Edisto (AGB 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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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.

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hallett station After returning to McMurdo, EDISTO moored in the Sound until the arrival of USS ARNEB CAKA-562 and her escort, EAST- WIND. When ARNEB'S cargo for Mac had been unloaded and two days prior to her departure for Hallett Station on the northern coast of the continent EDISTO departed for that area to recon the off-loading situation and take several bathythermograph stations in the Ross Sea. Shortly, ARNEB arrived and the first of the LCM's started for the beach. During the unloading we went off in search of other adventure. Our hydrographic team took bottom samples and we spent our time leisurely cruising up and down the bay. Soon a small blue dotted line appeared on the quartermaster's chart indicating the area of safe movement within the harbor. Some bridge Wag immediately dubbed it Mr. Keeler's Playpen, and some of us wondered if, when cargoops had been completed, Mr. KEELER'S guardian would at last open the gate and let us go home. On 3 March troubles began to arrive with disturbing regularity. The surf on the beach at the unloading area increased so as to make cargo off-loading at that end nearly impossible. One LCM broached in the heavy swells and was severely damaged. Winds increased to forty knots and seas mounted Operations were temporarily suspended.