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Rawson Mountains (Antarctica)

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The Rawson Mountains ( 86°43′S 154°40′W  /  86.717°S 154.667°W  / -86.717; -154.667 ) lie within the Queen Maud Mountains to the southeast of the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. They are a crescent-shaped range of tabular, ice-covered mountains including Fuller Dome, Mount Wyatt and Mount Verlautz, standing southeast of Nilsen Plateau and extending southeast for 18 nautical miles (33 km; 21 mi) to the west side of Scott Glacier .

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113-754: The Rawson Mountains were discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn. They were named by Richard E. Byrd for Frederick H. Rawson, American banker and contributor to the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions of 1928-30 and 1933-35. The Rawson Mountains are to the southeast of Nilsen Plateau and south of the head of the Holdsworth Glacier . The Scott Glacier forms to their east and flows north towards

226-682: A navigator and expedition leader crossed the Atlantic Ocean, a segment of the Arctic Ocean, and a segment of the Antarctic Plateau . He is also known for discovering Mount Sidley , the largest dormant volcano in Antarctica. Byrd claimed to be the first to reach both the North and South Poles by air. However, there is some controversy as to whether or not Byrd was actually the first person to reach

339-707: A dominant figure in the Virginia Democratic Party from the 1920s until the 1960s; their father served as Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates for a time. On January 20, 1915, Richard married Marie Ames Byrd (d. 1974). He would later name a region of Antarctic land he discovered " Marie Byrd Land " after her, and a mountain range, the Ames Range , after her father. They had four children – Richard Evelyn Byrd III , Evelyn Bolling Byrd Clarke, Katharine Agnes Byrd Breyer, and Helen Byrd Stabler. By late 1924,

452-611: A letter from Nuku Hiva (the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia ) to Chambers, the ship's commanding officer, commending him and his crew "for the courage and efficiency" displayed following the explosion that made Byrd "feel proud to be an American. Great heroism was displayed, especially by the men who lost their lives rescuing the wounded." Byrd completed the Special Mission in December and participated in

565-522: A member of a USARP field party in this area during the 1978-79 season. 86°58′S 153°50′W  /  86.967°S 153.833°W  / -86.967; -153.833 . A mountain, 2,780 metres (9,120 ft) high, standing 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) west of Mount Wilbur at the head of Scott Glacier. Discovered and ascended in December 1934 by members of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn. Named by them for Charles E. Weaver, professor of paleontology at

678-560: A north-south direction about 90 miles. Thorvald Nilsen Mountains (Mount Thorvald Nilsen) (86°W' S.,158°00' W.), a mountain massif of the Queen Maud Range, rise to elevations of about 13,000 feet and lie between the upper parts of the Scott and Amundsen Glaciers. The Will Hays Mountains (85°57' S., 155°20' W.) also in the Queen Maud Range, surmount the divide between the lower ends of these two glaciers. Mount Thorne rises to 6,000 feet in

791-572: A parade in New York City, and Congress passed a special act on December 21, 1926, promoting him to the rank of commander and awarding both Floyd Bennett and him the Medal of Honor . The Josephine Ford was flown around the country in celebration. Bennett was promoted to the warrant officer rank of machinist. Byrd and Bennett were presented with Tiffany Cross versions of the Medal of Honor on March 5, 1927, at

904-723: A pet dog, Igloo, who accompanied Byrd to the North and South poles and who is buried at the Pine Ridge Pet Cemetery with a tombstone that reads "He was more than a friend." Byrd attended the Virginia Military Institute for two years and transferred to the University of Virginia , before financial circumstances inspired his starting over and taking an appointment to the United States Naval Academy , where he

1017-455: A privately financed expedition, where he headed the inaugural aircraft crew that successfully flew over the South Pole. Byrd strongly advocated for ski-equipped aircraft, despite the considerable operational, logistical, and maintenance challenges they posed, necessitating the establishment of significant onshore bases to address these issues. As a result of his achievement, Byrd was promoted to

1130-736: A sailor who had fallen overboard. In April 1914, he transferred to the armored cruiser USS Washington and served in Mexican waters in June following the American intervention in April. His next assignment was to the gunboat USS Dolphin , which also served as the yacht of the Secretary of the Navy. This assignment brought Byrd into contact with high-ranking officials and dignitaries, including then Assistant Secretary of

1243-617: A time as Honorary National President (1931–1935) of Pi Gamma Mu , the international honor society in the social sciences. He carried the society's flag during his first Antarctic expedition to dramatize the spirit of adventure into the unknown, characterizing both the natural and social sciences. To finance and gain both political and public support for his expeditions, Byrd actively cultivated relationships with many powerful individuals, including President Franklin Roosevelt, Henry Ford, Edsel Ford, John D. Rockefeller Jr. , and Vincent Astor . As

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1356-559: A token of his gratitude, Byrd named geographic features in the Antarctic after his supporters. On his second expedition during the summer of 1933–1934, (it was winter in the US, above the equator) Byrd spent five months alone operating a meteorological station, Advance Base, from which he narrowly escaped with his life after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning from a poorly ventilated stove. Unusual radio transmissions from Byrd finally began to alarm

1469-762: Is a major glacier, 120 nautical miles (220 km; 140 mi) long, that drains the East Antarctic Ice Sheet through the Queen Maud Mountains to the Ross Ice Shelf . The Scott Glacier is one of a series of major glaciers flowing across the Transantarctic Mountains , with the Amundsen Glacier to the west and the Leverett and Reedy glaciers to the east. The Scott Glacier originates on

1582-411: Is numbered 753 in the Scott's Catalog. The U.S. Post Office contracted with the expedition for this purpose as it had no other means to deliver mail to and from the Antarctic. Approximately 150,000 pieces of such mail went through the special Antarctic post office in 1933 to 1934. As only members of the post office were authorized to postmark and handle mail, Charles F. Anderson, a special representative of

1695-635: Is the southernmost mountain in the world. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party led by Quin Blackburn. Named by Admiral Byrd for Louis McHenry Howe , secretary to the President of the United States at that time, Franklin D. Roosevelt. 87°04′S 153°46′W  /  87.067°S 153.767°W  / -87.067; -153.767 . A solitary volcanic cone, 2,720 metres (8,920 ft) high, standing 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) north of D'Angelo Bluff, on

1808-802: The Antarctic Plateau in the vicinity of D'Angelo Bluff and Mount Howe , and descends between the Nilsen Plateau and the mountains of the Watson Escarpment to enter Ross Ice Shelf just west of the Tapley Mountains . The Tapley Mountains , Watson Escarpment , Mount Blackburn , and the La Gorce Mountains bound the Scott Glacier on its eastern margin, while the Karo Hills , Hays Mountains , Faulkner Escarpment , and Rawson Mountains define

1921-663: The Beardmore Glacier to the west en route to the South Pole in 1911–12. It was first ski traversed in January 1990 by Martyn Williams (Canada, the leader and guide) and Jerry Corr (USA) traveling from the South Pole to the Ross Ice Shelf and then by Mike McDowell (Australia) in 1992, on a ski traverse from the South Pole to the coast. Thus Williams and Corr were the first people to traverse Antarctica under human power as described in

2034-591: The Gothic Mountains . It drains west between Outlook Peak and Organ Pipe Peaks into Scott Glacier. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN aerial photographs, 1960-64. The descriptive name was proposed by Edmund Stump, leader of a USARP-Arizona State University geological party which established a base camp on the glacier in January 1981. 85°52′S 151°00′W  /  85.867°S 151.000°W  / -85.867; -151.000 . A glacier, 25 nautical miles (46 km; 29 mi) long, flowing west along

2147-613: The Hays Mountains . Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-64. Named by US-ACAN in association with Mount Vaughan. 85°42′S 154°24′W  /  85.700°S 154.400°W  / -85.700; -154.400 . A low gradient glacier flowing northeast from Mount Griffith in the Hays Mountains to the Karo Hills . First seen and roughly mapped by the ByrdAE, 1928-30. Named by US-ACAN for Peter H. Koerwitz, biolab manager at McMurdo Station in 1965. Tributaries from

2260-586: The Legion of Merit . In 1946, Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal appointed Byrd as officer in charge of Antarctic Developments Project. Byrd's fourth Antarctic expedition was code-named Operation Highjump . It was the largest Antarctic expedition to date and was expected to last 6–8 months. The expedition was supported by a large naval force (designated Task Force 68), commanded by Rear Admiral Richard H. Cruzen . Thirteen US Navy support ships (besides

2373-517: The Ross Ice Shelf . The Amundsen Glacier forms to their west and flows northwest towards the Ross Ice Shelf. Features of the Rawson Mountains, from west to east, include Fuller Dome, Mount Wyatt and Mount Verlautz. To the south of the mountains is the Poulter Glacier , which in turn is north of the isolated Mount Innes-Taylor, Mount Saltonstall, Mount Weaver and Mount Wilbur. To the north of

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2486-455: The Tapley Mountains to enter Scott Glacier just south of Mount Durham . Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-64. Named by US-ACAN for Derrell M. Roe, a member of summer parties at McMurdo Station in 1963-64 and 1964–65 and station engineer with the McMurdo winter party in 1966. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of

2599-696: The United States Strategic Bombing Survey (USSBS) in 1944 to 1945. On February 10, 1945, Byrd received the Order of Christopher Columbus from the government of the Dominican Republic . Byrd was present at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. He was released from active duty on October 1, 1945. In recognition of his service during World War II, Byrd received two awards of

2712-450: The Virginia (Byrd's birth state). A base camp named " Little America " was constructed on the Ross Ice Shelf , and scientific expeditions by snowshoe , dog sled , snowmobile , and airplane began. To increase the interest of youth in arctic exploration, a 19-year-old American Boy Scout , Paul Allman Siple , was chosen to accompany the expedition. Siple went on to earn a doctorate and

2825-562: The White House by President Calvin Coolidge . Since 1926, doubts have been raised, defenses made, and heated controversy arose over whether or not Byrd actually reached the North Pole. In 1958, Norwegian-American aviator and explorer Bernt Balchen cast doubt on Byrd's statement on the basis of his knowledge of the airplane's speed. Balchen said that Bennett had confessed to him months after

2938-466: The Atlantic Ocean. Byrd was one of several aviators who attempted to win the Orteig Prize in 1927 for making the first nonstop flight between the United States and France. Once again, Byrd named Floyd Bennett as his chief pilot, with Norwegian Bernt Balchen, Bert Acosta , and Lieutenant George Noville as other crewmembers. During a practice takeoff with Anthony Fokker at the controls and Bennett in

3051-598: The Atlantic nonstop, another 20 years were needed before it would be realized on a commercial scale. In 1928, Byrd began his first expedition to the Antarctic involving two ships and three airplanes: Byrd's flagship was the City of New York (a Norwegian sealing ship previously named Samson that had come into fame as a ship some said was in the vicinity of the Titanic when the latter

3164-608: The Atlantic nonstop, naming Balchen to replace Bennett, who had not yet fully recovered from his injuries, as chief pilot. Byrd, Balchen, Acosta, and Noville flew from Roosevelt Field, East Garden City, New York , in the America on June 29, 1927. On board was mail from the US Postal Service to demonstrate the practicality of aircraft. Arriving over France the next day, they were prevented from landing in Paris by cloud cover; they returned to

3277-577: The Bartlett Glacier from the east, located 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) south-southwest of Mount Ruth. Mapped by USGS from surveys and U.S. Navy air photos, 1960–64. Named by NZGSAE Scott Glacier Party, 1969-70, in association with the Bartlett Glacier. Richard E. Byrd Richard Evelyn Byrd Jr. (October 25, 1888 – March 11, 1957), an American naval officer , was a pioneering American aviator, polar explorer, and organizer of polar logistics. Aircraft flights in which he served as

3390-506: The British designation of R-38 ). As fate would have it, Byrd missed his train to take him to the airship on August 24, 1921. The airship broke apart in midair, killing 44 of 49 crew members on board. Byrd lost several friends in the accident, and was involved in the subsequent recovery operations and investigation. The accident affected him deeply and inspired him to make safety a top priority in all of his future expeditions. Due to reductions in

3503-573: The Byrd family moved into a large brownstone house at 9 Brimmer Street in Boston's fashionable Beacon Hill neighborhood that had been purchased by Marie's father, a wealthy industrialist. Byrd was friends with Edsel Ford and his father Henry Ford , whose admiration of his polar exploits helped to gain Byrd sponsorship and financing for his various polar expeditions from the Ford Motor Company. He had

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3616-595: The ByrdAE geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named by Byrd for Capt. Robert A. Bartlett of Brigus, Newfoundland, noted Arctic navigator and explorer who recommended that the expedition acquire the Bear, an ice-ship which was purchased and rechristened by Byrd as the Bear of Oakland. Not: Bob Bartlett Glacier. 86°30′S 154°00′W  /  86.500°S 154.000°W  / -86.500; -154.000 . A tributary glacier about 8 nautical miles (15 km; 9.2 mi) long, flowing northeast from Fuller Dome to enter

3729-431: The ByrdAE geological party under Quin Blackburn. Named by US-ACAN for Cdr. Eugene W. Van Reeth, pilot with USN Squadron VX-6 in Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze 1966, 1967 and 1968, and Squadron Commander in 1969. 86°14′S 149°12′W  /  86.233°S 149.200°W  / -86.233; -149.200 . A short tributary glacier draining west into Scott Glacier immediately north of Mount Russell , in

3842-615: The Chief of Naval Operations. The expedition continued in Antarctica without him until the last of its participants left Antarctica on March 22, 1941. As a senior officer in the United States Navy, Byrd was recalled on active duty on March 26, 1942, and served as the confidential advisor to Admiral Ernest J. King . From 1942 to 1945 he served on the South Pacific Island Base Inspection Board, which toured bases in

3955-402: The D'Angelo Bluff and Mount McIntyre to the west and Mount Howe to the east. The glacier flows north past Mount Early and Sunny Ridge to the west. 87°18′S 154°00′W  /  87.300°S 154.000°W  / -87.300; -154.000 . A prominent north-facing rock bluff, 6 nautical miles (11 km; 6.9 mi) long, trending westward from Mount Mclntyre. The bluff stands at

4068-515: The Navy Franklin Roosevelt . He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant (junior grade) on June 8, 1915. During Byrd's assignment to Dolphin , he was commanded by future Fleet Admiral William D. Leahy , who served as chief of staff to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II . Byrd's last assignment before forced retirement was to the presidential yacht USS Mayflower . On March 15, 1916, Byrd, much to his frustration,

4181-612: The Navy after the First World War, Byrd reverted to the rank of lieutenant at the end of 1921. During the summer of 1923, then-Lieutenant Byrd and a group of volunteer Navy veterans of the First World War helped found the Naval Reserve Air Station (NRAS) at Squantum Point near Boston, using an unused First World War seaplane hangar which had remained more-or-less intact after the Victory Destroyer Plant shipyard

4294-823: The Navy, 1925-29. The line of mountains north of the Rawson Mountains along the west of Scott Glacier include, from south to north: 86°36′S 154°08′W  /  86.600°S 154.133°W  / -86.600; -154.133 . A mountain, 2,770 metres (9,090 ft) high, standing at the southeast side of Holdsworth Glacier, 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km; 2.9 mi) west of McNally Peak. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-64. Named by US-ACAN for Richard F. Przywitowski, USARP scientific leader at South Pole Station, winter 1966. 86°35′S 153°24′W  /  86.583°S 153.400°W  / -86.583; -153.400 . A peak 2,570 metres (8,430 ft) high, standing 3.5 nautical miles (6.5 km; 4.0 mi) west of Mount Parley, near

4407-610: The North Pole. It is generally believed that the distance Byrd claimed to fly was longer than the possible fuel range of his airplane. He was a recipient of the Medal of Honor , the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration, and the Navy Cross , the second highest honor for valor given by the U.S. Navy. Byrd was born in Winchester, Virginia , the son of Esther Bolling (Flood) and Richard Evelyn Byrd Sr. He

4520-519: The Postmaster General, was assigned to the post office at Little America in Antarctica. In late 1938, Byrd visited Hamburg, and was invited to participate in the 1938/1939 German " Neuschwabenland " Antarctic Expedition, but declined. (Although Germany was not at war with the United States at this time, Adolf Hitler had been serving as Führer of the German Reich since 1934, and i nvaded Poland

4633-457: The President of the United States at that time, Franklin D. Roosevelt. 87°22′S 149°30′W  /  87.367°S 149.500°W  / -87.367; -149.500 . An elongated mountain, 2,930 metres (9,610 ft) high, comprising low connecting ridges and gable-shaped nunataks. It rises at the east side of Scott Glacier, near the head, directly opposite Mount Mclntyre. This mountain, including its small southern outlier, apparently

Rawson Mountains (Antarctica) - Misplaced Pages Continue

4746-933: The Queen Maud Mountains. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-63. Named by US-ACAN for Robert C. Howe of USN Squadron VX-6, photographer on Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967. 86°11′S 149°24′W  /  86.183°S 149.400°W  / -86.183; -149.400 . A tributary glacier draining westward from the California Plateau and Watson Escarpment to enter Scott Glacier between Mount McKercher and Mount Meeks . Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-63. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Cdr. Philip G. Griffith, aircraft commander on photographic flights during Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967. 86°00′S 150°25′W  /  86.000°S 150.417°W  / -86.000; -150.417 . A glacier almost completely encircled by

4859-406: The Rawson Mountains. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn and named by Rear Admiral Byrd for Jane Wyatt, a friend of Richard S. Russell, Jr., a member of that party. 86°46′S 153°00′W  /  86.767°S 153.000°W  / -86.767; -153.000 . A mountain 2,490 metres (8,170 ft) high standing just north of

4972-803: The Secretary of the Navy, the Commander-in-Chief United States Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations ordered Byrd to assume direction of a survey and "investigation of certain islands in the East and South Pacific in connection with national defense and commercial air bases and routes." The members of the Special Navy Mission sailed from Balboa, Canal Zone, on USS Concord , Captain Irving Reynold Chambers, commanding, in September 1943. A large explosion at sea on October 7, 1943, took

5085-399: The Souchez Glacier. Further north, the Scott Glacier flows past the Tapley Mountains to the east, from which it receives the Albanus Glacier and the Roe Glacier. From the Queen Maud Mountains to the west it receives the Vaughan Glacier. The Koerwitz Glacier flows beside the Scott Glacier then pulls away at Mount Salisbury in the Karo Hills . The head of the Scott Glacier forms between

5198-413: The South Pacific in May and June 1942. The report submitted by the Board describes conditions found at each base and analyses, lessons learned in planning and equipping these bases. The report contains recommendations applicable to the individual bases and others designed to be helpful in the planning of future advanced bases. On 1 September 1943, in compliance with a series of letters from the President to

5311-407: The US-ACAN for Henrik Mohn , Norwegian meteorologist and author of the meteorological report of this expedition. Tributaries from the left (west) include from south to north: 86°50′S 153°30′W  /  86.833°S 153.500°W  / -86.833; -153.500 . A tributary glacier draining east along the south flank of the Rawson Mountains to enter Scott Glacier. Discovered by

5424-417: The University of Washington. 86°58′S 152°37′W  /  86.967°S 152.617°W  / -86.967; -152.617 . A mountain standing 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) east of Mount Weaver at the head of Scott Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named by Byrd for the Hon. Curtis D. Wilbur , Secretary of

5537-414: The Will Hays Mountains. Mount Weaver (86°57' S, 152°20' W.), about 10,000 feet high, marks the southern portal of the glacier at the polar plateau. Blackburn in 1934, found at Mount Weaver extensive coal beds and fossil tree section up to 18 inches in diameter. The eastern wall of the Robert Scott Glacier is marked by a series of isolated flat-topped mountains between which tributary glaciers drain from

5650-444: The aviation element during the expedition led to Byrd's renown as a pioneer of aircraft in exploration. During this expedition, Byrd made the acquaintance of Navy Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Bennett and Norwegian pilot Bernt Balchen , both of whom would later contribute to Byrd's expeditions. Bennett served as a pilot in his flight to the North Pole the next year. Balchen, whose knowledge of Arctic flight operations proved invaluable,

5763-399: The book The Snotsicle Traverse by Jerry Corr. Download coordinates as: The Scott Glacier forms on the Polar Plateau and flows north between Mount Wilbur and the Davis Hills . The Poulter Glacier enters from the left (west) to the north of Mount Innes-Taylor . The Klein Glacier enters from the right (east) to the north of the David Hills. The Robison Glacier enters from the right to

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5876-484: The co-pilot seat, the Fokker Trimotor airplane, America , crashed, severely injuring Bennett and slightly injuring Byrd. As the plane was being repaired, Charles Lindbergh won the prize by completing his historic flight on May 21, 1927. (Coincidentally, in 1925, then Army Air Service Reserve Corps Lieutenant Charles Lindbergh had applied to serve as a pilot on Byrd's North Pole expedition, but apparently, his bid came too late.) Byrd continued with his quest to cross

5989-428: The coast of Normandy and crash-landed near the beach at Ver-sur-Mer (known as Gold Beach during the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944) without fatalities on July 1, 1927. In France, Byrd and his crew were received as heroes and Byrd was invested as an Officer of the French Legion of Honor by Prime Minister Raymond Poincare on July 6. After their return to the United States, an elaborate dinner in their honor

6102-420: The detached land mass in about 85°48' S., 146° W. Scott Glacier was discovered in December 1929 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Laurence Gould . Scott Glacier was originally called Thorne Glacier. The Scott Glacier was named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) after early Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott , who never saw the Scott Glacier but rather ascended

6215-412: The east side of Bartlett Glacier, located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) directly west of Lee Peak. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-64. Named by NZ-APC for George Donald (Don) Cowie, leader of the NZGSAE which visited the region in 1969-70. 86°25′S 151°35′W  /  86.417°S 151.583°W  / -86.417; -151.583 . A peak along

6328-553: The east side of Holdsworth Glacier, 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) north of McNally Peak. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN aerial photographs, 1960–64. Visited by a USARP–Arizona State University geological field party, 1978–79, and named after the Sagehen , mascot of Pomona College , Claremont, CA, the alma mater of Scott G. Borg , one of the field party members. 86°27′S 151°30′W  /  86.450°S 151.500°W  / -86.450; -151.500 . Mountain, 2,340 metres (7,680 ft) high, standing on

6441-401: The efficiency of the militia. Shortly after the entry of the United States into the First World War in April 1917, Byrd oversaw the mobilization of the Rhode Island Naval Militia. He was then recalled to active duty and was assigned to the Office of Naval Operations and served in a desk job as secretary and organizer of the Navy Department Commission on Training Camps. In the autumn of 1917, he

6554-401: The expedition. The flight left from Spitsbergen (Svalbard) and returned to its takeoff airfield, lasting 15 hours and 57 minutes, including 13 minutes spent circling at their Farthest North . Byrd and Bennett said they reached the North Pole, a distance of 1,535 miles (1,335 nautical miles ). When he returned to the United States from the Arctic, Byrd became a national hero. He was thrown

6667-420: The flagship USS  Mount Olympus and the aircraft carrier USS  Philippine Sea ), six helicopters, six flying boats, two seaplane tenders, and 15 other aircraft were used. The total number of personnel involved was over 4,000. Poulter Glacier The Scott Glacier ( 85°45′S 153°0′W  /  85.750°S 153.000°W  / -85.750; -153.000  ( Scott Glacier ) )

6780-437: The flight of the airship Norge that flew from Spitsbergen (Svalbard) to Alaska nonstop with a crew including Roald Amundsen , Umberto Nobile , Oscar Wisting , and Lincoln Ellsworth . In 1927, Byrd announced he had the backing of the American Trans-Oceanic Company , which had been established in 1914 by department-store magnate Rodman Wanamaker for the purpose of building aircraft to complete nonstop flights across

6893-452: The flight that Byrd and he had not reached the pole. Bennett, who had not completely healed from the early crash, developed pneumonia after participating in a flight to rescue downed German aviators in Greenly Island, Canada, leading to his death on April 25, 1928. Bennett, though, had started a memoir, given numerous interviews, and wrote an article for an aviation magazine about the flight before his death that all confirmed Byrd's version of

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7006-427: The flight. The 1996 release of Byrd's diary of the May 9, 1926, flight revealed erased (but still legible) sextant sights that sharply differ from Byrd's later June 22 typewritten official report to the National Geographic Society. Byrd took a sextant reading of the Sun at 7:07:10 GCT. His erased diary record shows the apparent (observed) solar altitude to have been 19°25'30", while his later official typescript reports

7119-484: The funding needed to finance Byrd's expedition to the Antarctic. The expedition, via the Post Office, sold philatelic subscription Philatelic covers to be serviced at the official USPOD post office set up in the Antarctic exploration base , dubbed Little America , and which was officially established on October 6, 1933. All mail sent to the Antarctic required at least one Byrd II 3 cent stamp (pictured), along with sufficient postage amounting to 53 cents. The postage stamp

7232-506: The geological party of the ByrdAE, 1933–35, and named by Byrd for Thomas C. Poulter, second in command of the expedition. 86°15′S 152°00′W  /  86.250°S 152.000°W  / -86.250; -152.000 . A tributary glacier, about 30 nautical miles (56 km; 35 mi) long and 5 nautical miles (9.3 km; 5.8 mi) wide at its terminus. It flows northeast from Nilsen Plateau and joins Scott Glacier close north of Mount Gardiner . Discovered in December 1934 by

7345-432: The junction of Bartlett and Scott Glaciers. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn. Named by Byrd for Joseph T. Gardiner of Wellington, New Zealand, agent for the Byrd Antarctic Expedition of 1928-30 and 1933-35. 86°24′S 152°18′W  /  86.400°S 152.300°W  / -86.400; -152.300 . A bare, flat benchlike elevation which overlooks

7458-413: The lives of 24 Concord crewmen, including the executive officer, Commander Rogers Elliott. Caused by ignition of gasoline fumes at the stern of the ship, the explosion threw some men overboard, while others were killed from concussion, burns, fractured skulls and broken necks. Several sailors died while trying to save their shipmates. The dead were buried at sea on October 8. On October 23, 1943, Byrd wrote

7571-412: The men at the base camp, who then attempted to go to Advance Base. The first two trips were failures due to darkness, snow, and mechanical troubles. Finally, Thomas Poulter , E. J. Demas , and Amory Waite arrived at Advance Base, where they found Byrd in poor physical health. The men remained at Advance Base until October 12. when an airplane from the base camp picked up Dr. Poulter and Byrd. The rest of

7684-466: The men returned to base camp with the tractor. This expedition is described by Byrd in his autobiography Alone . During the summer months the days were long and the evenings existed in twilight. Inside the exploration headquarters Byrd had fashioned a large calendar on the wall, where he would cross off each day as it passed. A CBS radio station, KFZ, was set up on the base camp ship, the Bear of Oakland and The Adventures of Admiral Byrd program

7797-408: The mission. Unfortunately for Byrd, his tour of duty in Newfoundland was considered overseas service. Byrd was, however, able to make a valuable contribution, as his expertise in aerial navigation resulted in his appointment to plan the flight path of the mission. Of the three flying boats (NC-1, NC-3, and NC-4) that started from Newfoundland, only Lieutenant Commander Albert Read 's NC-4 completed

7910-528: The mountains are a line of mountains west of Scott Glacier including Mount Przywitowski, McNally Peak, Mount Farley, Mount Denauro, Lee Peak, Mount Ruth and Mount Gardiner. These last two stand where Bartlett Glacier and Scott Glacier converge. Download coordinates as: Named features of the Rawson Mountains include, from west to east: 86°38′S 156°18′W  /  86.633°S 156.300°W  / -86.633; -156.300 . A dome-shaped, ice-covered mountain. 2,850 metres (9,350 ft) high, at

8023-607: The mouth of Poulter Glacier in the southeast end of the Rawson Mountains. Named by US-ACAN for Major Sidney J. Verlautz, United States Army Transportation Corps, who served as logistics research officer on the staff of the Commander, United States Naval Support Force, Antarctica. Features south of the Poulter Glacier, which drains east into Scott Glacier, include: 86°51′S 154°27′W  /  86.850°S 154.450°W  / -86.850; -154.450 . A mountain, 2,730 metres (8,960 ft) high, standing 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) north of Mount Saltonstall at

8136-506: The next year .) Byrd's third expedition was the first one financed and conducted by the United States government. The project included extensive studies of geology, biology, meteorology, and exploration. The innovative Antarctic Snow Cruiser was brought with the expedition, but broke down shortly after arriving. Within a few months, in March 1940, Byrd was recalled to active duty in the Office of

8249-570: The north side of La Gorce Mountains to enter Scott Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 by the ByrdAE geological party under Quin Blackburn. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Cdr. Layton E. Robison, pilot with USN Squadron VX-6 during Operation Deep Freeze 1964, 1965 and 1966. 86°25′S 148°00′W  /  86.417°S 148.000°W  / -86.417; -148.000 . A tributary glacier about 20 nautical miles (37 km; 23 mi) long, draining westward to Scott Glacier between Mount Blackburn and Mount Bowlin . Discovered in December 1934 by

8362-495: The northwest end of the Rawson Mountains. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-64. Named by US-ACAN for C.E. Fuller, storekeeper with United States Navy Squadron VX-6 on Operation Deep Freeze 1966 and 1967. 86°46′S 154°00′W  /  86.767°S 154.000°W  / -86.767; -154.000 . A prominent flat-topped mountain, 2,930 metres (9,610 ft) high, standing 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Mount Verlautz in

8475-481: The party on this bluff. 87°17′S 153°00′W  /  87.283°S 153.000°W  / -87.283; -153.000 . A rocky, flat, projecting-type mountain that forms the northeast extremity of D'Angelo Bluff. It rises at the west side of Scott Glacier, near the head, directly opposite Mount Howe. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party led by Quin Blackburn. Named by Admiral Byrd for Marvin H. McIntyre , secretary to

8588-502: The peak was studied in the 1978–79 season by a USARP-Arizona State University field party. Named by US-ACAN after Amherst College, Amherst, MA, alma mater of Michael F. Sheridan, a member of the field party. 86°34′S 153°02′W  /  86.567°S 153.033°W  / -86.567; -153.033 . A peak rising to about 2,450 metres (8,040 ft) between Holdsworth Glacier and Scott Glacier, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west-northwest of Mount Farley. The peak

8701-587: The polar plateau into the Thorne Valley. The eastern portal of the Robert Scott Glacier is marked by a detached land mass, about 30 miles long in a southeast-northwest direction. Southward of this massif is Albanus Glacier (Phillips Glacier), which flows westward and merges with the lower heights of Robert Scott Glacier. The Albanus Glacier and the Leverett Glacier bifurcate at the eastern extremity of

8814-522: The rank of rear admiral by a special act of Congress on December 21, 1929. As he was only 41 years old at the time, this promotion made Byrd the youngest admiral in the history of the United States Navy. By way of comparison, none of his Annapolis classmates became admirals until 1942, after 30 years of commissioned service. He is one of only four persons including Admiral David Dixon Porter , Arctic explorer Rear Admiral Donald Baxter MacMillan and Rear Admiral Frederic R. Harris , to have been promoted to

8927-588: The rank of rear admiral in the United States Navy without having first held the rank of captain. After a further summer of exploration, the expedition returned to North America on June 18, 1930. Unlike the 1926 flight, this expedition was honored with the gold medal of the American Geographical Society . This was also seen in the film With Byrd at the South Pole (1930), which covered his trip there. Byrd, by then an internationally recognized, pioneering American polar explorer and aviator, served for

9040-614: The right (east) are from south to north: 86°48′S 150°00′W  /  86.800°S 150.000°W  / -86.800; -150.000 . A broad glacier near the edge of the polar plateau, flowing northwest into Scott Glacier immediately south of La Gorce Mountains . Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN air photos, 1960-63. Named by US-ACAN for Lt. Cdr. Verle W. Klein, pilot with USN Squadron VX-6 on Operation Deep Freeze, 1966 and 1967. 86°29′S 148°12′W  /  86.483°S 148.200°W  / -86.483; -148.200 . A broad tributary glacier flowing northwest along

9153-400: The same 7:07:10 apparent solar altitude to have been 18°18'18". On the basis of this and other data in the diary, Dennis Rawlins concluded that Byrd steered accurately, and flew about 80% of the distance to the pole before turning back because of an engine oil leak, but later falsified his official report to support his statement of reaching the pole. Accepting that the conflicting data in

9266-438: The sextant data in the long-unavailable original official typewritten report are all expressed to 1 second, a precision not possible on Navy sextants of 1926 and not the precision of the sextant data in Byrd's diary for 1925 or the 1926 flight, which was normal (half or quarter of a minute of arc). If Byrd and Bennett did not reach the North Pole, then the first flight over the pole occurred a few days later, on May 12, 1926, with

9379-598: The south of Mount Bowlin and the VanReeth Glacier enters from the right to the north of Mount Bowlin. The Scott Glacier flows past the Watson Escarpment to the east, from which the Howe Glacier and Griffith Glacier join it from the right. To the north of Mount Ruth , to the west of the Scott Glacier, the Bartlett Glacier joins from the left. Tributaries of the Bartlett Glacier include the Holdsworth Glacier and

9492-490: The south side of Poulter Glacier . Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named by Byrd for Capt. Alan Innes-Taylor who served with the expedition as chief of trail operations. 86°53′S 154°18′W  /  86.883°S 154.300°W  / -86.883; -154.300 . A tabular mountain, 2,975 metres (9,760 ft) high, standing 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) south of Mount Innes-Taylor at

9605-500: The south side of Tapley Mountains to enter Scott Glacier just north of Mount Zanuck . Discovered in December 1934 by the ByrdAE geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named by Byrd for Albanus Phillips, Jr., manufacturer of Cambridge, MD, a patron of the ByrdAE of 1928-30 and 1933-35. Not: Phillips Glacier. 85°36′S 151°26′W  /  85.600°S 151.433°W  / -85.600; -151.433 . A tributary glacier, 10 miles (16 km) long, flowing northwest through

9718-636: The south side of Poulter Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named by Byrd for John Saltonstall, contributor to the expedition. 86°53′S 153°30′W  /  86.883°S 153.500°W  / -86.883; -153.500 . A bluff at the south side of the junction of Poulter Glacier and Scott Glacier, 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) east-southeast of Mount Saltonstall. Mapped by USGS from surveys and USN aerial photographs, 1960–64. Named by US-ACAN after Michael F. Sheridan, Professor of Geology, Arizona State University,

9831-450: The southeast side of Bartlett Glacier. Named by US-ACAN for Gerald Holdsworth, involved in geological studies at McMurdo Station, summer of 1965-66. 86°17′S 154°00′W  /  86.283°S 154.000°W  / -86.283; -154.000 . A tributary glacier about 17 nautical miles (31 km; 20 mi) long, flowing from Mount Crockett south along the east side of Faulkner Escarpment and then turning southeast to parallel

9944-532: The southeast side of Holdsworth Glacier, in the Queen Maud Mountains. Named by US-ACAN for Cdr. Joseph J. McNally, United States Navy, supply officer at McMurdo Station, winter 1959; on the staff of the Commander, United States Naval Support Force, Antarctica, during United States Navy OpDFrz 1967. 86°35′S 152°30′W  /  86.583°S 152.500°W  / -86.583; -152.500 . A conspicuous rock peak, 2,670 metres (8,760 ft) high, standing at

10057-631: The southeast side of the lower reaches of Bartlett Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named at that time by R. Admiral Byrd for Ruth Black, deceased wife of Richard B. Black, expedition member who assisted with seismic, survey, and radio operations in the vicinity of Little America II. 86°19′S 150°57′W  /  86.317°S 150.950°W  / -86.317; -150.950 . A ridge-like granitic mountain, 2,480 metres (8,140 ft) high, standing 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) east of Mount Ruth and just south of

10170-489: The southwest side of Hays Mountains . It joins Bartlett Glacier just south of Mount Dietz . Named by US-ACAN for Roland A. Souchez, involved in geological studies at McMurdo Station during the season of 1965-66. 85°55′S 153°12′W  /  85.917°S 153.200°W  / -85.917; -153.200 . A tributary glacier, 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) long, draining eastward from Mount Vaughan to enter Scott Glacier just south of Taylor Ridge , in

10283-588: The surface near the edge of the polar plateau. It extends southward from the western limit of Quarles Range for about 100 nautical miles (190 km; 120 mi) and includes the névé area adjacent to the heads of the Bowman, Devils, Amundsen and Scott Glaciers, in the Queen Maud Mountains. The feature was encountered in December 1911 by the South Pole Party of the Norwegian expedition under Roald Amundsen. Named by

10396-510: The trip on May 18, 1919, achieving the first transatlantic flight. In 1921, Byrd volunteered to attempt a solo nonstop crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, prefiguring Charles Lindbergh 's historic flight by six years. Byrd's ambition was dashed by then acting Secretary of the Navy Theodore Roosevelt Jr. , who felt the risks outweighed the potential rewards. Byrd was then assigned to the ill-fated dirigible ZR-2 (formerly known by

10509-510: The typed report's flight times indeed require both northward and southward ground speeds greater than the flight's 85-mph airspeed , a Byrd defender posits a westerly-moving anticyclone that tailwind-boosted Byrd's ground speed on both outward and inward legs, allowing the distance said to be covered in the time stated (the theory is based on rejecting handwritten sextant data in favor of typewritten alleged dead-reckoning data ). This suggestion has been challenged by Dennis Rawlins, who adds that

10622-514: The war, he received a letter of commendation from Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels , which was after World War II converted to a Navy Commendation Medal . After the war, Byrd volunteered to be a crew member in the U.S. Navy's 1919 aerial transatlantic crossing. This mission was historic, as it was the first time the Atlantic Ocean was crossed by an aircraft. It was decided that only men who had not served overseas would be allowed on

10735-747: The west side and near the head of Scott Glacier. Discovered in December 1934 from nearby Mount Weaver by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party led by Quin Blackburn. Visited by the Ohio State University geological party led by George Doumani on November 21, 1962. Named by US-ACAN after Capt. Neal E. Early, USA, a member of the aviation unit that supported the USGS Topo East survey of this area, 1962-63. 87°00′S 154°26′W  /  87.000°S 154.433°W  / -87.000; -154.433 . A partly snow-free ridge that trends southward for 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) from

10848-718: The west side of Scott Glacier, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) east of McNally Peak. Discovered in December 1934 by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party under Quin Blackburn, and named at that time by Byrd for the Hon. James Farley , Postmaster General of the United States. 86°32′S 153°06′W  /  86.533°S 153.100°W  / -86.533; -153.100 . A peak rising to 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) between Holdsworth Glacier and Scott Glacier, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) north-northeast of McNally Peak. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy aerial photographs, 1960–64. The geology of

10961-570: The west side of Scott Glacier, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) north of Mount Denauro. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-64. Named by US-ACAN for Frank P. Lee, photographer on aerial flights in Antarctica during United States Navy Operation Deep Freeze 1965, 1966 and 1967. 86°18′S 151°45′W  /  86.300°S 151.750°W  / -86.300; -151.750 . A ridge-shaped mountain, 2,170 metres (7,120 ft) high, standing 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) west of Mount Gardiner, at

11074-423: The west side of Scott Glacier, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) south of Lee Peak. Mapped by USGS from surveys and United States Navy air photos, 1960-64. Named by US-ACAN for Ralph Denauro, aviation mechanic with United States Navy Squadron VX-6 on Operation Deep Freeze 1966. 86°25′S 152°00′W  /  86.417°S 152.000°W  / -86.417; -152.000 . A dome-shaped summit at

11187-503: The west side of Scott Glacier, near the head, 13 nautical miles (24 km; 15 mi) south of Mount Early. Discovered by the Byrd Antarctic Expedition geological party led by Quin Blackburn, in December 1934. The bluff was visited December 5, 1962 by a geological party of the Ohio State University Institute of Polar Studies, led by George Doumani. Named by Doumani for CWO John D'Angelo, USA, helicopter pilot who landed

11300-550: The western edge of the Scott's drainage. According to Sailing Directions for Antarctica (1960),"Eastward of the Amundsen Glacier the foothills are more nearly submerged beneath snow and ice, and show greater evidence of glacierization than those in the vicinity of the Axel Heiberg and Liv Glaciers. About 15 miles eastward of the Amundsen Glacier is the Robert Scott Glacier (Thorne Glacier), from 5 to 15 miles wide, trending in

11413-465: The western extremity of Mount Weaver . It stands at the west side of and near the head of Scott Glacier. The ridge was scaled by the Ohio State University geological party in November 1962. So named by party leader George Doumani because of very sunny conditions during the climb. 86°30′S 168°00′W  /  86.500°S 168.000°W  / -86.500; -168.000 A major depression in

11526-496: Was a descendant of one of the First Families of Virginia . His ancestors include planter John Rolfe and his wife Pocahontas , William Byrd II of Westover Plantation , who established Richmond , as well as William Byrd I and Robert "King" Carter , a colonial governor. He was also descended from George Yeardley , Francis Wyatt and Samuel Argall . He was the brother of Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd ,

11639-523: Was appointed as a midshipman on May 28, 1908. On June 8, 1912, Byrd graduated from the Naval Academy and was commissioned an ensign in the United States Navy. On July 14, 1912, he was assigned to the battleship USS Wyoming . During service in the Caribbean Sea, Byrd received his first letter of commendation, and later a Silver Lifesaving Medal , for twice plunging fully clothed to the rescue of

11752-484: Was built on the site. NRAS Squantum was commissioned on August 15, 1923, and is considered to have been the first air base in the Naval Reserve program. Byrd commanded the aviation unit of the arctic expedition to North Greenland led by Donald B. MacMillan from June to October 1925. Although the expedition was largely unsuccessful (they did not in fact reach the pole) Byrd's efforts and the successful contributions of

11865-759: Was held in New York City on July 19. Byrd and Noville were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross by Secretary of the Navy Curtis D. Wilbur at the dinner. Acosta and Balchen did not receive the Distinguished Flying Cross because, at that time, it could only be awarded to members of the armed services and not to civilians. Byrd wrote an article for the August 1927 edition of Popular Science Monthly in which he accurately predicted that while specially modified aircraft with one to three crewmen would fly

11978-556: Was launched. Byrd, along with pilot Bernt Balchen , co-pilot/radioman Harold June , and photographer Ashley McKinley , flew the Floyd Bennett to the South Pole and back in 18 hours, 41 minutes. They had difficulty gaining enough altitude, and they had to dump empty gas tanks, as well as their emergency supplies, to achieve the altitude of the Polar Plateau, but they were ultimately successful. In November 1929, Byrd participated in

12091-558: Was mapped by USGS from surveys and USN aerial photographs, 1960-64. It was geologically mapped by a USARP-Arizona State University field party, 1978-79, and was named by geologist Scott G. Borg , a member of the party. The name derives from a well developed tongue-shaped moraine in an abandoned cirque between the west and north ridges of the peak. 86°30′S 153°15′W  /  86.500°S 153.250°W  / -86.500; -153.250 . A roughly triangular group of hills rising to about 150 metres (490 ft) above base level on

12204-543: Was medically retired on three-quarters pay for an ankle injury he suffered on board Mayflower . Shortly thereafter, on December 14, 1916, he was assigned as the inspector and instructor for the Rhode Island Naval Militia in Providence, Rhode Island . While serving in this position, he was commended by Brigadier General Charles W. Abbot , the adjutant general of Rhode Island, for making great strides in improving

12317-415: Was probably the only person, other than Byrd himself, to participate in all five of Byrd's Antarctic expeditions. Photographic expeditions and geological surveys were undertaken for the duration of that summer, and constant radio communications were maintained with the outside world. After their first winter, their expeditions were resumed, and on November 28, 1929, the first flight to the South Pole and back

12430-459: Was sent to naval aviation school at Pensacola, Florida . He qualified as a naval aviator (number 608) in June 1918. He then commanded naval air forces at Naval Air Station Halifax in Nova Scotia , Canada, from July 1918 until the armistice in November. In that assignment, he was promoted to the permanent rank of lieutenant and the temporary rank of lieutenant commander. For his services during

12543-488: Was short-waved to Buenos Aires, then relayed to New York. Sponsored by General Foods , the broadcasts aired on Saturday nights at 10:00 pm and reached #16 on the Hooper rating for the 1933-34 broadcast season, reaching an average audience of 19.1 million. Byrd's Antarctic expedition prompted President Roosevelt and the U.S. Postmaster General to honor the event in 1933 on a U.S. commemorative stamp which greatly helped raise

12656-591: Was sinking) and the Eleanor Bolling (named after Byrd's mother); a Ford Trimotor airplane called the Floyd Bennett (named after the recently deceased pilot of Byrd's previous expeditions) flown by Dean Smith ; a Fairchild FC-2W2 , NX8006, built 1928, named Stars And Stripes (now displayed at the National Air and Space Museum 's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center ); and a Fokker Super Universal monoplane called

12769-437: Was the primary pilot on Byrd's flight to the South Pole in 1929. On May 9, 1926, Byrd and Navy Chief Aviation Pilot Floyd Bennett attempted a flight over the North Pole in a Fokker F.VIIa/3m tri-motor monoplane named Josephine Ford after the daughter of Ford Motor Company president Edsel Ford , who helped finance the expedition. In addition to Ford contributions, John D. Rockefeller also notably provided funding for

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