2020-12-02 Guide to the Gordon Fountain Oral History, 1996, 2001 SPEC.PA.56.0080 Finding aid prepared by Audrey Wimbiscus, Sam Devereaux Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2020 November This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2020-12-02T12:33-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Gordon Fountain Oral History SPEC.PA.56.0080 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.07 Cubic feet 1996, 2001 Gordon Fountain was a sailor and seaman on the United States Ship Bear of Oakland in 1933 when it sailed to Antarctica to pick up Admiral Richard Byrd and other crew members from the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II. The Gordon Fountain Oral History, dated 1996 and 2001, contains audio recordings and transcripts of the interview between Fountain and Brian Shoemaker conducted on October 19, 1996, as well as correspondence from 2001. The interview discusses Fountain's trip to Antarctica as a crew member on the United States Ship Bear of Oakland to pick up Admiral Richard Byrd and other members of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II for their return trip to America. (3) letter file folders; (2) audiocassettes English Fountain, Gordon Arrangement of Materials

Materials are arranged in the order created during the interview process, with the final folder containing correspondence following up on the interview after its completion.

 Acquisitions Information

Accession No. PA.2000.0062: Gordon Fountain, 1996 October

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Gordon Fountain Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0080, 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/visual 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 October; Finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, Sam Devereaux, 2020 November

 Biographical Note

Gordon Hillman Fountain (1913-1997) sailed to Antarctica on the Bear of Oakland as a crewmember on the second Byrd Antarctic Expedition. He first became involved with the trip when the Bear of Oakland was sent to Boston Navy Yard in Boston, Massachusetts for repairs in 1932; Fountain volunteered to help repair the ship due to personal interest in Antarctica. While he was not initially chosen as a crewmember, he was contacted several months after the Expedition started due to crew members quitting. Fountain met up with the ship in New Zealand in 1934, and joined the crew officially. He helped with daily maintenance and cleaning of the ship.

By the Bear of Oakland arrived at Little America alongside Support Ship (S.S.) Jacob Ruppert, Admiral Byrd was sick due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The Bear of Oakland left supplies and several men who would be wintering over at Little America, then it accompanied the S.S. Jacob Ruppert back to Boston, Massachusetts. The ships returned to Boston in January 1935 with Admiral Byrd, six penguins, and some sled dogs. Fountain later visited Antarctica with his wife on several Antarctic cruises and served on the Board of Governors of the American Polar Society through most of the 1980s and 1990s.

 Scope and Contents

The Gordon Fountain Oral History, dated 1996 and 2001, contains audio recordings and transcripts of the interview between Fountain and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on October 19, 1996, as well as correspondence with Fountain's family from 2001. The interview discusses Fountain's trip to Antarctica as a crew member on the United States Ship Bear of Oakland to pick up Admiral Richard Byrd and other members of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II for their return trip to America.

 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

Bear of Oakland (Ship) Byrd Antarctic Expedition (2nd: 1933-1935)--Personal narratives Byrd, Richard Evelyn, 1888-1957 Fountain, Gordon Audiocassettes Icebreakers (Ships)--United States--20th century Oral histories (literary works) Sailing--Antarctica--20th century Sailors--United States--20th century Sailors--United States--Social life and customs--20th century Interview recording Polar Oral History 6 1 1996 October 19 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Interview recording copy Polar Oral History 9 1 1996 October 19 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Transcript Polar Oral History 3 2 1996 October 19 Final edited transcript Polar Oral History 3 3 1996 October 19 Existence and Location of Copies

Also available online.

Correspondence Polar Oral History 3 1 2001