Edisto (AGB 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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On 4 February, VICTORY having com- pleted her off-loading, we said goodbye to Ltjg Morris, our former engineering officer who was being transferred back to the States. Nekt day we escorted VICTORY up the channel to Tent Island where she got under- way for Lyttleton. That same day USCGC EASTWIND arrived from New Zealand and commenced replenishing our fuel supplies which were nearing the danger level. On 6 February EDISTO broke the flag of RADM David M. Tyree and movediher heli- copters off the flight deck so that a presen- tation ceremony could take place. RADM Tyree pinned the Navy Commendation Medal on Commander Evans and read the text of the commendation to the assembled crew. Commander Evans had been Commanding Officer aboard USS BURTON ISLAND CAGB' ID during her penetration of the treacherous Bellingshausen Sea in 1960's Deepfreeze. This was the first instance of a surface ship of any kind receiving this award in peace- time. A few hours after the ceremony EDISTO got underway for Little America V after embarking CTU 43.11, Commander Thurman, for what proved to be one of the trickiest and most potentially dangerous salvage jobs in Deepfreeze 61.

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Late on the evening of the first of Feb- ruary McMurdo base reported a fire in their parachute loft. EDISTO steamed to the YOG turning basin and stood by in case help was needed. Because of a lack of water supply, the Antarctic's deadliest enemy - fire - consumed the loft and a nearby quonset hut before anything could be done. Perhaps one of the most interesting facets of EDISTOQS' stay in the Sound and proof that Americans can find humor in any situation came about with the erection of several home-painted signs attesting to the virtues of UPPER Mc MURDO SOUND TUG Sl BARGE CO., INC. DAY OR NIGHT SERVICE CALL EDISTO 2716 KCSH. This Was, to no one's surprise, the brain- child of Mach Deming. Thereafter this became our call sign over voice radio and was more correct than first might seem. During her stay in Antarctica and indeed during all of her operations EDISTO proved that icebreakers are one of the most versa- tile and practical ships in the fleet. We performed the duties of air taxi, icebreaker, mail carrier, tug, reconnaisance vessel, survey ship, repair ship, floating weather station, salvage ship, and hotel for tran- sients. Concerning this last, it was not required of the guests that they register but merely appear on the quarterdeck with some word of a secret scientific mission or comf plex electronic gear and they would be given the keys to TOQ and two stewards apiece.

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little america five At 1900 on 6February EDISTO got under- way for Little America V to commence salvage operations at this, the most historic- ally hallowed, of A.ntarctica's bases. How- ever it had been deserted, rather hurriedly it seemed, at the close of 1957's summer season. Since that time ships have been returning to the base every summer to con- duct salvage work. Before 1961 it had been relatively easy, the cargo ships or ice- breakers involved merely moored to the ice shelf and loaded the gear by tractor. When EDISTO arrived -on the scene on 8 February we found that the comparatively low-hanging ice shelf had broken away to reveal the stark outlines of ice cliffs 75 feet high. After some consultation it was decided to employ our HRS helicopter. At first it seemed an impossible task to ask of HU- TRON 4, but they responded with a will. Soon working parties from the ship were being flown in to the base to begin the pre- liminary digging out. EDISTO, fearing that vibration of any kind would cause the re- maining ice to break loose remained some distance in Kainan Bay. At certain times visibility lowered to obscure the stretch of icy water but the personnel in CIC, with the aid of the airsearch radar, guided the birds safely home to mother.