This page features a variety of videos and audio tracks from a wide range of sources and vintages. Many are from members. All relate to Antarctic history. All members are encouraged to submit similar material for archiving here, and linking to the Time Trek application.
NOTE: These videos play at the same time as they are downloaded. Depending on the amount of internet traffic at the time, the speed of your internet connection, and the speed of your computer, the video may pause briefly from time to time during playing. If the video or audio does not play at all and a blank screen appears, it is usually because you do not have the Flash Player on your computer. If this is the case, the Flash Player may be downloaded free from www.adobe.com.
Antarctic Traverse Adventures 1959-61
The years immediately following the International Geophysical Year (IGY) were exciting ones. The IGY had just scratched the surface of Antarctic science and exploration, and many of those who participated in that historic event returned to continue the work. Dr. Edwin Robinson was one of those young scientists who began their long career in Antarctic science at this time. This video is a documentary of the first extensive aerial and over-snow scientific traverses following the IGY. The footage was shot by Dr. Robinson himself and it offers an intimate glimpse of life on the trail. Videographer Ed Williams, MD collaborated with Dr. Robinson to produce this excellent video.
My Year at Hallett Station 1960-61 by Joseph A. Kelly, MD
A video interview,including photos, with Dr. Joe Kelly, of his tour with the US Navy in Antarctica as Officer in Charge and Medical Officer of Hallett Station during Deep Freeze - 61. It is a very honest recounting - sometimes humorous, sometimes sad - of a young physician's coming of age, as it were, during this most challenging year of his life. We think you will enjoy this video. Dr. Kelly would welcome your comments at j2kel@webtv.net. This interview was filmed and edited by Tom Henderson in November, 2009.
Amory "Bud" Waite Recollects BAE II
Bud Waite made this presentation to the Northern New Jersey Amateur Radio Club in October, 1974. He specifically recounts his first Antarctic experience on the Second Byrd Antarctic Expedition in 1933, on which he participated in the perilous winter rescue of Admiral Byrd from Advance Base. He also talks about his revisit to Little America and his tour of various Antarctic bases during the IGY in 1956-57.
The Great Sledge Journey of 1929
Dr. Laurence Gould, second-in-command of the Admiral Richard E. Byrd's 1929 expedition to Antarctica, led a team of men and dogs across the Great Barrier - the Ross Ice Shelf - while Admiral Byrd became the first to fly over the Geographic South Pole. The 1500-mile journey served as both emergency support for Byrd's historic flight and as a scientific exploration of the Trans-Antarctic Mountains. Larry Gould shot almost all of the movie film shown in this 20-minute presentation and also serves as the narrator. It is an excellent example of first-hand documentation of historic Antarctic events.
The International Geophysical Year 1957
Ralph Glasgal created this documentary of his experiences in 1957-59 as part of the expedition that constructed and operated Wilkes Station (eventually replaced by Casey Station). This was part of the historic multi-national science program known as the International Geophysical Year (IGY). He and 25 other men spent the first winter there. Ralph documented this event using a 16-mm movie camera, a still photo camera and his personal diary (which appears under Pack Ice on this website). He later converted his movie film to DVD format, which is the source of the video that appears below. Thanks to Ralph's foresight and sense of history, we can now share in the adventure that he experienced over 50 years ago. Narrated by Ralph Glasgal. Copyright Ralph Glasgal, all rights reserved. Click the title above to play the videos.
IGY Rescues
This is an interview with Hugh Bennett, Steve DenHartog and Ed Robinson recorded at Paul Dalrymple's home in Port Clyde, July 2008 by Ed Williams M.D. It includes two first-hand accounts of separate rescues of their colleagues during the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58. The first is a crevasse rescue of Peter Schoeck on the Ross Ice Shelf Traverse and the second is the rescue of Bert Crary following his unexpected ride into Kainan Bay on a calving ice flow at Little America V. Click the title.
Recording of Sir Ernest Shackleton After the 1907-09 Expedition
This recording - source unknown - was evidently done between Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition and his later expedition aboard the Endurance. We hear in his own words a description of that earlier expedition during which his party reached a point within 97 miles of the Geographic South Pole, the furthest south at that time.
Press the arrow symbol on the left side of the bar to play the recording (4 min.)
Operation Tabarin - 1943
"During World War II, Operation Tabarin was a small British military expedition launched from the UK in 1943 to the Antarctic to establish permanently-occupied bases. There were several reasons for Tabarin. Prior to the start of the war, German aircraft had dropped markers with swastikas across Queen Maud Land in an attempt to create a territorial claim, New Swabia. In 1943, British personnel from HMS Carnarvon Castle removed Argentine flags from Deception Island. There were also concerns within the Foreign Office about the direction of United States' post-war activity in the region. So, one reason was to establish solid British claims to various uninhabited islands and parts of Antarctica, reinforced by Argentine sympathies toward Germany.
Secondly, there was a need to deny opportunities to the enemy. Germany was known to use remote islands as rendezvous points and as shelters for raiders, U-boats and supply ships. Also, in 1941, there had been a fear that Japan might attempt to seize the Falkland Islands, either as a base or hand them to Argentina, thus gaining political advantage for the Axis and denying their use to Britain. Deception Island, in the British South Shetland Islands, possessed a sheltered anchorage with an old Norwegian whaling station. In 1941, the British (aboard HMS Queen of Bermuda) had taken the precaution of destroying coal dumps and oil tanks there, to prevent their possible use by the Germans." (Source: Wikipedia)
This audio program was program was produced by the British Broadcasting Company.
Press the arrow symbol on the left side of the bar to play the recording (28 min.)
An Afternoon with Norman Vaughn at Cyrano's
This recording of the legendary Norman Vaughn was made at Cyrano's Playhouse in Anchorage, Alaska in 1997. Norman made multiple trips to the Antarctic, beginning with the first Byrd Expedition in 1929. These stories include vignettes from that expedition as well as others from Little America. Norman passed away at age 100 in 2005. Used with permission of his widow, Ms. Carolyn Muegge-Vaughn.
Press the arrow symbol on the left side of the bar to play the recording (43 min.)