(b) Sledges

Event 12 went into the field with two sledges (1 dog sledge and one of the new 'red' sledges). Both withstood the conditions exceptionally well. The red sledge was handed over to Event 13 on Nov 20 at Depot Nunatak. Minor repairs had to be made to this sledge. Twine lashing and doping of a split outside longitudinal, which was damaged during a downslope manoevre on extremely smooth ice. The sledge and toboggan were going directly down a low gradient slope. The driver turned slightly causing the sledge to swing out catching up with the toboggan and eventually hitting a small snow patch and 'broadsiding' over. The sledge was fully laden and had a brake-man. Unfortunately, because this sledge lacked dog sledge handles and stand, braking by the brake-man proved ineffective against this rapid swinging out motion.

Other damage was minor (a) one leather lashing between the first bridge and runner was replaced; (b) abrasion of front cow-catchers, resulting from contact with the toboggan.

The sledge tanks appeared to have canvas sidings of poor quality. The dog sledge siding canvas continually ripped along eyelet holes and hook rivets. This was simply the result of badly deteriorated canvas. However, the red sledge had a new sledge tank and canvas sidings. This too ripped at the eyelet holes, on inspection these sidings did not have extra strengthening along the margin. Canvas siding failure was due to age and poor manufacture. Repairs seemed impractical, further ripping was prevented by loosely tying the canvas sidings, when loading, and increasing the main sledge lashings.