Scott Base rebuilding

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33675, 26 October 1974, Page 18

Scott Base rebuilding

i Because of the deteriorating condition of existing buildings, an attempt to hasten the planned rebuilding of Scott Base will be made by Mr R. B. Thomson, superintendent of the Antarctic Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In Christchurch this week, after his first visit to the base this summer, Mr Thomson said his greatest fear in relation to the base was safety. “I just wonder what the effect of a severe storm might be; and I am concerned about the fire hazard at the base,” he said. The base foundations were not safe. The floors were buckling, and the wind got in underneath. “We had quite serious problems with the storm last month, and were

fortunate not to have lost one of the buildings,” he said. “Another problem is related to the case’s electrical and mechanical services which have now been working far in excess of the normal safe period. These things may increase the fire hazard,” Mr Thomson said. “In addition, a tremendous number of man hours have to be put in to maintain these facilities.” Such maintenance was very costly,, and parts for some of the antiquated equipment were virtually impossible to procure in New Zealand. “Generally, living conditions are acceptable to those working there, but the people who go down to the Antarctic these days Expect to see a better Scott Base,” Mr Thomson said. The replacement of Scott Base has been underway for

at least two years. It remains the last of the original International Geophysical Year stations. All the other stations in the Antarctic have been replaced either wholly or in part. One of the worries about the rebuilding of Scott Base will be the cost. Two years ago, when the Australians rebuilt Casey Station, the cost was $BOO,OOO. Scott Base is of a similar size, and with a continuing inflationary trend a new base could cost more than slm.