Expedition Box

The front of the expedition box before treatment. A large wooden box with mettle trimming at the top and bottom. The wood has black and red writing on.
Front of box before treatment.
the top of the expedition box before treatment. the brown wood has metal trimming on the top, left and bottom sides. there is black red and write writing on the wood.
Top of box before treatment.

Cultural History

The sledge box is a significant item used on the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1955-58, which was the first over-land crossing of Antarctica. The box was originally marked with letters to indicate its contents during storage on the MV Theron. It was a standard size to fit on the dog sleds and was expected to be broken up after the expedition. However, this box survived and was used as the personal sledging box of Ken Blaiklock, who played a crucial role in the expedition. Ken led the Advance Party, spent a winter in a sub-ice hut, and became the first person to drive dogs to the South Pole since Amundsen. The box would have contained his personal clothing and equipment. Ken received many accolades for his polar work, including the Polar Medal three times, the OBE, and the Belgian Order of the Crown.

Image of two men next to a similar box on the Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Ken Blaiklock (left) with colleague Roy Homard on the Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Note the sledge box within the picture.
Photo source: https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-dominion-post/20201114/282175063648779

Condition Before Treatment

From a distance, the sledge box appeared stable, even though its worn-out appearance indicated its extensive usage as a working object. However, upon closer examination, the box displayed significant structural deterioration and considerable signs of wear upon all its different materials at a surface level (it was, after all, only designed to last throughout the course of the expedition and not another seventy years and counting).

Treatment Plan

In determining the appropriate course of action for the treatment of the box, it was crucial to weigh the necessary steps to maintain the box’s integrity against the need to preserve its historical significance, which is what makes it a valuable object worthy of conservation.

After consulting with the owner, we discussed the primary tasks that needed to be undertaken:

  1. Addressing the delaminating plywood at the box’s top and bottom,
  2. Treat the corroded metal catches,
  3. Ensure the preservation of all the lettering present on the surface,
  4. And adopt a conservation, not restoration, approach.

To prevent dissociation, meaning loss of objects, or object-related data, or the ability to retrieve or associate objects and data. It was determined that the structural stability of the box must first be addressed. The box’s imperfections act as a tangible connection to the past and are an essential piece of the expedition’s legacy. Where these imperfections do not affect the box’s preservation, they should be unaltered as this surface-level damage reflects the history of the box and was crucial to the object’s cultural and historical significance.

Once preliminary research and analytical techniques, such as fibre identification, material testing, solubility tests, and XRF (X-ray fluorescence), are completed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the object, treatment can commence.

Addressing the Structure

To begin, fish glue was applied between the disjointed areas of the box’s carcass, which was then clamped and left to cure. This process took more time than expected as the severity of the box’s misalignment was only recognised as more of the box’s structure was secured.

Over three weeks, the wood was gently persuaded bit by bit using the clamping and adhesive method, combined with a lot of patience. The progress was checked using a try square regularly, however, finally the object’s structure was successfully stabilised.

Amy pictured applying adhesive to the wood and clamping it into place.
Adhesion application and clamping process. 
Image showing the end of the box and the misaligned lid not fitting.
Securing of the structure of the main compartment revealed more misalignment. The lid no longer aligned with the main compartment of the box. 

This process continued until the lid could be opened and secured shut safely without risk of further damage.

Addressing delamination

With the box no longer at risk of falling apart during treatment (or when it returns to the owner). The issues regarding delamination of the surface plyboard layers could be addressed.

Relative Humidity and Moisture, perhaps introduced within the box’s lifetime as a working object and within storage later, had caused air pockets to form under the layer of plyboard at the top and bottom of the box. In some parts the wood had lifted completely and had caused loss in these places and cracks to form. This defect greatly threatened the lettering and other writing which was a large part of and testament to the box’s historical value.

Solubility tests had revealed that each type of ink or paint used on the surface reacted to distilled water, polar and non-polar adhesives. It was decided that to prevent loss of the writing and avoid further introduction of moisture into the surface layer, a heat-activated adhesive would be used.

Amy pictured applying heat with an iron through a protective layer of Melinex to heat BEVA film slipped under the outermost layer of delaminating plywood.
Heat was applied through a protective layer of Melinex to heat BEVA film slipped under the outermost layer of delaminating plywood.

BEVA (Berger Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) is a heat-activated adhesive film. This was removed from its backing and slipped under the layer of plyboard that was delaminating. This was then ironed over, using Melinex to protect the surface of the wood from scorch marks.

These adhered areas were then weighed down to ensure they were cured flat. The process was repeated on the bottom and top of the box.

Creating Supports

At some point during the box’s lifespan, the wooden supports at its bottom became dissociated, likely contributing to the misalignment of the overall structure. In order to prevent future misalignment once the structure was corrected, new wooden blocks were crafted. These blocks were carefully cut and aged using white spirits and dry pigments to match the box’s condition and ensure visual harmony. Subsequently, the blocks were securely attached to the bottom of the box using reversible fish glue adhesive, following precise measurements to ensure correct placement. Acid-free card cushioning was used to ensure the blocks laid flat across the wooden bottom and metal rim. The remaining original block was secured similarly and used as a reference for the new wooden blocks.

Amy applies the White Spirit and Dry Pigment mix to the surface of the blocks using a small paintbrush.
Applying the White Spirit/Dry Pigment mixes to the light wood blocks to match the original block’s colours, condition and wood grain.
The blocks after staining has been successful. The blocks are laid alongside eachother in a way to compare the results with the original block.
The block’s following staining. Original wooden block in the bottom right corner.
The sledge box lays upside down on supports so that the new wooden supports can be clamped in place on the underneath of the box.
The blocks were then adhered to the surface in the correct positions before being clamped in place and left to cure overnight.
The box on its side so the underneath can clearly be shown, the supports have been adhered successfully in the correct corners.
The finished result of the replacement supports after successful adhesion to the surface.

Cleaning & Removal of Corrosion

The last phase of the box’s treatment involved a comprehensive surface cleaning and the removal of metal corrosion. The metal nails and hinges were meticulously cleaned to unveil a cross-hatching design concealed beneath the corrosion. Multiple dry cleaning tools were employed to achieve this. Additionally, the box’s surface was gently cleaned using dry cleaning methods to prevent moisture from affecting the wood and to safeguard the existing lettering.

Amy holds a museum hoover in one hand, and a dusting brush in another as she cleans the surface of the box.
Following cleaning of the box with the dry cleaning tools, the surface was lightly brushed and hoovered to remove sedement on the surface.

The Results

While the visible results may not appear dramatically altered, it is important to note that the preservation of the box’s surface condition was prioritized to maintain its historical and cultural significance. However, significant structural stabilization has been achieved, which will effectively safeguard the box for future generations. Following the exhibition, the box will be returned to its owner.

The Antarctic Sledge Box following treatment, it is placed at an angle and the lid is closed.
The box following treatment, lid closed.
The Antarctic Sledge Box following treatment, it is placed at an angle and the lid is open.
The box following treatment, lid open.

Reflection By The Conservator

The box has not only taught me that objects from modern history can be just as captivating as older ones but also served as an excellent way to conclude my time on the course, by testing and challenging my conservation skills and my ability to conserve multiple materials simultaneously.

Portrait of Amy (White, Female). In the photo, she is wearing a white long sleeve shirt and has her hair styled in an updo. She is also wearing hanging leaf earrings and is smiling towards the camera. The portrait was taken against a black background.

This object was treated by Amy, click on her profile to learn more about her.