Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

possibly due to the weight of the water tanks and the influence of the previously
uninsulated Aga cooker flue. The Armco was buckling and splitting at the seams
although not as yet seriously; but it would begin to push up the hut floors before
very long. However, I had no worries about the base lasting another 3 years - a view
shared by Derek Gipps and the other HQ staff. But planning of the new base was
now urgent and we would need a decision in l980 on funding if we were to rebuild in
l982/83.
3. This success was related to the successful solution of the air circulation
problem; the generator shed and Armco spaces were now cool.
4. The garage ramp had been maintained and its Armco tube extended by ten
metres, a large job. The garage escape shaft had been improved. The snow chutes
(taking snow blocks to make water) had been rebuilt. A new toilet system was
installed. The generator shed passage had been rebuilt with timber recovered from
the old base; the Armco had been painted white and numerous other improvements
made to the base.
5. ‘Snow discipline’ was good and accumulation minimal. There was a
remarkable lack of surface clutter, due to clearance of unnecessary equipment. The
old base had been used for storage instead of raising the dumps, but its life was
estimated at only 18 months and parts of it must be cleared now for safety. The
unused ionospheric (whistler experiment) aerials had been dismantled and stored in
the old base. The fuel dumps had been raised and 60 lost drums recovered.
6. Fire precautions had been improved. Fire was the greatest danger.
7. The vehicles were in an excellent state of repair; cranes had been made for the
IH and muskeg.
8. The radio room had been reorganized and the system of wiring rationalized.
9. The outside guidance cables had been raised on dunnage and run in straight
lines.
10. The scientific programmes had been fully achieved and the data reduction
was all up to date. Gardner and Rodger (middle management Physical Sciences) had
had enough time for discussions of the scientific programmes (seven days) and were
satisfied with the results. Gilbert had made a complete photographic coverage -
including the old base.
11. The Absolute magnetic tunnel (Solid Earth Physics) appeared to be totally
unaffected by ice pressure, although it was now 20 ft down, suggesting a remarkable
success of the timber arch system, gothic in shape, and looking like a small chapel
lined with glistening ice crystals!
12. The ionospheric hut (‘red box’) was a success. It stood at 1 m above the
surface on raised a 4 inch box-girder kegs, but vibrated in the wind; it should be
cross braced with wires for stability. It required about 3 Kw of power for heating in
winter (temperatures down to -50°C), was adequate in size for 3 men to work, but
had no spare space and no storage of workshop space. The situation would improve
a little when the bulky ‘beastie’ (Ionospheric sounder) was replaced.
13. We should place the new Advanced Ionospheric Sounder (AIS) hut to the
north east, but as near as possible (c.200 yards) to avoid a snow tail affecting the
balloon shed etc; the prevailing wind from the east.
14. The old "beastie" hut, made redundant by the AIS should now be closed
because it was becoming unsafe - due to depth and pressure.
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