Guide to the Robert C. Newcomb Oral History, 2000-2002 SPEC.PA.56.0051 Finding aid prepared by Audrey Wimbiscus Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2020 March This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2020-08-03T16:21-0400 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Robert C. Newcomb Oral History SPEC.PA.56.0051 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.07 Cubic feet 2000-2002 Robert C. Newcomb was a United States Navy captain who served as the navigator onboard the United States Ship (USS) Glacier on its maiden voyage to McMurdo Sound in Antarctica as a part of Operation Deep Freeze I in 1955. The Robert C. Newcomb Oral History, dated 2000-2002, contains audio recordings, administrative information, and transcripts of the interview between Newcomb and former Ohio State University Polar Archivist Raimund Goerler conducted on March 17, 2000, regarding his time in the United States Navy, especially as the navigator of the Glacier. (3) letter file folders; (2) audiocassettes English Newcomb, Robert C. Arrangement of Materials

Materials are arranged in the order created during the interview process with the first file containing administrative materials created before, during, and after the interview.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2000.0039: Robert C. Newcomb, 2000 March 17

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Robert C. Newcomb Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0051, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University

 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Contains audiocassettes.

 Access to Materials

Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Audio materials may need a use copy produced before access is allowed. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2020 March; Finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2020 March

 Biographical Note

Captain Robert C. Newcomb (1926-2008) enlisted in the United States Navy following his high school graduation in 1944. He graduated from the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program at Tufts College in 1947 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. His first assignment was on the United States Ship (USS) Kearsarge, an aircraft carrier.

In 1955, Newcomb was named the navigator of the USS Glacier, which was the largest and most powerful icebreaking ship in the world at the time. The Glacier’s maiden voyage was Operation Deep Freeze I to Antarctica in 1955-1956 with Admiral Richard E. Byrd. As navigator, Newcomb helped set the course the Glacier took through the ice to McMurdo Sound. On this trip, the Glacier broke ice that allowed cargo ships to get into McMurdo Sound and bring supplies for the building of McMurdo Station. Newcomb also personally assisted in surveying a small bay near the Windmill Islands on the Wilkes Coast; this bay was later named Newcomb Bay in his honor.

Newcomb returned to Antarctica on the Glacier during Operation Deep Freeze II in 1956-1957; following his time on the Glacier, he taught at Vanderbilt University as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science. In total, Newcomb served 28 years of active duty in the U.S. Navy; following his retirement from the U.S. Navy, he started a second career as a real estate agent.

 Scope and Contents

The Robert C. Newcomb Oral History, dated 2000-2002, contains audio recordings, administrative information, and transcripts of the interview between Newcomb and former Ohio State University Polar Archivist Raimund Goerler conducted on March 17, 2000. This interview was a part of a series of polar oral histories sponsored by American Polar Society and Ohio State University's Byrd Polar Research Center Archival Program, with funding from the National Science Foundation. Major topics discussed include Newcomb's time as the navigator of the United States Ship (USS) Glacier on its maiden voyage to McMurdo Sound in Antarctica as a part of Operation Deep Freeze I, life onboard the Glacier and challenges of navigating an icebreaker ship, memories of Admiral Richard E. Byrd, and Newcomb's time in the United States Navy.

 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

 Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957 Glacier (Icebreaker). McMurdo Station (Antarctica). Newcomb, Robert C. -- Interviews Operation Deep Freeze--Personal narratives. United States. Navy--Ice breaking operations. United States. Navy--Officers. United States. Navy--Personal narratives. Audiocassettes Dead reckoning (Navigation) Electronics in navigation Ice breaking operations--Antarctica--20th century Icebreakers (Ships)--United States--20th century Oral histories (literary works) Pilots and pilotage--Antarctica--20th century Notes and correspondence Polar Oral History 2 1 2000-2002 Interview recording Polar Oral History 6 1 2000 March 17 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: 42:30 minutes Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

Interview recording copy Polar Oral History 9 1 2000 March 17 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: 42:30 minutes Transcript Polar Oral History 2 2 circa 2000 Final edited transcript Polar Oral History 2 3 circa 2000 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.