Part I: Seals teeth and whales ears - Scott Polar Research Institute ...

loud explosion, which rattled him. It was so unexpected and he couldn't think what
had caused it. But eventually he discovered it was our home-brewed cider, which
had been quietly fermenting away in a stoneware jar - and had blown its top!
Unfortunately we were not to make another journey until July l949. By 26
September, however, the ice in the strait was firm again and the three of us went over
to Coronation Island to collect the depot we had left on our rapid retreat, and to
examine the vicinity of Cape Hansen and Marshall Bay. The snow surface was good
and we quickly crossed to Shingle Bay. The depot was in good order and we
retrieved rock specimens and loaded the sledge. Then we went up to the col where I
did a sketch of the view to the northeast. The others went on to our former camp II
while I finished the sketch, Derek collected geological specimens and I joined them.
We skied down to Marshall Bay. On the way I had an almighty tumble at speed and
did a complete somersault, ending up with both skis sticking 2 feet into the snow and
upright. But fortunately no damage was done. I sketched the small island and then
we went over to it. Derek geologised and I sketched the Signy view. There were two
islands here, the northern one connected with the ice sheet behind. There was plenty
of grass on the southern island and soil polygons on the north-facing slopes and we
decided to name it Grassy Island (but it was later formally named Lynch Island). I
intended to make a proper botanical survey later. There were many seals there. We
made our way back to base, all sunburned and very warm from our exertions and
thanks to a good surface the pulling was easy.
Winter Journeys, l949
Preparations. Cooped up as we were in our cramped little hut, changes of scene were
desirable for us. Earlier we had considered the possibility of boat travel in the island
group, and as soon as the biological work permitted, hoped to make a couple of
journeys along the south coast of Coronation Island. I didn't know whether this
would receive approval though, as the position at the smaller bases with regard to
field trips had changed after a fatal accident at base G (Admiralty Bay), when Eric
Platt had died of exposure. I had sent a message proposing two coastal boat journeys:
the first, westwards along the south coast of Coronation Island to Sandefjord Bay, by
myself and Charlie; the second eastwards to the Divide by Derek and John. The
objects were seal census and topographic and geological survey, the minimum
duration of each, 10 days. The second would involve a period off the air.
Eventually however, we favoured a sledging trip. John was not at all keen on
coming so would stay behind to do the daily meteorological observations and
maintain communication with the outside world. The new plan was for three of us to
go over the sea ice along the south coast of Coronation Island to the Divide, which
leads to the eastern coast of Coronation. Thence up the East coast and as far as
possible along the North coast. If possible we hoped to return by crossing Coronation
Island from north to south just west of Signy Island, making a round trip of it. So
much depended on the condition of the sea ice - if there was open water along the
north coast we couldn’t get so far. (With hindsight all this was extremely ambitious!)
We expected to be out a month and hoped that there might be time for a second
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