Edisto (AGB 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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'EVEN' High winds and seas continued until EASTWIND, planning only a short stop at Hallet on her way around the world and other places, arrived and a council of war at the top level decreed that as soon as winds died down unloading would proceed by helicopter utilizing both HRS types from the two ice- breakers. That night EDISTO and EASTWIND Went alongside ARNEB to receive 600 barrels of diesel oil for further transfer Haller and Flight Quarters aboard both ships was sounded at first light. Helo ops continued through the day and when they ceased at back door app roach

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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.

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2130 491 barrels had been transferred. The pilots had flown almost continually for 20 hours and working parties had worked equally long getting the barrelsup to the flight deck. The next day more oil was passed to EDISTO but bad weather cancelled flight operations. The heavy -seas continued on into the next day and ARNEB was forced to up anchor and steam for open water. Time was growing very short now and more and more the race became one against i ...miriam vice. Helos raced over the landing craft in a last effort to resupply the base. Early the next morning it became clear that We had succeeded. The versatility and spirit of icebreaker men had been proved again We signalled good luck to EASTWIND and set our course, at last for New Zealand and our first liberty in over eighty days occasional mike bmi time. In a few days the Antarctic would lock the area in such abominable weather that to remain in Hallet would endanger the ships themselves. Messages flowed over the 2716 circuit striking more and more items from the critical list. At last on ll March we experienced a break in the weather. ARNEB returned and every available means was used for cargo off-loading, Even the LCVP's from both icebreakers were pressed into critical ser-