TANKER HELD IN ICE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28159, 24 December 1956, Page 12

TANKER HELD IN ICE

Delay To Aviation Fuel [From BRIAN O’NEILL, “The Press” correspondent with the United States Navy’s Antarctic Expedition] ABOARD U.S.S. GLACIER, McMURDO SOUND, Dec. 21. The United States Navy tanker. Nespelen, with vital aviation fuel, is at McMurdo Sound stranded in pressure ice a mile from the solid shelf where a channel was to be cut for her. The ship was beset when field ice from the sea blew in with a north wind, surrounding her. and blocking the passage. When the Nespelen entered the sound • with five other ships of the navy task force at 8 a.m. on Thursday. the waters were open; at midday they were covered with three feet hummocky and jagged pressure ice in floes, brash, and blocks; and this morning the, Nespelen was still penned in. in spite of efforts by the Glacier to free her. After seven hours’ nerve-racking work, the Glacier had to desist for fear of pushing sharp floes under pressure through the thin hull. The ship lost 120.000 gallons of fuel last summer when damaged by ice. Penetration of the Nespelen’s tanks at this stage would cause delay to the navy operation, as 660.000 gallons ot gasoline held in them is urgently required to replenish the empty fuel farm at McMurdo, 17 miles south, for aircraft supply. The aircraft are U.S.A.F. Globemasters based on Christchurch, and wanted tor dropping 40 tons of food at the South Pole base; and fuel for the base to be built in the vicious wilderness of Marie Byrd Land. Other ships in the sound, the icebreaker Atka and the cargo ships Greenville Victory and Privates Merrell and Towle, lie 150 feet from the bay iceline. The navy is now praying for a south wind to take “loose” ice back out to sea, and allow them to get on with the summer programme. Unloading Cargo As soon as an offloading spot can be broken out of the four-foot thick bay ice edge, discharge of light cargo will begin. All hands will be engaged in a strenuous round the clock effort to get it ashore, and into use. The cargo includes eleven 40001 b weasel snow tractors for transport at McMurdo base; four miles of four-inch rubber hosing with three boostei pumps to siphon gasoline from the Nespelen to the hut point storage tank; and a year’s supply of food for 18 men who will man the South Pole station. Then will come the heavy stuff. The main items are four 35-ton tractors, required to restore the 6000 feet runway on the ice to good condition. The Glacier will have to grind o«t for the Private Towle, which is carrying them, a ’-»erthage m the ice eigh’ feet thick to take their weight. One of these machines went through the ice near here last summer, and the driver, who lost his life. Richard T. Williams, was ’commemerated when the base was named after him. As soon as the Nespelen can discharge her load of fuel, she will make for Melbourne to pick up another 660,000 gallons. The Navy was unable .to be supplied with gas in New Zealand, and had to look to Australia. Melbourne is 2900 miles from McMurdo, compared with 2500 from Christchurch.

The Glacier is expected to stay at McMurdo for about a week before putting to sea to escort vessels bound for Little America, 400 miles west on the Ross ice barrier, or Cape Adare on the north edge of the continent. where the joint United Statesdominion base will be built. RearAdmaal George J. Dufek, commander of the Task Force, has transferred his flag to the Glacier and will remain aboard indefinitely.