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[[File:Sabrina Island South.png|300px|left]]
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'''[[Sabrina Island]]''' is the largest of three small islets lying 1.5 km (0.93 mi) south of [[Buckle Island]] in the [[Balleny Islands]] off the coast of continental [[Antarctica]]. It was annexed, along with the rest of the Balleny Islands, by Westarctica in 2005.
'''[[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.


The island was discovered by [[whaling]] captain [[John Balleny]] in 1839. It was named for the ''Sabrina'', the cutter captained by Thomas Freeman during the expedition.
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.


The island has outstanding environmental and scientific value as a representative sample of the Balleny Islands – the only oceanic archipelago located within the main Antarctic Coastal Current. It is a breeding site for [[chinstrap penguin|chinstrap]] and [[Adélie penguin]]s as well as [[Cape petrel]]s. The site is protected under the [[Antarctic Treaty]] System as Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No.104.
'''([[Quin Blackburn|Full Article...]])'''
 
'''([[Sabrina Island|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...)