This comprehensive book, the sixth by the author, is very timely for the several 50th anniversaries it commemorates. As well as its principal subject the combination of the International Geophysical Year (IGY), foundation of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, and negotiation of the Antarctic Treaty are all relevant. New Zealand was a major contributor to all these international events. The author has written several books and many papers on this subject that he knows both from practical and theoretical aspects.
The book starts with a general introduction to the interest of New Zealand in the Ross Sea region, which was designated the Ross Dependency in 1923. Indeed it was the foundation of the New Zealand Antarctic Society in 1933 that began a slow, but continuous, effort to strengthen the interest of the government (and subsequently in the conservation of the historic huts). The early part of the book concisely summarises activities in that region and includes brief mentions of New Zealand activities elsewhere in the Antarctic, notably with the Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911–1914, and the British, Australian New Zealand Antarctic Research Expeditions of 1929–1930 and 1930–1931.
A combination of two expeditions was responsible for the beginning of continuous New Zealand operations: the support party of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition and the Royal Society International Geophysical Year Expedition. Trevor Hatherton reconnoitred a site for a station during the 1955–1956 summer and both expeditions established a combined station, ‘Scott Base’, in the next summer. These were led by Sir Edmund Hillary and Trevor Hatherton respectively. After winter the Trans-Antarctic party pioneered a route which, eventually, reached the South Pole and was then used by the crossing party (led by Dr Vivian Fuchs). The Royal Society party was involved in the IGY programmes. Construction of the station, which became ‘Scott Base’, began on 9 January 1957. On 20 January Harold Ruegg, Administrator of the Ross Dependency, presided over the raising of the New Zealand flag on a flagpole formerly used at Captain Scott's hut at Hut Point. During the 1957 winter 18 Trans-Antarctic and five Royal Society men wintered. On 31 January a combined New Zealand and United States station was established at Cape Hallett for IGY research and as a weather station for flights from New Zealand to Ross Island (the Campbell Island station and a picket ship also provided data). The winter complement included three New Zealanders. Thus was the beginning of continuous New Zealand Antarctic activities.
David Harrowfield's book consequently has much to cover and this is done in a series of thematic chapters. Research from ‘Scott Base’ included the usual meteorological and geophysical observations with regional geology and glaciology. In addition, it had a New Zealand speciality; volcanology. Throughout its history new buildings were constructed and old ones demolished. The first building is, fortuitously, preserved (and is now closer to the ‘heroic age’ than to the present). Administrative arrangements responded to changes and the quotation from the prime minister in 1973 epitomises the modern circumstances: ‘[t]he needs today are much greater than when Scott Base was first occupied.’ Thus the administrative history, and extension of ‘Scott Base’, are described in a separate chapter.
Farther afield investigation of the several dry valleys began in 1958 after which a base was established near Lake Vanda that, with the exception of three winters, was a summer station until rising water necessitated its removal. Other summer stations for particular purposes were established, notable amongst these was Cape Bird, eponymous for penguin and skua studies. ‘Deep Field’ expeditions penetrated the more distant parts of the Ross Dependency and a proportion were combined operations with United States scientists. International aspects have, in all programmes, been significant with long-term Japanese research being notable.
Mountaineering has always been a strong New Zealand activity (indeed the ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary is a direct association). Thus, perhaps more than any comparable Antarctic programme, members of the New Zealand Alpine Club have made many ascents and conducted survey along the coastal ranges of Victoria Land. Likewise accounts of the involvement of several universities in various research projects is described. The variable effects of occasional private expeditions from various countries are noted as are the arrival of tourist expeditions. While many of these are welcome and a few are able support research, their effects on base have been significant.
The book concludes with a detailed series of appendices, comprehensive notes (referenced by number throughout the text), a bibliography and detailed index. Lists of complements of wintering personnel, decorations awarded, arts fellows, and current senior personnel are appended. A chronological table concisely outlines the history of the New Zealand Antarctic Programme from 1955. Endnotes are comprehensive and a detailed index is provided. A selection of maps appears at the beginning of the book but it has been difficult to make these adequately detailed (although inserts and keys assist). The large number, over 150, of well-reproduced illustrations is an asset; most are monochrome and appear throughout the text with a section of colour plates emphasising specific themes.
Earlier accounts of New Zealand's Antarctic involvement include the accounts by Adrian Hayter published in Reference Hayter1968 (The year of the quiet sun) and Warren Herrick in Reference Herrick1997 (A year on ice), general histories by Les Quartermain in Reference Quartermain1967 and Reference Quartermain1971 (South to the pole, and New Zealand and the Antarctic), Trevor Hatherton in Reference Hatherton2001 (Antarctica: the Ross Sea region) and various other works (including several by David Harrowfield). These, with many others, are listed in the 70 bibliographical references. This volume provides an efficient 50th anniversary companion which consolidates the previous writings. Of necessity, considering the time New Zealand has been active in Ross Sea regions, the amount of exploration and research conducted, and practical size of the book, some subjects are covered in summary only. The number of persons listed in the acknowledgements, however, indicates a very broad degree of general inquiry.
It is also significant that, during the past few years, Australian, Norwegian, and several other histories of national Antarctic operations have been published, and others, such as the history of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, are in preparation. Thus this one makes another important contribution to the history of the remotest continent.
