Monday 17 June 1974
Tony Atkinson and Chris Wilkins have between them repaired the laboratory printing dryer. Since we have no replacements the bearings and to be cleaned and put back. Bill Johnson believes that Shaun has served Lady when no one was looking. His belief is based on something in her expression or attitude or both. After his successful prediction of Uglin’s death no one is laughing at him.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 7 knots Temperature -27.1°C
Tuesday 18 June 1974
We have begun preparations for our midwinter celebrations and also for the sketch we are to put on at the McMurdo dinner. I spent the day matching flanges with which to join the two pipes which form the boiler of the heat machine. Bob Grant is continuing his efforts to upgrade the motor toboggans although hampered by a lack of spares. Ray Colliver’s cooking course is nearly finished. Tonight’s session dealt with various methods of cooking vegetables – especially potatoes.
The late mouse, Mike Wing, having taken stock of the ales in the Base reports the following situation:
With 119 days to go = 47.042017 cans per day
= 4.276547 cans per person per day
Assuming total dedication
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-North-East 4 knots Temperature -25.5°C
Wednesday 19 June 1974
The Superintendent has told us that we are to drill through the sea ice in selected places in the McMurdo Sound next spring and measure the current. The US Navy has loaned us a current meter which, unfortunately measures the volumetric flow rather than the speed of the current. Further, it is designed to mount in the throat of a net and thus we will have to make an alternative mounting including a directional and attitude vane. The laboratory is trying out some ideas.
The maintenance staff is stock-checking and repairing sledges and toboggans. In about two days I will be able again to pressure test the machine. We have been trying to make an oval photo frame for our group photo without too much luck.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-North-East 7 knots Temperature -22.4°C
Thursday 20 June 1974
Tony Atkinson has re-adjusted the ionosonde sweep height from its existing incorrect 1200 kilometers to the correct 1000 kilometers. The No2 Caterpillar sprang a leak in the coolant system which is now repaired. The group who were to produce a sketch from the McMurdo midwinter celebrations have abandoned the idea – a little to my annoyance because I have been asking them to have a rehearsal for the past week.
Our two Tamworth sledges, the most useful sledges we have for towing behind the SnoTracs, require extensive repairs. Mike Wing is getting on with this. Last night a few members looked too deeply on the wine and ended up having a battle in the Mess with boiled lollies. There were crushed lollies all over the place which the late mouse had to clean up.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 14 knots Temperature -23.2°C
Friday 21 June 1974
Today was recognised by the Americans as Mid-winter’s Day and they had intended to indulge in a programme of sports and evening entertainments. Most of these were cancelled by the weather but about eight members attended the evening dinner.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 20 knots Temperature -28.2°C
Saturday 22 June 1974
After consulting with the New Zealand Metrological Institute we discovered that the sun was farthest from the earth at 0700 hours local time this morning. Accordingly we declared today Midwinters Day, advised the Americans that their yesterday’s efforts were null and void and invited them to a smorgasbord lunch with drinks to follow.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 2 knots Temperature -31.4°C
Sunday 23 June 1974
The last American guest having left at 1030 hours this morning we declared the smorgasbord lunch over and, apart from the mice almost everyone went to bed. I spent some time sorting and replying to goodwill telegrams.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 20 knots Temperature -26.0°C
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