317 



WINTER IN GRYTVIKEN, 1929 



On reaching Grytviken we immediately commenced taking over the Marine Biological 

 Station and making some preparations for the winter. These consisted mainly in seeing 

 that the buildings were secure and as airtight as possible, in providing adequate moorings 

 for the 'Alert', and in seeing to our fuel stocks. With a view to carrying out some work 

 during the winter, the 'Alert' was left afloat and moored inside the Magistrate's Pier 

 with stout ropes. These are decidedly necessary, as the south-west wind blows on to the 

 pier with great violence. 



The programme for the winterwas easily arranged, as the charts of Husvik, Stromness, 

 Godthul, Pleasant Cove, Maiviken and Jason Harbour had to be drawn and their sailing 

 directions written up. 



Work was arranged for forenoon and evening, leaving the afternoon for skiing or 

 other open-air sport. This allowed the personnel to take as much advantage as possible 

 of the somewhat short daylight hours for recreation in the open. 



Whilst my assistant and myself were drawing the fair sheets, the remainder were 

 employed in refitting the boats, and they had in addition to do the housework. Stock 

 was taken of the stores, and indents for replacements were made out. Any spare time 

 left over was devoted to cleaning and painting portions of the house. 



Bearing in mind that it was not intended to camp during the winter, the opportunities 

 for field work were limited. There would have been many more but for the freezing over 

 of King Edward Cove on fine calm days. The ice never became very heavy, but was 

 sufficiently so to prevent a boat like the 'Alert', of fairly light construction and not 

 much power, from steaming. One or two attempts to proceed were made, but although 

 the copper sheathing protected the hull from the sharp splinters, it was torn ofl^ owing 

 to the unfortunate fact that it overlapped the wrong way, that is, fore and aft, instead of 

 vertically. It was replaced without difficulty and remained useful for very thin and loose 

 ice, though it would have been better had it been taken farther aft past the swell of the 

 bow. 



In July our only winter visitor arrived, the S.S. ' Falkland ' from the Falkland Islands. 

 At the Master's suggestion, I piloted her from Grytviken to Husvik and then to Leith, 

 thus getting an opportunity of having a practical test for my charts. It was at this time 

 that an extraordinary spell of warm weather occurred ; the temperature rose to 50° F. 

 and rain fell almost continuously for three days, nearly all the snow disappearing near 

 sea-level. 



Just before this, on June 27, a severe earthquake was felt, finishing at 12 hours 

 51 min. 30 sec. g.m.t. The shock lasted continuously for about three minutes. No 

 damage was done, as all the houses are of exceptionally strong and elastic construction, 

 mainly of wood on a concrete foundation. It was apparently the first earthquake 

 experienced since 191 1 . Another shock was reported on July i during the night, but this 

 was not observed by us. 



