Last changed 12 September 2021

1965–69 National Mapping

Helen Springs, N.T. – Ord River, W.A.


The connection Helen Springs, N.T. – Ord River, W.A. was referred to by the abbreviation HELENORD.

The eastern section from near the Stuart Highway west to near Hooker Creek was reconnoitred by HA Johnson (1907–90)  from the air on 19 May 1965, then alone by vehicle. This was completed before 23 June 1965 (Ford 1979:582).
The air reconnaissance is described in the biographical note on the pilot Christine Davy.

map of 1965 traverse
Map of traverse with positions for survey stations, from http://xnatmap.org/adnm/ops/prog/rafgeosvy/16_files/traversefm.jpg
Courtesy Paul Wise, http://xnatmap.org

The beaconing party built cairns and cleared lines where possible; began after 13 September 1965 (Ford 1979:585):
C Golya
R Francis
I Fryer

Theodolite/Tellurometer traverse (including towers), May-June 1966 (Ford 1979:596)
Reg A Ford (Leader)
Peter H Langhorne (2IC)
David Hutton
Russell R Gray
R Lach Wilson
MJ Stevens
D Eddy Ainscow
David M Roberts
Ian B Munro
PC Symons
KD Beanland
KL Williams

two WRE (Weapons Research Establishment) Field Assistants from Adelaide
J Eaton
Eddie Skeen

MRA3 Tellurometers

1966
5 May    left Melbourne
19 May    Mt Willeray
14 July    completed to Turner, near Turner Homestead

1 established, and 22 new stations observed
8 towers required
215 miles

station name
 1966 dates
occupied by Trig party
NM/G/7 Willieray
NM/G/133 Yabbagalonga Range 20-25/5
NM/G/134 Musca Hill(s) 24-27/5
NM/G/135 Termite Ridge 26/5-1/6
NM/G/136
1-2/6
NM/G/137
2-3/6
NM/G/138
3-4/6
NM/G/139
4,6/6
NM/G/140 Rocnest Ridge/Rise 6/6
NM/G/141
6,8/6
NM/G/142 Medusa Ridge 8-10/6
NM/G/143
9-11/6
NM/G/144 Wide Ridge 11-14/6
NM/G/145
13-14/6
NM/G/146
14-15/6
NM/G/147
15,17/6
NM/G/148
17-18/6
NM/G/149
18,20-21/6
NM/G/150
20-23/6
NM/G/151
23-24/6
NM/G/152
21/6
NM/G/153
24-25,27/6

The theodolite/tellurometer traverse stations are marked on the map in Mclean 2020 [2015].
Note on NM/G/142 and 143: field computations revealed six seconds difference between the geodetic and astronomical azimuth. 'It was disappointing not to be able to pin down the reason for this difference in the azimuth; all had hoped to achieve first order standards with one night's observing allowed, however it was not to be, and the traverse could only be classified good second order.' (Ford 1979:596)
Aerodist measurements were carried out in 1967–68 in Aerodist Block Adjustment blocks ADS BA13 and ADS BA17. The HELENORD line of stations then formed the boundary between these two blocks.

In 1969 National Mapping parties made 'astro' observations at the stations along the Helen Springs – Ord River traverse. The team was Observer FL (Frank) Johnston and Recorder Kevin V Corkery, both of whom were with LW Wordsworth & Chapman Pty Ltd of Young, NSW.
Page 42 of each field book lists 4 photographs taken at each station, usually:
1. View of tent over EccRM & cairn
2. Tripod over Ecce RM
3. View of tripod on Ecc RM, Kevin on RM & cairn
4. View on departure

References

Station summary sheets and field books. Held by Geosciences Australia, National Geospatial Reference System.

Anon. 1990. Obituary. Lieut-Colonel Howard Angas (Bill) Johnson, M.B.E. The Australian Surveyor 35.4,373-5.

Ford, R.A. 1979. The Division of National Mapping's part in the Geodetic Survey of Australia. Activities based on the Melbourne office 1951-1969. The Australian Surveyor 29.6(June 1979),375-427; 29.7(September 1979),465-536; 29.8(December 1979),581-638. * available online * 'Program 1966' http://xnatmap.org/adnm/ops/prog/rafgeosvy/16.htm has a description, and photographs, of HELENORD

McLean, Laurie. 2020 [2015]. Norm Hawker (1926-1995). http://xnatmap.org/adnm/people/aabout/nkh/nkh.htm

McMaster, C.G. 1980. National Mapping aerodist program. NMP/80/054. Canberra: Geoscience Australia. ISBN 0642514593. 13.7MB PDF http://xnatmap.org/adnm/docs/c06/aPaper%2007.pdf

Menzies, Rod and Paul Wise. 2011. 100 years of national topographic mapping: the 1:100,000 scale topographic mapping program - assisted by technology. 4.9MB PDF http://www.xnatmap.org/adnm/docs/c11/Paper%2007.pdf
http://www.xnatmap.org 'A site for preserving NATMAP's (The Division of National Mapping) history and maintaining contact with the people who were part of that history.'

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© 2012 David Nash
Created 19 August 2012
Modified 12 September 2021

URL http://www.anu.edu.au/linguistics/nash/kt/1965-66-Natmap.html