KING HAAKON BAY

54^o09'S 37^o16'W Chart 3597, South Georgia

This bay is famous because it is here that Sir Ernest Shackleton and his party landed after their epic voyage in the 22ft James Caird, to rescue the other men trapped on Elephant Island. In clear weather, it is a magnificent sight to sail up the bay, which has many glaciers descending to the sea.

Much of the entrance to the bay is blocked by McNeish Island, the McCarthy Islands and the shoals and rocks around them. When entering, either pass into Cheapman Bay and then N of McNeish Island, or keep fairly close N of Cape Rosa, at the southern entrance to the bay. If passing by Cape Rosa, look out for the tiny cove E of the Cape, where Shackleton made his first landing at `Cave Camp'.

Half way along the bay, is a kelp-marked terminal moraine. Passing through the kelp N of the middle of the bay, we found a minimum of 8m. Towards the S shore is a clear channel through the kelp with a minimum of 24m; it is sufficiently wide to beat through easily.

Near the head of the bay, on the N shore, is Peggotty Bluff, a conspicuous, tussac-covered headland that appears to be an island, from some way off. This is where Shackleton made his second landing and from where he left to cross South Georgia to Stromness.

Shelter from the sea can be found from the NW through N to NE in the small bight to the W of Peggotty Bluff. It appeared possible to anchor in 10m, close E of a conspicuous kelp patch off the beach at the western end of the bight, but we did not do so.

About ½ mile SE of Peggotty Bluff are the Vincent Islands. There is an anchorage at the E end of the E island in about 6m. Anchor in a clear patch in the kelp. The island gives shelter from the W. A shingle beach provides a landing close to the anchorage. Note the broken trypot, largely covered by tussac at the top of the beach.

McNeish, McCarthy and Vincent are the names of the crew of the James Caird who stayed behind while Shackleton, Worsley and Crean crossed the island.

EAST VINCENT ISLAND LOOKING W ALONG KING HAAKON BAY

EAST VINCENT ISLAND, LOOKING E TOWARDS SHACKLETON GAP

ESBENSEN BAY

 

54^o51'S 35^o58'W Chart 3597, South Georgia

The entrance to this bay is close SW of Nattris Head (the S entrance to Drygalski Fjord) with a large snowfield at its head. On a fine day, this makes a most spectacular anchorage, but passing by the bay in a NW gale, there was a constant stream of fierce williwaws blowing out of the mouth. This was also the case with both Smaaland Cove and Doubtful Bay. The southern tip of South Georgia has a reputation for very turbulent conditions.

The entrance to the bay is straightforward, with bands of kelp lining each shore.

Anchor at the head of the bay in a clear patch in the thick kelp, in about 11m.

The Pilot suggests that there is a pass over the col to Larsen Harbour, but the snow bank leading up to it is very steep. On Shannon Point, there is a Macaroni penguin colony.

ESBENSEN BAY, LOOKING SE