ANARE HMAS WYATT EARP envelope sent to Mrs W.F. Cook from Macquarie Island
Date1947
Object numberANMS1445[070]
NameEnvelope
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 88 × 165 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rhod Cook
DescriptionWilliam Frank Cook RAN, was First Lieutenant of HMAS WYATT EARP, the primary research vessel for the Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition of 1947-1948. The envelope is decorated with a drawing of the ship, and penguins in the lower corners. Addressed to Mrs W.F. Cook in Rose Bay it was sent from Macquarie Island.SignificanceThe Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition was the first concerted effort by Australia to establish permanent scientific research stations in Antarctica following the end of the Second World War. In many respects, the ANARE was the precursor of today's Australian Antarctic Division, and the organisation persists today as a conglomerate of several Australian governmental and non-governmental organisations. HMAS Wyatt Earp was specifically selected for the inaugural expedition because it had been used in prior Antarctic voyages of exploration and research. It was the first--but by no means last--commissioned Royal Australian Navy vessel to partake in scientific voyages to Antarctica. The signal log pages chronicle Wyatt Earp's movements during the expedition, as well as weather conditions encountered by its crew, and other observations that are not mentioned in general histories of the expedition.
William Cook had a distinguished naval career, and served aboard notable Australian warships during the Second World War, including HMAS Perth (I), HMAS Voyager (I) and HMAS Nizam. He was mentioned in despatches for his service aboard Voyager during the Greek campaign in 1941. Awarded command of Nizam at the age of 28, Cook became the youngest Australian to command a destroyer during the conflict. He was later present at Tokyo Bay (while in command of Nizam) during the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on 2 September 1945.
