Melchior Base

File:Melchior1.JPG

In January 1942 the Argentine Navy transport ARA Primero de Mayo, commanded by then Frigate Captain Alberto J. Oddera, departed from Buenos Aires with the mission of studying the western coast of the Antarctic Peninsula, especially the area of the Melchior and Argentine Islands. In the former the expedition built a lighthouse and daybeacon.

The archipelago was visited again the following year to continue with the cartographic work and to do maintenance duties on the lighthouse. Three years later, in 1946, the National Antarctic Commission sponsored a new exploration trip.

This new expedition sailed away from the continent in January 1947, led by then Frigate Captain Luis M. García. It was made up of the light transports Patagonia and Chaco, the patrol ships ARA King and ARA Murature, the tanker Ministro Ezcurra and the whaler Don Samuel.

The expedition arrived in Observatorio Island on the last day of 1947, and set up a hydrographic camp and basic astronomical observatory at Punta Gallows.

It took 47 days of labor to dynamite the rock, lay down the groundwork for the radio antennae and build the main house: a semi-prefabricated building {{convert|27|m|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|7.50|m|abbr=on}} wide, with thermally insulated double walls and ceilings. It had a water boiler, two power generators, batteries and several radio transmitters.

Two {{convert|25|m|abbr=on}} high antennae made possible to communicate with Buenos Aires through radio telegraphy. They also erected four {{convert|18|m|abbr=on}} towers for the {{convert|100|m|abbr=on}} per side rhombic antenna.

The crew unloaded {{convert|300|MT|abbr=on}} of equipment and supplies, including {{convert|150|MT|abbr=on}} of coal, a difficult operation due to the high waves and lack of landing beaches. On 31 March 1947 the construction was finished. Patagonia was forced to leave the area as ice began to cover the seas. A brief farewell ceremony was held at the foot of the mast, where Captain García handed command of the new facilities over to Lieutenant Juan A. Nadaud.

In 1952 Melchior became the main source for Antarctic weather forecasts, broadcasting reports three times per day. Larger astronomic facilities were inaugurated in 1955; later, during the 1957–58 International Geophysical Year, the first automatic tide gauge in Antarctica was installed at the base.

On 30 November 1961 Melchior was demoted to summer-only base.

In the austral summer campaign of 1962–63 four Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum scientists conducted marine biology research. Since the summer season of 1968–69 the facilities have been periodically used for this scientific discipline, under commission of the Argentine Naval Hydrographic Service.

{{Infobox lighthouse | qid = Q11681788

| image_name = Melchior Base (16109253078).jpg

| caption = Primero de Mayo Lighthouse

| location = Melchior Base
Melchior Islands
Palmer Archipelago
Antarctica

| mapframe = no

| coordinates = {{coord|64.325688|S|62.976063|W|format=dms|region:AQ|display=inline}}

| yearbuilt = 1942{{Cite rowlett|ata|access-date=23 May 2017}}

| foundation = Concrete base

| construction = Metal skeletal tower

| shape = Triangular pyramid skeletal tower with light

| marking = Red tower with orange daymark

| height = {{convert|11|m|ft}}

| focalheight = {{convert|27|m|ft}}

| characteristic = Fl W s.

| managingagent = Argentine Navy

}}

Melchior is located {{convert|1205|km|abbr=on}} from Ushuaia, the nearest port city.

{{As of|2008}} the base is composed of 4 buildings which can house a maximum crew of 15.{{cite web|url=http://www.dna.gov.ar/INTINFO/ARGPERES.HTM|title=Intercambio de información – Información Permanente|publisher=Dirección Nacional del Antártico|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517141559/http://www.dna.gov.ar/INTINFO/ARGPERES.HTM|archive-date=17 May 2013}}

It has a basic infirmary of {{convert|6|m2|abbr=on}} attended by a paramedic.

The mean annual temperature at Melchior is {{convert|-3.6|C|abbr=on}}. The absolute maximum temperature recorded was {{convert|9.2|C|abbr=on}} on 30 January 1950, while the absolute minimum was {{convert|-36.6|C|abbr=on}}, on 9 August 1958.

• Argentine Antarctica
• List of Antarctic research stations
• List of Antarctic field camps
• List of lighthouses in Antarctica

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Piñeiro|first=Armando Alonso|title=Historia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hEkkAQAAIAAJ|volume=1|year=1981|language=es}}

• [http://www.marambio.aq/melchior.html Fundaciòn Marambio – Base Melchior] {{in lang|es}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110303004340/http://www.dna.gov.ar/INGLES/INDEX.HTM Dirección Nacional del Antártico] {{in lang|es}}

{{Commons category|position=left|Melchior Station|Melchior Base}}

{{Portal bar|Earth sciences|Geography|Argentina}}

{{Antarctic research stations}}

{{Antarctica}}

{{ArgentineAntarctica|state=uncollapsed}}

{{Authority control | additional=Q11681788}}

Melchior

Category:Populated places established in 1947

Category:Lighthouses in Antarctica

Category:1947 establishments in Antarctica