Station W / Detaille Island

Latitude : 66°52 S
Longitude : 66°48 W

Time : UTC -3

Station W - Detaille Island (also named Loubet Coast) was established in February 1956 and was used by 8 to 10 people for surveying, geology, meteorology to contribute to the IGY in 1957.

The station was evacuated when sea ice and weather prevented access, the ship was unable to reach the island so the men secured the buildings for winter and sledged over 25 miles across the sea ice in order to reach the ship, taking with them only the minimum of their belongings and scientific records.

Personnel closed the station in March 1959, and transferred to Horseshoe Island (Station Y), apart a brief occupation (summer season 1965-1966) the station has remained unoccupied since 1959 and much of original contents are in place.

As a relatively unaltered the Station W provides an important reminder of the science and living conditions in the 1950s and was designated as Historic site #83 by the Secretary of Antarctic Treaty.

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Credits : Information by Antarctic Heritage Trust. Pictures by Alain Bidart, Rachel Lea Fox and Kevin Fox, Tahiry Carpaye, Mehdi Escoffier F5PFP.
Music : Tasmin Archer - Best Of - Sleeping Satellite / EMI UK 2009