Stromness, South Georgia

Stromness, South Georgia
Stromness, South Georgia
	Ruins of the whaling station Stromness

Stromness is an abandoned whaling station on the northern coast of South Georgia Island in the South Atlantic. It was the destination of Sir Ernest Shackleton's rescue journey in 1916. It is the central of three harbours in the west side of Stromness Bay, South Georgia.

The name "Fridtjof Nansen" or Nansen appeared for this harbour on some early charts, but since about 1920, the name Stromness has been consistently used. Its name, Stromness, derives from the similarly named town in the Orkney Islands, Scotland.

History

In 1907, a "floating factory" was erected in Stromness Harbour; a land station was built in 1912. From 1912 until 1931, Stromness operated as a whaling station, the first manager of which was Petter Sørlle. In 1931 it was converted into a ship repair yard with a machine shop and a foundry. It remained operational until 1961, when the site was abandoned. The Whaling Station had previously shut down when whales became endangered and laws were enacted forbidding their hunting.

In 1916, Ernest Shackleton and a small crew landed on the unpopulated southern coast of South Georgia at King Haakon Bay after an arduous sea voyage from Elephant Island in the 22-foot (6.7 m) lifeboat, James Caird. Shackleton, along with Tom Crean and Frank Worsley, then trekked across South Georgia's mountainous and glaciated interior in an effort to reach help on the populated northern shore of the island.^[1]

After 36 hours of crossing the interior, they arrived at the Stromness administration centre which also was the home of the Norwegian whaling station's manager. This building has been dubbed the "Villa at Stromness" because it represents relative luxury compared to its surroundings. All men were later rescued from Elephant Island.^[2]

In the decades following its closure, Stromness has been subject to damage from the elements and many of its buildings have been reduced to ruins. However, recent efforts have been made to restore the "Villa" and clean up debris from the rest of the site in order to make it safe for visitors. Outside of Stromness is a small whalers' cemetery with 14 grave markers.^[3]

References

^ "Shetland Museum and Archives::Stromness, South Georgia". photos.shetlandmuseumandarchives.org.uk. Retrieved 10 November 2024. This was where Sir Ernest Shackleton eventually found help after his ship 'Endurance' was crushed in the ice in October 1915. He led his party some 180 miles to the safety of Elephant Island, and from there made an 800 mile long voyage in a lifeboat with five companions to South Georgia. The men then had to cross from one side of the island to the other, across the mountain range before finally walking into Stromness on May 20th 1916.
^ "Shackleton's fierce fight with elements". The Saskatoon Phoenix. 2 June 1916. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
^ "Stromness Cemetery – South Georgia's Cemeteries". South Georgia Museum. Retrieved 10 November 2024.