Icy Graves: Exploration and Death in the Antarctic

304 Pages·2018·4.95 MB·English

by  Stephen Haddelsey

The remembrance of these experiences makes one almost fear to encourage good and brave men to
penetrate these forbidding regions. But it is not all gloom and depression beyond the Polar circles. Sunshine
and lively hope soon return.
Dr John Murray
Naturalist on the Challenger Expedition (1872–76) ‘The Renewal of Antarctic
Exploration’
Geographical Journal, January 1894
Thus, as knowledge grows, the power of the explorer increases, and the old-time hardships that we read of
seem curious fantasies or epics of heroic men battling blindly with ignorance.
Dr Robert Rudmose-Brown
Naturalist on the Scotia Expedition (1902–04) ‘Some Problems of Polar
Geography’
Scottish Geographical Magazine, 1927
The great mystery of the South ever challenges to one fight more, and here death, dressed in storm,
darkness, and cold, bandages no man’s eyes.
Admiral Richard E. Byrd
‘Our Navy Explores Antarctica’
National Geographic, October 1947

For the brothers Haddelsey,
Richard and Martin

First published 2018
The History Press
The Mill, Brimscombe Port Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 2QG
www.thehistorypress.co.uk
© Stephen Haddelsey, 2018
The right of Stephen Haddelsey to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance
with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and
recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the
Publishers.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 978 0 7509 8880 3
Typesetting and origination by The History Press Printed and bound in Great Britain by TJ International Ltd
eBook converted by Geethik Technologies
C
ONTENTS
Acknowledgements
Author’s Note
Introduction
1 ‘The Worst Thing Possible’ – Fire in Antarctica
2 ‘Strengthening His Majesty’s Title’ – British Deaths on Sea Ice
3 ‘A Tremendous Asset’ – The Advent of Mechanised Transport
4 ‘A Peculiar Madness’ – Mental Illness and Suicide in Antarctica
5 ‘Spectacular Daring’ – The Birth of Antarctic Aviation
6 ‘Cold, Very Cold’ – Deaths by Hypothermia
Afterword: ‘They are of the Type …’ – Risk and Risk-Taking in the Antarctic
Notes
Select Bibliography
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In examining the circumstances of so many fatalities it has, of course, been
impossible not to form judgements regarding certain decisions made in the field.
In doing so, I have been acutely aware of the potential criticisms that might
ensue. After all, I was not there – and I do not claim first-hand familiarity with
the challenges of operating in Antarctic conditions. For this reason, as well as
basing my accounts very closely upon contemporary diaries, letters, reports,
inquests and interview transcripts, I have repeatedly sought the opinion of those
who were there, and who have experienced the conditions for themselves. I am,
therefore, particularly grateful to the following Antarctic veterans for sharing
their recollections and views, and, in some cases, for reading portions of the
manuscript: Ray Berry (FIDS), Ken Blaiklock OBE (FIDS & Commonwealth
Trans-Antarctic Expedition), Dr John Dudeney OBE (BAS), Peter Gibbs (FIDS),
Professor Rainer Goldsmith (Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition), John
Hall MBE (BAS), Dr Graham Hurst (BAS), Dr Des Lugg (Australian Antarctic
Division), Dr David Pratt CBE, FIMechE (Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic
Expedition), Roderick Rhys Jones (BAS & British Antarctic Monument Trust),
Pete Salino (BAS), the late Professor William Sladen MBE (FIDS), and Dr
Yoshio Yoshida (Fourth Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition). Any opinions
expressed, and mistakes committed, remain the sole responsibility of the author.
In addition, I have benefited enormously from the assistance of Billy-Ace
Baker (American Polar Society), James Brooks (Head of Court and Tribunals
Service, the Falkland Islands Government), Brian Dorsett-Bailey (brother of
Jeremy Bailey), Mrs Irene Gillies (sister of Alistair ‘Jock’ Forbes), Dr Henry
Guly (BAS Medical Unit), Derek Gunn (son of Bernie Gunn), Professor
Matthew Hall (Professor of Law & Criminal Justice, University of Lincoln),
David Harrowfield, Dr David Keatley (School of Psychology, University of
Lincoln), the Coroner’s Office of the Falkland Islands Government, Dr Peter