Grytviken

Grytviken is the Capitale islands South Georgia and Sandwich of the South.

History

One owes with the Norwegian captain Carl Anton Larsen the foundation of Grytviken, the November 16th 1904. Nested on banks of the mountainous island of South Georgia, the place was already attended before by hunters of Baleine S.

In April 1982, Grytviken was taken by the Argentinian ones at the end of a short battle against the British. Three weeks afterwards, however, the British forces took again this position.

At present, it is about the principal colony of the the United Kingdom in South Georgia, the second being the scientific base of the Bird island. It is populated scientists; it makes it possible to justify the British presence with the Falkland Islands.

Grytviken bears a name Swedish meaning " bay of the pots" ( Norwegian Grytvika in ), in reference to the pots used to transport the grease of Seal.

Economy

The city saw primarily Industrie of the fishing; its existence is due to the prosperity of the industry whale-boat (195 Baleine S driven out only for the first season).

Formerly, the treatment of the Baleine S was done on the island, which was a high place on the matter. This type of industry disappeared with the appearance of whalers on whom it is possible to treat the catches immediately. Officially, the closing of the port took place in 1966. Another reason is advanced: the rarefaction of natural reserves of whales, which made nonviable the maintenance of a port of fishing of this kind on the island.

Industry related to the Baleine caused the creation of a Railroad with Narrow gauge railway in South Georgia, exploited originally by the Compania Argentina de Pesca, which is also at the origin of the port of fishing itself. A Gare functioned in Grytviken, where the first rails were posed in 1912. The history retains that this Railroad moreover brought the skin of Sir Ernest Shackleton to its last residence.

The electricity produced for the use of Grytviken emanates from turbines actuated by a Lac located in the mountains, like by generators with the diesel .

Lastly, the Tourisme develops. The Musée is attended by tourists, come in particular from the the United States and the United Kingdom. After having collaborated in the development of the Museum, the local taxidermist, Steve Massam, creates now memories.

Importance of King Edward Not

The provisioning of the Ville does not have anything obvious, since the island does not have any structure allowing the landing of Avion S. All thus arrives by Bateau or dropping of Colis.

The ships unload with King Edward Point, where are also the Poste - probably one of most septentrional of the the United Kingdom - the hotel Shackleton House and the office of Douane.

The planes of the Royal Air Force leave in theory the Falkland Islands. They parachute mail and menus objects in capsules that boats then come to recover in the sea, near King Edward Point.

Manners

At the beginning of the 20th century, the alcohol was in theory banished wearing of whalers, and to import some a Délit constituted. Consequently, some daring people decided to manufacture their own alcohol. A Alambic is exposed to the museum of the island (see below).

The island also had its clean Cinéma, currently in ruin.

First Pasteur to have served the Church of the Hunter of whales is called Kristen Loken. Since 1931, the station is not provided any more.

Monuments and curiosities

The area of Grytviken passes to be very photogenic. Grytviken has many workshops, currently in decrepitude (Patternmaker' S Loft, Machine Shop).

Here moreover some examples of monuments which are there:

Church of the Hunter of whales (Whaler' S Church), building out of wooden, prefabricated in Norway and opened with the worship in 1913.

Cemetery of the hunters of whales, where the explorer Ernest Shackleton rests.

Plane, plane Flensing of wood where were brought the whales to treat.

The Petrel, former whaler with vapor.

Museum

The town of Grytviken has its own museum, the " Museum of the South Georgia " , created in 1992 at the instigation of William Fullerton, governor of the Falkland Islands, located in the old residence of the person in charge of the port whaler, called " Villa" managers;. The building was the subject of a restoration in 2005.

Initially, the Musée was devoted only to the Chasse for the whale. Since, it diversified. Dated from XVIIIe, XIXe and XXe centuries, the objects are exposed in parts to Thème. One of them moreover is devoted to the Larsen captain. Another present of furniture; in another, one finds equipment of diving. Lastly, one discovers there an old projector of Cinéma, a Alambic " perfectly illégal" and a Radar.

The Musée also exposes creations of inhabitants of the vintage, for example a Bateau in a Bouteille, created by the sailor Norman Jamieson.

It is envisaged to expose to it witnesses of the Guerre of the Falklands (1982) and subsequent British military presence, which was prolonged until in 2001. Another project: to present objects resulting from the Foundry and local forging mill.

Tim and Pauline Carr is occupied some since their arrival in the island, with the beginning of the year 1990. They are the two only permanent inhabitants of the city - and the island.

See too

Internal bonds

South Georgia and the islands Sandwich of the South

External bonds

Official site of the South Georgia
illustrated Site, semi-officially devoted to Grytviken
Railroads in South Georgia

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