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This day in history: the R.S.A. sets sail on its maiden Antarctic voyage in 1962
January 6, 2016 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
On 6 January 1962 the R.S.A., South Africa’s first Antarctic supply ship that has only arrived on its delivery voyage from Japan a few days earlier, sets sail for Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica on its first voyage south.
Under the command of Captain Kenneth Thomas McNish the ship has aboard the 13 members of the Third SANAE Overwintering Team (S3) under the leadership of radio technician Marten du Preez (who has previously been a member of S1). Also on the voyage are two tracked Muskeg tractors, 10 husky dogs, – five of them puppies, along with five tons of whale meat to feed them, and three budgerigars as “pets for the base”. The ship’s cargo includes construction materials to build SANAE 1, South Africa’s first purpose-built Antarctic base, which is to replace Norway Station used by the First and Second SANAE Teams. A 13-man PWD team led by veteran Frank McCall is aboard to undertake the erecting.
To get through the pack ice around Antarctica the ship is carrying an experienced ice pilot, Commander Jack Netterberg D.S.C. of the South African Navy, who was aboard the Polarbjorn that took S1 south in December 1959.
With thanks to Duncan Baker (S3) for photographs.
Reference:
McNish, K.T. 1971. The Eternal Ice. Cape Town: Tafelberg. 110 pp.
John Cooper, Principal Investigator, Antarctic Legacy of South Africa, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University