Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

fur seal count, Weddell seal tag check, and terrestrial work. The second period
would be for marine work. At the end of the first period the ship would go to
Bird Island; at the end of the second period to Elephant and Livingston Island for
diving. I sent a signal to Stanley outlining the proposals. That day Jerry Light
assumed office as Base Commander.
Next day several of us left in Desmarestia for Mirounga Cove, two of us then to
North Point and the others to ring gull chicks at the Stygian colony. While
Humphrey sampled a moss experimental site, I climbed Robin Peak. It was very
barren on top, with much bare scree and bare earth, but there were fine views
over the rest of Signy and of Coronation. Then back over Spindrift Col to meet
Humph by Third Lake in the valley and on to join the boat at Mirounga. Next
day we were confined to base by snow showers and easterly winds. Two
magnificent tabular bergs sailed through Normanna Strait from east to west in
great style.
A heavy fall of snow overnight produced a white world. It continued to fall in
50 knot winds all day. It was not very pleasant outside and indoor work was
again the rule. I took the opportunity to talk over the radio with Inigo Everson; all
seemed to be going well. I learned that Biscoe was not to arrive here until about 1
February and this was confirmed by a signal from her. I had a chat with John
Cole, but he wasn't able to give me a reason for the change. Next morning it was
again snow covered and beautiful, if frigid. I walked up the Stone Chute and over
to Knife Point to take some photos and then up to Observation Bluff and back.
There was a message from the Director indicating that I should plan to return
with him via Punta Arenas on 2 March. Next morning I learnt the reason for the
change of plan in discussion with Ted Clapp. The ship "AES", chartered by
Falkland Islands Company, had 30,000 cu ft of cargo for BAS and only a small
part could be stored under cover; therefore Biscoe must unload Halley Bay cargo,
and accept "AES" cargo directly. "AES" would arrive on 13 January and Biscoe
must wait until Bransfield arrived in order to embark the new men. However, the
Biscoe would be at my disposal until she had to go down the Peninsula to the
relief of Stonington, so we should be able to fit in all the planned science. This
was good news.
After lunch I went over to Lake 2 with Jerry, where he had a 14 C experiment
running (4 x 6 hrs and 1 x 24 hrs). We carried out the work from the small rubber
dinghy under a black polythene sheet and then in the darkened Rollalong cabin. I
was interested to see his methods at first hand. We had a long talk about his
work. The best future projects seemed to be: 1) benthic algal felt studies; 2)
zooplankton production related to primary production - also measure fat, protein
and carbohydrates. We discussed the plans in detail.
On 8 January we kitted-up and I went diving again with Pete and Ray, Mike
acting as boatman. I went in backwards for the first time! They were doing a
zotter sample and I was particularly interested in seeing the method at first hand.
As it was a very clear and sunny day the underwater visibility was good and I
was able to see the whole operation. I was underwater for half an hour and felt
quite at home, until I looked at my cylinder's air-supply gauge, saw it was on red,
and surfaced just before the others. In the afternoon I went out with Bob to lift the
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