Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

chatted. When I came to leave one of them made a short speech. He remarked that
it was the first time the Director or a senior member of the Survey had given them
the opportunity to talk about these sort of things in this kind of way - and how
much they appreciated it. Then they all gave me a burst of applause! Later Munro
told me that Garry Maxwell said that that my visit did a lot of good and they were
much happier.
Mick Pawley walked back to the ship with me and we talked about some
outstanding points over a drink before dinner. One concerned Duncan Carse [and
his recent disaster] and I said that if possible the ship would put a party ashore in
King Haakon Bay, to retrieve his gear (and ours). This could be inserted in the
ship’s itinerary before taking people out of Bird Island and picking up the
geological party, but not spending more than three days on the attempt. It had been
a grueling day and I was glad to sit down to dinner at 6.45 pm. We left in heavy
rain about 7.30 pm, having had some difficulty picking up the anchor. It would be
Bird Island tomorrow and I was looking forward to it.
It is worth summarizing the problems I found at South Georgia.
My general impression was of a marked division of labour. The scientists took
their problems to the technicians, but with little explanation of what they were
trying to do and having made little attempt to solve them on their own. Of course
there were exceptions. Some personality clashes had arisen.. We should define the
duties of assistants more carefully in future. Life at South Georgia was ‘plush’
compared with other bases - with plenty of personal space and comfort. There was
a tendency to form separate sub-units instead of working as a team under the BC.
The marine biologists had even suggested that a team leader be appointed in
advance; this I rejected giving my reasons. The solution? There's no doubt that the
community would be better under one roof and it seemed advisable to pull down
some of the peripheral places where people worked . This was also desirable for
financial reasons. We should erect a purpose-built structure to house all the
peripherals in one place, and pull down the rest. But the size and location of
Shackleton House was a great disadvantage.
There were other specific problems. First, the Generators. The ‘Scandias’ would
run for only short periods. The ‘Mirlees’ was OK but needed overhauls, each of
which took a month. A standby generator (27 KW) would allow heating, lighting,
cold rooms, but no scientific equipment. It might be desirable to buy four
generators from Grytviken and cannibalize two of them for spares.
Second, Boats: Yoldia (a metal launch provided for the marine programme) was
not seaworthy, but I had not had an opportunity to test her for myself. Concern was
expressed, particularly about Jonathan Walesby's programme - to depths of 300 m,
which was thought not to be possible with Yoldia. However, it was originally meant
for Signy, not South Georgia, which was why the specifications included: shallow
draft, for slipping at Signy; engine forward to give working space; stern gantry to
lift heavy grabs (400 lbs). It should be adequate for the job if used in suitable
conditions and not outside a line from Sappho Point to Dartmouth Point. It would
be all right in Borge Bay, Signy. Lille Karl an old launch should go out for the
winter for overhaul in the UK and fitting with a new engine. Berry had a list of
suggested improvements, ranging from a new engine and variable pitch propeller
to life lines. Until it returned the base would have to use Yoldia.
Third, wetlab and aquarium: not yet viable, but a new closed-circuit system to
be installed during the winter, should work. Meanwhile it should be adequate to
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