Header Photo: John Biscoe off Adelaide, 1974 – Photo: Chris Edwards
RRS John Biscoe II
1985 – “Abandon Ship” – in the Antarctic – Jonathan Walton
I had been asked by BAS to be a surveyor/glacio/GA for the 1985/86 summer season, finishing off a massive glaciological programme on the Rutford Ice Stream at some 79deg South, next to the Ellsworth Mountains. I had worked there for the 1978/79 season and was keen to return – imagine stupendous scenery, a wide open glacier and never ending good weather – so different from much of my earlier BAS experiences further North.
But first I had to get to Rothera to start the long series of flights to get me to the Rutford.
Sunday morning, 10th November 1985. The John Biscoe is heading South, not far off the coast of Adelaide Island, just coming into Marguerite Bay. Open water, blue skies and a light wind. Rothera is also reporting no sea-ice present so we start thinking that we might be there in 12 hours or so without having to do the Damoy shuttle which would make a brilliant start to what was likely to be a full season.
But then, on the horizon a white strip appears. Sea-ice. One of the Twin Otters flies overhead and reports that the band of ice is about 15 miles wide, relatively loose brash and after that it is clear water all the way. Excitement mounts as the ship puts her nose into the ice and makes good progress. But then, within the next hour or so and with little warning, the wind changes direction and the brash ice, instead of being loose, becomes 4ft thick gooey porridge.