Russian Antarctic Expedition vessel Ob visits New Zealand
Most Antarctic expeditions that visited New Zealand were subject to enthusiastic welcomes and farewells by dignitaries and the public. Even when the Russian Antarctic Expedition's supply ship, Ob, visited the Port of Wellington in April 1956 (amid news that ‘the Soviet threat to the Western world remains as formidable as ever’), it received a warm welcome.
The Department of External Affairs initially resisted the visit but the vessel came nonetheless and proved a popular public attraction. In the four days it was in port over 3000 people visited the onboard facilities – including the Prime Minister, Sidney Holland.
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