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Vessels taking winter quarters in a harbor should select a site where 

 protection from ice is afforded to seaward by islands, islets, rocks, or 

 shoals. Moor in shallow water, allowing for the height of seas and 

 tidal range which may be experienced in the harbor. Run out steel 

 wires and anchor cables to shore moorings. Stretch and anchor cable 

 across the seaward side of the anchorage to impede ice drifting down 

 upon the ship. Unship rudder and propeller, if possible. Drain 

 boilers and secure all sea connections at the hull. 



MOORING AND UNLOADING 



The following procedure for mooring alongside either bay ice or 

 shelf ice not too high above the ship's deck is based on the experience 

 of the U. S. S. Bear while serving with the United States Antarctic 

 Service Expedition in 1939-41. 



Although ice conditions in the Antarctic are seldom the same from 

 one year to the next, it has been found that the general condition of the 

 fast ice in the Ross Sea changes very little, particularly in regard to 

 offering a clear "dock space" for mooring alongside. 



The thickness of the fast ice in the Bay of Whales during the months 

 of January and February was found to be approximately 12 to 15 feet, 

 with an above-water height of 3 to 4 feet and with sufficient strength 

 to hold the weight of the equipment unloaded. 



Break-ups occur without warning, and ships moored to the ice edge 

 must be prepared to get under way on short notice. Sometimes cracks 

 will develop between the ship and the barrier, but the ice may not break 

 up for several days. Prevailing winds and currents coming from 

 under the barrier tend to cause the broken pack ice to drift to the 

 westward. With this condition a starboard-side-to mooring has been 

 found to be the most desirable. 



Prior to arrival alongside the ice, all gear should be put on deck in 

 order and line handlers instructed as to how and where to bury "dead 

 men" and how to secure mooring lines. Secure manila strap and/or 

 wire strap to each "dead man," depending on the use of hawsers and 

 cables. Obviously if a "dead man" has both a manila strap and a 

 wire strap, either wire or manila lines can be secured to it. At least 

 four mooring lines should be ready to run with a toggle attached to 

 the eye of each line. 



The Bear made it a normal practice to place her bow head-on against 

 the ice and to hold this position by steaming ahead slowly. Line- 

 handling parties were disembarked onto the ice via Jacob's ladders. 

 After passing over and securing the bow line and bow breast, the ship 

 was warped around until she lay alongside the ice, and the stern lines 



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