Our morning started as we skirted the south end of Adelaide
Island and headed east for our landing at Stonington Island. Stonington Island
is the site of two now abandoned bases. In 1939 “EAST BASE” was established by
the US naval officer Richard Byrd. The US Antarctic Service used the base until
1941. After WWII the buildings were re-occupied by the Finn Ronne Expedition in
1946 to 1947. The buildings were partially restored in 1990-1991 and attached
photos show the present condition of these buildings, suggesting it is time for
a bit of restoration of the restoration.
Stonington Island also is the site of British “BASE E”. This
base was established in 1955 and operated until 1975. As can be seen in the
attached photos, the condition of the buildings at this base again suggest that
the time is ripe for a restoration.
Meteorology was an important program at both bases. In
addition both bases had dog teams and carried out extensive topographic mapping
and geologic studies of the adjacent areas of the continent. At the time the
bases were operational a glacier front extended from the mainland across water
to Stonington Island. This enabled the drivers to have long runs to exercise
the dog teams and to have a starting “highway” for the exploration surveys of
the continent. Today one would have to load the dogs and equipment into boats
and cross from the island to the mainland. The connecting glacier front from
the mainland has melted and retreated and now Stonington Island is truly an
island with no above water connection to the mainland of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Our afternoon landing was at Horseshoe Island. Here we found
British “BASE Y” this site operated as a major research facility from 1955 to
1960. Though abandoned after 1960 it has
been restored and preserved by the Antarctic Heritage Trust. The interior with
its original radio equipment, food supplies and magazines is a complete time
capsule of the late 1950’s. Outside the view was spectacular in all directions.
The rocky knoll close to the base hut provided a crystal clear view, in all
directions, of the nearby and distant mountains. The sun shone brightly all the
time we were onshore. And if 6 people stood in a circle and everyone looked in
a different direction, every person had an unforgettable view. It is an
understatement to say that the views did not fit inside a camera.
There were innumerable icebergs both in our landing site bay
and outside in the channels. Close-up views of these bergs and the high peaks
forming the backdrop were enjoyed by our kayakers and Polarcirkle boat
cruisers.
In closing, today has to be one of the most unforgettable
days of this trip and a lifetime!
