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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1979-80: VUWAE 24

Equipment

Equipment

Equipment bought for VUWAE 24 was mainly scientific used in conjunction with the MSSTS project for sea floor sampling and the cross Sound Surveys. A "Mate" motorised earth auger with accompanying 4 and 10 inch diameter augers was used to make access holes through the sea ice. We also purchased a meter wheel for measuring toboggan travel accurately which was used in the cross Sound Surveys. Also purchased were six hundred metres of low stretch terylene cord used for depth sounding and two thermometers for the VUWAE Thommen 3B4 altimeters.

Several pieces of equipment were built, some of which incorporated borrowed equipment. The Oceanographic Institute camera and flash units for photographing the sea floor were fitted inside pressure vessels built by the VUW Engineering Workshop. A tripod was also made to lower the camera and piston cover to the sea floor. Nick Thompson built for us a very successful tide gauge used at the MSSTS drill site, and also modified the piston corer.

Antarctic Division (DSIR) supplied expensive and specialised equipment. The main items were vehicles, snow-trac and toboggans used during the across Sound Surveys, and on the Taylor Glacier Gravity Survey following MSSTS. VUWAE 24 field programmes (post MSSTS) were supplied with: Polar tents (4), two man tents (2), SSB radio transceivers (4), first aid kits (4), assorted climbing equipment and fuel (petrol and kerosene).

VUWAE 24 was charged by Antarctic Division on a man-week basis for food while at Scott Base and in the field. The weekly rate this season was $32 per person. page 2 Three sets of double down sleeping bags, 10 field mattresses, 2 Anoraks and 3 pairs of overtrousers were the main items purchased. Minor items included 2 new pairs of crampons, and one pair of mukluks purchased from Antarctic Division. Down clothing, windproofs and mukluks were again repaired for this expedition by Graeme Duncan.

The MSSTS project has put a greater strain of VUWAE field equipment and clothing resources than for the smaller manpower expeditions of normal years. Old clothing normally used for repair materials were repaired to accommodate the increased manpower of this expedition. Much of the clothing has suddenly become redundant earlier in their life than usual because of the rigorous conditions of drilling. New clothing therefore needs to be purchased for the coming season's expedition.

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Figure 1 Map of the McMurdo Sound region, showing areas covered by VUWAE 24.

Figure 1 Map of the McMurdo Sound region, showing areas covered by VUWAE 24.