Interview with Ted Mitchell

Ted Mitchell born 1911. Recalls early work in sawmilling. Talks about experiences as a member of the Cape Expedition to Campbell Island: reasons for selection, preparations, the voyage down to the island, arrival and building camps. Describes companions - leader Leo Stannaway, Ray Wilson, and radio operator Norm Trustram. Talks about living quarters, keeping watch, whales, tuna, food, celebrations, sheep shooting and eating wildlife. Recalls historic sites on the island including farming and whaling sites. Discusses morale, news of the war and communications with home. Talks about leaving the island on the Tagua. Describes experiences after the Cape Expedition - sailing on the Golden Hind taking supplies to coastwatchers at many different islands, including the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. Talks in detail about second expedition to Campbell Island and the Auckland Islands, as engineer on the Ranui. Describes duties as engineer, manouvering the ship, emergencies and engine trouble.

Interviewer(s) - Fergus Sutherland

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010030 - OHC-010032

Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 2.20 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3345.

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

Alternative form available: Listening copies are available at OHLC-006763 to OHLC-006765.