2024-01-10 Guide to the David C. Nutt Oral History, 2002 SPEC.PA.56.0120 Finding aid prepared by David Mezick Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2023 December This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2024-01-10T09:52-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard David C. Nutt Oral History SPEC.PA.56.0120 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 0.07 Cubic feet 2002-after 2002 David Clark Nutt (1919-2008) was an officer in the United States Navy and conducted oceanographic and hydrographic research in Greenland and Labrador, Canada. Nutt also assisted with geographical surveys during Operation Windmill in Antarctica. The David C. Nutt Oral History, dated 2002, contains audio recordings, administrative information, and transcripts of the interview between Nutt and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on October 24, 2002. Major topics discussed include Nutt's experiences in the United States Navy during World War II including conducting hydrographic surveys in west Greenland, his involvement with Operation Windmill assisting with the geographical surveys, and his subsequent research expeditions in Greenland and Labrador. (3) letter file folders; (2) audiocassettes English Nutt, David C. (David Clark), 1919-2008 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.2002.0018: David C. Nutt, 2002 October

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], David C. Nutt Oral History, SPEC.PA.56.0120, 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. Audiovisual 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, 2023 November; Finding aid written by: David Mezick, 2023 December

 Biographical Note

David Clark Nutt (1919-2008) was an officer in the United States Navy and conducted oceanographic and hydrographic research in Greenland and Labrador, Canada. He was born in in Cleveland, Ohio.

Nutt accompanied Captain Robert (Bob) Bartlett on several expeditions to Greenland from 1935 to 1940, sailing aboard the schooner Effie M. Morrissey. In 1941, Nutt joined the U.S. Navy Reserve as a commissioned officer and was called to active duty in May of that year. This was during his last semester at Dartmouth College, and he was allowed to finish his Bachelor’s degree in botany. From 1942 to 1943, Nutt served as executive officer on the USS (United States ship) Bowdoin, which charted the west Greenland waters for the construction of air bases. He then sailed aboard the USS Sumner from 1944 to 1946, serving first as executive officer and then as commanding officer. During that time, the Sumner conducted surveys and cleared waters for navigation in the western Pacific. Nutt was released from active duty to the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1946 with the rank of Commander.

Nutt was hired by the Dartmouth College Museum as Arctic Specialist in 1947. The U.S. Navy then sent him to participate in Operation Windmill in Antarctica as a naval observer from 1947 to 1948. Nutt sailed aboard the USS Edisto and assisted with geographical surveys. These surveys were done to provide reference points for the aerial photography taken during Operation Highjump. In 1948, Nutt bought the schooner Blue Dolphin and had it refitted for Arctic oceanographic research. From 1949 to 1958, he conducted oceanographic and hydrographic research expeditions to Greenland and Labrador, Canada aboard the Blue Dolphin as well as with the use of dog sleds. Nutt and his team were among the first to study the composition of air trapped in Greenland ice. In addition, they measured the age of Greenland ice and began the ice drilling methods that were used to retrieve complete ice cores to the bedrock in Greenland and Antarctica. In Labrador, Nutt and his team studied the annual cycle of thermal and compositional change in fjords and estuaries. Nutt also served as a geographical consultant for a project to export iron ore from Ungava Bay, Canada.

Nutt became a Research Associate in Geography at Dartmouth College in 1955 and held this position until 1976. From 1957 to 1962 and 1965 to 1970, he served on the board of the Arctic Institute of North America. Nutt also served on the board of the American Polar Society. During the 1970's, he served on the Board of Selectmen in Hanover, New Hampshire and in the New Hampshire state legislature. Nutt retired from the United States Naval Reserve in 1979 with the rank of Captain. Cape Nutt, located in Antarctica, was named for David Clark Nutt.

 Scope and Contents

The David C. Nutt Oral History, dated 2002, contains audio recordings, administrative information, and transcripts of the interview between Nutt and Brian Shoemaker of the American Polar Society conducted on October 24, 2002. 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 how Nutt accompanied Captain Robert (Bob) Bartlett on several expeditions to Greenland aboard the schooner Effie M. Morrissey, Nutt's experiences in the United States Navy during World War II including serving on the USS Bowdoin in west Greenland and on the USS Sumner in the western Pacific, his involvement with Operation Windmill assisting with the geographical surveys aboard the USS Edisto, his subsequent research expeditions on the schooner Blue Dolphin in Greenland and Labrador, Canada, and how he served as a geographical consultant for a project to export iron ore from Ungave Bay, Canada.

 Nutt, David C. (David Clark), 1919-2008 Operation Windmill (1947-1948) United States. Navy--Officers United States. Navy--Personal narratives Audiocassettes Geography--Research--Antarctica--20th century Glaciologists--Greenland--20th century Glaciology--Research--Greenland--20th century Hydrography--Research--Greenland--20th century Hydrography--Research--Newfoundland and Labrador--20th century Oceanographers--Greenland--20th century Oceanographers--Newfoundland and Labrador--20th century Oceanography--Research--Greenland--20th century Oceanography--Research--Newfoundland and Labrador--20th century Oral histories (literary works) Ship captains--Greenland--20th century Ship captains--Newfoundland and Labrador--20th century Surveyors, Marine--Greenland--20th century Surveyors, Marine--Newfoundland and Labrador--20th century Notes Polar Oral History 5 1 2002 Interview recording Polar Oral History 8 1 2002 October 24 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Interview recording copy Polar Oral History 7 1 2002 October 24 Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements Audiocassette; approximate run time: unknown Transcript Polar Oral History 5 2 after 2002 Final edited transcript Polar Oral History 5 3 after 2002