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

petrel in the vicinity of Alexander Island on his sledging trip, a long long way from
the ocean. But there was no real information about what was going on.
At the beginning of September I received a message from Bill Sladen about
chinstrap penguins. He was to go sledging to Ross Island with Mike Green early in
October. We received a message from Fuchs to say that a dentist was coming down,
which was welcome news. Ralph checked the 18 set (radio). There was a message
from Fuchs: "Your plans approved" (for a sledging trip). We overheard Terry Randall
talking – sledging with Pat Toynbee – and learnt that David Dalgliesh was off
sledging on the 15th. We overheard a message to Lockroy, saying “30 days trip too
long” and urging the usual precautions, so we knew that others were trying to get
out into the field. I sent a personal message to Robert Lawrie's in London, ordering
crampons. As Dr Fuchs was having a tooth filled by David – lucky chap! – Bernard
Stonehouse spoke to us on R/T about boots. We had had trouble getting the sealskin
boots to fit us. He had suggestions for stretching the boots, but we had tried them all.
In desperation he said: "Try chewing them".
Discussion opened about personnel movements next season. I received a coded
message forwarded by Dr Fuchs: " From Governor – the composition of base H next
year to be Laws, Thomas, Meteorologist and a Falkland Islander. Maling to
accompany Jefford in 48 ton ketch [presumably the Penelope we had heard of earlier]
on a coastal survey of West coast of Grahamland. Lenton destination unknown.” This
was a damper on us as it meant a breakup. A couple of days later we intercepted a
message from Argentine Islands to Dr Fuchs – "Thomas not keen on moving to H
because of the lack of mountaineering opportunities." On 19 September we
overheard the Governor talking over the radio. Topics included: Helicopters,
Cambridge, Wordie, Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), John Biscoe, Penelope and
internal matters. A week later we overheard Huckle on the radio, telling the
Governor about his plans for South American travel. The Governor seemed
sympathetic. These outside interests all added a little variety to life, but we would
like to have been much better informed..
At the end of September 1948 there was an announcement on the radio about the
Antarctic Research vessel ‘John Biscoe’; only 8 newcomers were expected to be chosen
from 500 applicants; stamp sales were good and so on. Ralph contacted a South
African and a Brazilian radio ham (= amateur). In the evening we listened to
amusing Falkland Islands Radio programmes. At the beginning of October 1948 there
was a message from Dr Fuchs to say that he was back from a good journey, but the
northern party was still in the field. Ralph was playing on the ham radio frequencies
and I made a woodcut for his QSL cards (these are cards exchanged by radio hams
confirming contacts – useful in their competitions to see who could make the most).
One night when I was on cook duties, dinner was late as I thought Ralph was still
trying to send the Ob. when he was in fact indulging in amateur radio contacts.
Damn! Irritated I delayed the meal for an hour.
There was a message from Bill Sladen saying that he was making observations on
the snowies, but the huskies had eaten all but four specimens! There were 700
Adélies there (Hope Bay). I told him of an emperor penguin we had captured and the
other birds here. Another message came in from Dr Fuchs about a change of plans
for 2-year men. Derek replied saying he would be pleased if he was sent to the
Peninsula, but would also be pleased to hear that he could stay on Signy.
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