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2/20/1962 - South Pole Station: Some Problems of Precipitation and Personnel by John Tuck, Jr.

NOT FOR PUBLICATION INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS JT West Dayton Street South Pole Station Madison Wisconsin Some Problems Precipitation Personnel February Mr Richard H Nolte Institute Current World Affairs Madison Avenue New York N Y Dear Dick The complaints heard emperaures deree range personal tendency niely chill brim4s similar temperSures seemed extremely balmy marked height summer This South Pole Station where maximum oeratures degrees above recorded minima below Such temperature minima attract popular attention commiseration despite extreme weather South Pole Station humah sense severe other Antarctic stations where greater total accunlation harsh prolonged blizzards driving drift create nditions unpleasantand damagimg caused extremely temperatures alone The accumulation drifts around buildings caused considerable concern inconvenience actual damage buildings other structures American inland bases Byrd Station South Pole Station The situation Byrd drastic Pole damage structures original station built extensive construction undersnow station begun complete nearly At South Pole Station there similar problem though lesser magnitude Total annual accunlation slight about contrast figure about Byrd Station Buildings tunnels Pole suffered damage weight weight drift accumnlation Both Pole Byrd Stations built surface framed chicken burlap covered tunnels connecting various buildings Undoubtedly inhabitants Antarctic stations interest return visit There changes evoke admiration others noted distinct enthusiasm It always difficult objective preven subjective feeling coloring would honest uation observed conditions JT IO During An6arctic vinterings N A F lcado South Pole Station I I extreely fortunate being station during first operation Thee greater feeling accompllsbment advantage starting unlike succeeding goups Inherited problems predecessors My Antarctic Deep Peeze confirmed heightened belief first otune In several situation Pole Station negative impress To enumerate detail changing conditio pmoblems Pole Station would obscure basic considerations fundamentals which planning personnel With particular regard planning however should remembered recent Antarctic effort originally predicated establisnent maintenance scientific stations International Geophysical Yea July December planned close stations period They built become permanent Nonetheless construction Pole Station possible build though temporary improvisations necessary recent additions station impression range coordinated plaing Recognizing planning simple being personally unfamiliar entered consideration I leave visible results indicate potential planning improvement The Antarctic predominantly civilian scientific program supported mainly military presents added difficulties coordinated planning The dualism lower levels facet major serious personnel problem The wintering groups Pole military personnel civilian scientists The Military Leader respon sible oeration maintenance station Scientific Leader implementation scientific rOgram There areas overlap between tbAngs ilitary things scientific Neither leader overall authority In cases where along occured results damaging entire group Further tensions arise reconuendations advice previous pertinent Antarctic perience ignored opposite nuber previous experience This however previous polar experience automatically qualifies station Scientific ilitary Leader Lack experienced personnel failure personnel profit experience others least partially responsible present physical problems JT IO Pole Station The poblem simple state damage buildings tunnels weight dmift latlon The solution simple prevention problem possible Prevention easiest start conscious effort elidnate drift causing obstl uctions thing projecting above level Somethings tower stoeplpes engine exhaust pipes cannot elininated The dmift caused shovelled As general surface level around pimarily drift Job removal becomes difficult Yet could tackled conscientiously continually building tunnel damage would sustained Knowledgeable people IIc people should known before I visited Pole there poblems buildings tunnels A weeks later chapel sections tunnels collapsed uneven lines vjith heavy accumu lation Thee other signs general specific neglect Pole Station dereliction utter disregard being those would winte Ove The responsibility could The Navy responsibility constaction tenance support scientific program The pemiod isolation requies presence doctor exception doctor Pole designated Milltamy Leade Good doctoms necessarily ilitary Leade Antarctic station Their expemience medl6l polar opemaionS faced responsibilities which qualified tackle Thee greate degree expeience various Scientific Leaders however I believe entire program would measurably enhanced illtay Leade officer experience construction pmoblems overall maintenance pmeferably polar training In short Seabee would bettem equipped handle doctor I Antarctica Pole I learned enough I inheriting problems I Hopefully policy change JT IO chosen litary Leaders whose backgrounds germane existing situation It criticize Very sincerely Jack Tuck Received New York February