Grytviken, means ‘Pot Cove’ was the main first and most famous whaling station in Antarctic waters.
Norwegian CA Larsen decided first setup the whaling station in 1904 after persuading financial backing through contacts in Beunos Aires. It stayed in operation until 1962 with massive profits for the earlier years until it was closed due to the killing off of too many whales. The Japanese leased it then for 2-3 years and it was finally closed. Early on it was all whales but Elephant and seals were later utilised for their bones, skins and blubber to produce high quality seal oil, which was very important for the local economy. Nowadays it has been cleaned out of any dangerous material and was made safe some years ago to allow tourists get up close with the stations as most are out of bounds due to Asbestos deterioration of the buildings themselves. There is also
We arrived at 12 noon and went straight to the cemetery to visit ‘The Boss’ Shackleton, who was buried there after his death in1922 aboard the ‘quest’. Many of our passengers were in awe to see the final resting spot of much respected hero who was born near Athy in Kildare in 1874. Donnachada, Robert, Charlie, Pat and a couple of more sang Pucker Buila alongside once the group dispersed a little.
I headed up on to high ground to see if I could get some photos overlooking the harbour and a little free time for myself, which is hard to get on this trip. I walked up to where they are digging at the lake some 100 meters above, they are finishing off constructing some hydro power to provide year round sustainable electricity for the researchers of which there maybe 10-20 throughout the year and also the Marine officials and Museum curators. I had the luck to meet Monika and Pat Lockroy beside the Museum in front of a newly built boathouse and inside was a replica of the James Caird, which had arrived only a few days previous from the Falklands. He let me walk around and have a look. It’s amazing to see in real life the vessel that played the most important role in rescuing all his men.
The traverse team then went to King Edward Point to have a photo taken there where the crew of the Quest came back and decide to build a memorial for their leader at the entrance to the Bay providing a much more inspiring memorial place. The view is 200 degree’s around from there. Our traverse team of 17 members put closure too our adventure here with the memories of just a glimpse of what it may have been like for the Boss’ s rescue party in 1916.
The Navy frigate could be seen out in the bay with some high power Ribs shuttling the young Naval crew back and forth obviously on a little turn of the island. They seemed to aggravate the Fur seals or at least were not being too considerate in the guidelines of staying back from them.
We got of see the last 5 mins of Munster v All Blacks of our Sat system, while uploading some content to the website. Were the last back to the ship at 7pm bringing bad news but to say they played very well and were winning up to the last 6 mins or so. The Munster flag had been flying all day along with the Union Jack as we were in UK waters now.
