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SOUTH GEORGIA ASSOCIATION
FIRST PUBLIC MEETING
The first public meeting of the South Georgia Association (President: Stephen Venables, Chairman: David Tatham, former Governor of South Georgia) too place in Edinburgh on Saturday 19 June 2004.
A light lunch was provided at the Royal Overseas League, 100 Princes St., Edinburgh, and this was followed by a series of brief talks on recent expeditions to South Georgia, with time for questions afterwards.
The Associations meeting was timed to precede a gathering of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) Club in Edinburgh on the evening of Saturday 19th. The choice of a Scottish venue was designed to highlight the close and valuable links over the years between Scotland and South Georgia. Scots and people based in Scotland who have recently had connections with the island of South Georgia spoke about their activities.
WHALING STATIONS ON SOUTH GEORGIA
The website http://www.mclaren.gs gives an interesting brief history of South Georgia's whaling stations, and contains some interesting photos relating to whaling history on the island (and also wildlife). Regarding the former, it offers the following useful facts, summarised her (for a fuller version, please see the site itself):
Photos and information on South Georgia
details of the South Georgia whaling stations
Grytviken was founded in November 1904 by Captain Carl Anton Larsen. The old Manager's house at Grytviken was refurbished and now houses the museum. Grytviken officially closed in December 1964. The largest of the whaling stations is Leith Harbour, which operated as a shore station from its inception in 1909 till it closed in 1965. Factory ships also operated in Leith Harbour. Stromness Harbour, originally an operational whaling station, was set up in 1907 as a floating factory site, the shore station being built in 1912. Stromness operated as a whaling station from 1912 to 1931 when it was converted into a large repair yard, with vast workshops, machine shops and a foundry. All operations at Stromness ceased in 1960/1.
Other whaling stations were sited at Godthul, a station for factory ships with only a rudimentary base ashore (1908 to 1929); Husvik, initially a floating factory site (1907 to 1960), a shore station being set up in 1910; out of operation 1930 to 1945. Partially dismantled in 1960/1 when its freezer plant was moved to Grytviken. Jason Harbour (1909 to 1926) was never used as a whaling station: its whale catchers operated out of Grytviken. Ocean Harbour (1909 to 1920) was a shore station at what was previously known as New Fortune Bay, and a decade later was almost completely dismantled and moved to Stromness. Prince Olav Harbour (1911 to 1934) was initially a floating factory site, a shore station being set up in 1916. no whaling operations were conducted in Rosita Harbour (1909 to 1923), previously known as Allardyce Harbour (presumably after Governor Allardyce, British Governor of The Falkland Islands in c.1914), its whale catchers operating out of Leith.
History of South Georgia
Visit the official Falkland Islands site
The website http://www.mclaren.gs gives an interesting brief history of South Georgia's whaling stations, and contains some interesting photos relating to whaling history on the island (and also wildlife). Regarding the former, it offers the following useful facts, summarised her (for a fuller version, please see the site itself):
Photos and information on South Georgia
details of the South Georgia whaling stations
Grytviken was founded in November 1904 by Captain Carl Anton Larsen. The old Manager's house at Grytviken was refurbished and now houses the museum. Grytviken officially closed in December 1964. The largest of the whaling stations is Leith Harbour, which operated as a shore station from its inception in 1909 till it closed in 1965. Factory ships also operated in Leith Harbour. Stromness Harbour, originally an operational whaling station, was set up in 1907 as a floating factory site, the shore station being built in 1912. Stromness operated as a whaling station from 1912 to 1931 when it was converted into a large repair yard, with vast workshops, machine shops and a foundry. All operations at Stromness ceased in 1960/1.
Other whaling stations were sited at Godthul, a station for factory ships with only a rudimentary base ashore (1908 to 1929); Husvik, initially a floating factory site (1907 to 1960), a shore station being set up in 1910; out of operation 1930 to 1945. Partially dismantled in 1960/1 when its freezer plant was moved to Grytviken. Jason Harbour (1909 to 1926) was never used as a whaling station: its whale catchers operated out of Grytviken. Ocean Harbour (1909 to 1920) was a shore station at what was previously known as New Fortune Bay, and a decade later was almost completely dismantled and moved to Stromness. Prince Olav Harbour (1911 to 1934) was initially a floating factory site, a shore station being set up in 1916. no whaling operations were conducted in Rosita Harbour (1909 to 1923), previously known as Allardyce Harbour (presumably after Governor Allardyce, British Governor of The Falkland Islands in c.1914), its whale catchers operating out of Leith.
History of South Georgia
Visit the official Falkland Islands site
SOUTH GEORGIA ASSOCIATION
The formal setting up of the South Georgia Association took place in London during September 2001, followed by an inaugural meeting on 14 December 2001. This valuable new Association, spearheaded by a steering committee led by David Tatham (former Governor of South Georgia), Bob Burton and the Hon.Alexandra Shackleton, James Caird Society President, has as its objectives : the encouragement of interest in, and concern for, South Georgia both in the UK and worldwide; the encouragement of the study of South Georgia, and the conservation of both its natural and its cultural heritage; and the promotion of contacts and encouragement of fellowship between those who have lived and worked in or around South Georgia, have visited, or have an interest in, the island.
H.R.H.The Princess Anne in conversation with The Hon.Alexandra Shackleton, President of the James Caird Society, and Mr.and Mrs.David Tatham. |
In its first six months of existence the Association amassed a healthy membership of well over 200. Planned events include lectures, dinners and other gatherings. Membership costs 15 per annum, or 50 for five years. Details from : Stephen Palmer, Membership Secretary, The Vicarage, 72A Medina Avenue, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1HF, UK.
e-mail: stephen.palmer@fish.co.uk
RESTORATION OF THE STROMNESS MANAGER'S VILLA
The Villa at Stromness whaling station was the home of the managers and also the Norwegian whalers' administrative centre. Compared with the rest of the station, it was extremely comfortable : it boasted a bathroom, soft chairs, flowers in pots and other luxuries. The manager Thoralf Sorlle, who welcomed Shackleton to the Villa in 1914 and again following the boat journey in 1916, was sometimes accompanied to South Georgia by his wife and four daughters.
As 'Journey's End' for Shackleton, Worsley and Crean, the Stromness Villa remains one of South Georgia's historic sites: 'Mr Sorlle's hospitality had no bounds. He would scarcely let us wait to remove our freezing boots before he took us into his house and gave us seats in a warm and comfortable room.' - Shackleton in South
Stromness closed as a whaling station in 1931, but the site was converted into a ship repair yard until its final closure in 1961. Since then, the Stromness Villa has suffered from the weather and vandals. Destruction of the windows and doors has allowed snow, rain and seals indoors, and some of the wooden fabric is rotten. The gaping holes have now been boarded up so that deterioration has been greatly reduced and the Villa is safe from imminent collapse.
An increasing number of visitors to South Georgia walk Shackleton's route from Fortuna Bay to Stromness. A hardy few attempt the complete crossing from King Haakon Bay. At the moment they are denied their ultimate destination - the Stromness Villa - as access to the whaling station is forbidden for reasons of safety.
A message from the Commissioner of South Georgia was read out at the London premiere of the Shackleton IMAX film, confirming the planned restoration and preservation of the Manager's Villa. Funds are now being raised for saving the Villa and clearing the area so that all visitors can visit without danger. Members of the army will clean up debris and make a structural survey.
'It is hoped', Bob Burton writes, 'that everyone who has fallen under the spell of South Georgia and the story of Shackleton's Endurance expedition will feel inspired to contribute to the restoration, perhaps by buying this little book' [Shackleton at South Georgia, see above]. 'The generous support of so many individuals and organisations means that the entire price of each copy goes to helping save the Villa.'
More details
MORE ABOUT SOUTH GEORGIA
Shackleton at South Georgia, a valuable and informative 24-page booklet by two South Georgia experts, Robert Burton and Stephen Venables, with a foreword by the Hon. Alexandra Shackleton, has recently been published (2001, 24 pp, ISBN: 0-9541389-0-2). All proceeds will be donated to the restoration of the Manager's House, the 'Villa' at Stromness whaling station where Shackleton and his two companions finished their epic journey. Available price 3 plus 35p for postage and handling (USA : $5 plus $1 postage and handling) from Robert Burton, 63 Common Lane, Hemingford Abbots, Huntingdon PE28 9AW, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1480 352340, E-mail: rwburton@ntlworld.com.
request a copy of Shackleton at South Georgia
Shackleton visited South Georgia with the Endurance, then the James Caird, and lastly aboard the Quest. This booklet, illustrated with little-known historic photographs and modern re-enactments, describes the three visits, his funeral in 1922, and retraces his legendary crossing of the South Georgia mountains with Frank Worsley and Tom Crean.
Enthusiast Paul Carroll has devised an intriguing and informative South Georgia website.
Visit Paul Carroll's South Georgia website
Read about Geographic Expeditions' retracing of Shackleton's crossing of South Georgia
A personal reminiscence of the 2000/2001 crossing of South Georgia
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