Rear Adm. Richard E. Byrd Monument - Wellington
Details:
On the south side of the car park.
The memorial consists of a monument in the form of a polar tent, the front of which is built up with rocks from Antarctica. The sides were originally covered in white stucco but were reclad in the early 1990s with ceramic tiles depicting auroras, designed by artist Doreen Blumhardt. At the center of the monument is a bronze bust of Byrd made by Thomas V. Johnston. Rear Admiral Byrd faces out of the polar tent towards the sea and Antarctica. Underneath the bust are three plaques that commemorate his achievements. The original plaques were damaged or removed and were replaced during the restoration of the memorial in the early 1990s. Another plaque was added noting the rededication of the memorial on 21 June 1993. It also commemorates Paul Siple, another Antarctic explorer who served in all of Byrd's expeditions. In 1928, Richard Byrd selected Eagle Scout Paul Allman Siple from thousands of applications of Eagle Scouts to accompany him on a journey to explore the South Pole. Siple eventually took part in six Antarctic expeditions.
The memorial was unveiled on 11 March 1962, the fifth anniversary of Byrd's death. Rear Adm. Byrd used New Zealand as a base for his Antarctic expeditions for 27 years and came to regard the country as his second home. This recognizes not only Admiral Byrd's accomplishments in exploration, referring to him as the "greatest explorer of the air age," but also his contributions to international understanding. One large plaque refers to him as "a great internationalist," whose "concepts of Antarctica as 'the great white continent of peace' are contained in the Antarctic Treaty."
Two memorials for Byrd were erected in New Zealand. The other is in Dunedin.
Source of information: nzhistory.govt.nz, www.southpolestation.com, oa-bsa.org
Source of photos: Google Maps
Monument Text:
Central plaque:
RICHARD EVELYN BYRD
Rear Admiral, U. S. N.
_____________
Born 25 October 1888
Died 11 March 1957
Ambassador of goodwill--friend of New Zealand
Below the central plaque:
The stones on this wall
are from the Koettlitz Glacier Region
Cape Hallett and Cape Evans
Antarctica
Left plaque:
THE ANTARCTIC TREATY
Signed on 1 December 1959 by twelve nations, this was a milestone along the road to international co-operation. It provided for non-militarisation, for the prevention of nuclear explosions and the disposal of radioactive waste, for an international inspection system, for the pooling of scientific information. It demonstrated the subordination of national interests to the wider cause of science and increased understanding between nations.
Right plaque:
THE GREATEST EXPLORER OF THE AIR AGE
Richard Evelyn Byrd dedicated his life to peaceful progress for mankind. Outstanding in aviation and exploration; he was a scientist, a humanitarian, a champion of freedom and a great internationalist. His concept of Antarctica as "the great white continent of peace" was a prelude to the Antarctic Treaty.
May the spirit of the Treaty endure and spread throughout the world.
Plaque on the ground:
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THIS MEMORIAL TO THE LATE REAR ADMIRAL BYRD WAS RESTORED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF THE NEW ZEALAND AMERICAN ASSOCIATION INC. AND THE NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY INC. RESTORATION WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROSITY OF AMERITECH AND BELL ATLANTIC NEW ZEALAND LTD., MOBIL OIL NEW ZEALAND LIMITED NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY, WELLINGTON CITY COUNCIL AND NUMEROUS INDIVIDUAL BENEFACTORS FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IT WAS REDEDICATED ON 21ST JUNE 1993 BY THE HON. FRAN WILDE, MAYOR OF WELLINGTON.
THE ARTWORK ON THE TILES SYMBOLISING THE AURORA AUSTRALIS OR SOUTHERN LIGHTS WAS DESIGNED AND CARRIED OUT BY NEW ZEALAND CERAMIC ARTIST DOREEN BLUMHARDT IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WCC
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DR. PAUL A. SIPLE 1908 - 1968
PAUL SIPLE ACCOMPANIED ADMIRAL BYRD TO THE ANTARCTIC ON THREE EXPEDITIONS IN 1928 - 30, 1933 - 36, AND 1939 - 41. HE LATER UNDERTOOK THREE OTHER ANTARCTIC EXPEDITIONS INCLUDING THE LEADERSHIP OF THE SCIENTIFIC TEAM AT THE UNITED STATES SOUTH POLE STATION IN 1956 - 57. DR. SIPLE BECAME ONE OF THE FOREMOST AUTHORITIES ON THE GEOGRAPHY OF ANTARCTICA, POLAR LOGISTICS AND THE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ADAPTATION OF HUMANS TO LIFE IN COLD REGIONS.
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Commemorates:
People:
Units:
United States Navy
Battles:
Operation Highjump
Other images :
