On Friday, 11th June three A Level Geography students visited HMS Scott in Cardiff Bay. HMS Scott had recently docked to join in the centenary commemoration of Captain Scott's ill-fated voyage to the South Pole. The 15th June marked exactly 100 years since Captain Scott set sail from Cardiff.
HMS Scott is the sixth largest vessel in the Royal Navy fleet, and is the Royal Navy’s deep-water survey ship. She has recently returned from a six month deployment in the southern hemisphere surveying the ocean seabed between Antarctica and the Equator. Her size is a consequence of her unique sonar equipment, capable of surveying the deepest oceans in continuous lines of up to 400 miles in length. HMS Scott’s other claim to fame is her assignment to undertake a survey of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster earthquake epicentre, in order to further the understanding of earthquakes and assist prediction of such events in the future. This work was of considerable benefit to the Asia region and to global geo-scientists.
HMS Scott completing operations in Antarctica
After a short introductory talk, Brigid, Kathryn and Clare were given permission to come aboard and were then taken on a guided tour of the survey vessel. This included some very steep stairs and the sonar imaging room, the heart of operations. A talk was then given by the naval officer in charge of sonar surveying, including some fantastic images of the ocean seabed. The images of sea-mounts were very interesting as were the images of deep sea rivers and valleys. It is thought that these rivers contain very cold and dense water, and their flow compensates that of warmer surface currents flowing in different directions. On the ship’s bridge there was a fascinating art display by local artist Rowan Huntley. The collect of paintings being the result of her five weeks as artist in residence on board HMS Scott in Antarctica. This opportunity was awarded by the Friends of The Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) and the Royal Navy. The paintings of icebergs and coastal scenery were extremely atmospheric, a remarkable achievement as they were painted in some very harsh conditions.
Brigid, an Upper Sixth Geography student thoroughly enjoyed the visit. “It was great to see what sort of diverse roles Geography can take you into. Surveying oceans after tsunamis on a state-of-the-art Navy ship sounds particularly exciting. It was also very interesting to tour the huge ship, entering into the spirit of adventure like the famous explorers.”
Kathryn, Brigid and Clare aboard the Royal Navy survey vessel HMS Scott
Nick Meek - Head of Geography
For further information linked to this trip see:
The Scott Polar Research Institute www.spri.cam.ac.uk