Sandefjord Bay (Coronation Island) facts for kids
Sandefjord Bay is a narrow stretch of water located on the west coast of Coronation Island. This island is part of the South Orkney Islands, which are found in Antarctica. The bay is about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long. It stretches from the northeast to the southwest, lying between Coronation Island and Monroe Island.
At the entrance of Sandefjord Bay, you'll find Spine Island. Just southwest of Spine Island is a large rock called Mainsail Rock. This rock is the biggest and most eastern of three rocks that extend in a line from northwest to southeast, off the side of Monroe Island.
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Exploring Sandefjord Bay's Past
Who Found Sandefjord Bay?
Sandefjord Bay was first discovered and mapped in a basic way in December 1821. This happened during a trip made by two captains, George Powell and Nathaniel Palmer. They explored the area together.
How Did Sandefjord Bay Get Its Name?
The name Sandefjord likely comes from Sandefjord, Norway. This city in Norway was a very important center for the whaling industry. The name "Sandefjord" first appeared on a map in 1912. It was put there by Petter Sorlle, who was a Norwegian whaling captain.
Mapping the Bay and Naming Mainsail Rock
Later, in 1933, people from a group called Discovery Investigations (DI) carefully surveyed the bay. This means they made detailed maps and studied the area. During this survey, they also gave the name Mainsail Rock to the large rock near the bay's entrance.
A Research Hut That Was Never Used
In 1945, the British Antarctic Survey built a small hut at Sandefjord Bay. Their plan was to set up a research base there. However, they never had enough people to live and work at the base. Because of this, the hut was abandoned. The research efforts were moved to another location called Station C on Ferguslie Peninsula. The hut was last seen standing in September 1950. By February 1955, it had fallen apart, and only pieces of it remained.
