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[Stamped in blue ink 'A.N.A.R.E. LIBRARY' with handwritten record number 'NC10' in blue ink.]

[Handwritten in top right corner:] NC 10.

[Handwritten at top of page:] 10/61/7/636.7

 

[Underlined heading] DOG. REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. By G.D.P. SMITH.

As at January 1962 there are twenty one adult huskies and four pups. All dogs are Greenland-Labrador cross. Names of dogs and sex are listed below. Members of the same litter have the same identifying letter after sex.

Nile dog A

Phil dog A

Peter dog A

Nellie bitch A

Ian dog B

Pancho dog B

Blizzard dog B

King dog B

Igy dog ?

Lennie dog C

Mandy dog C

Flash dog D

Snooky bitch D

Snowball bitch D

The Slob dog E

Pong dog E

Bruno dog E

Honey bitch E

Cheeki bitch E

Gus dog F

Pinky dog F

 

[Underlined heading] PUPS

Orhog dog G

Shasta dog G

Sputnik dog G

Chomper dog G

 

[Underlined heading:] Breeding and Rearing of Pups.

During the year two litters were born in Mawson. The first, consisted of four dogs and three bitches born in February 1961. One bitch developed an abdominal infection and was destroyed. One dog wandered away in a blizzard and perished. The remainder have become magnificent healthy animals (See family E above). In September, a litter of four dogs and two bitches was born. The bitches were destroyed (family G). During the sea ice journeys the bitch Nellie developed a type of "Synthetic Oestrum" which lasted for some months. It was not realised that the latter part of this period became a genuine oestrum and one enterprising suitor took advantage of this and managed to free himself.  The union was blessed with 6 pups which were born in the Southern Prince Charles mountains to the utter consternation and amazement of the field party. However, they succumbed to the low temperatures immediately after birth.

All pups were weaned at about four weeks. They were fed powdered milk and warm water at first twice a day. Gradually, as they grew, other ingredients were added.

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 2.

Egg-powder, vitamin capsules and Bonox. Chopped seal meat was given soon after weaning and whole pieces as soon as they could handle it. They also were given kitchen scraps. At this stage they were only given milk mash once every two days. Pups were usually allowed to run loose until the age of five months. On no account should they be tethered before four months. During this time plenty of freedom and exercise is necessary to promote growth and strength so they should be left free until public opinion becomes overwhelmingly opposed to the idea (caused by chewing of gloves socks etc., fouling of camp area and eating os [sic] snow petrels). Even after chaining up they should be exercised as often as possible.

Bitches due to whelp were moved to an insulated kennel. This kennel, constructed by DR. Pardoe was found to be adequate protection for bitches and their litters. No heating devices were employed. A curtain of overlapping blankets weighted at the bottom gave drift protection and allowed freedom of entry.

 

[Underlined heading:] CARE OF DOGS AT THE STATION.

At the beginning of the year all dogs were tethered on one long chain which was a fixture. It was noticed, however, that being in the one position for so long, their coats became foul and matted and their snow patches absolutely revolting although these were cleaned up frequently. Short mobile lines carrying up to seven dogs were made an anchored by deadmen in the snow. The dogs cleaned up quickly and seemed to like the new system. At first stranded steel wire cable was used for lines but it soon chafed and broke. Chain proved the answer to this problem. Deadmen should be buried at least two feet and snow trodden down in the hole. Felt collar liners were provided to prevent chafing of the neck. Some dogs kept these in good order. Others, through some unknown reason immediately reduced theirs to a torn and twisted rag which froze and chafed worse than a plain collar. These dogs were returned to a plain collar and seemed to suffer no ill effects.

No cases of worms were encountered through the year, all suspects showing a negative reaction.

The worm test is carried out by tethering the patient, administering worm powder or capsule (according to manufacturer's directions) and examining faeces over several days. The only sickness this year was a bowel infection which followed anti-biotic [sic] treatment for a breast abscess. This caused the loss of the bitch Dalace.

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 3.

During the winter a definite drop in the morale of several dogs was noticed. There was no physical malady, they were just "browned off". I used to remove these dogs from the main line and let them spend the day with me in my workplace. After a few days they were returned to the lines quite frisky and self-confident. Caution! This treatment should only be carried out by a regular handler as any tendency to make a camp pet out of a dog can entirely ruin a trained worker. For the same reason pups should never be allowed in sleeping huts. In extremely bad weather it is permissible to bring pups or even a cold-affected adult into the shelter such as a cold porch of a work building. Remember also that these dogs are not house-broken and their diet of seal meat gives them a heady and clinging perfume.

 

[Underlined heading:] FEEDING.

The main diet is seal meat and should be fed whenever possible whether in camp or in the field. The best of all the prepared dog foods was found to be "Meat-Blox". Type C Pemmican was disliked by some dogs but was handy as an emergency ration on field trips fed at a rate of one Meat-Blox and one pemmican block per day. This was only given when seals were unavailable. In these circumstances Emperor penguins were also used for dog food, possessing as they do a large quantity of good red meat. (Also excellent for human consumption.) However for biological reasons penguins should only be used as a last resort. In camp seal meat should be issued at the rate of 9-10 lbs per dog every three days. When seal meat runs short, feed every two days alternating seal meat for one feed and two Meat-Blox for the other. In cold weather dogs were occasionally given a "mash" consisting of powdered milk mixed with hot water into which Meat Bits were added until a runny paste was formed, with powdered egg at the rate of two tablespoons per dog, plus vitamin capsules (one per dog) and Bonox (half bottle per dog). This mash was issued at the rate of half a gallon per dog.

In the field, dogs received 3-4 lbs of seal meat per day as soon as camp was made. Never feed dogs before or during a run or you will find yourself with a sick and lethargic team. When local runs were made from the station the dogs were given about 2 lbs of meat on returning if it wasn't a regular feed day. On the Southern journey daily feeds were alternated in the following sequence: - 2 lbs Meat-Blox, 2 lbs TYPE "C" pemmican, 2 lbs Meat-Blox, 3 lbs seal meat. Dogs throve on this diet.

A most important point is fluid intake. These dogs depend mainly on snow for quenching their thirst. Always make sure that each dog has plenty of clean snow in his patch.

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 4.

On trips, always try to halt them on a drift of fresh snow. On sea-ice travel be particularly careful that they do not eat salt snow. If they do, they will have diarrhoeia [sic]. This also applied to sea water, which they will drink from open tide-cracks if they get the chance.

 

[Underlined heading:] SEALING.

At the beginning of our year we had a good stock-pile of seals both from the party’s efforts and through the good offices of the D.U.K.W. crews who provided transport for an intensive seal hunt.

We found that the usual method of stock-piling whole or halved carcasses was unsatisfactory. They froze into a solid mass and took a great deal of time and work to cut up. We now cut the meat into three-day feeds as the seals are killed. In cold weather the pieces are laid out separately in some position handy to the dog lines but out of reach. In summer the pieces should be packed in empty briquette bags or boxes out of reach of Skuas. On sledging trips seal meat was carried in 3 lb pieces in a canvas tank. All meat carried was boneless and as far as possible cut into cubes to facilitate packing.

A chainsaw was provided this year for cutting seal meat but it could not cope with the frozen carcasses in winter. It was much slower than the axe.

The following sequence was used in sealing.

(1). On sledging trips a .38 pistol was carried. The aiming point is the intersection of the spine and the base of the skull (Fig. 1). Local sealing is usually carried out by using a 12 gauge shotgun, a frontal shot between the eyes along the body line proving effective (Fig. 2). It is of the utmost importance that full safety precautions be taken at all times. Never load a firearm until you are ready to use it. Always check that it is unloaded as soon as you pick it up. Before aiming check that no person, vehicle dog, camp etc. Is in the line of fire. O.I.C.’s should satisfy themselves that hunters are thoroughly conversant with safety precautions before using arms or ammunition.

(2). As soon as a seal is shot it should be bled by cutting the throat. When bleeding ceases remove the head, flippers and tail (Fig. 3). These may be severed by axe and knife. After much practice the front flippers may be dis-articulated from the inside during skinning.

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 5.

(3). The seal is rolled on its back and the first cut is made longitudinally down the abdomen penetrating the blubber (Fig. 4).

(4). The skin (with blubber) is peeled back pulling and cutting parallel with the carcass (Fig.5). The carcass is pulled over while skin is cut away underneath (Fig.6).

(5). The carcass is opened along the chest cavity and abdomen. The trachea (windpipe) is securely hooked and pulled towards the tail end while the second man cuts the tissue and muscle holding the various internal organs which will all come away attached to the trachea (Fig.7).

IMPORTANT! DO NOT RUPTURE THE BOWEL.

Stop pulling while the bowel is still attached near the tail. Chop out a wedged [sic] shaped piece surrounding and including the bowel. [Begin underlined section.] If the bowel should be pierced sacrifice all the contaminated meat. It is very dangerous to feed this to dogs. [End underline.]

(6). Chop the carcass in half along the spine (Fig.8), and cut into 9-10lb blocks (Fig.9). If sledging, slice meat from rib cage before cutting into 3lb blocks.

 

[Underlined heading:] TRAINING.

At the beginning of the year there were half-a-dozen mature, experienced dogs and an equal number of younger, semi-trained ones. We decided to form two teams, Pardoe taking the older dogs consisting mainly of family A. This team became the "Black Bastards". I took the younger dogs and formed a team around family B. These became the "White Bastards". After much sifting we found that Nellie was a natural for leadership of the Blacks, and after a little schooling I was able to develop Ian into a good leader for the Whites.

During the training period, which didn’t commence until April, we tried to get out every evening, if only for half an hour. The sequence of training was Sitting, Starting, Stopping, Running Ahead, and Turning. An effective method of Sitting was to hold the trainee’s tail in one hand and push it down with the foot, saying "Sit". This training should be given when harnessed up as young dogs learn quickly by example set by the veterans. It is a sheer waste of time to take young dogs out on their own to teach them to sit. A tap with a coiled whip will help to get the message across to a dog who isn’t trying. Be very careful of using the whip at this stage as a young dog can easily become intimidated.

Turning instruction was facilitated by striking the ice on the opposite

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 6.

side of the leaders opposite the required turning direction. It was discovered during this period that best results were obtained by taking the dogs beyond sight and sound of Mawson. They don't learn much in Horseshoe Harbour. The best training of all is a field trip. Our teams improved rapidly during the three week Auster trip.

At this point it is in order to offer some advice regarding the use of whips. An inexperienced handler is inclined to err one way or the other. It is necessary to punish offenders firmly but there is no need to half-kill them in the process. A sharp cut or two with a looped whip should generally be sufficient, administered along the flanks. There is an unfortunate fallacy rife that huskies cannot be harmed even if you hit them with a piece of wood. This is definitely untrue. They are a susceptible to injury as any other animal. The whip is the only permissible medium of punishment. On no account ever kick a dog. The blunt impact of even a mukluk can easily cause injury to bones or internal organs. This is an established medical fact, not an opinion.

 

[Underlined heading:] FIELD WORK.

Apart from local training and sealing runs several runs to Rumdoodle were made to relieve meteorological personnel there. An attempt was made in June 1961 to reach Auster rookery but a break-out of sea-ice prevented travel beyond Pynten Island. A brief summary of the three major dog-sledge journeys is set out hereunder.

(1). Auster and Beaver Emperor Penguin Rookeries and Islands between Mawson and [sic – word apparently missing.]

Purpose: - Biological study and geological survey.

Period: - 19-7-61 to 9-8-61

Distance Covered:- 171 miles.

This trip and the previous Auster attempt could be classed as our schoolroom. Dogs and men learned very quickly many aspects of sledging, camping, survival and rationing. Extremely low temperatures coupled with strong winds, blizzards, and frostbite pointed out the need for modifications to several items of equipment. A thin dogline became very brittle and snapped in several places. Repairs to this caused constantly frostbitten fingers. Lashing down of sledge boxes by means of cords and ropes was both infuriating and time-wasting. The use of aircraft “bungee’ rubber and dog clips on the ends of cords proved a quick an efficient method of securing boxes.

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 7.

It must be remembered that at this time of year, any operation which necessitates the removal of gloves will certainly result in bitten [word crossed out in blue pen and replaced with ‘frost-bite’]. This cannot be eliminated entirely and one learns to put up with it, but don’t let it develop into a serious wound.

(2). Western Sea-ice Journey to Kloa Point Emperor Penguin Rookery and King Edward VIII Gulf.

Purpose: - Biological study and geological survey.

Period: - 21-8-61 to 13-10-61

Distance covered: - 542 miles

On this journey we were better equipped and suffered little ill effects from temperature. The dogs by this time had settled down into reasonable efficient teams and improved steadily all the way. For this reason and also owing to longer daylight hours we were able to travel greater daily distances. Difficult conditions caused by terrain and weather called for special efforts from the dogs on several occasions. They never failed me. To quote only two instances – crossing Stefansson Bay into a rising blizzard and crossing the fantastic upheaval of King Edward VIII Gulf in white-out conditions.

On both these journeys dogs were driven by voice from behind except when exceptionally rough country necessitated a sharper turning circle than normal. In this case a man walked ahead. These periods were kept down to an absolute minimum.

(3). Southern Journey.

Purpose: - Geological survey of Southern Prince Charles Mountains.

Period: - 4-11-61 to 27-1-62.

Distance Covered: 900 miles (plus 180 miles when dogs were carried on vehicle train).

As natural foods are not available inland the teams were reduced to 5 dogs per sledge. These dogs did an amazing job and hauled exceptionally heavy loads through rough. However, it is suggested that future expeditions use a minimum of 7 dogs and, if possible, keep the sledge loads from exceeding eight hundred pounds. Over this weight, the dogs find it hard to overcome the initial inertia of the sledge and men cannot push to start it off.

Dogs were carried on the vehicle train for 180 miles on cargo sleds before the dog party pushed on by themselves. Sheets of plywood were laid on top of fuel drums and the dogs were fastened by short chains which passed from the collar through a hole in the edge of the plywood and were secured to the guard

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 8.

rail of the sledge. After the first fuel dump was laid at 98 miles only one team was able to ride at a time. Teams were alternated daily, the second team being driven, hauling a light sledge. The dogs were easily able to keep up with the vehicles. Bad crevassing experienced during this journey necessitated one man leading on ski so very little driving was done from behind. The dogs may, therefore need a refresher course to bring them back to form.

 

[Underlined heading:] Teams used on various trips.

[Underlined subheading] Pynten Island.

Blacks.

Phil. Nellie. Nils. Peter. Igy. Knucks.

 

[Underlined subheading] Auster.

Blacks.

Nellie (leader)

Phil

Nils

Igy

Peter

Knucks

Lennie

Whites.

Ian (leader)

Pancho

Flash

King

Gus

Blizzard

Pinky

 

[Underlined subheading] Kloa.

[Leader:] Nellie

Phil

Nils

Peter

Igy

Lennie

 

[Leader:] Ian

Pancho

King

Blizzard

Pinky

Flash

Gus

 

[Underlined subheading:] Southern

[Leader:] Nellie

The Slob

Nils

Phil

Peter

 

[Leader:] Ian or Igy

Flash

Ian or Igy

Pancho

Blizzard

 

[Underlined subheading:] Local Sealing Teams

[Leader:] King

Honey

Gus

Lennie

Pinky

 

[Leader:] Mandy

Snowball

Cheeki

Bruno

Pong

 

[Underlined heading:] COMMANDS. The usual commands were carried on from last year, namely: -

Sit

Mush – Start or run faster

IIIi, IIIi, IIIi. - Right turn.

Eeeeeyuk. - Left turn.

Whoa. - Halt.

I found, that giving them "Mush" from a sitting position the dogs didn’t start off together and, with heavy loads it was hard to start the sledge moving. I introduced the order "Right-ho boys" upon which, all dogs stood up ready to pull. This was followed by "Mush". All dogs pulled off together. Another command was given to dogs who crossed to the wrong side of the centre trace. This was "Over" and was taught by flicking with over the whip and saying "Over". Soon it was only necessary to call to the offender e.g. "over"Flash" and he would jump back. Apart from profanity the only other command was "Hi yi yi" to encourage them to greater efforts.

 

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[Underlined heading:] DOG REPORT. MAWSON. 1961. PAGE 9.

[Underlined heading:] GENERAL.

When driving, care should be taken when in the vicinity of the following features.

Crevasses: [underlined] These should be crossed at right angles. Be on your guard when they occur in blue-ice. The dogs like to eat snow, and a partly trained team has a tendency to run along the snow bridge of a crevasse drawing the sledge along the slot. This can prove embarrassing.

Tide Cracks: [underlined] Dogs should be trained to jump over tide cracks. If a dog has fallen through one, or into a crevasse, he usually "jibs" when coming to the edge of another. The driver should be ready to counteract this by flicking him with the whip.

Blue Ice Slopes: [underlined] The one above Mawson which provides access to the plateau can be dangerous, especially when it has a moist surface after warm weather. Under these conditions it may be necessary for a man in crampons to attach a rope to the front of the centre trace and lead the team to the top of the slope. Be on your guard against the dogs suddenly wheeling and attempting to get back to Mawson. If this should occur the sledge will drag the team downhill sideways. It calls for some quick action when you are hurtling towards the cliffs edge with nothing to stop your progress. The brake won’t stop you or even slow you down. The best plan is to try to upset the sledge, if possible in a patch of snow. However, keep your head. Nobody has gone over yet.

In Antarctica, where trees and lamp-posts, don’t exist anything which projects even slightly above the surface has an irresistible fascination for the dogs. The driver should be prepared to whip the team away from these distractions. In conclusion, I should like to wish the new dog-handlers every success in their coming year. Remember, it is the hardest and most uncomfortable means of Antarctic travel. Don’t take it on unless you are prepared to accept this. However, if you love dogs, if you are prepared to become a dog fanatic, in fact if you are prepared to look, think, and even smell [underlined] like a dog, then you will find it the most rewarding and memorable year you have ever spent. I wouldn’t have missed a minute of it.

Cheers, and Good Luck! [underlined]

 

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[Underlined heading:] TYPICAL SLEDGE LOADING

[Diagram of a sledge loaded with boxes and bundles. Six boxes are labelled with numbers one to six (see below). Other items have descriptive labels next to the diagram (listed from left to right and top to bottom): 'line on reel', 'dead men', 'Jerrycan containing kerosene’, 'ICE AXE, SPADE, ETC.', 'blur outer sleeping bag containing sleeping bags and down suits’, 'Polar Pyramid tent’, 'haversack', 'canvas tank containing seal meat', 'holder containing two 1 gallon plastic bottles of kerosene.']

 

[Underlined heading:] SLEDGE BOXES

[Underlined column headings: 'No.' [number], and 'Contents'.]

1. Cooking Utensils and ready food.

2. Man food, bulk supply.

3. Dog food

4. Dog food and scientific instruments

5. Tool box and spares

6. Camera box and compass

Note:- This diagram is produced as a general guide. It is based on the loading of Smith’s sledge on the Kloa trip. Pardoe’s sledge carried an extra box in lieu of seal meat tank. This box contained radio and meteorological equipment.

[Diagram of a dog in a harness. Two straps come forward from a ring behind the dog, and form loops around the dog’s shoulders and forelegs. The two straps are joined by a cross piece behind the dog’s head, and meet over the dog’s chest. This point is labelled 'ross-over on chest'.]

[Diagram of a dog in a harness. Two straps come forward from a ring behind the dog, and form loops around the dog’s shoulders and forelegs. The two straps are joined by a cross piece over the dog’s chest, and two cross-pieces behind the dog’s head. This point is labelled ‘double strap behind head’.]

Correct method of fitting the two most common types of harness.

When harnessing a dog:- Stand astride, slip over the head and pull behind collar. Lift front legs alternately and guide through side openings.

Note: Release dog from line before harnessing.