2022: Blog | Artefacts
11/03/2022
The end of our short season is rapidly approaching and our thoughts and energies are turning to inventories, cleaning and base closure tasks. However, Kit and I first spent the day in Bransfield House taking a closer look at some of the museum contents.
The condition of a sample of 10 artefacts are assessed on an annual basis to monitor and record deterioration. During our pre-season training we had visited the Scott Polar Research Institute to receive training in this area from the Trust’s Collections Management and Conservation Advisor Sophie.
Pictured: Kit examines one of the artefacts in the museum
We carefully identified and moved each artefact into the lounge where we had set up a work space. Working through a recording sheet we note the materials present in each artefact and their condition including any structural or surface damage, light damage, corrosion or mould. Photos of all aspects and any specific features or damage are then taken.
The artefacts sampled are from a number of different rooms and include a range of materials from a paper report containing Ionospherics data to a cotton smock with a handsewn Antarctic ski club patch on the arm. There are also a number of food items and we marvelled at the simple glass jar design of the Heinz mayonnaise and how easy it would be to clean compared to the squeezy plastic bottle we tried to clean recently!
With the artefacts all safely returned, we packed up, bolted the Base A front door shut and walked the short distance back to the Nissen with snow blowing in our faces. The weather has already started to turn, with temperatures rarely above 0oC and darkness falling across the island by 21:00 as the seasonal change marches on.
Lucy Dorman, Base Leader 2021 - 2022
Many historic expeditions and explorers, including the men of Operation Tabarin (a top secret mission to Antarctica during World War II) have followed this same route to Antarctica. Whilst I set sail on a modern ship, the 14 men of Operation Tabarin left Stanley on 2 small ships, one of which was not ice strengthened. Not only did they have the dangers of a polar expedition in front of them, but also the potential threat of enemy forces during WWII.
This film captures the 134ft HMS William Scorseby at sea in Feb 1944 (Reproduced courtesy of BAS Archives, Ref AD6/16/1944/1.1).We, like our polar ancestors, are now heading South through the furious 50°'s and eventually to the screaming 60°’s, where the winds batter the Southern Ocean, with terrifying intensity. I cannot begin to imagine what it would have been on The Scorseby, with the men of Operation Tabarin in such weather. I am hoping to experience some of the beauty and wonder of Antarctica's wildlife on my journey there. With perhaps a small bit of Antarctic adventure thrown in. Although perhaps I should be careful what I wish for!
