Detaille Island Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Detaille Island
Geography
Detaille Island, Antarctica
Detaille Island Location in Antarctic Peninsula Location in Antarctic Peninsula
Location	Antarctica
Coordinates	66°52′S 66°47′W / 66.867°S 66.783°W / -66.867; -66.783
Administration
Administered under the Antarctic Treaty System
Demographics
Population	Uninhabited

Tourists visit Base W on Detaille Island

Detaille Island is a small island located near the Arrowsmith Peninsula in Antarctica. From 1956 to 1959, it was home to a science base called "Base W." This base was run by the British Antarctic Survey. It closed after the International Geophysical Year (IGY) ended. The IGY was a big science project where countries worked together to study Earth.

Detaille Island was an important place for monitoring during the IGY. Today, many cruise ships visit the island. It is a popular spot for tourists, but no one lives there permanently.

The scientists at Base W had to leave very quickly. They could only take a few important things with them. Because of this, Base W is like a time capsule from the 1950s. It shows what life was like for scientists in Antarctica back then.

The base was meant for dog-sledging teams. These teams would cross the sea ice to explore the nearby Antarctic Peninsula. But the ice was too dangerous. When it was time to leave, thick sea ice stopped their supply ship, the Biscoe, from getting close. Even with help from two U.S. icebreakers, the ship was still 31 miles (50 km) away. So, the men had to pack up the base. They loaded their most valuable gear onto sledges and used dog teams to reach the ship.

Exploring Station W: A Historic Antarctic Base
- What You Can Find Inside Base W
- How Detaille Island Got Its Name
See also

Exploring Station W: A Historic Antarctic Base

Station W was set up in 1956. It was a British research station. Scientists there studied the land, rocks, and weather. They also helped with the International Geophysical Year in 1957.

The station has a main hut and other small buildings. These include an emergency storage hut, pens for dogs, a weather tower, and two tall radio masts. Station W is special because it looks almost exactly as it did in the late 1950s. It reminds us of the science and living conditions when the Antarctic Treaty was first signed in 1959.

In 2009, Station W became a Historic Site and Monument (HSM 83). This means it is protected. The United Kingdom suggested this to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.

What You Can Find Inside Base W

Inside the base, you can see many old items. There's a washing machine with its instructions, old jackets, and long underwear. You might also spot a calendar from December 1957. There are survey books, logs of star observations, and old radio equipment. The base also has many books, cans of oats, bottles of Heinz mayonnaise, and empty bottles of gin and whisky.

The United Kingdom Antarctic Heritage Trust helps take care of Detaille Island. This group works to protect Antarctic buildings and items. They also help people learn more about Antarctica's history.

Usually, about eight to 10 people lived at Station W. Besides the main building, there are two smaller huts nearby. One was used to store emergency supplies. The other was where the dogs were kept.

How Detaille Island Got Its Name

The French Antarctic Expedition surveyed Detaille Island between 1908 and 1910. They named it Îlot Detaille. It was named after M. Detaille. He was a French person living in Punta Arenas. He helped the expedition get supplies at Deception Island.

The island was surveyed again in February 1956. This was done by the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey (FIDS). This group later became the British Antarctic Survey. They named the island and some nearby ones "Lent Islands." This was because Lent began on February 15, 1956.

A FIDS station, first called "Base W," was set up on the island on February 24, 1956. It was used continuously until April 1, 1959.