Case 18
- Americans in Port, Richard Evelyn Byrd
Memento of a Luncheon Given to Commander R. E. Byrd on the Eve of the Departure of his Expedition to the South Pole, Dunedin Club, 27 November 1928.
Among the many official and business receptions attended by Commander Byrd during his visit here in 1928, was a farewell lunch at The Dunedin Club. Several prominent citizens signed the memento including one of Byrd’s great benefactors in Dunedin, Mr H. L. Tapley. His company provided many shipping services for Byrd.
Memento courtesy of the Dunedin Club.
Memento of a Luncheon Given to Commander R. E. Byrd on the Eve of the Departure of his Expedition to the South Pole, Dunedin Club, 27 November 1928.
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Postcard (copy). Members of the Otago Harbour Board on board the City of New York and verso of card, 11 December 1929.
In November 1929 Byrd flew over the South Pole, to great acclaim. The ship City of New York had gone into dock in Port Chalmers in October 1929 and on completion of repairs was moored at the Dunedin wharf. A celebratory dinner was held on board on 11 December for members of the Otago Harbour Board, and the resulting photograph was used as a postcard. H. L. Tapley was seated third from the left. The postcard was signed by Captain Frederick C. Melville, master of the City of New York from 1928 to 1930. Melville Point, Antarctica, is named after him.
Photograph reproduced courtesy of Port Chalmers Regional Maritime Museum.
Postcard (copy). Members of the Otago Harbour Board on board the City of New York and verso of card, 11 December 1929.
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Byrd Expedition cup and saucer, ca. late 1920s to early 1930s.
Courtesy of Port Chalmers Regional Maritime Museum.
