3i8 DISCOVERY REPORTS 



On August 3 and 4 the Winter Sports were held and all the party entered for the ski 

 race. Briggs, Able Seaman, won a cup, and all the remainder received medals. 



On August 18, at about 8.30 a.m., an avalanche came down the scree slopes of Coronda 

 Peak at I.eith Harbour and completed the destruction of the old part of the whaling 

 station. Owing to the time it occurred, most of the men had not come back to work 

 from the mess and only six were caught. Three of these were killed. Two men were 

 buried several feet deep for nearly two hours, but when recovered were apparently none 

 the worse for their experience. 



On August 31 we dry-docked the 'Alert' for three days to give her bottom a couple 

 of coats of paint, and to examine her propeller and shaft. 



The charts were completed on September 25 and despatched via Monte Video on 

 October i in charge of Captain Williams of the transport ' Southern King', who kindly 

 arranged to send them on from that port in the personal charge of the Captain of 

 another ship which was homeward bound. They comprised the following: 

 Plans: Husvik. 



Pleasant Cove. 

 Maiviken. 

 Jason Harbour. 

 Charts: Stromness Harbour and Busen Fjord. 



Barff Point to Cape George, including Godthul. 

 Tracings: Stromness Bay 1 



Cumberland Bay showing additional soundings and details. 



King Edward Cove J 



Wilson Harbour, drawn from details supplied by Lt.-Cdr. Mercer, of the 

 'William Scoresby'. 



SURVEY OPERATIONS, SEASON 1929-30 



SURVEY WORK IN M.V. 'ALERT', SEPTEMBER 27, 1929 TO FEBRUARY 16, 1930, 

 AND FEBRUARY 20 TO APRIL 13, 1930 



It now became necessary to prepare for the forthcoming season, and the 'Alert' was 

 accordingly filled up with fuel, stores and all necessary equipment. 



The whaling stations all opened about the third week in September, but actual whaling 

 did not commence until the end of the month, as the flensing plans had to be cleared of 

 snow and all plant prepared for work. 



The zoological staff were to occupy the Marine Biological Station during the coming 

 season, and it was decided to await their arrival, as the fires had to be kept alight and the 

 water prevented from freezing. On September 15, however, I was informed that the 

 party would not arrive until the beginning of October, which was rather late. We 



