Today we learned that we have been granted the honor of carrying the flag of the Explorers Club on our project in Newfoundland. The Explorers Club flag represents an impressive history of courage and accomplishment and has been carried on hundreds of expeditions by Club members since 1918. To carry the Club flag is an honor and a privilege. It has flown at both poles, from the highest peaks of the greatest mountain ranges, traveled to the depths of the ocean, to the lunar surface, and outer space. A flag expedition must further the cause of exploration and field science.
The current flag was designed by Frederick S. Dellenbaugh, one of the Club’s founding members. Between the red of courage and the blue of fidelity lies a broad white diagonal displaying the initials of the Club’s name and a compass rose, symbolizing the worldwide circle of the Club’s interests. The first members to carry the new flag were Clyde Fisher and Carvath Wells, who journeyed to Lapland in 1924 while leading an astronomy expedition for the American Museum of Natural History.
Today there are 202 numbered flags, each with its own history. Many of the older flags have been retired. A select handful of these retired flags are framed and displayed at headquarters in New York City, including the flags carried by Roy Chapman Andrews, Bob Bartlett, Thor Heyerdahl, and the miniature flag carried by the astronauts onboard Apollo 11.
The final report of the project will be archived at the Explorers Club and on www.Explorers.org.
Jan 26th, 2016
Steve Lewis – Tech Diver Training
As the days tick down, preparations for Mine Quest are truly picking up speed. The process is somewhat mitigated because at least Newfoundland is not so remote that forgetting to pack some little but essential piece of hardware would probably not be a total disaster… not quite the same pressures as an expedition to jungle or the arctic; but pressure nevertheless.
Several great developments during the past few days. And one of the sweetest is that we got word that our team will be carrying an Explorers’ Club Flag.
These have been and continue to be part of the history of exploration. Explorers Club flags have been carried on hundreds of expeditions in the past 100 years, and represent one of the key principles of the Club’s mission: To engage in scientific exploration and share the results.
Explorers Club flags have been to both poles, to the highest peaks of the greatest mountain ranges, to the depths of the ocean, and to outer space. Now we get to take one for a trip to Bell Island, Newfoundland.
Also, the list of sponsors is growing… Our friends at Shearwater and Sub-Gravity are now supporting team members with products we know, trust, and are happy to depend on in the toughest conditions.
