Interview with Alastair Duthie

Alastair Duthie born 1912 in Dunedin. Talks about early life in Dunedin and early experiences on boats and in the outdoors. Describes experiences as a member of the Cape Expedition in World War II: selection and preparation for the expedition, voyages to the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island, navigating and handling the boat, daily routines and duties. Discusses ships the Tagua, the Ranui and the Golden Hind and talks about Captain Webling, Jack Ohlson, engineer Tommy Pook, Doug Knowles, Wally Ineson, Jack Trigger, Jack Sorenson, Bill Dawbin, George Jones. Mentions Robert Falla and Charles Fleming. Recalls expedition to Enderby Island: 'butcher's picnic' shooting cattle, using survival techniques when abandoned for three days, finding the figurehead and other relics from the 'Derry Castle'. Talks about weather, storms and the effects of weather on morale. Describes confinement on boat, cooking, rum ration, leisure time, making a still on Campbell Island and brewing beer. Talks about Carnley Hut, Grafton wreck, cutting of rata for the Erlagen, waterfall lookout hut, Dent Island, Fairchild's Garden on Adams Island. Describes marine mammals and birds, including muttonbirds and albatross. Recalls returning home to Dunedin, working as meteorologist in the airforce and life after the expedition.

Interviewer(s) - Fergus Sutherland

Relationship complexity - Alastair Duthie's papers relating to the Cape Expedition are held in the Manuscripts and Archives collection at MS-Papers-8117. Alastair Duthie's photographs relating to the Cape Expedition are held in the Photographic Archive collection at PAColl-8102-2

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010021 - OHC-010023

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3342.

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Listening copies are available at OHLC-0006754 to OHLC-0006756.