The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is about to embark on an ambitious infrastructure renewal program to make Davis Research Station (WAP AUS-Ø3, established in East Antarctica in 1957) a safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient place to live and work.
Last month of May, AAD signed an agreement with a construction and design consortium to deliver the $250m program of works, which will start with an upgrade of the station’s water and power supplies. “Davis can’t sustain a full population because of water limitations,” the Australian Antarctic Division’s Director of Infrastructure Delivery, Matt Wuersching, said.
“It’s the only Sation where we have to produce water; all the other stations have their own fresh water source.” Limited access to water means numbers on Station also have to be restricted. “At the moment we’re restricted to between 63 and 73 expeditioners – down from a possible 88 – to manage the water,” Mr Wuersching said.
TNX and credit: AAD
Establishing Davis station
Phillip Law was the first director of the Australian Antarctic Division. He used Wilkins’ information to work out a location for a new Australian Antarctic Station. In early 1954, Law visited on the way from the recently established Mawson Station (WAP AUS-Ø4). After a few years of planning, in January 1957 Law led a voyage to establish Davis Station.
After 2 days on the Kista Dan searching for a good anchorage and fresh water sources, Law decided to locate the station on a small rocky plateau above a black sandy beach. On 13 January, a small ceremony was held to officially open the new station. It was named after Antarctic legend, John King Davis , captain of the ships Aurora (1911–14) and Discovery (1929–31) — used by Douglas Mawson on his expeditions. After the ceremony, unloading continued and the Kista Dan sailed on 20 January. Later in the season, the ship made a return visit to Davis to drop offsledge dogs. Expeditioners spent the first 2 years learning about the Vestfold Hills and developing essential station services. The first party to winter in the Vestfold Hills was not completely isolated. Auster aircraft flew between Mawson and Davis several times to exchange personnel and supplies. In January 1965, Davis was temporarily closed to concentrate resources on building Casey Station Station (WAP AUS-Ø2). Davis was reopened on 19 February 1969, and has operated continuously since.
Thanks and Credit to: Davis station: a brief history – Australian Antarctic Program