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Visit of Sir Douglas Mawson to HMAS WYATT EARP prior to its departure for Antarctica
Visit of Sir Douglas Mawson to HMAS WYATT EARP prior to its departure for Antarctica

Visit of Sir Douglas Mawson to HMAS WYATT EARP prior to its departure for Antarctica

Date1947
Object numberANMS1445[075]
NamePhotograph
MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 152 × 100 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Rhod Cook
DescriptionSir Douglas Mawson visited the Antarctic research vessel HMAS WYATT EARP at Port Adelaide shortly after its re-commissioning on 17 November 1947. Mawson is seen on deck with three with members of the 1947-1948 Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE), identified as left to right - Campbell (Leader), Irwin (Engineer) and William Frank Cook (First Lieutenant).HistoryLincoln Ellsworth (1880-1951) made four expeditions to Antarctica between 1933 and 1939 using MS WYATT EARP as an aircraft transporter and base. The ship was a former Norwegian herring boat. In 1939 it was purchased from Ellsworth by the Australian Government and handed over the Royal Australian Navy. On restarting its Antarctic research program the ship was recommissioned by the Australian Government as HMAS WYATT EARP on 17 November 1947 at Port Adelaide and William Frank Cook appointed First Lieutenant. Following a visit by the Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, it sailed for Williamstown, Victoria, in December 1947 for preparation and loading, which included an OS2U Kingfisher amphibian aircraft of the RAAF. HMAS WYATT EARP left from Nelson Pier, Williamstown, on 19 December 1947 and proceeded to Hobart. Gales caused some problems en route. After several days in Hobart, the ship left for the Antarctic on 26 December 1947, but storm damage caused its return to Melbourne for repairs, leaving again on 8 February 1948. Bad weather made landing at Adelie Land impossible. HMAS WYATT EARP made for Macquarie Island where it met HMAS LABUAN and transferred a team of scientists over to it. HMAS WYATT EARP then returned to Melbourne ending its career in the RAN.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.