Scientific interest in the Falkland Islands Dependencies was revived after a lapse of some years when Operation “Tabarin” was formed in 1943, under the auspices of the Royal Navy. In spite of severe wartime limitations on equipment, a great deal of fundamental survey and geological work was accomplished during these early years. The Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (F.I.D.S.), which was established in 1946, continued the scientific work of Operation “Tabarin”, and since that date it has gradually expanded its scientific activities in the Dependencies. The Survey is now solely responsible for all official British geological investigations undertaken in the Dependencies.

The ice bridges described in this article are constructed annually to replace the ferries which operate during the summer on the Yukon, Pelly and Stewart rivers in Yukon Territory. These river crossings are on the Mayo Road connecting Dawson City and Mayo with the Alaska Highway. The traffic on the road consists largely of heavy trucks carrying mining ores from the United Keno Hill, and other mines.

Unstable sea ice conditions in 1955 and 1956 made it advisable to carry some form of boat during sledge journeys from the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (F.I.D.S.) station at Horseshoe Island, in Marguerite Bay, Graham Land. The account given of a sledge-boat in Hints to travellers (Vol. 2, 11th ed., 1938, p. 137) was followed, and a craft similar to that employed by the Oxford University Arctic Expedition of 1935-36 was constructed. When this boat was tested it was found to be unstable. This was due both to the saucer-shaped cross-section and to the fact that the whole load has to be placed on top of the sledge. These disadvantages were overcome by the incorporation into the design of a pair of skis, extended from the sledge outer longitudinal and runner on plywood struts. These widened the bottom of the boat and increased the stability. The new shape was intrinsically more stable, and it was also possible to place cargo in the bottom of the boat, thus lowering the centre of gravity.

An international glaciological expedition to Greenland (E.G.I.G.), in connexion with the glaciological programme of the International Geophysical Year, is being sponsored by the International Commission on Snow and Ice. The nations taking part are Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland. The expedition is to be led by Paul-Emile Victor, and organized by Expéditions Polaires Françaises. The special committee for the expedition consists of Professor R. Haefeli, President, R. Finsterwalder, Vice-President, M. A. Bauer, Secretary, B. Brockamp, Borge Fristrup, F. Kobold, Helge Larsen, J. Martin and P.-E. Victor.

During the Antarctic summer of 1956–57 the Falkland Islands and Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition continued the work started the previous season.

The Oluf Sven, carrying personnel, stores and a Bell 47-D helicopter, left Harwich on 20 October 1956 and arrived at Deception Island on 26 November. Modifications had been carried out to the ship to provide a hangar for the helicopter in one of the holds, and two hand winches had been installed to raise the machine to deck level. A sectional flight deck was carried and erected over the raked deck of the ship, but in practice it was found that the helicopter could operate with ease from the lift platform itself.