Husvik

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Husvik is a former whaling station on the central north coast of South Georgia . Besides Stromness and Leith Harbor, it was one of the three bases in Stromness Bay .

history

Husvik originally started out as a floating factory off the coast in 1907. In 1910 a mainland station was constructed, which remained in operation until 1930; it was also used between 1945 and 1960. The three whaling stations Husvik, Stromness and Leith were connected by a bumpy path along the shore of Stromness Bay. During the whaling era it was used by whalers from Stromness and Husvik to get to Leith Harbor, where there was a cinema. The trail can still be walked, but in some places, especially in November and December, it is impossible for seals to defend their territory.

The station area was accessed by narrow-gauge tracks, most of which are still there today. It is not known whether a locomotive was used for traction (see railways in South Georgia ).

The cooling unit was dismantled in 1960 and moved to Grytviken ; since then there have been no more whaling operations in Husvik. Later - until the mid-1990s - the station manager's house was used by scientists from the British Antarctic Survey as temporary shelter during their work. More recently, the members of the BSES expedition of December 2003, which used the base as a starting point for a number of scientific and exploration projects, also lived there.

Like the whaling stations of Leith, Stromness and Prince Olav Harbor , Husvik has been closed to tourists for security reasons. The danger comes from dilapidated and asbestos-contaminated buildings. Visitors are not allowed to be more than 200 meters away from the buildings and facilities. Access to the station manager's house is permitted, as it is a bit away from the main area.

The pier is within the 200 meter zone so it cannot be used. It is also in a very dilapidated condition. It is used as a breeding ground by cormorants every year.

In summer 2005/2006 a group of Norwegians was hired to restore some of the buildings in Husvik. In March 2006, the manager's villa, a building known as the “Radio Shack” and a small generator shed were successfully restored. The work continued in the summer of 2012/2013, mainly removing asbestos.

South of Husvik is a whaling cemetery where 34 men were buried between 1924 and 1959.

Web links

Coordinates: 54 ° 10 ′ 0 ″  S , 36 ° 42 ′ 0 ″  W.