IN ANTARCTICA

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1929, Page 5

IN ANTARCTICA

(By Russell Owen—Copyrighted I!J2£ by the New York Times Company, and St. Louis Post Dispatch. All rights for publication reserved throughout the world. Wire'ess to New Yoi k Times.)

(Received this day at 8 a.m.) VANCOUVER, June 15. Unnaturally warm weather for the last few days was followed by so much moisture that ice and

frost crystals formed noon every oil

door structure and the expedition’s camp. The wires became glistening, fairy-like ropes in the flare light. Even the radio towers and skis standing in the snow were rimmed with delicate frost flowers, making sonic splendid .pictures. These amazing tilings were made bv flashlight movement and got wonderful (‘fleets against a dark background of the Antarctic night, i.t was eleven below zero yesterday when this phenomena occurred, but to-day it is eight below again and clear for which all are thankful. Joe Rucker and Willard Vnnrlerveer, Paramount men, have had their troubles with moving picture cameras for the, film snap and cameras jam in periods of intense cold and frequently they have to come in and thaw themselves out before making another attempt to get pictures, but they are slowly obtaining a night record of life and scenes in Antarctic.

The first breath of the Antarctic in ice-pack gave an intimation of what was coming. . Moving picture cameras began to get stiff and were taken apart and oiled, and washed out with gasolene. ,

As the ship got further south photographers lugged their cameras below and with many imprecations disassembled them and refitted the moving parts. This binding was due to the unequal expansion of steel shafts working against the brass hearings or some steel or brass part which came in contact with aluminium. When there was room in the wardroom to work the table top was frequently coveredwith parts of cameras while Rucker and Vanderveer loosened hearings with crocus clothing, fitting and refitting until the crank c-ould be turned. Even the tripod had to be taken apart and refitted. Whenever the camera was brought below it began to sweat and had to he carefully wiped and dried so no moisture remained in it to freeze, when it was then taken outside. Here at.the base cameras are baked in an oven or hung above a stove to dry and when necessary bring them indoors. If the slightest moisture is left in them they will (freeze and bind in a lew minutes.

A little camera which can he oarried in the pocket, kept warm until needed proved most valuable, both for withstanding cold and ease in operating with blistered.fingers. The motion picture film began to snap at 25 below zero. It would break and have to he re-threaded. The operation was done with bare hands, because of the small •space in which to work. Fingers stuck to the metal parts. and after such a job Vandeveer or Joe could he seen hopping about .holding their hands under their armpits in pain. Care had to bo taken not to breathe in the cameras during this operation as tho breath immediately; formed frost aR over tne working parts. A thing that will make the cameraman madder than the proverbial liatter is to walk up to him while lie is rethreading and say isn’t that interesting and breathe into his camera. The condensation due to Hie difference in temperature down here can hardly be imagined by one who has. not experienced it. The warmth of* the body coming in contact with something cold condenses the moisture from the body. Even a hook which has been lying near a cold wall will steam like a tea kettle when it is opened in a slightly warmer atmosphere. This gives a faint idea of the quality of condensation outdoors which at very low temperatures makes tho breath crackle audibly as it leaves the mouth and turns into clouds of vapour. A man standing inside the entrance to one of the house tunnels forms so much vapour by breathing that the house appears to he afire and what one breath will do to the camera is best suggested by a row of asteriks. Automatic cameras quit at about 20 below ,zero, because contraction from cold causes the springs to bind. It lias been found, however, that the automatics may ho warmed over a primus stove and if it is then carried under the parka next to the body except when in use, it will work for an hour. One of the hardest things to overcome is snow, which' collects on tho lens during a blizzard. This dtift snow is incredibly line. Cameras are made to keep out light and are nearly watertight, but after a blow or two, two or three spoonfuls of snow would he found inside the cameras. Various types of hoods were tried until one was found which offered a fair protection. The dogs also took a liking to the tripods and legs were chewed until they resemble old-fashioned hitching posts. The film is kept outside in ono of the tunnels to guard it from the quick changes of temperature and sweating. Widely differing light conditions have been one of the greatest obstacles to good photography and only hv constant tests have proper shutter openings, speeds, and filters been determined. On January Ist at noon three times filter and .20 were used ami/the light had so changed by April Ist mint in the same location it was neceftary to use .8 without a filter to get regular equality in the negative.