The Home of the Blizzard: Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914Mawson, Douglas, Sir
History
The Home of the Blizzard: Being the Story of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914
Mawson, Douglas, Sir
Antarctica -- Discovery and exploration; Australasian Antarctic Expedition (1911-1914)
Planks and barrels were brought on to the beach and a flagstaff was
hoisted. Then one of the party mounted on the barrel, and told us by
flag signals that the ship on the beach was the 'Clyde', which had
recently been wrecked, and that all hands were safely on shore, but
requiring assistance. Besides the shipwrecked crew, there were half a
dozen men who resided on the island during the summer months for the
purpose of collecting blubber.
The sealers tried repeatedly to come out to us, but as often as it was
launched their boat was washed up again on the beach, capsizing them
into the water. At length they signalled that a landing could be made
on the opposite side of the spit, so the anchor was raised and the
ship steamed round the north end of the island, to what Captain Davis
proposed should be named Hasselborough Bay, in recognition of the
discoverer of the island. This proved an admirable anchorage, for the
wind remained from the east and south-east during the greater part of
our stay.
The sealers pushed their boat across the spit, and, launching it in
calmer water, came out to us, meeting the 'Aurora' some three miles off
the land. The anchor was let go about one mile and a half from the head
of the bay.
News was exchanged with the sealers. It appeared that there had been
much speculation as to what sort of a craft we were; visits of ships,
other than those sent down specially to convey their oil to New Zealand,
being practically unknown. For a while they suspected the 'Aurora' of
being an alien sealer, and had prepared to defend their rights to the
local fishery.
All was well now, however, and information and assistance were freely
volunteered. They were greatly relieved to hear that our auxiliary
vessel, the 'Toroa' was expected immediately, and would be available for
taking the ship-wrecked crew back to civilization.
Owing to the loss of the 'Clyde', a large shipment of oil in barrels lay
piled upon the beach with every prospect of destruction, just at a time
when the realization of its value would be most desirable, to make good
the loss sustained by the wreck. I decided, therefore, in view of their
hospitality, to make arrangements with the captain of the 'Toroa' to
take back a load of the oil, upon terms only sufficient to recoup us for
the extension of the charter.
In company with Ainsworth, Hannam and others, I went ashore to select
a site for the station. As strong westerly winds were to be expected
during the greater part of the year, it was necessary to erect
buildings in the lee of substantial break-winds. Several sites for a hut
convenient to a serviceable landing-place were inspected at the north
end of the beach. The hut was eventually erected in the lee of a large
mass of rock, rising out of the grass-covered sandy flat at the north
end of the spit.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account