Various options were considered and I was in almost daily contact with Lord Shackleton and Commander Michael Ranken. Eventually Captain Tom Woodfield, himself a ship-broker and a long-serving Commanding Officer of British Antarctic Survey ships found an 18-month-old all-purpose polar vessel, the Norwegian-built Polar Circle, Lord Buxton took up the case with Michael Heseltine whilst Lord Shackleton approached the Duke of Edinburgh. On 14 October, 1991, it was finally announced in the Commons that the MOD had chartered MV Polar Circle for the forthcoming season after which the performance of the ship would be assessed for the longer term. In the event the new ship was a great success and the next stage of our crusade was to persuade relevant Government Departments to buy her outright or take her on a long-term lease.
There were long discussions over the name of the new ship. Should she be renamed Endurance on the day the old ship was paid off? On commissioning she was indeed given this famous name and has performed excellently ever since.
There was to be one last twist of the tale. Various museums, ports and other contenders wanted to buy the Plum and turn her into an environmental exhibition centre. The museum keepers could wait until she could run no more. But the MOD had been wounded. Come what may, they were going to sell to the highest bidder, preferably keeping her as a runner even if the sum concerned was only £200,000. This derisory figure reflected their earlier decision to classify her as unfit for normal operation.
I wrote to Lord Cranborne (Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Defence) and asked for a stay of execution. However, the Sales Department of the MOD had already entered a contract with a city broker whose stated intention was to use her as a passenger ship in the Middle East. In the event the new owner had no such plan. He had connived with INCOM (the purchasing broker) to sell the ship on to an Indian scrap dealer.
Three days before she was due to transit the Suez Canal I learnt of her true destination. I was horrified to hear that Endurance had been the subject of another MOD cock-up and was to end her life on a beach in India. In the remaining three days I tried to raise the money and a crew to buy her back and drive her home. Sir Jack Hayward offered a substantial contribution and we raised the asking price. But we were too late. The Red Plum died in pieces early in 1993.
INDEX
Acland, Sir Antony, FCO, 236
Ainsley, Lt Cmdr Arthur, RN, 214
Aircraft, for Navy, 6, 69
see also Helicopters
Allen, Richard, US National Security
Adviser, 77
Ambuscade, HMS, frigate, 212
Anaya, Admiral, Argentine Naval Chief, 42, 77–78, 96–97, 106–07, 124, 128
Anglia TV, 88, 102, 133
Anson, Admiral E.R., 68, 225, 226
Antarctic, 32, 61
climate, 10–11, 12, 180, 206–07
international sectors, 16, 83, 92
scientific bases, 59–60, 73
visibility hazards, 52–53
see also South Atlantic
Antarctic Treaty (1961), 11, 12, 16–17, 33, 83
Antelope, HMS, frigate, 200, 205
Antrim, HMS, destroyer, 175, 177, 184–85, 200, 207, 212
group command, 178, 185, 188, 191, 199
helicopters from, 180–81, 188–89
recapture of S. Georgia, 192–93
Ardent, HMS, destroyer (1940), 34
Ardent, HMS, frigate, 205
Argentina, 9, 41, 45, 62, 78–79, 241
Antarctic survey base, 16, 32–33, 59–60
claim to sovereignty over Falklands, 16, 21–24, 108
economy, 16, 45, 78
government of (Junta), 44, 76–78
naval ‘exercise’, 144–45
plans to invade Falklands, 78, 97–98, 124, 127, 128, 159
and rumours of war, 113–14, 158
scrapping of Endurance as ‘green light’, 65, 66, 70–71, 75, 78–79, 232
and talks with Britain, 99–100, 108, 123–28
threats of invasion (1960s–70s), 25, 239
see also Argentine press; British Embassy; Buenos Aires;
Falklands; South Georgia Argentine press, 123–24, 136, 144
propaganda, 140, 165, 173, 196, 220
Arrow, HMS, frigate, 36, 186
Artuso, Chief Petty Officer Felix, death of, 198
Ascension Island, 223
Astiz, Lt Cmdr, Falklands garrison
commander, 188, 193, 194, 196, 197
surrender of, 193, 194, 196, 197, 198
Atmospheric science research, 11–12, 59
Attenborough, David, 48–49, 50–51, 54, 56
‘Planet Earth’ project, 47, 49
Badcock, Captain Paul, Stena Seaspread, 202
Bahia Bianca, Argentina, 95, 96
Bahia Paraiso, Argentine supply ship, 51, 110, 136, 144–45
capture of S. Georgia, 165–69
Endurance’s search for, 153–55
at S. Georgia, 142, 143, 148–50, 156, 172
Ball, Lt, Endurance hydrographer, 32
Ballaresque, Lt Cmdr Paul, Chilean Navy, 114–15
Barber, Lord, on Franks Committee, 231
Barff Point (Cumberland Bay), 156–57
Barker Bank, shipping hazard, 56
Barker, Ian, BAS staff, 172
Barker, Captain Nicholas (author)
appointment to Endurance, 5–6, 37–40
and Argentine invasion of S. Georgia, 148–49, 165–69
BBC interview with Jeremy Harris, 219–20, 222, 224
career, 5, 34–37
case for Endurance, 64–66, 67–72, 84–86, 87–88
and continuing Endurance
campaign, 108, 122–23
family, 35, 37, 237
on loneliness of command, 1, 170–71, 173–74, 177
marriage to Elizabeth, 35, 220–21, 237
MOD displeasure with, 72, 224, 228
press support for, 232–33, 237
and relief of Southern Thule, 208–12
subsequent career, 238, 240–41
warnings to London, 105, 106, 114, 142, 152, 160, 220, 232–33
Barker, Elizabeth, 220–21
Barnett, Correlli, 240
BBC film crew, with Endurance, 101, 102
BBC World Service, 161, 176, 204
Beagle Channel, 113, 114
Beauchene Island, 54
Belgrano, Argentine cruiser, 96, 200–201
Bennett, Sir Frederick, MP, 162–63
Bergel, Hon. Alexandra, 39, 40
Bergel, Richard, 39
Bicain, Lt Cmdr, captain of Santa Fe, 193, 197
Bird, Dickie, Attenborough team, 54
Bird Island, 103, 173, 198
Birmingham, University of, 32
Black, Admiral Sir Jeremy, 218
Blake, Councillor Tim, 108
Blanco, Ambassador, 146, 147
Blight, Lt Cmdr, helicopter pilot, 210
Blue Rover, RFA tanker, 202
Bonner, Nigel, BAS, 10, 63
BP (British Petroleum), 18
Brain, Sir Bernard, MP, 140
Brambleleaf, RFA tanker, 186
Bransfield (BAS ship), 47–48, 53, 73, 130
Brazil, 41–42, 92–94
Brewer, Admiral George, 87
Brilliant, HMS, ASW frigate, 186, 200, 214
helicopters from, 189–90, 191
Bristol, HMS, destroyer, 218, 225
British Antarctic Survey (BAS), 18, 32, 111, 153, 198
Grytviken base, 48, 103, 130, 142, 169
importance of Endurance to, 73, 80, 82–83, 85
radio information from, 2, 133, 147, 165, 199
Rothera Base, 63, 120, 129–30
scientific programmes, 12–13, 52, 56
see also Bransfield; John Biscoe
British Embassy to Argentina, 28, 44–45, 145, 236
and Argentine naval ‘exercise’, 144–45, 152, 153, 161–62
closure, 221–22
reaction to Davidoff landing at
<
br /> Leith, 105, 106, 135
see also Williams, Anthony
British Enterprise III, MV, 212
British Faraday Base, 59
Bubblegum yacht, 113
Buen Suceso, ARA, at Leith, 133–35
Buenos Aires, visits to, 42–45, 95–96
Buenos Aires Herald, 76, 123, 124
Buxton, Hon. Cindy, 102, 103, 117–18, 152
concern for safety of, 173, 175, 179
rescue of, 198
visit from parents, 130, 131–33
Buxton, Lady (Maria), aboard
Endurance, 117–21, 129–30, 131–33, 134
Buxton, Lord, 10, 108, 135, 233
aboard Endurance, 117–21, 129–33, 134
letter to Prime Minister, 79–84
member of SWAG, 58, 243
support for Endurance, 3, 73, 84–87
Callaghan, Lord, 3, 127, 140, 143, 234
Cambridge, Churchill College, 240
Cameron, Duncan and Bridget, 62
Canberra, SS, 204, 205
Cape Horn, 112–13
Carrington, Lord, Foreign Secretary, 27, 66–67, 74–75, 235
on Argentine aggression, 147
on British-Argentine talks, 98, 125
Franks’ criticism of, 233–34
request for US intervention, 150–51, 159–60
resignation, 236
Chalfont, Lord, in Falklands (1968), 24
Charlton, Michael, The Little Platoon, 70–71
Chatham dockyard, 64
Endurance refit in, 32, 39, 90
Endurance returns to, 227–28
Cheek, Councillor John, 108
Chick, John, Commercial Attache, 44, 45
Chile, 78
Antarctic survey base, 16, 32, 110–11
Endurance visits, 114–16
intelligence on Argentine build-up, 144, 153, 162–63
Clapp, Commodore M.C., 223
Collins, Captain Tony, 68
Comodoro Py, Argentine destroyer, 152
Conqueror, HMS, submarine, 186, 188, 200–201
Coventry, HMS, destroyer, 186, 205
Coward, Captain John, Brilliant, 186, 197–98
Cox, Vice Admiral John, 29, 40, 65, 68, 72, 91–92
Crabs, Magellan, gift of, 115, 174
Cranborne, Lord, MOD, 243
Cruz, Commander Adolfo, Chilean Navy, 115, 116
Cumberland Bay (East and West), 156, 204–05
Daily Express, 144
Daily Telegraph, 140, 143
Dalyell, Tarn, MP, 231
Davidoff, Constantine, scrap metal merchant, 104–05, 133, 135, 137, 146
Deacon, Leading Steward, 56, 121–22
Deception Island, 60
Delves, Captain Cedric, SAS, 180, 181, 182, 184, 193
Drummond, Argentine corvette, 145, 149
Dunlop, Captain Sam, RFA Port Austin, 176
Eaves, Colonel Keith, 180
Eberle, Admiral Sir James, 94, 237
Edinburgh, HRH The Duke of, 243
Edwards, Trevor, BAS staff, 172
Ellerbeck, A., Flight Commander, 2, 56, 103, 139, 142, 171
and attack on Santa Fe, 189–90
and recapture of S. Georgia, 184, 192, 197, 198
recce of Argentines on S. Georgia, 169, 171–72
recce of Southern Thule, 210
Endurance (first), 11, 58
Endurance, HMS
and 1981 defence cuts, 64, 74, 75
accelerating campaign to save, 98, 101, 107–08, 143–44
see also Times, letters to
awarded Wilkinson Sword of Peace, 222–23
Brazilian interest in, 92–93
characteristics of, 30–31, 119–20, 121–22
communications equipment, 31, 189
confrontation with Bahia Paraiso, 140, 142–43, 145, 148–55
correspondence with Mrs Thatcher on, 79–86
as deterrent to Argentina, 65, 70–71, 80–81, 232
diplomatic visits by, 41, 43–44
escapes through Merton Passage, 155–58
fate of, 242–44
multiple rôle of, 5, 21, 37–38, 73–75, 81
NB’s defence of, 64–66, 67–72, 84–86, 87–88
ordered to Ascension I., 175
ordered to S. Georgia (21 March), 134, 136–38
problems of hiding, 156–57, 171, 186
reconnaissance rôle (April), 177–81
return to Chatham, 220–29
return to S. Georgia (2 April), 160–61
return to Stanley (July), 218–20
risk of being stuck in ice, 55–56
rôle as guardship, 20, 29, 31, 82–83, 170
and salvage of Santa Fe, 214–17
search for Bahia Paraiso, 153–55
Spectator editorial on, 232–33
support rôle during Conflict, 202–07
survey functions of, 31–32, 61, 129–30
weapon fit of, 29–30, 31, 75
working relationships aboard, 48, 57, 129, 170–71, 173–74
Escude, Dr Carlos, Argentine historian, 22–23
Estrecho de le Maire, Cape Horn, 113
Exeter, HMS, destroyer, 159
Explosives
clearing, 203
on Santa Fe, 216–17
Falkland Island Company, 19
Falkland Islands, 9, 65
Argentine invasion of, 1, 2, 160–61
Argentinian aircraft overflights, 108, 116
conflict, 202–08, 238–39
economy, 15–16, 19–20, 241
incidents at LADE office, 136
opposition to lease-back proposal, 97, 98–99
public opinion in, 21, 24–25, 61–62, 112
sovereignty issue, 16, 21–24, 26–27, 83
Falkland Islands Defence Force, 164
FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
assessment of Argentine threat, 67, 78, 127
Franks’ criticism of, 233–34
intelligence of imminent invasion, 163–64, 236
and landings at Leith, 106–07, 135
remit of Military Attachés, 235–36
Fearn, Robin, FCO, 10, 29, 223, 236, 240
support for Endurance, 67–68, 74
Fieldhouse, Admiral Sir John, C-in-C
Fleet, 68, 140–41, 143, 240
letters to NB, 223–24
Fiennes, Ranulph, 10
Finding, Tim, helicopter pilot, 102–03, 184, 190
Fish, economic potential of, 14, 15, 241
Fitzroy, survey team, 46–47
Fontanot, Mario, Uruguayan officer, 95, 111–12
Fort Austin, RFA, 143, 159, 175, 176
Fortuna Glacier, S. Georgia, 179–80, 181–83
Foster, Marion, Pebble Mill team, 55
Fox, Captain ‘Freddy’, MOD, 172
Franks Enquiry (1982–3)
on JIC, 127, 233–34
report, 233–34, 235, 238, 239–40
sensitivity of, 224, 226, 236
on sovereignty issue, 23–24
Franks, Lord, chairman of Enquiry, 4, 231
Fuchs, Sir Vivian, 10, 40, 109
Furze, Commander Chris, JSE leader, 131
Galtieri, General Leopoldo, member of Argentine Junta, 77, 78, 96, 97, 123
Gemmil, Campbell, BAS staff, 172
George, Admiral A.S., 65
Germany, Antarctic research, 32, 60–61, 73
Gilding, Major Robin, RM, 54
Glasgow, HMS, destroyer, 186
Gow, Ian, PPS to Margaret Thatcher, 86
Gozney, Richard, British Embassy, 146–47
Granville, Argentine corvette, 145, 149, 169
Grass Island, SAS troops on, 184–85, 194, 198
Great Britain
Antarctic sector, 16, 32
condominium proposal, 24–25
Falklands lease-back proposal, 24, 26–27, 97–98
and occupation of Southern Thule, 25, 49–50
and scheduled talks with Argentina, 99–100, 108
and sovereignty issue, 21–24
see also British Antarctic Survey; British Embassy; FCO; MOD
Green, Michael, NB’s First Lieutenant, xiv, 2, 112, 170, 204
Green, Warrant Officer, RM, 216
Grytviken, 48–49, 103, 130
attack on Argentine positions at, 179, 191–93
Buxtons’ visit to, 132–33
church, 48, 133, 148
Ernest Shackleton’s grave at, 48, 105
Guerrico, Argentine corvette, 167, 169, 172
Gulf Oil, 17
Haig, General Al, US Secretary of State, 151
Halifax, Admiral Sir David, 186, 187
Hamilton, Captain John, SAS, 179, 181, 182
Harding, G.W., Ambassador to Brazil, 92–93
Harris, Jeremy, BBC reporter, 219–20
Hart-Dyke, Captain David, RN, 205
Hayward, Admiral, US C-in-C Navy, 151
Hayward, Sir Jack, 244
Headland, Bob, Scott Institute, 140
Healey, Denis, MP, 20, 69, 70, 140
Heap, Dr John, FCO Polar dept, 10, 11, 29, 87–88
Heath, J.M., Ambassador to Chile, 162–63
Helicopters
accident at Royal Bay, 101–04
Argentine, 142, 167–68
to land SAS on S. Georgia, 179, 180–84
used against Santa Fe submarine, 188–90
Wasps (on Endurance), 29–30, 57–58, 137, 154, 189–90, 191
Hercombe, Peter, Pebble Mill
producer, 55
Hermes, HMS, carrier, 200
Heseltine, Michael, MP, 243
Higgins, Rear Admiral William, 227
Hill, Admiral J.R., 1
Hill-Norton, Admiral of the Fleet
Lord, 3, 81
Hindle Glacier, 102
Hope Bay, 60, 110
Hunt, Lady (Mavis), xiii, 46
with Endurance, 55, 56, 101–04
Hunt, Sir Rex, Governor of Falklands, 27–28, 46, 57, 222
on Argentine intentions, 137, 143
and Argentine invasion, 161–62, 163–65
on British diplomatic
procrastination, 98–99
and landings on Leith, 104–06, 133–36, 137
and return of Endurance (July), 218, 219–20
and sovereignty talks, 108
on television films of Falklands, 61–62
trips on Endurance, xiii–xv, 55, 56–57, 101–04
visits to scientific bases, 59–60, 103–04, 105
Hurst, W., Navigating Officer, 2, 56, 156–58, 171
Husvik, S. Georgia, 49, 105
Hutchinson, Patricia, Ambassador to Uruguay, 95
Hydrographic work, by Endurance, 15, 31–32, 111
Beyond Endurance: An Epic of Whitehall and the South Atlantic Page 28