Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

We called in at the construction office at the airfield and talked with Brian the site
superintending engineer. He thought we were part of the Shackleton Economic
Survey and welcomed us and it was only after we'd been talking for a few moments
that it became apparent we'd arrived just 20 mins ahead of them. So we were shown
around by Thomson, his deputy and saw the whole set-up. There was a large
quarry, from which 4,000 cubic yards of stone had been taken to the crushers,
reduced first to large chunks, then to the final size. It was mixed with water to
dampen it and taken by lorry to a ‘Blaw Knox’ machine, which layed the aggregate in
strips. It had a sensor which was in contact with a piano wire - previously leveled -
and electronically regulated the level of the spreader. There was a screw to distribute
the stones and a vibrating screed to pack them. Then a heavy roller rolled it in strips
about 8 ft wide - three layers of stone and then a tarmac surface - 34 cm thick in all.
Underneath they had dug down to clay or bedrock. The strip would be 1250 metres
long and about 70 metres wide, with two 40 metre strips partly prepared and grassed
on either side and at the outer edge storm drains. There was a small terminal
building for passengers, immigration and control room. The contract term was to
mid-May and they expected to finish by the end of the month. But the access roads
wouldn't be complete by then.
We drove back and had time for a little shopping in the FIC West Store - for
things like coat hangers. We intended to go back for lunch aboard, but the launch I'd
asked to be there at 12.15 pm wasn't. So Clem invited us back to lunch at his home
and Eric Salmon, Barry Peters and Will Hudson were also there. I learnt that the
Governor wanted to see us at 3 o’clock and so there was just time to look around the
BAS complex. Then, Brian went out to the Bransfield to change, and I called on the
Chief Secretary, Arthur Monk for a chat and went on to GH for 3 o’clock. The
Governor was very talkative - not a listener - so we didn't have a chance to say very
much. Relations between the Falklands and Argentina were very tense and he had
been under considerable strain, with a deluge of signals. The Argentines just wanted
to talk about sovereignty and said they weren't interested in a slow handover. Of
course this could lead to the fall of our government if it wasn't handled properly.
The outcome looked very uncertain. I told him about the latest situation on BAS, but
we didn't really discuss those matters; he was too busy talking for that.
When we came in we met Lord Shackleton and he asked to see the Biscoe and
Bransfield. He had a meeting at 6 o’clock and was being kitted out by BAS, so we
arranged to meet at the Government Jetty at 5 o’clock and to go out together.
Fortunately word could be got to the Captains who were awaiting our arrival.
Duncan Carse tagged onto us, so it was a large group that toured the Bransfield.
Shackleton was clearly impressed with it all; then we moved over to the Biscoe where
Malcolm was waiting to do his stuff. It all went very well, ending with a drink in
Malcolm's cabin - and so ashore again.
A signal came that day for me, to say that the Duke of Edinburgh had agreed to
open the new BAS building. This was very good news and I confirmed the date
proposed, 7 May’, would be convenient.
Brian and I had been invited to GH to meet Shackleton and the team. Also Sadie
and Clem had asked us for a drink at 7 o’clock - so we drove there first, dressed in
our DJs and went on to GH for the 8 o’clock function. While at Clem's we listened to
his tape recorded spoof interview for FI Radio on the ‘Stone Run Beetle’ – a mythical
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