Stromness, South Georgia

Stromness is a former whaling station in Stromness Bay on the north coast of South Georgia in the South Atlantic. Historical significance attained the station, as Ernest Shackleton's journey in an open boat across the Scotia Sea here in 1916 her happy ending place.

Stromness is the average of the three ports on the west side of the Stromness Bay. On early maps the name of Fridtjof Nansen Nansen or for the station appeared, but about 1920 the name Stromness has been in constant use.

About 2.5 kilometers from the port lies the uninhabited island of Grass Iceland.

History

1907 a " floating factory " in Stromness was built, 1912, the land station was built. Stromness was operated as a whaling base from 1912 to 1931, when it was converted to a ship repair yard with a machine shop and a foundry. 1961, the site was abandoned.

1916 landed Ernest Shackleton and a small crew after a tiring journey from Elephant Iceland in 6.6 meter dinghy James Caird at King Haakon Bay on the south coast of South Georgia uninhabited to find help for the left behind there team. Shackleton then crossed with Tom Crean and Frank Worsley mountainous and icy inland to reach the inhabited north coast of the island. After 36 hours trekking they reached the administrative center of Stromness, where the head of the Norwegian whaling station alive. This building was jokingly referred to as "Villa in Stromness " because it was compared with its surroundings relatively luxurious. Shackleton's mission succeeded by the way, all the men were rescued by Elephant Iceland.

In the decades following its closure Stromness fell slowly, and many buildings are only ruins remain. Nevertheless, efforts have recently been made ​​to restore the "Villa " and clearing away scrap to make the place safe for visitors. Outside of Stromness is a small Walfängerfriedhof with 14 grave stones.