endurance sailed for Keppel Island about 6 o’clock and we had dinner at 6.30 pm.
At 8 o’clock Brian and I went ashore in the launch for a walk. Roy Piggott and some
of the lads had repaired and cleaned the organ in the Cathedral and an organ recital
was given by Tom Forsyth (South Georgia Fid). We walked along the front as far as
the aircraft hanger. Brian hadn't been there since l936 or so, but said it hadn't
changed much! As we came back we met ‘Clem’ and Sadie Clements (BAS Stanley)
who invited us in for a drink. Eric Salmon and Barry Peters (BAS HQ) were there.
Then we returned to the jetty to catch the 10 o’clock launch back to the ship. We
went ashore at 9.15 am next day and collected the Land Rover from Clem at the jetty.
Brian and I then drove out to the new airfield, passing Surf Bay. Here the beach
looked very reduced, as if too much sand had been removed.
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