Monday 8 April 1974
The field trip got away today at 0900 hours. Stock-checking is continuing. Bill Johnson cleaned out all the building ventilators which had clogged with snow. We took delivery of fuel. I tried to saw up a few more seals but had a lot of trouble with the saws. I was in the process of fitting a new chain when I noticed the blade was badly worn. I had not been using oil on the chain as I assumed the seal blubber would act as a lubricant and modern oils are mildly poisonous. Perhaps this was wrong but our only edible oils (soya bean and peanut) both turn to jelly at current temperatures. Anyway, the damage may well have been there before I began to use the saw.
I have completed a full check of the first aid kits by doing two or three each evening. Bill decided to let the younger pups loose in the sledge room. It may be good for the pups but it certainly causes a smell.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North 2 knots Temperature -28.3°C
Tuesday 9 April 1974
Lt Stockwell the US Navy “public works” officer offered to lend us a D4. Unfortunately it is too late to be of much use. We had hoped to borrow one for the winter so that our own could go back to New Zealand for overhaul. Now it must wait until next year.
With the new blade and chain the saw cuts well. I was able to finish seven seal carcasses in one day. The sledge party reported poor visibility. They have not moved.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 7 knots Temperature -26.0°C
Locations of interest on Ross Island
Wednesday 10 April 1974
Both stoves failed to produce much heat today and Bill Johnson spent all morning getting the President to the point where it could be used for cooking dinner. These stoves coke-up about once each month so either the fire box gets insufficient draft or the DFA (fuel) is not suitable for the burners concerned. I think it is probably the fuel.
Bob Grant was able to operate the 920 loader to fill all the ice sledges. Considering the temperature, this was very good. The sledge party arrived back at afternoon tea time. Osman had refused to lead coming back against the wind and they had taken turns to walk or run in front. Chris Wilkins had a frozen cheek.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 9 knots Temperature -36.2°C
Thursday 11 April 1974
We had our first power failure today. Bill Johnson had removed the radiator in the No2 Caterpillar to clean the lint and oil film from the core. Whilst doing this he discovered the water pump was leaking and that a fuel line was almost worn through. Since both generators use the same cooling air duct to discharge heated air, whilst work was proceeding the hot air from the No1 Caterpillar was leaking back into the engine room raising the temperature. This would not have mattered except that the heat sensor in the No1 Caterpillar coolant circuit was faulty, operated prematurely and switched off the No1 Caterpillar. Bill and Chris Wilkins at once started up the Lister’s and had power restored within seven minutes. There was no serious loss of laboratory records.
Mike Wing is repairing a dog sledge. Bob Grant is stock checking Ferguson parts. I am sawing seal meat. Stuart Clarke, with the aid of Garth Cowan, Tony Atkinson and Mike Wing carried out Julie (the photometer) to Arrival Heights and set it up there. On the way back they tried unsuccessfully to locate a break in the earth current cable.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-North-East 5 knots Temperature -26.2°C
Friday 12 April 1974
Today I was frustrated to find that although we have two fairly new McCulloch chain saws and one old Homelite together with a considerable quantity of chains, only one of the replacement chains fits the McCulloch’s. Since the starting cord on the Homelite is now rotten and we have no replacements we are forced to keep sharpening and using the three available McCulloch chains.
Bob Grant has repaired the steering on the Dodge Wannigan. Mike Wing is taking stock of sledge parts. Bill Johnson and Chris Wilkins are repairing the two Caterpillar generators. Stuart spent the night at Arrival Heights with the photometer. Ray Colliver cooked a batch of hot cross buns. Garth Cowan still can’t find the break in the earth current cable.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind East-North-East 5 knots Temperature -23.8°C
Saturday 13 April 1974
“Midway” day, so the team tells me. Laboratory and maintenance work much as yesterday. In the evening four of the group went to the Chiefs Club at McMurdo.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 14 knots Temperature -21.7°C
Sunday 14 April 1974
This morning, Garth Cowan having established that the break in the earth current cable lay somewhere in a section which had become “iced-in” replaced the whole section. This rectified the fault. Otherwise a normal Sunday.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind South 15 knots Temperature -13.4°C
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