The Weddell Sea – Antarctica Entry 8 by Cindy Goeddel
Cindy spends the morning exploring the sea ice of the Weddell Sea and braves an afternoon polar plunge.
Today, we are in the Weddell Sea, part of the Southern Ocean named after the Scottish sailor James Weddell who entered the sea in 1823 and got as far South as 74° S. He originally named it after King George IV, but it was renamed in Weddell’s honor in 1900.
We were awoken at 3:00 am in the Weddell Sea by the banging and shaking of the National Geographic Endurance breaking through sea ice. Immediately rolling out of our bunks, we began to enjoy and photograph the sea ice and bergs – absolutely gorgeous views as we made our way towards Snow Island. The captain “parked” the ship into the fast ice and we spent the morning on the sea ice of the Weddell Sea walking and exploring in the sunshine. The views of the ship, the snoozing Crabeater Seals and a few sledding Adelie Penguins were toasted with a glass of champagne. After lunch, 39 brave and foolish souls, included yours truly, enjoyed a Polar Plunge with the temperature of the sea registering 28.5 F.
From the breath of God ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
Job 41:21
