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The Islander - Thursday 6^th May 1999

Christening of Baby Thomas

On Sunday 2nd May 1999, Baby Thomas Ernest Roberts was Christened at St Mary's Church, Georgetown. Baby Thomas was born on Monday 22nd February 1999 to proud parents Clarence and Pamela Roberts (see The Islander article - Thursday 25th Feb)
	Proud Godparents in attendance were: Merlin & Helen George and proxy Godparents Sharon Henry & Mervyn Isaac (who are proxies for Bridget and Colin Thomas who are currently residing in the U.K.)

Last Message from the Maersk Ascension

The Maersk Ascension
15 years of service to Ascension Island.

VISIT BY THE USNS HENSON

The USNS Henson, the US Navy’s newest oceanographic survey ship, sailed into Clarence Bay on the morning of Friday 30th April. The ship is a T-AGS 60 class and is designed to provide multipurpose tasking in both coastal and deep-ocean areas. She weighs 5000 tons and has accommodation for up to 55 officers, crew and scientists. Although mostly used for oceanographic sampling of surface, midwater and ocean floor parameters allowing the updating of existing nautical charts and the creation of new ones, the flexibility of the vessel is such that she can be used for many other types of missions including rocket tracking.

The ship is named after Matthew Henson, the African American co-discoverer of the North Pole. By the age of 17 Henson had been at sea for 5 years and learned mathematics, navigation; the classics and was also fluent in Mandarin. In 1887 he signed on a survey expedition to Nicaragua with the Navy’s Robert Peary and this began an association of over 20 years between the two men. Henson learned the Eskimo language and the skills of handling dog teams and igloo building. Finally after 8 attempts, Peary and Henson reached the North Pole on April 6 1909. Because Henson was coloured, he did not receive much recognition for his part in the Pole expedition during his lifetime, although he was elected as an honorary member of the Explorer’s Club and was awarded the Navy’s silver medal. In 1988, however, his remains were moved to Arlington National Cemetery and reinterred with full honours beside the grave of Peary. In 1996, the 130th anniversary of his birth, the US Navy named its newest oceanographic survey vessel after him and family descendents were invited for its christening and launch.

Unfortunately, thanks to the heavy swell at the Pierhead, the crew of the Henson were unable to come ashore during their brief stay here. Instead they headed off later the same day for a pressing engagement in Barbados. Thanks to the Captain and crew for their excellent hospitality during their short visit and we look forward seeing you again, hopefully ashore, in November.

Chief Scientist Doug and Captain Andrew Diamond pictured aboard the USNS Henson.
(Apologies to Doug - we haven’t got your surname)

• The web-site for the ship is http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-h/ags63.htm
• There is another web-site describing the purpose of the ship at www.navo.navy.mil 

Father Keith Writes:

PARISH CHURCH OF ST MARY THE VIRGIN.  ASCENSION ISLAND (Diocese of St. Helena) Parish Priest: Fr. Keith James - 6431 Church Warden: Marvyn Isaacs Church Warden: Cheryl Anthony

Dear Friends,

So there I was, just standing there with my little roll of tickets and pot of change waiting for people to turn up for the dance, when this fellow swept by and dropped ten pence into the pot.
“Excuse me,” I said “are you going to the dance? Its a pound to get in”.
“What do you mean,” he replied aggressively.
I explained to him that this was the Dinner Dance of the Ascension Day Fair, and those who hadn’t had the dinner could now come into the dance for £1.00.
“I don’t think that’s right” he said, and began to tell me how he had been on the island for Thirty-one years and had his daughter Christened at St Mary’s and so on and so on - and didn’t see why he should have to pay. Anyway, he then put £1 in the pot and went back to the bar.
Oh dear, I thought, I wonder how much hassle I’m going to get standing here.
A few more people came through and bought tickets.
Then it was HIM again. This time a long harangue about charity. It was OK giving to charity, but there were far more charities in the world than the ADF, and he still thought it wrong that I should stand there asking for £1 a time. After a few minutes of this he went back to the bar again.
I was pretty cheesed off by now. It’s no fun having to beg for your bread anyway, which was what I felt I was doing.
Oh no, I thought, as he came back again.
“I have a confession to make” he said. “I was winding you up!!......... and very good at it he was too.
Sometimes, when one darn thing after another goes wrong it can seem that God is winding us up. Its not funny at the time, and only looking back afterwards can we see the point of it all, and maybe even smile about it. It is things like that which test us and make us grow.

God Bless You and Keep You,
Fr Keith & Ginny.

LETTERS

(The letter below was sent in response to Mr C.Leo's letter which was published in the 25^th February 1999 issue (under the letters section) of The Islander.

The first article published under the title "From the St. Helena & South Atlantic News Review - December 1998", can be found in the Thursday 18^th February 1999 issue.)

SCHOOL PAGE

In General Studies Year 8 students have been studying ‘Disasters of the 20th Century’.

The Lockerbie Incident

At 7:19 pm on December 21st 1998 a fireball came crashing down onto the small town of Lockerbie in Scotland. The fireball was in fact a Boeing 747. Pan Am flight 103 had taken off from Heathrow 24 minutes late bound for New York and less than an hour later, it was blasted from the sky. The incident killed 270 people, including 11 on the ground. The terrorists Abdelbaset Ali Mohammed al Magrhi and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah from Libya were named as the suspects. They were accused of planting the bomb in an unaccompanied suitcase from Malta. Had the plane not left 24 minutes late the bomb would have exploded over the Atlantic. If this had happened all the bodies and the plane would have ended up at the bottom of the ocean.

by Toni Bendall


The loss of the Titanic

I did a project, it had to be something which was a big disaster so I chose the Titanic. The Titanic collided with an iceberg whilst travelling at 22 knots (22 nautical miles or 41 kilometres per hour,) that ripped a 300 foot gash in it’s right side, ruptured five of its watertight compartments and caused it to sink at 2.20 am on April 15 1912. The survivors watched helplessly as the giant ship slid beneath the waves with her lights still blazing.

by Sara


Challenger Disaster

On January 28 1986 the USA was shook up by the Challenger disaster, on board were 2 Astronauts, 2 Navy Officers, 1 Engineer, 1 Army Officer and a Teacher who was chosen from thousands of people to be the first citizen to go into space.

73 seconds after lift off the Challenger Space Shuttle lit up like a firework display which killed off all of the crew.

By D. Sim


The Titanic

For General Studies last Term I did a project about the Titanic. The titanic was a British passenger liner on it’s maiden voyage. It only had enough life boats for half the passengers and because of this 1,513 lives were lost. There were only two pairs of binoculars on the whole ship and the watchmen didn’t have any, if they had they would have seen the iceberg earlier. If the ship wasn’t going too fast it could have stopped before it hit the iceberg. But it sank on April 15 1912.

By Mark


Floods

For general studies we had to do a project on disasters, mine was on floods.

Floods are awful disasters because they destroy and damage a lot of homes and they kill thousands and thousands of people each year. Floods do not just occur in certain countries, but throughout the whole world. In 1998 a major flood occurred in Somalia killing hundreds of people.

by Chantelle Henry


The Sinking of the Titanic

The sinking of the Titanic was one of the most shocking disasters of the 20th Century. 86 years ago the “unsinkable” liner went down claiming 1,517 lives.

The striking liner was on it’s way to New York. At 11.40 pm on Sunday April 14, 1912 Titanic was roaring along at 22 knots across the black sea. Suddenly fleet saw something directly ahead even darker than the night sky. As the ship hit the iceberg a grinding jar rushed throughout the ship. At 2.35 am Rostron suddenly saw the glow of a green flame. At 2.20 the Titanic was gone. Titanic was 11 stories high and weighed 46,328 ton and cost £1,500,000.

By Renee


Volcanoes

This term for my General Studies I did a project on Volcanoes, it was about how volcanoes occur and about great disasters over the years. The cone of the volcano is the part you see on earth. Magma lies below the surface and sometimes forces it’s way up to the earth’s crust.

By Olly

NEWS FROM ASCENSION AUXILIARY AIRFIELD By Maj Jeff Lowdermilk

It April was a very busy month on the US Base. We have supported an unusually large number of aircraft operations (and have a lot more to support), launch missions, facility renovations, and equipment modifications and activations. While it is easy to identify those on the “tip of the spear” making these operations possible, I would like to also express my sincere appreciation to the large number of personnel behind the scenes who make it happen day in and day out. These are personnel such as fire/security, communications, supply, commissary, dispensary, maintenance, powerplant, weather station, Volcano Club, MWR, laundry, and administration. It’s too easy to take such things as our telephone service, supplies that make our quality of life better, great food, the medical attention we get (don’t ever ask Janet about the only medical affliction I’ve had since I’ve been here), facility upkeep, lights, water, and everything else for granted. Next time you visit one of these facilities (and we do every day), tell them thanks.

The M/V Ascension was in port from May 22nd-26th. As always, our stevedoring crew performed exceptionally well. A total of 44 seavans, 6 refrigerated seavans, 4 break bulk, and 1 flatrack were off-loaded. Additionally, a total of 40 seavans, 9 vehicles, 6 refrigerated seavans, and 5 break bulk were loaded onto the ship. I have been watching these stevedoring for 10 months now and continue to be impressed with how expeditious, yet safe, these operations occur. In addition to accomplishing the mission, four more live green sea turtles were loaded as part of Dr Godbey and Dr Broderick’s study. When the grant money gets thin, I’ve heard bets can be wagered on which turtle will reach Brazil first.

We continue to have unauthorized personnel near the airfield during aircraft operations. These personnel are entering in our sandblast area on the north side of the airfield. There is a wire vehicle gate across the access road; however, we are unable to lock this gate for fire protection access. The gate was found open on three occasions during the May 24-25th weekend. This is an unsafe and unacceptable condition. If apprehended, consequences will result.

The softball season continues despite frequent launch operations. I appreciate everyone’s cooperation and flexibility during this busy month. Georgetown continues to lead the pack with a perfect record. The standings are as follows:

Major Jeff Lowdermilk

The Met Office Weather Report

Statistics for the week ending Sunday 2^nd May 1999.

ASCENSION SEA SWELL FORECAST ( based on data available on Monday afternoon) : South to southwesterly 1.5m.
Sea temperature around Ascension Island : 28 C.

ASCENSION ISLAND: A breezy week with the southeasterly wind over 25mph at times. Dry with good periods of sunshine early in the week but showers developed on Thursday and by Sunday night they became heavy at times.

ST HELENA: Gary Thomas reports:- A very sunny and dry week with no sign of even a light shower on or off the island. Rainfall for April totalled just 9.8mm, with long term average at 46.6. Sea conditions have been very good.

U.K: Some improvement in the weather from previous weeks as high pressure built over the country and brought sunny periods, though in places the cloud was slow to melt away. Winds turned to an easterly direction so the highest temperatures were on the western side of the country, up to 20C at times, whilst some of the eastern bases had temperatures nearer 11 or 12C.

FALKLAND ISLANDS: A mostly dry start to the week with a ridge of high pressure centred just to the north of the islands. However on Wednesday a cold front brought rain and heralded more unsettled and cooler weather for the rest of the week with westerly winds.

***************************************

METCHAT

For those who like statistics here are the figures which could not be included in last weeks Islander:-

Statistics for the week ending Sunday 25^th April 1999.

Sea temperature around Ascension Island :28 c.

ASCENSION ISLAND:After some quite heavy showers during the early hours of Monday, the rest of the week had long dry periods with only light showers from time to time, at least they were light at Airhead and Georgetown. The weekend was mostly dry with plenty of warm sunshine.

ST HELENA: Gary Thomas reports:- Generally a week when there was brilliant sunshine until midday when the cloud returned, followed by the occasional shower in the afternoon. Most rainfall fell during the early hours of the morning - still a lot more required, although Roger W would probably not agree to that this coming week. Sea conditions have been reasonable.

U.K: With a large areas of low pressure hovering around the country for much of the week, the weather was rather dismal with periods of rain crossing all areas, though it did begin to brighten up over the weekend. There was slight frost in places at the start of the week with afternoon temperatures struggling to make 12C in the north but conditions did warm up a little towards the weekend with a quite respectable 17C recorded in Southern England on Sunday.

FALKLAND ISLANDS: Mild at first but gradually becoming cooler as southwesterly winds brought bands of rain across the islands from Wedmesday. By Sunday though, high pressure was building and it became bright and dry again. The only night with a frost was Friday.

METCHAT ************************ “SNOOPY” ************************ METCHAT ************************ “SNOOPY” ************************

The big event of the past week, as far as the Met Office was concerned, was the arrival of “Snoopy”, our own meteorological research aircraft. It is in fact one of the most sophisticated flying laboratories in the world and has been heavily modified for the role. The long striped probe on the nose allows sensitive instruments to make measurements well away from the influence of the aircraft itself. It carries a wide range of instruments to measure pressure, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, turbulence, atmospheric radiation, the size and shape of cloud droplets, the presence and density of ozone, nitrogen oxides and many other elements, all measurements being taken in real time and transmitted straight back to the ground station.
Although the aircraft is based at Boscombe Down in UK, it is frequently away on detachments abroad and it has been to Ascension Island twice before, in 1991 and 1995. Many of its projects are so complex that they can only be undertaken in collaboration with other scientific teams and aircraft of other countries. It thus enjoys strong links with the universities and research groups in Europe and the USA.
It’s trip to Ascension Island this time is to fulfil two purposes - the callibration of instruments which are to be used in future meteorological satellites and to study the mechanism of the formation of stratocumulus cloud and the development of rain within it.
The value of the first is obvious, it is not worth sending instruments up in expensive satellites if they are not going to give accurate readings. The Hercules has some such instruments on board and will test the instruments as it flies along a simulated orbit.
Stratocumulus is that grey lumpy sheet of cloud that resembles the wave patterns on a beach and often ruins an English summers day. It is the bane of weather forecasters because it is almost impossible to determine when it will form or dissipate and as you can imagine it can greatly affect the temperature on a winter’s night. If it persists we may have a mild night, if it breaks up we could get a frost. If this project were to throw some light on the subject many forecasters would be very pleased and the public would get better forecasts.
The Met Office has always been in the forefront of computer technology, usually owning the largest machines in Europe, but they are not attractive to look at. We used to have a fleet of Ocean Weather Ships which were a source of pride but now they are gone Snoopy is left as the only really attractive piece of machinery that we have.
After all that flag-waving we will go for another walk next week, see you then,
Cestrian.

From The Maersk Gannet

We had an enjoyable evening on Friday with a few guests.
The highlight, or should that read strangest occurrence of the evening was when Karen went to the toilet. Dave, the 2nd Engineer, was convinced she was locked in and proceeded to open the door from the outside. By which time Mark and some of the rest of us were on hand to assist. The door was eventually opened only to find Karen standing there, with a bemused look on her face, wondering what we were all up to. Dave has been away from home too long (!!!), and it cost him a case of beer. Mark threatened a few times to ring the bell, but never got around to it. We will get you next time!

ADF BULLETIN No. 153 (No, it just seems like it)

Thanks to

• TWO BOATS SCHOOL For half the proceeds of their Easter Fair (£250)
• THE AMERICAN LEGION for a very good Casino night
• DONALD ARMS and the GET TOGETHERS ORCHESTRA for a super Dinner Dance at TWO BOATS CLUB
• AISPCA for a Donation of £100
• ROYAL MARINES for a Donation of £100
• CHURCH OF ENGLAND for a donation of £250
• OTHERS FOR OFFERS OF STALLS, HELP & GOODS

The Committee has now produced a timetable for the Day, a list of who is doing what, and a plan of where everything should be. The next - and final!! meeting of the Committee is on Friday, May 14th at 5.15 in the Junior Church.

WE STILL NEED ITEMS FOR THE AUCTION WHITE ELEPHANTS AND BITS & BOBS
HELPERS
CANS & BOTTLES etc... SEE YOU ON THE 22nd!!

Fr Keith, Chairman

Hash Trash
Hash No.743

The HASH began harmlessly enough down the loop road from Traveler’s pool. However, we quickly turned off the trail toward the perimeter fence. Some of the mid-pack chose to cut a little of the trail off, but were foiled as they came to a part of the fence where there was no crossing. They had to backtrack to the “proper” trail and do it the right way. Shortcutting, while a heinous HASHING offense, is an art and should only be attempted by those skilled in the art such as the Fugitive. The trail then headed across the klinker to a vertical rock face that had to be scaled. While most HASHERS chose the rock face, once again shortcutting was in full force. Even I was accused of this crime, but I, being the scribe, had to chose the route with the best aesthetic viewing of the HASH for this accurate documentary.

Well, being a HUGH HASH (not to be confused with WHO HASH), we had to do a hill. However, I don’t think anyone anticipated Lady Hill up the steep side. Naturally, as we neared the summit, it began to pour rain. We were all now sweaty, drenched, and cold (sniffle, sniffle). Warp Speed (the Hare) then mumbled something about the On-On down Lady Hill and a home arrow (the home arrow wasn’t for another 30 minutes—Warp Speed has either been out in the sun too long or thinking about his holiday too much). The race down Lady Hill was relatively uneventful except for a few arm fulls of prickly pear, a sprained ankle, a fall in the rocks, and a ton of winging. Naturally, A-Drain exhibited his downhill prowess and tore down the hill way ahead of the HASH with no regard for his ankles.

This is when a number of HASHERS said “enough is enough.” However, the HASH led across the road into the thorn trees, to a bar check that could only be negotiated by the HARE, and then to of the geothermal valves. At the valve, Lollipop couldn’t find her “rock,” so she sat on the valve with Smallthing. We also got a dissertation on blue rock by Ivor the Engine. After the On-On, Gilligan was heard to proclaim “no more hills.” Well, that was the wrong thing to say. After about five more up and downs in the ash below Green Mountain, we finally discovered the long promised home arrow. Of course, this was no picnic as we had to slog through the thorns, across the road, and jaunt back to the pool. Meanwhile the HASHERS who said “enough is enough” had their hidden agenda spoiled when they could not locate the sandwiches. I guess we should be thankful we had sandwiches as Warp Speed usually throws a sandwichless HASH.

The Apres HASH was then moved to the pool. There Lollipop received her 1st Veteran Dew Pond Run cup, but only after she drank the beer contained therein. She was presented the cup by the HASH Acting Administrators (just ask Warp Speed and Sniffy—you had to be there). The sandwiches were devoured and the beer held up (this hasn’t happened in a few weeks). So long to HASH 747. Congrats to Warp Speed for a superb HASH and exceptional exercise.

This Week’s HASHERS: Smallthing, Sniffy, Dozy Ha’P’orth, Near Miss, Roly Poly, Gilligan, A-Drain, Captain Klingon, The Human Mattress, Coffee Mate, Warp Speed, Ivor the Engine, Thunderthighs, Crystal Tips, Fit Guy, Wannabe, Beany Baby, Lollipop, Hong Kong Phooey, and Fiona (she really ought to be named before she leaves).

Receding Hareline: Saturday, May 8th, 4:30 PM: The Human Mattress, Thunderthighs, and Fiona from the NASA site emergency phone.
May 15th: Sniffy and Dozy Ha’P’orth; location to be determined.
May 22nd: A-Drain and Roly Poly; location to be determined.
May 29th: Coffee Mate, Chief Long Pole, and Near Miss from Command Hill.

Coffee Mate

EDITOR -Ian Andrews

The New Islander Office, Fort Hayes, Georgetown, Ascension Island.
Tel/Fax 00 + 247 6327

Deadline: 12 pm Tuesdays

E-Mail: editors@the-islander.org.ac
Deadline: 12 PM Tuesdays

Contributors: Penny Peters, Nathan Prince, Father Keith, Tony Jenkins, Jeff Lowdermilk, Betty Joshua, Richard Thomas, Caz Parker, Sharon Andrews, Carolyn Nichols, and others far to numerous to mention

Printers: SYLVIA & STELLA
The Islander post-box is situated in the entrance to the Administrator’s Office.
Deadline for all contributions as 12.00 on Tuesday

All articles © copyright 1999 The Islander Newspaper. All rights reserved.

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