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

I was sorry to miss my elder brother Peter, who was coming to England on leave
from West Africa. It meant that we wouldn't meet again until his third leave from
then. I heard that I would be Base Leader, also the Postmaster and be issued with a
special postal frank for the South Orkney's - there would be a new stamp issue.
On 16 December we all came to the FIDS Office as instructed to find that the
sailing date had been postponed, but I arranged to move onto the ship that night,
with Derek Maling, Michael Green and Jimmy Knox (a Radio Operator). When I
walked along the gang plank onto the ship at 10.30 pm I found the others ensconced
in the midships berths! We bussed to Piccadilly next morning and had breakfast in
the Lyons Corner House. Then I went along to the Office and afterwards to
Waterlow's about supplies (specially printed specimen labels) and to Brian Robert's
office near Waterloo. I saw the British Museum equipment off and loaded personal
kit onto the same lorry. That afternoon I again looked into the Office and later met
Derek and Michael at Eros, Piccadilly Circus. We had an excellent dinner at the
Comedy Restaurant and later a second one on the ‘John Biscoe’ - rock salmon (i.e.
dogfish) and chips provided by Jimmy.
On the 18 th , a busy morning followed by lunch at Favas in Frith Street. I made
my will after lunch and then caught a taxi to Fenchurch Street Station where a crowd
of us Antarctic types gathered and converged on the 3.25 pm train for Tilbury.
Arrived at the ship we were interviewed by the Press: "Can we quote you Sir, as
saying you are thrilled?" ...."Have you left a girl behind? . . ." etc. Bunks were allotted
by drawing numbered slips and I got number 13, which placed me in the port cabin
aft. This had been the small ship's laundry in its earlier incarnation but even though
there were five other bunks in a tiny space, there was more room than in the
midships ‘slums’. However there was only just room between the bunks to dress
and access was by a "manhole cover" and a vertical ladder from the deck. We called it
“the black hole of Calcutta”. The cook provided a large meal, and after unpacking,
making beds and manhandling other luggage we went out for a drink. I was on the
second night watch at 9.0 o’clock, but fortunately nothing much happened. We had
several naval blokes in our party and one of them, Lieut. Commander "Tanky"
Scadding went on first watch and gave me all the 'gen' when I relieved him. The food
was the best I'd had for several years, lashings of it and very well served. Eating
space was unfortunately rather cramped and throughout the voyage we had to take
our meals in three or four shifts. After all the delays we were now due to sail next
day 19 December. At last the great adventure was to begin.
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