Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

They arose at 05.30, breakfasted and resumed radio contact at 07.00 and, at the
request of Grytkviken, again at 07.30 when a message for the ship from the
Governor (see below) was transmitted. The message was prepared by Trefor
Edwards and taken to the foot of the gangway, where an English-speaking officer
was sought. Captain Briatore arrived and the message was accepted and
understood. TE was informed that Davidoff was not on board and that the ship
had presents (fresh fruit and vegetables) from him for the British Antarctic
Survey. He advised Briatore that the ship should proceed to Grytviken to deliver
these. Information was also obtained that the shore party (twelve men in the
Villa?) intended to remain about sixteen weeks, but no information about the
ship’s movements was forthcoming. It was noticed that more bunks had been
established in the Villa and that work had commenced very early that morning.
In the vicinity were three welders, two launches, some large cargo containers, at
least 35 people. A pipeline (water or fuel) was being, connected and the ship’s
cranes were in use.
The BAS party left at 08.15 after securing a cupboard and internal door of the
Customs House with padlocks. The Argentine flag was lowered at about this
time. While departing and passing through the station several small fires were
seen and it appeared that a large number of roughly dressed men, were being left
to more or less fend for themselves with little supervision. Many of them
appeared to be privately looting. Another two shots were heard. The party went
to Husvik and onwards to Carlita Bay for collection without incident. They were
in regular radio contact during the day.
Details of these discoveries were passed to HMS Endurance on the evening of the 20 th .
The Magistrate, Steve Martin, was asked about the possibility of keeping the ship
under observation and was advised that the matter was considered vital. It was
suggested that observations could be made from the pass over Jason Harbour, so this
was agreed and a party was formed to depart on the 21st. I was advised on Bransfield
of developments and concurred with what was proposed
An observation party, Bob Headland and Peter Stark, was stationed on the pass at
about 11.30. They were equipped with binoculars, a squadcall transceiver and a VHF
radio set. The Bahia Buen Suceso was to be seen clearly at Leith, in the same place as
described earlier by the field party; occasional emissions of smoke occurred
throughout the day. Owing to the position of the ship most shore activity was
obscured from view. Headland, who was fluent in Spanish, monitored the ship to
shore VHF communications. From this it transpired that the shore party had invited
the ship’s Captain to lunch, that fuelling of the shore base was to be completed before
the ship’s intended departure at 16.00, and that it was intended to shoot another
reindeer, as the skin on one shot earlier was of poor quality. This information was
relayed to Grytviken and thence to HMS Endurance as it was forthcoming, generally
within the hour. Surveillance was maintained to 18.00 that evening, Neil Shaw
having replaced Headland in the afternoon (16.00). The observation party spent a
night at Jason Harbour hut and reported a ship’s siren sounding at about 19.00,
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