United States Antarctic Service Expedition
Encyclopedia
The United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939–1941), often referred to as Byrd’s third Antarctic Expedition, was an expedition jointly sponsored by the United States Navy
, State Department
, Department of the Interior
and The Treasury
. Although a US Government sponsored expedition, additional support came from donations and gifts by private citizens, corporations and institutions.
Rear Admiral
Richard Evelyn Byrd
donated many of the supplies which he had gathered for his own expedition, the largest item being the Bear of Oakland, commissioned the USS Bear
. A second ship, the USMS North Star, a 1434-ton wooden ice ship built for the Bureau of Indian Affairs
was supplied by the Department of the Interior.
A total of 125 men departed from the United States
in the two ships of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. Most of the men who made up the expedition were solicited from the military ranks, civilian agencies of government and from scientific institutions. A few volunteers were employed by the Department of the Interior for $10 per month, food and clothing included. A total of 59 men, divided initially into three groups, wintered in Antarctica.
The objectives of the Expedition were outlined in an order from President Franklin D. Roosevelt
dated November 25, 1939. The President wanted two bases to be established: East Base, in the vicinity of Charcot Island
or Alexander I Land, or on Marguerite Bay
if no accessible site could be found on either of the specified islands; and West Base, in the vicinity of King Edward VII Land
, but if this proved impossible, a site on the Bay of Whales
at or near Little America
was to be investigated, and delineation of the continental coast line between the meridians 72 degrees W., and 148 degrees W. In view of the broad scope of the objectives and the unpredictable circumstances that always arise in Antarctica, it is remarkable that most of the objectives set for them were met.
Observations were conducted in every conceivable area: seismic, cosmic ray, auroral, biological, tidal, magnetic and physiological to name a few. All in all, it was an extremely successful expedition.
With international tensions on the rise, it was considered wise to evacuate the two bases rather than relieve the present personnel with new men who would continue to occupy the bases. It was hoped that one day this base would be reoccupied so much of the equipment and supplies were left behind as the two ships sailed from West Base on February 1. The evacuation of East Base was concluded on March 22 and both ships sailed immediately. The USMS North Star arrived in Boston
on May 5 and the USS Bear on May 18.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
, Department of the Interior
United States Department of the Interior
The United States Department of the Interior is the United States federal executive department of the U.S. government responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land and natural resources, and the administration of programs relating to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native...
and The Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
. Although a US Government sponsored expedition, additional support came from donations and gifts by private citizens, corporations and institutions.
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Richard Evelyn Byrd
Rear Admiral Richard Evelyn Byrd, Jr., USN was a naval officer who specialized in feats of exploration. He was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics...
donated many of the supplies which he had gathered for his own expedition, the largest item being the Bear of Oakland, commissioned the USS Bear
Bear (ship)
The Bear was a dual steam-powered and sailing ship built with six inch thick sides which had a long life in various cold-water and ice-filled environs. She was a forerunner of modern icebreakers and had an exceptionally diverse service life...
. A second ship, the USMS North Star, a 1434-ton wooden ice ship built for the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
was supplied by the Department of the Interior.
A total of 125 men departed from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the two ships of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition. Most of the men who made up the expedition were solicited from the military ranks, civilian agencies of government and from scientific institutions. A few volunteers were employed by the Department of the Interior for $10 per month, food and clothing included. A total of 59 men, divided initially into three groups, wintered in Antarctica.
The objectives of the Expedition were outlined in an order from President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
dated November 25, 1939. The President wanted two bases to be established: East Base, in the vicinity of Charcot Island
Charcot Island
Charcot Island or Charcot Land is an island of the British Antarctic Territory, long and wide, which is ice covered except for prominent mountains overlooking the north coast, west of Alexander Island.-History:...
or Alexander I Land, or on Marguerite Bay
Marguerite Bay
Marguerite Bay or Margaret Bay is an extensive bay on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula, which is bounded on the north by Adelaide Island and on the south by Wordie Ice Shelf, George VI Sound and Alexander Island. The mainland coast on the Antarctic Peninsula is Fallières Coast. Islands...
if no accessible site could be found on either of the specified islands; and West Base, in the vicinity of King Edward VII Land
Edward VII Peninsula
King Edward VII Land or King Edward VII Peninsula is a large, ice-covered peninsula which forms the northwestern extremity of Marie Byrd Land. The peninsula projects into the Ross Sea between Sulzberger Bay and the northeast corner of the Ross Ice Shelf, and forms part of the Ross Dependency...
, but if this proved impossible, a site on the Bay of Whales
Bay of Whales
The Bay of Whales is a natural ice harbor, or iceport, indenting the front of Ross Ice Shelf just north of Roosevelt Island. It is the southernmost point of open ocean not only of the Ross Sea, but worldwide...
at or near Little America
Little America
Little America was a series of Antarctic exploration bases, located on the Ross Ice Shelf, south of the Bay of Whales.The first base in the series was established in January 1929 by Richard Byrd, and was abandoned in 1930....
was to be investigated, and delineation of the continental coast line between the meridians 72 degrees W., and 148 degrees W. In view of the broad scope of the objectives and the unpredictable circumstances that always arise in Antarctica, it is remarkable that most of the objectives set for them were met.
Observations were conducted in every conceivable area: seismic, cosmic ray, auroral, biological, tidal, magnetic and physiological to name a few. All in all, it was an extremely successful expedition.
With international tensions on the rise, it was considered wise to evacuate the two bases rather than relieve the present personnel with new men who would continue to occupy the bases. It was hoped that one day this base would be reoccupied so much of the equipment and supplies were left behind as the two ships sailed from West Base on February 1. The evacuation of East Base was concluded on March 22 and both ships sailed immediately. The USMS North Star arrived in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
on May 5 and the USS Bear on May 18.