Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

with us and had lunch with us. The talk was about the Fishing Zone and necessary
legal arrangements. I saw Jewkes after lunch to discuss various BAS matters. His
ADC, Paul Whiteway, was present and seemed a good chap. The discussions
included the problem of the reindeer culling by the Army at South Georgia. He
agreed to notify them that culling had to be approved by the Director of BAS; no
culling from the Husvik herd etc. He asked BAS to put forward a plan.
We also talked about changes in BAS, the fishery problems, South Georgia
Administration (His view was that the military wanted to be out, but the FCO
required them to stay. I outlined the terms for a BAS return: buildings purposedesigned
and adequate recurrent funding. He said the South Georgia Fund was low
because stamp sales had declined. He told me that the KEP jetty was being rebuilt to
a very high specification by the military, steel-faced, stone infill, c. 100 yds long - at a
cost of £1.5 million. The MOD had asked the SG Fund to contribute and Jewkes had
offered £10k! We also spoke about problems with the military over the South
Georgia relief etc. He had similar troubles over their unreliability. We also spoke
about the Dutch expedition which was causing problems - expecting too much.
Don Bonner (the Governor’s driver) drove me along to see Myriam and we
talked. Her only problem was with the difficulties she has negotiating with the
military over the movements of people at South Georgia. She was finding the
Cambridge-based part of her year more acceptable than before, but was still glad to
get home. I went out in the launch to Bransfield to see Stuart Lawrence. Then back at
6.30 pm for a rest and bath before a dinner party at 7.45 pm. The guests were Les
and Betty Halliday (Chief Customs Officer), Stuart Lawrence, Bill Block, Pat Watts
and his wife (FIBC), Major James Walker (Green Jackets Regiment). It was a pleasant
occasion. At 10.30 pm Joyce sent the guests off - because she could see I was tired -
and we three talked for a further hour before bed. I was indeed quite tired after the
flight and all.
I had breakfast in my room at 8.30 am. Gordon Jewkes was in meetings and Joyce
was indisposed, so I left without seeing either of them, but left letters to each. I did
have about 20 mins with the Governor's ADC, Paul Whiteway, on BAS, fishing
zones, Antarctic politics, possible return to South Georgia - rapid talk! Don Bonner
ran me in to see Myriam and then she took me to the Command HQ - beyond and
behind GH. It was a real rabbit warren, filled with people doing - what? First I had
1/2 hr with Admiral Leyman (Commander British Forces). He seemed a bit of a
smoothie, but nice enough, except that he didn't like the idea that his command had
let BAS down and was reluctant to admit it. As I saw it the problem was as follows:
On 22 April we had informed the Joint Services Movement Service (JSMS) of the BAS
need for passages for 4 scientists and their equipment to be lifted to South Georgia in
September/ October. There was agreement in principle from JSMS on 14 May.
Completed forms were sent by BAS on 22 July and passages confirmed by JSMS on
25 August. On 8 September we re-confirmed details to JSMS and Command
Secretariat and stressed the need for helicopter support. On 24 September the party
arrived at RFA Bedivere and found the ship had no knowledge that the party was
bound for Husvik. While at SG permission was sought and given by Stanley for the
party to be flown in by Gazelle helicopters. Unfortunately the weather was so bad
that this was not possible. Eventually they were put ashore on 9 October, by the
launch of a Cunard tanker MV Lucerna. At this stage there was no suggestion that
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