United States Antarctic Service Expedition

The United States Antarctic Service Expedition (19391941), often referred to as Byrd’s third Antarctic Expedition, was an expedition jointly sponsored by the United States Navy, State Department, Department of the Interior and The Treasury. Although a US Government sponsored expedition, additional support came from donations and gifts by private citizens, corporations and institutions.

Description of expedition

Background, orders and goals

Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd donated many of the supplies which he had gathered for his own expedition, the largest item being the Bear of Oakland, commissioned the USS Bear. A second ship, the USMS North Star, a 1434-ton wooden ice ship built for the Bureau of Indian Affairs was supplied by the Department of the Interior.

A total of 125 men departed from the United States in the two ships of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. Most of the men who made up the expedition were solicited from the military ranks, civilian agencies of government and from scientific institutions. A few volunteers were employed by the Department of the Interior for $10 per month, food and clothing included. A total of 59 men, divided initially into three groups, wintered in Antarctica.

The objectives of the Expedition were outlined in an order from President Franklin D. Roosevelt dated November 25, 1939. The President wanted two bases to be established: East Base, in the vicinity of Charcot Island or Alexander I Land, or on Marguerite Bay if no accessible site could be found on either of the specified islands; and West Base, in the vicinity of King Edward VII Land, but if this proved impossible, a site on the Bay of Whales at or near Little America was to be investigated, and delineation of the continental coast line between the meridians 72 degrees W., and 148 degrees W. In view of the broad scope of the objectives and the unpredictable circumstances that always arise in Antarctica, it is remarkable that most of the objectives set for them were met.

Accomplishments and noteworthy events

The visionary but ill fated Antarctic Snow Cruiser, a vehicle having several innovative features, was used by the expedition but it generally failed to operate as hoped under the difficult conditions, and was eventually abandoned in Antarctica. It was rediscovered in 1958 but has since been presumed to have been lost due it the breaking off, and eventual melting, of the ice flow it was on.

Observations were conducted in every conceivable area: seismic, cosmic ray, auroral, biological, tidal, magnetic and physiological to name a few. All in all, it was an extremely successful expedition.

Mission termination and aftermath

With international tensions on the rise, it was considered wise to evacuate the two bases rather than relieve the present personnel with new men who would continue to occupy the bases. It was hoped that one day this base would be reoccupied so much of the equipment and supplies were left behind as the two ships sailed from West Base on February 1, 1941. The evacuation of East Base was concluded on March 22 and both ships sailed immediately. The USMS North Star arrived in Boston on May 5 and the USS Bear on May 18.

On September 24, 1945, Congress directed (Public Law 79-185, 59 Stat. 536) that such number of gold, silver, and bronze medalsat the discretion of the Secretary of the Navybe presented to members of the United States Antarctic Expedition of 1939-1941, in recognition of their valuable services to the Nation in the field of polar exploration and science.

Expedition members

The following is a partial list of expedition members.

See also

Notes

  1. "Biography of Richard Black". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  2. "Biography of Herwil Bryant". Retrieved January 31, 2013. Also "Herwil McClure Bryant Field Book, 1940-1941". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved January 31, 2013. The SI reference features details from his participation in the expedition including lichen and moss species.
  3. "Biography of Arthur J. Carroll". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  4. "Biography of Zadik Collier". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  5. "Biography of Harry Darlington III". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  6. "Biography of Herbert Dorsey". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  7. "Biography of J. Glenn Dyer". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  8. "Biography of Joseph Healy". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  9. "Biography of Archie Hill]". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  10. "Biography of Donald Hilton". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  11. "Biography of Paul Knowles". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  12. "Biography of Elmer Lamplugh]". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  13. "Biography of Lester Lehrke". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  14. "Biography of Anthony Morency". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  15. "Biography of Lytton Musselman". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  16. "Biography of Howard Odom". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  17. "Biography of Robert Palmer". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  18. "Biography of Earle Perce". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  19. "Biography of William Pullen". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  20. "Biography of Charles Sharbonneau". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  21. "Biography of Lewis Sims". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  22. "Biography of Ashley Snow, Jr.". Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  23. "Biography of Clarence Steele". Retrieved January 31, 2013.

References