Penguin Point (Coronation Island) facts for kids
Penguin Point (60°31′00″S 45°56′00″W / 60.51667°S 45.93333°W) is a special place in Antarctica. It's the far northwestern tip of Coronation Island. This island is part of the South Orkney Islands.
Contents
What is Penguin Point?
Penguin Point is a piece of land that sticks out into the sea. It's located in the icy continent of Antarctica. This area is known for its cold weather and amazing wildlife.
Nearby Rocks and Islands
There are several interesting rock formations near Penguin Point. These rocks are found in the sea just west of the point.
- The Melsom Rocks are about 13 kilometers (7 nautical miles) away. They are out in the open sea.
- About 4 kilometers (2 nautical miles) south are the Despair Rocks. These are about 14 kilometers (7.5 nautical miles) west-southwest of Penguin Point.
- The Lay-brother Rock is about 4 kilometers (2 nautical miles) southwest of the Despair Rocks. It's also about 13 kilometers (7 nautical miles) northwest of the western end of Coronation Island.
Who Discovered and Named These Places?
Penguin Point and the nearby rocks were mostly found in December 1821. Two captains, George Powell and Nathaniel Palmer, discovered them. Captain Powell was a British sealer on a ship called the Dove. Captain Palmer was an American sealer on the James Monroe. Sealers were people who hunted seals for their fur and oil.
Why "Penguin Point"?
Captain Powell gave Penguin Point its name. He saw many penguins living there. It was a perfect name for a place with so many of these birds!
Naming the Rocks
The Melsom Rocks were named by Captain Petter Sorlle. He mapped the South Orkney Islands in 1912–13. He named them after Captain H.G. Melsom. Melsom was a manager at the Thule Whaling Company. This company hunted whales.
The Lay-brother Rock was named later, in 1933. It was mapped by people from the Discovery Investigations. They were on a research ship called the Discovery II. They explored and mapped many parts of Antarctica.
