South Georgia - Grytviken
Part way down the northern coast, we stopped at Grytviken, (pictured below) From 1904 to 1962, 175,250 whales were
processed on South Georgia Island. Today there are remnants of the whaling plants at this location and a few buildings
to house the scientists and fishery patrol. There are no persons living permanently at Grytviken.
processed on South Georgia Island. Today there are remnants of the whaling plants at this location and a few buildings
to house the scientists and fishery patrol. There are no persons living permanently at Grytviken.
A quarter of a mile from the whaling plant is the most
visited spot on South Georgia Island, the grave of
Ernest Shackleton (left).
On November 5, 1914, Shackleton's ship the
Endurance arrived in Grytviken on its way to
Antarctica with the intention to be the first person to
make a crossing of Antarctica. The Norwegian sailors
warned Shackleton that this was the worst year they
could recall for ice. The Endurance eventually sailed
on December 5 into the Weddell Sea where she was
beset with ice almost within sight of its destination.
After drifting north the Endurance sank. The crew
made it to Elephant Island with no hope of rescue.
Shackleton and five companions set out in a small
open boat to sail 800 miles through the roughest
seas in the world. 16 days later they arrived at the
south side of South Georgia. They then climbed the
snowy mountains in winter across the island to
Grytviken. It had been 18 months since Shackleton
set out on this ill fated adventure. After several
attempts to reach Elephant Island, Shackleton made it
to that island. Not a single man perished in this
expedition.
In 1921, Shackleton led another expedition. However,
he was in poor health and died when they reached
Grytviken. Shackleton's body was taken to
Montevideo where it was learned that his wife wished
for him to be buried in South Georgia.
visited spot on South Georgia Island, the grave of
Ernest Shackleton (left).
On November 5, 1914, Shackleton's ship the
Endurance arrived in Grytviken on its way to
Antarctica with the intention to be the first person to
make a crossing of Antarctica. The Norwegian sailors
warned Shackleton that this was the worst year they
could recall for ice. The Endurance eventually sailed
on December 5 into the Weddell Sea where she was
beset with ice almost within sight of its destination.
After drifting north the Endurance sank. The crew
made it to Elephant Island with no hope of rescue.
Shackleton and five companions set out in a small
open boat to sail 800 miles through the roughest
seas in the world. 16 days later they arrived at the
south side of South Georgia. They then climbed the
snowy mountains in winter across the island to
Grytviken. It had been 18 months since Shackleton
set out on this ill fated adventure. After several
attempts to reach Elephant Island, Shackleton made it
to that island. Not a single man perished in this
expedition.
In 1921, Shackleton led another expedition. However,
he was in poor health and died when they reached
Grytviken. Shackleton's body was taken to
Montevideo where it was learned that his wife wished
for him to be buried in South Georgia.
Fur Seal with our ship in
background.
background.
Fur seal mother and baby.
Skua eating
penguin
penguin
Antarctic Turn
Sex is not a private matter in a colony
of 500,000 King Penguins (right)..
of 500,000 King Penguins (right)..
King Pengins