VOYAGE OF MV THALA DAN 62/63 V2 - Wilkes Changeover
Voyage - 62/63 V2 - Wilkes Changeover VOYAGE OF MV THALA DAN Expedition Leader: Donald Franklin Styles Ship Captain: Hans A J Nielsen Voyage Support: Deputy Voyage Leader: Army DUKWs: Lt P V Dawe Lt R M Kelly Sgt M K McAndrew Sgt R E Fullarton Sgt K L Pledger Sgt D J Evans Sgt E W Sturzaker Cpl M P Dacey Round Trip: Itinerary: Arrive Depart Melbourne 21 Dec 62 Dumont d'Urville 29 Dec 62 31 Dec 62 Lewis Island 5 Jan 63 6 Jan 63 Wilkes 11 Jan 63 24 Jan 63 Lewis Island 2 Feb 63 2 Feb 63 Chick Island fast ice 8 Feb 63 9 Feb 63 Pack ice 10 Feb 63 22 Feb 63 King George V Land 26 Feb 63 1 Mar 63 Macquarie Island 5 Mar 63 6 Mar 63 Melbourne 11 Mar 63 This voyage visited Dumont d'Urville, relieved Wilkes and visited Macquarie Island on the return voyage. A site was surveyed near Wilkes for a new station. Automatic weather stations at Lewis and Chick Islands were reactivated. The ship was beset for five days on departing Wilkes, and for 11 days on leaving Chick Island for Oates Land. Due to sea ice conditions, Thala Dan achieved less coastal exploration than had been planned. However data were collected in Wilkes Land and George V Land for improving maps of about 1600 km of the coast and 50,000 km2 of the hinterland. Ocean soundings covered 2600 km and astrofixes were made at six points.
reference "Antarctic Events Database" data of the Australian Antarctic Data Center