U.S. Coast Guard Survey of Antipodes

In March 1947 the ice breaker Eastwind was returning from Antarctica where it had been participating in the U.S.N's "Operation Highjump" when it passed through a fairly severe storm which caused slight damage to the vessel. The commanding officer of the vessel used this damage as an excuse to put into Antipodes bland without the knowledge or consent of the New Zealand Government The real purpose of the visit was to carry out a survey of the island's topography and resources, presumably to determine its suitability as a U.S. Naval base. The incident has gone publicly unrecorded except in the biography of the ships commanding officer who did not attempt to hide the underhand nature of the affair. "I radioed the admiral that we were putting into the Antipodes to repair some storm damage. I forget just what this damage was, but we required rationalisation of some kind to avoid international embarrassment." Shore parties from the vessel accomplished what sounds like quite a thorough survey.

"We organised our forces into parties. The first, led by Lieut.. I.G Russel would make a reconnaisance of the N.E. end of the island. Lieut. J.G Moore would take two boats on a hydrographic survey of the island. Our helicopter would accomplish such air scouting as the fog might permit . . ."