Difference between revisions of "Template:Westarctica.wiki:Today's featured article"

 
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[[File:Countess-Benton-Cert.jpg|300px|left]]
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Her Ladyship, the '''[[Countess of Benton]]''', Deborah McHenry, is the mother of [[Grand Duke Travis]], and a member of the [[Peerage of Westarctica]]. The Countess was invested as a Dame Commander in the [[Order of the Snowflake]] at the same time she received her title. In July 2017, she was declared a Living Saint by the Universal Life Church. The Countess is an active part of [[Westarctica]], having represented the nation during the [[2017 - State visit in Scone|2017 State Visit to the Kingdom of Scone]]. She is also a frequent participant in Westarctica's Citizen's Group on Facebook. Her Ladyship will join the official Westarctica delegation to [[MicroCon 2019]] in Hamilton, Ontario.
'''[[Quin Blackburn]]''' was a geologist on the First and Second Byrd Expeditions and leader of the geologic party that explored the [[Transantarctic Mountains]]. Blackburn served as a geologist and seaman—before—the mast on the [[Richard E. Byrd|First Byrd Expedition]] (1928-1930). During this expedition, Blackburn and 41 other explorers were forced to winter over in the Little America base due to their ship being stuck in the pack ice.


Her Ladyship's title is derived both from [[Benton Island]], a small island in the [[Marshall Archipelago]] in western Westarctica, as well as a tribute to her hometown of Benton, Pennsylvania. Grand Duke Travis originally tried to bestow the [[Peerage of Westarctica|title]] "Dowager Duchess" upon his mother, but during the phone call discussing her potential titles, Deborah dismissed the choice as making her sound "too old." At that time, she also expressed her wish to omit the word "dowager" entirely from her title, despite being a common honorific for the mother or grandmother of a monarch. After a brief negotiation, they agreed upon the noble rank of countess.
Undoubtedly, Quin Blackburn's most lasting contribution to [[Antarctic]] exploration was as the leader of the Second Byrd Expedition's Geologic Party (1933-1935). During this expedition, he led a three-man team on a 1,500 mile trek across [[Marie Byrd Land]], investigating the geology of the [[Queen Maud Mountains]] while also sledging the length of the [[Scott Glacier]] onto the Polar Plateau. His prowess as an explorer was evident by the fact that his team returned from their long polar traverse having gained weight. Blackburn copied [[Robert Falcon Scott]]'s system of traveling with and consuming a large team of dogs to ensure a steady supply of protein, fat, and Vitamin C during the expedition.


'''([[Countess of Benton|Full Article...]])'''
'''([[Quin Blackburn|Full Article...]])'''

Latest revision as of 15:25, 20 August 2025

Quin Blackburn.jpg

Quin Blackburn was a geologist on the First and Second Byrd Expeditions and leader of the geologic party that explored the Transantarctic Mountains. Blackburn served as a geologist and seaman—before—the mast on the First Byrd Expedition (1928-1930). During this expedition, Blackburn and 41 other explorers were forced to winter over in the Little America base due to their ship being stuck in the pack ice.

Undoubtedly, Quin Blackburn's most lasting contribution to Antarctic exploration was as the leader of the Second Byrd Expedition's Geologic Party (1933-1935). During this expedition, he led a three-man team on a 1,500 mile trek across Marie Byrd Land, investigating the geology of the Queen Maud Mountains while also sledging the length of the Scott Glacier onto the Polar Plateau. His prowess as an explorer was evident by the fact that his team returned from their long polar traverse having gained weight. Blackburn copied Robert Falcon Scott's system of traveling with and consuming a large team of dogs to ensure a steady supply of protein, fat, and Vitamin C during the expedition.

(Full Article...)