Supply ship for the Antarctic
Date1947
Object number00034388
NameNewspaper clipping
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 238 x 146 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA newspaper clipping titled 'Supply ship for the Antarctic. The image is titled "LST 3501"Being prepared for the Antarctic Research Expedition. "L.S.T. 350, of the Royal Australian Navy, being prepared in Captain Cook dock for the forth- / coming Australian Antarctic Expedition. She will carry supplies and equipment. Inset: Lieutenant - Commander G.M.Dixon, D.S.C., R.A.N.V.R., who will command the ship".
The Heard Island Station was established in 1947 as a scientific base. The Island is located about 2500 km south west of Fremantle, Western Australia. The Station ceased operations in March 1955.HistoryIn 1947 there was still a knowledge gap surrounding Heard Island. Whilst some information existed from early 19th Century sealers, there were no contemporary published reports. The Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition (ANARE) commenced in 1947 with the purpose of further exploration of Heard Island and to publish reports of its topography, geology, glaciology and biology as well as its meteorological and geophysical environments.
The first landing on the island was difficult as the location for the base needed to be reassessed and weather conditions made it extremely difficult to unload the tons of equipment and supplies to build and establish the station at Atlas Cove.
A review of initial landing outlines:
"However, attempts to land the expeditions stores, hut sections and heavy equipment over the following days showed that the expedition’s plywood pontoons, landing barges, and launches, plagued by mechanical breakdowns and cumulative damage, were not up to the job. Progress was slow, and the ship had insufficient fuel to remain for very long.
On 17 December Captain Dixon resolved the problem by running the ships bows ashore on the steep boulder beach at Wharf Point and by evening, the tractor, 300 drums of fuel, and many tons of stores had been unloaded. At 2000 hours the ship backed off, but then swung and went aground broadside to the beach. All efforts to re float her failed and bad weather was forecast. Then at 2300 hours the light wind briefly shifted to the east and the ship swung free. Half an hour after she had anchored safely in Atlas Roads a westerly gale began, which would have wrecked the ship had she still been aground. "
[Budd, G.M, 'Exploration of Heard Island, 1947 - 1971', ASLOP, 2006, University of Tasmania.)SignificanceHMS LST 3501 would later be renamed HMS LABUAN in 1948 and Cape Labuan on Heard Island is named after the ship.
1901 - 1904