75 Years Ago-The U.S.S. Bear Set Sail

There are many remembrances for this day.  It's 50 years since the assassination of JFK.
 I  celebrate Hannah Claire, who turns 20.

The biggest day of my father's life happened on this day. He set sail for Antarctica and magnetic South Pole.  His diary says on Nov. 22, 1939, "75 huskies howling day and night".  Later on the trip, his autograph book is signed by Admiral Byrd.

To George W. Gibbs, Jr,

"Best wishes to one who has done so much to make our cruise more comfortable and pleasant"

 - RE Byrd

-courtesy of Leilani Henry files.  Picture on USS Bear, near Antarctic circle January 1940.

Laurence McKinley Gould - Antarctic Explorer

Laurence McKinley Gould was born today, August 22 in 1896. During my recent research, I discover the Antarctic-Minnesota connection with  Gould.  
As the first geologist to set foot on Antarctica's interior, he was Admiral Byrd's second-in-command for Byrd's first expedition to the South Pole.  From 1945 to 1962, he was President of Carlton College.  He loved Minnesota as much as my father, George W. Gibbs, Jr did.  Quote from an unofficial Carlton College site:  "I feel best in weather that makes me shiver." - On moving to Minnesota.- Laurence M. Gould

I'm inspired by Antarctic stories and connections such as this. Please write me if you have a connection to share.

Antarctica's Future

To date, Antarctica's history consumes most my research time.  There's plenty to learn about the USASE (Admiral Richard E. Byrd's III expedition to the South Pole), in order to keep writing.

I'm happy to say my brain is now tuned to future possibilities of our amazing continent. 
See this video about the robot in design to explore Lake Vostok , The Lost World. 
It may be 5 years to launch!  Go about 5 minutes into the video to see the robot plans and animation.

My First View of Ice Cores

Yesterday, after my African American History presentation to the Bureau of Reclamation, I receive an unexpected gift.

The librarian reminds me that the National Ice Core Lab is nearby.  I head over and get a tour from Richard Nunn, Assistant Curator and Geologist of the ice cores.  What a knowledgeable resource, he is!  This lab stores the world's collection of ice cores in a room -36°F.  My interest is of course the Byrd expeditions.  In the very back, where the temperature, with windchill, was about -60°F ( Calculated from the old formula- On November 1, 2001, a new formula was adopted, which makes it a little warmer :-).  

We're there for about 10 minutes.  It takes me an hour to warm up! Totally worth it.

The tubes from the 1940s and 50s are made from metal.  The new tubes are cardboard.
They keep the first ice cores, from Admiral Byrd's 1947 expedition for posterity sake. Since the most of the air is gone from the samples, the data they collect isn't accurate.
What a thrill to see the cores, with ice anywhere from 10,000 to 70,000 years old.

In the summer, the faculty plays in the thousands of year old 'snow' from the shavings they discard.  My mind is racing with climate science questions and possibilities!

George Gibbs Entry into American National Biography Online

Author and Polar Historian, Glenn M. Stein calls today.  "Hello Leilani! I'm looking at the new published entry for George W. Gibbs Jr., in the American National Biography. "Google it!"

Here's the link.  Happy 2013 MLK Holiday weekend.

I'm on the Front Page of the Denver Post Today!

New Denver Post article by Colleen O'Connor.

Today in 1940 Gibbs set foot on Antarctica!

From George W. Gibbs, Jr's journal January 14, 1940
"Jan. 14 Anchored this morning in the Bay of Whales at the South Pole and digging holes in the ice with picks and shovels. This was the only way of tying the ship up along the ice. There aren’t any docks at all, was I surprised?? When the Bear came up to the ice close enough for me to get ashore, I was the first man aboard the ship to set foot in Little America and help tie her lines deep into the snow. I met Admiral Byrd; he shook my hand and welcomed me to Little America and for being the first Negro to set foot in Little America."

Byrd's Diaries

Admiral Richard E. Byrd noted in his diaries that he was not the first person to fly over the North Pole (only the South Pole). This was known before finding this journal entry,but to see that he wrote about it, says something about his character.