Date: 1956. (It is the height of the cold war so let’s hope we can all get along).
What should you wear? Warm clothing because Mawson base is very cold and very windy and we’ll be travelling there on the Kista Dan which is not an ice breaker and it’s not very big. The sea journey should be over by mid-February and then we’ll spend fifteen months at Mawson Base so bring solid gloves because you have to help build the accommodation.
Who’s going to be there? Fourteen scientists, radio operators and mechanics, a cook, doctor, and a four-man RAAF crew.
What is the event? We’ll be part of the International Polar Year in which scientist drawn from sixty-seven nations will study the earth’s gravitational field and Antarctica’s meteorology, geophysics, geodesy, cosmic ray and ionospheric physics, glaciology, oceanography and seismology.
Our year in Antarctica on the good ship Quills will accompany the publication of my latest book Fixing Antarctica, published through CreateSpace. It will be available for purchase in paper and electronic formats from the winter solstice which, as you know is June 21. Each week I’ll post details about our 1956 crew in Antarctica, about what the papers were saying about Antarctica.
January 2, 1956. Today, after a delayed departure from Melbourne at the end of December 1955, we’re in the pack ice, steaming along nicely towards the great frozen continent. Around us, in the dense thick pack ice as we drift past seals, penguins, kestrels and skuas, we know that out there somewhere are the other IGY ships. No-one has reached the continent yet, not even the Russians with their massive fleet. Where are they heading? Didn’t I say? They are planning on setting up a massive base called Mirnyy (Peaceful) Station smack bang in Australian Antarctic territory. Were they invited? Nope, but do you want to go to war over it? Interesting times are ahead…
How exciting, you are an amazing person Lynette, so focused
Thank you Jane and Wally. I’m looking forward to the whole year of posts. The Western Australian launch of the book is coming along nicely thanks to the wonderful work of other people. It is likely there will even be a play written about Syd to launch the book during book week. But more about that in the future.
What a fantastic idea! Really looking forward to following the blogs – love the cliff-hanger!
Hi Diana. thank you for these lovely comments. I’m a bit in that state where you’ve bought a GREAT present for someone and you want to give it to them NOW. Next week’s news item is a ripper and I can’t wait to tell everyone about it (but of course I will). I’ll be posting on Tuesdays and Thursdays.