The remains of a station established by the hektor whaling company are still present on the island, along with a cemetery for whalers, the largest cemetery in antarctica. According to the south georgia heritage trust, the largest whale ever recorded was processed at the grytviken whaling station on the island. Initially, whaling thrived just off spitzberg island, reaching the shores of the north pole, an easy hunting ground for english boats streaming out of. Deception island antarctic peninsula 2020 all you need to. Deception island was an old whalers station and all that is left of it today is a reminder of just how cruel human beings can be. A land of slaughter and blood situated on an active volcano waiting to erupt.
This year saw the introduction of a new kind of ship furnished with a chute for dragging entire whales onboard. Human impacts on antarctica and threats to the environment whaling and sealing the hunt for whales and seals was the reason for the initial exploration of antarctica. Diving at deception island, diving in deception island. A fleet of ships operated until 1931 when massive overhunting of whales also. Already the approach was an antarctic delight, a light breeze under a bright sun, the rim of the caldera of deception island ahead of us in full width. The island is approximately circular at 12 km in diameter. At least seven whaling communities existed there during the first half of the 20th century. Fearing a german incursion of antarctica, and wary of argentinas sympathies toward germany, the british took over the old whaling station in. The island is a submerged caldera, a circle of craggy hills around an almostenclosed seawater lagoon, known as. Deception island is an active volcano, a restless caldera. W location whalers bay, port foster, deception island, antarctica temperature baltic wind strong and severe weather conditions cold, windy, dry date friday 12th november 2010 time 9. But on our last morning in antarctica, we had a nice long stop in the bay, which is surrounded by deception island, so we could explore the nowabandoned british base b.
The bay was so named by the french antarctic expedition, 190810, under charcot, because of its use at that time by whalers. Remnants of a boat belonging to an old whaling factory remain on deception island, which is the caldera of an active volcano in antarctica, photographed on february 17, 2018. Nearly a century later it was the site of the most extensive anchorage for the reconstructed ships and ocean liners used as nonpelagic whale. The base at whalers bay was established as part of operation tabarin during the second world war.
However, keep in mind that all shore excursions in antarctica are weather dependent, so the itinerary may change. Reports of abundant stocks drew the adventurous from the early 1800s onwards. Antarctic exploration in the name of science, non profit. These ships were accompanied by catchers, allowing the ships to exploit a wider range of territory. Deception island still counts as an active volcanic caldera even though it last erupted about 50 years ago. Deception island, one of the south shetland islands, in the drake passage, off the antarctic peninsula. This british antarctic survey base was built on the site of a norwegian whaling station founded in 1921.
The flooded floor of the caldera is one of the most protected ports in all of antarctica. It was a blue whale caught in 1912, with a length of 33. The ruins from a whaling station, abandoned years ago still remain. Discovered twenty years before mainland antarctica, deception island was first visited by american sealers in 1820. Apr 01, 2018 abandoned whaling station, whalers bay,deception island, south shetland islands, antarctica.
Its an island of doom where the worst acts of human nature played out on the shores of antarctica. Deception island, south shetlands group maps of antarctica. This island is the caldera of an active volcano, which seriously damaged local scientific stations in 1967 and 1969. A plaque from outside tonsberg house now dismantled and removed on signy island in the south orkneys group. See more ideas about deception island, island and antarctica. During the whole cruise i was looking forward to a certain landing. Abandoned whaling station, whalers bay, deception island. Deception island is the perfect place to learn about volcanoes, geothermal activity, whaling and science. Deception island 6257s, 6038w is an island located in the south shetland islands off the northwest side of the antarctic peninsula and has been a focus of human activity in antarctica since the early 1820s with the hunting of seal. On this island s beaches, visitors can dig into the sands of the beach and take warm volcanic baths.
South shetland islands deception island 14 february 2018. Its total land area, including outlying islands, is 98. Deception island always proves to be a highlight of peoples travels to antarctica as it is incredibly beautiful, and has a human element to it with the old whaling station. Lieutenant kendall compiled a map of deception island, it was the first accurately surveyed map of an antarctic landmass. Deception island is an island in the south shetland islands archipelago, with one of the safest harbours in antarctica. But they still serve as remarkable time capsules to the industries and expeditions of their times. Despite the density of the information, i could hardly stop reading it. Dont let the volcano deceive you, deception island is home to the worlds largest chinstrap penguin colony found on the exterior at bailey head a natural amphitheatre that shields 50,000 pairs of. Antarctica deception island part 6 nurettin yilmaz.
I read several fictional antarctic books and this one doesnt get into just how cold the base is, how stir crazy the scientists are, or how dreary life can be there. Many of these facilities have since been abandoned, left to the snow and ice. With 3342 entries, covering the period from 700 bc to 1988, it is a completely revised and expanded version of a list complied by dr brian roberts and first published in 1958. It therefore became a popular location for sealers and whalers until the station was abandoned in 1931, following a drop in whale oil prices and the great depression.
It should be our last landing during this trip, so that to my curiosity and anticipation of this landing a bit of melancholy mixed. Deception island is found off the northwest side of the antarctic peninsula. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. The position of japan to whaling since commercial whaling ended in 1986 has been controversial. Travel to antarctica tips and information guide 2020.
Deception is noted for being the largest active volcano in the region and one of the main sources of seismic and. A historic synopsis commercial whaling in the arctic is reported to have begun in the 1730s, as dutch and english explorers began to fund their expeditions with whale catches. It fulfilled that role for 20 years, until whale oil prices petered out. Deception island 22 january 2018 antarktis antarctic. It would be a site for hunting, whaling, and eventually only scientific research over the ensuing years. Also, part of the island is an important bird area under birdlife international because of its 100,000strong chinstrap colony and. Explore the haunting remains of an antarctic whaling. The antarctic region has been home to numerous fishing villages, whaling stations, scientific bases, and way stations for exploration.
Whalers bay in deception islandour last landing in. Located off antarcticas northern tip is the tiny but important deception island. Deception island is antarcticas most confusing vacation destination. The buildings, structures and other artefacts on the shore of whalers bay, which date from the period 19061931, represent the most significant whaling remains in the antarctic. Deception island is an island in the south shetland islands archipelago, with the safest harbours in antarctica. Before long there were major crashes in the populations of some wildlife. Ruins of the whaling station in whalers bay on deception island 67. Bark europa south shetland islands deception island.
Just off the northwest antarctic peninsula in the south shetland islands lies deception island, once a bustling sealing and whaling station. Tourists visit the island for its colonies of chinstrap penguins, active volcano, and the island s volcanic bath phenomenon. Located on remote goudier island on the antarctic penisula, a former british research base now operates as a modest museum, gift shop, and post office the buildings first served as the base for. Mar 08, 2018 deception island, made of the volcanos caldera and located near the tip of the antarctic peninsula, has erupted several times since humans first set foot in the south shetlands around 1820. While 911 is just several years ago in the book, the. Antarctic whaling leads to conservation polar unbound. Sailing into the heart of an active caldera deception. Deception island in the south shetland islands was the site of some of the earliest commercial activity to be carried out in the antarctic with the early 19th century hunting of antarctic fur seals. It is a sunken volcano, the crater of which, about 10 miles 16 km in diameter, forms one of the best anchorages in the antarctic.
One of the safest harbours in antarctica, its been a place of science and military interests from britain, chile, and argentina, but was deserted when volcanic activity destroyed british base b in 1969. In 1842, william smiley of the us sealing vessel ohio gave the first account of a volcanic eruption on deception island. The harbour, known as port foster, has been the central port. The harbour was first used by british and american sealers who used deception as a hunting base for fur seals. Deception island 6257s, 6038w is an active volcano in the south shetland islands, off the antarctic peninsula. Due to its location and topography, deception island was a favoured refuge from storms and icebergs in antarctica in the early 19th century. Set in south shetlands, this horseshoe shaped island is the only volcano where you can sail right into the heart of its caldera, soak your feet at the geothermal beaches, and visit an old whaling station. Deception island was a popular whaling spot that operated from 1906 to 1907. This island is the caldera of an active volcano, which seriously damaged. Antarctica 2020 deception island abandoned whalers bay. We leave behind the ghostly whalers bay to board europa and start the short way to pendulum cove, a favorite spot for an antarctic swim. But everybody knows this famous island and almost everybody wants to go there.
Mountainous, half covered by glaciers and mostly covered with black volcanic ash, deception is an active volcano. Deception island is a geological wonder of antarctica and one of the safest harbors in the south shetland islands. South georgia is another antarctic island that people rushed to abandon. If you want to experience a deception island hot spring, look for deception bay on your antarctica itinerary. Abandoned whaling station, whalers bay, deception island, south shetland islands, antarctica. Thats because even though it looks like just an island. Deception island volcano in antarctica is full of wildlife. This island is still an active volcano, with its center a caldera that has filled with sea water. Dec 23, 20 but deception island s past is full of conflict and destruction. Deception island is antarcticas most confusing vacation. Antarctica 2 the deception island caldera volcano hotspot. Explore the haunting remains of an antarctic whaling boomtown. Mar 25, 2015 deception island is an island in the south shetland islands archipelago, with one of the safest harbours in antarctica. The addition of maps, references and an index containing approximately.
Previously a whaling station, deception island is now a scientific outpost, where antarcticas first fossilized plants were discovered. Its name gives away it original purposewhalers bay started as a norwegian whaling station in 1911. Over 57% of the island is covered by permanent glaciers. Deception island, made of the volcanos caldera and located near the tip of the antarctic peninsula, has erupted several times since humans first set foot in. Deception island antarctic peninsula all you need to know.
Anyway, too often you feel deceived for the precious time after a visit there. Originally published in 1989, this book lists antarctic expeditions and related historical events from ancient times to the time of publication. Whalers established a base of operations on the island in 1906. In february 1944, the secret british wartime mission, operation tabarin the forerunner to the british antarctic survey established its first base base b in the abandoned hektor whaling station. Dec 11, 2012 antarctica deception island part 6 nurettin yilmaz. Deception island places to go in antarctica universal. Apr 24, 2019 deception island, aptly named, hides its history. Who cares that nobody really knows anymore what that reason was. I read shackletons book a long time ago and as adventure books go that paint a visceral image that one is untoppable so south georgia island and the old whaling stations there must be an incredibly inspiring scenario. Norwegian whalers took up residence on the island in the early twentieth century before the british once again claimed ownership in. A fleet of factory ships, built to process blubber, crowded the bay.
The island conceals a secret bay, a sunken volcanic caldera that hosts rusting whaling equipment and the legacy of human industry in antarctica. Deception island, made of the volcanos caldera and located near the. Morning cruise and landing at historic deception island and whalers bay. Aug 21, 20 due to its location and topography, deception island was a favoured refuge from storms and icebergs in antarctica in the early 19th century. Whaling in the falkland island dependencies 19041931 a history of shore and baybased whaling in the antarctic. A restless volcanic island located at the southwest end of the south shetland islands, northeast of graham land peninsula, and was constructed along the axis of the bransfield rift spreading center. The three main islands all about 25 km long by 3 km wide, and iceclad are young, buckle and sturge. It was our fourth and final day in antarctica and we had made it to deception island in time for sunset. Jan 12, 2015 deception island is amongst the letter. It is one of the most wellknown active volcanoes of the antarctic region.
Lieutenant kendall compiled a map of deception island, the first accurately surveyed map of an antarctic landmass. Deception island is also home to a former whaling station, and the shells of old buildings and boats. The plaque is a whale vertebra backbone found on a beach near the base, from a whale killed by the whalers, painted by one of the. There are multiple antarctic special protected areas on deception island due to its rare plant life, supported by nutrient substrates caused by volcanic activity. Whaling stations had become more common since 1906, but it wasnt until 1926 that antarctic whaling entered into a new era of technology and slaughter. In the south shetland archipelago, deception island, antarctica, is one of the most unusual of tourist destinations. Deception island antarctic peninsula 2020 all you need. Tourists visit the island for its colonies of chinstrap penguins, active volcano, and the islands volcanic bath phenomenon. Africa agreement antarctic antarctic whaling average baleen whales barrels of oil blubber blue whales boat britain british capital carcasses cent cooker countries crew decline entire equipment established. Whalers cemetary at whalers cove, the largest cemetary in antarctica. If you dig down through the ice, youll find a golden visitors book to sign. Antarctica trip with oceanwide expeditions on the mv hondius. While many countries have since staked a claim on deception island, it now falls under the remit of the antarctic treaty system. Deception island the awful consequences of whaling in.
The islands are mostly iceclad, but there are some large icefree areas, such as on king george, livingston and deception islands. The caldera, now called port foster, measures 9 x 6 km. Whalers bay is a small bay entered between fildes point and penfold point at the east side of port foster, deception island, in the south shetland islands of antarctica. When all were up and running the island was estimated to have 2,000. See the whale bones and old oil drums that litter deception island. Starting with a rather spontaneous opportunity to visit the argentine base decepcion.
An abandoned whaling station on an active volcano offers hot springs in antarctica, surrounded by ruined giants of industry. Once a hub of the whaling industry, deception island s rare geological composition makes it a mustsee landscape for those visiting wild antarctica. While not the only nation that has hunted whales, it is the only nation that has done so outside of its own domestic waters, doing so in antarctica which many have campaigned should be a conservation area. It was a humbling experience, and a bitter reminder of whaling in antarctica.
An abandoned whaling station on an active volcano offers hot springs in antarctica, surrounded by ruined giants of. Home to the largest cemetery in antarctica and the largest colony of chinstrap penguins, deception island defies all stereotypes. Previously a whaling station, deception island is now a scientific outpost, where antarctica s first fossilized plants were discovered. The history of modern whaling johan nicolay tonnessen, arne.
Jan 22, 2018 deception island 22 january 2018 we have been more thorough with deception island than ever before. Deception island played a central and important role in the international affairs of antarctica. Deception island ominous and beautiful antarctica the. Deception island antarctic peninsula all you need to. Since whaling was outlawed, deception island has become a popular tourist destination and an important research location. Deception island still counts as an active volcanic caldera.
759 445 1519 922 1319 1 308 994 1215 1320 630 237 871 1367 647 1403 1549 523 213 1376 815 193 653 50 1384 332 935 1421 666 964