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History of South Georgia

Discovery, Exploration, Exploitation and Inhabitation

South Georgia is a remote island in the South Atlantic Ocean, with a rich and varied history. First discovered in 1675, it became an important site for whaling in the 18th and 19th centuries. The island’s rugged terrain and harsh climate make it a challenging place to live, but it was a hub for the whaling industry, which brought economic activity and human settlement. In the 20th century, South Georgia played a key role in scientific research and was famously the site of Ernest Shackleton’s rescue of his crew in 1916 after his ill-fated Antarctic expedition.

1775-1882

Discovery & Exploration

1775

Captain Cook

Captain Cook on HMS Resolution makes the first claim to what would become the British Antarctic Territories. He lands in Possession Bay on 17 January, and claims the island for His Britannic Majesty King George III.

1786

Lord Hawkesbury

The first British sealing vessel Lord Hawkesbury collects a full cargo of fur seal pelts. The first of many American sealing ships, Polly and Nancy, soon follow and the industry rapidly expands.

1882

Moltke

The first land-based scientific expedition arrives as part of the International Polar Year. Scientists travel on Moltke, the first steam-powered ship to visit the island. A station is set up with a telegraph system at Moltke Harbour.

1904-1964

Inhabitation & Exploitation

1904

Captain C. A. Larsen

Norwegian Captain C. A. Larsen establishes a whaling station at Grytviken. This is the beginning of the modern Antarctic whaling industry and of permanent human occupation. Six more stations follow within the next ten years.

1908

Antarctic territorial claims

New British Letters Patent consolidate earlier Antarctic territorial claims. They include South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands and Graham Land as part of the Falkland Island Dependencies and are governed from Stanley, Falkland Islands.

1909

James Innes Wilson

James Innes Wilson is appointed first Magistrate of South Georgia and is resident at Grytviken. A post office opens and the first official mails despatched. A census taken in December identifies 720 people; 93% are Scandinavian.

1913

Grytviken church

The church at Grytviken is built. It was designed by architect Adalbert Kielland and prefabricated in Norway. It is consecrated on Christmas Day.

1914

Endurance

Endurance, with Sir Ernest Shackleton and 27 men arrives at Grytviken. Due to bad weather, they spend a month in South Georgia before leaving on their ill-fated Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

1914

Whale oil

WWI increases demand for whale oil and the price of oil increases four-fold. The oil is used to make soap, lubricants, glycerol to make explosives and also used to process jute to make fabric for sandbags.

1916

Elephant Island

Sailing 1450 km from Elephant Island in the lifeboat James Caird, Sir Ernest Shackleton and five men reach King Haakon Bay. Shackleton, Tom Crean and Frank Worsley walk over the unmapped mountains to the whaling station at Stromness.

1922

Shackleton's death

While at anchor at Grytviken, Sir Ernest Shackleton dies aboard Quest and is later buried in the whalers’ cemetery. A memorial cross built by his comrades, still stands on Hope Point.

1925

SS Lancing

Factory ship SS Lancing is in operation. The first use of an inbuilt slipway increases efficiency and changes the nature of the whaling industry. Whale stocks are decimated leading to the decline of South Georgia’s shore-based stations.

1926

The Discovery Investigations

The Discovery Investigations begin with an oceanographic voyage and whale marking. Hydrographic surveys and cruises in the Southern Ocean last until 1951. Discovery House is built at King Edward Point as a laboratory and accommodation for the scientists.

1940

World War II

During WWII whaling stations close as the whale catchers are requisitioned for service. After the war, demand for whale oil grows for edible fats. Three shore stations and nine factory ships operate with 93 whale catchers. They take 13,387 whales.

1951

South Georgia Surveys

The South Georgia Surveys, led by Duncan Carse, map the interior landmass of South Georgia. Topographic and geological investigations result in the production of the first complete map which was still in use until recently.

1964

Whaling station closes

Grytviken whaling station closes. The land-based whaling industry ends on South Georgia, with the closure of the last working factory at Leith Station in 1965. A total of 175,250 whales had been killed in the waters around South Georgia since 1904.

1969-Present

Preservation & Recovery

1969

Falkland Island Dependencies Magistrate

The Falkland Island Dependencies Magistrate and his support staff leave South Georgia. The British Antarctic Survey establishes a permanent scientific station at King Edward Point and the Base Commander becomes the Magistrate.

1980

Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources

The South Georgia Government adopts the Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. The convention’s focus is on conservation of Antarctic marine living resources. Its adoption is crucial to the preservation of fish stocks.

1982

Argentine invasion

South Georgia is invaded by Argentine troops. British Antarctic Survey personnel are taken prisoner along with 22 Royal Marines at King Edward Point. The occupation lasts for 22 days until British forces liberate the island.

1985

British Overseas Territory

The designation Falkland Island Dependencies is abolished and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands become a separate British Overseas Territory.

1992

Museum

A whaling museum is established by Nigel Bonner to preserve the heritage of the industry. Six small cruise ships visit the island in the 1992-93 summer season.The museum later expands into the South Georgia Museum.

1993

Marine Officer

The South Georgia Government declares a 200 nautical miles zone around the islands. Permits, issued by a Marine Officer, are required before fishing may take place in this area, and it is regularly patrolled to prevent illegal fishing.

2001

British Antarctic Survey

The British Antarctic Survey build a new scientific station at King Edward Point and operate it on behalf of the Government. The British military garrison is withdrawn from the island and many of the old buildings are removed.

2003

Environmental clean-up

A major environmental clean-up at Grytviken begins. This includes the removal of asbestos, loose tin sheets, and unstable buildings. Oils are removed from the whale catchers Albatross, Dias and Petrel and they are hauled ashore

2018

Rat free

Following the removal of invasive reindeer by the Government in 2011, and a decade-long project by the South Georgia Heritage Trust to eradicate invasive rodents, South Georgia is declared rat free. The projects are major contributions to the ongoing ecological recovery of South Georgia.

More to Discover

A Window to the Wild. Discover the wonders of South Georgia, an unspoiled paradise filled with dramatic landscape and rich wildlife. Learn about the island's unique ecology and the magnificent creatures that inhabit its shores from king penguins to elephant seals.

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Interactive map of Grytviken

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