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[[File:Sabrina Island South.png|300px|left]]
[[File:Quin Blackburn.jpg|250px|left]]
'''[[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. 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.
'''[[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 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. A copper $2 WAD [[Coins of Westarctica|coin]] was minted in 2012 by the [[Central Bank of Westarctica]] and remains the only coin ever created by any country to celebrate the island. The coin has an image of the [[southern elephant seal]] instead of the island itself.  
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.


'''([[Sabrina Island|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...)