Opening slate states that "South Georgia is one of the greatest whaling centers in the World." It notes that more than 10 thousand are taken annually. View from a whaling vessel of a pod breaking the surface of the water. Flocks of birds follow them closely. Slate states that "A whaling trip was a delightful experience for the crew. (This alludes to members of the Shackelton Antarctic expedition who are aboard the whaler for the experience.) Slate states, "The gunner stands on a forward platform to direct the movements of the boat." View of the gunner in the ship's bow. Next, he is seen manning a harpoon gun and directing the ship''s movement. Slate reads: "The harpoon hits the bulls eye and away goes the whale under water at a terrific speed." View of heavy line in the rigging that is attached to the harpoon. (Slate says it is a quarter of a mile in length.) View of the whale being hoisted aboard the ship by its flukes. Whaling crew members use wooden poles with harpoon points to maneuver the whale. The whale is tagged with a Norwegian flag and released. Another view of the gunner in the ship's bow preparing to harpoon another whale. He fires the harpoon gun, twice, at this whale. Closeup of the whale next to the ship's starboard side, where crew members are retrieving it with a line.
Shell back initiation ceremonies underway aboard The USS Edisto in the Pacific Ocean. Ensign Nelson, dressed as a cigarette girl, sits on a ladder and hands out gum and cigarettes to the sailors. The sailors tease him about his dress. They break an egg on a Pollywog's head. Another sailor act as a dog and follows his master with a rope in his neck. Doctor Savage dressed as a doctor examines the Pollywog. The ice-breaker USS Edisto (AG-89) was under the command of Commander E. C. Folger, USN. The ship was headed for Antartica, as part of the U.S. Navy Antarctic Development Project, a continuation of the 1947 "Operation High Jump."
United States ship Langley underway in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Vought VE-7 aircraft piloted by Lieutenant Commander V.C. Griffin comes in for landing aboard the Langley on January 29th, 1922. Aircraft lands and taxis along the flight deck.
Sea Gulls and Snow Petrels in Antarctica, as photographed by members of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition in 1929. . A flock of Sea Gulls on a glacier. They stand and move around. Two Sea Gulls share a piece of some food. They both pick at it. A small flock of gulls picks at a big piece of some food. A large flock of Snow Petrels on the ice. The ocean in the background. Some of them fly. The flock rests and then again takes flight.
Shellback initiation ceremony aboard the ice-breaker USS Edisto (AG-89), under the command of Commander E. C. Folger, USN. The ship was headed for Antartica, as part of the U.S. Navy Antarctic Development Project, a continuation of the 1947 "Operation High Jump." Commander Nutt and Mr Grace serve as officers of the deck during King Neptune's shell back ceremony. Mr Grace uses two toilet rolls as binoculars and looks through them. The crew search for Davy Jones. Mr Boffa , a civilian dressed in a costume, also looks for Davy Jones. Mr. Malcolm Davis of the Washington Zoo is seen. A pollywog officer on the deck. He reports to the officer that they could not find Davy Jones.
Relates to the U.S. Antarctic expedition,Operation High Jump. Shows shellback initiation rites held aboard the USS Mount Olympus (AGC-8), under Captain Cruzen, sailing in Atlantic upon the crossing of the equator. U.S. vessels caught in a heavy sea-storm. Ships move through heavy seas. USS Cacapon (AO-52) along side the USS Mount Olympus in heavy seas for refueling. Captain of USS Cacapon comes aboard the Mount Olympus to discuss and urge rapid refueling for safety of the ships. Seaplane aboard a seaplane tender falls in the sea due to heavy turbulence. Surgeons operate an injured sailor at the sick-bay on a vessel.