Interview of Richard L. Schulz by Brian Shoemaker

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2024-08-13

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Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program

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Mr. Richard Schulz was a Second Class Construction Mechanic when he volunteered for Deep Freeze 3 in 1957. He reported to Davisville Rhode Island in July 1957 and underwent a good deal of training – it was then he learned that he would be “Wintering Over” at Wilkes Station during the winter of 1958. He went to Christchurch aboard the USS Arneb – AKA 56. Both the Wilkes Station and Hallett Station winter-over parties were on the Arneb. The Arneb followed the USS Burton Island and the USS Atka through the ice to Hallett and then Wilkes Station. Petty Officer Schulz was injured in the unloading of the ship at Wilkes and almost was evacuated for medical care – his foot was crushed. However, there were no other mechanics and the station upkeep was dependent upon him. He volunteered to stay and went ashore with a cane – the ships left. He was left with 19 pieces of rolling stock - 11 weasels, a Mulligan Fork Lift, 5 D-4 Caterpillar tractors, 2 Dodge Power Wagons and a “Tucker Snow Cat that was worth its weight in gold.” He also maintained 5 Caterpillar Generators that were needed for electric power and 4 Herman Nelson Pre Heaters. [This is a monumental task for one man in civilization let alone under the extreme conditions in Antarctica. He kept almost 100% availability during his tenure on the base. Had he failed, the station would not have been able to accomplish their work during the last year of the IGY – Interviewers Note.] He discussed the operation of the station during the year that he was there. He describes the windstorms that exceeded the wind-speed gauge, the digging out after storms, that he produced enough fresh water for showers any time someone wanted them by taking water out of a lake, describes all of the facilities etc. He describes life on the station – mid-winter day party, the importance of Ham Radio (KC4 USK) to morale, the building of a Chapel by Father Henry Birkenhauer who was there as a seismologist, the closeness of all the personnel and the high espirit de corps. He describes all the disciplines of the scientific research that took place. He accompanied a traverse group out to a station inland 50 miles on the polar icecap – Site 2 which was an automated weather station. He describes driving his D-4 tractor “crevasse detector”. He hooked cables to the brake levers and ran them out the rear windows of the cat and steered it by pulling the left or right brakes while walking begind. The idea was for the tractor to detect the crevasse by falling in it and not risking personnel. He said that he only lost one tractor and no people. Petty Officer Schulz was also tasked with taking care of 32 huskies and driving the dog teams. He learned on the job. He shot seals for the dogs – they would not eat the Gaines meal that was sent down. He describes incidents with the dogs. He also talks about driving the dog team to the inland station – 50 miles in one day. After the 31st of December the IGY was over and the United States was to turn the station over to the Australians. He describes the arrival of the Australians on the MV Magga Dan under Dr. Phil Law. He goes into detail on the turn-over process. P.O. Schulz built a runway for the Auctralian’s Oster Aircraft and got a flight as a payback. He also went aboard the Magga Dan and helped to care for the Duck Amphibians and drove the Ducks back and forth unloading their supplies at the station. The icebreaker USS Staten Island transported the entire American crew back to New Zealand. They flew back to the United States. [PO Schulz is one of the unsung heroes of Deep Freeze. His can-do attitude kept Wilkes Station humming. No one would have condemned him if he did not volunteer to stay with his crushed foot at Wilkes – had he not stayed however, it is doubtful if the station could have performed their scientific mission – interviewer’s note.] He never again went to “The Ice!” There are photos of all personnel from Wilkes Station 1958 as well as a roster in this file.

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