Stanley, Falkland Islands
Latitude 51 41 S Longitude 057 51 W
We have entered the final chapter of our magnificent adventure in the southern ocean – the Falkland Islands. Early this morning we sailed past the prominent lighthouse at Cape Pembroke, through the narrows and into the inner harbor at Stanley. Founded in the 1840’s, the capital of the Falklands has one of the finest natural harbors in this archipelago which is graced with innumerable fine anchorages. Taking advantage of the shelter, over a dozen large fishing vessels and refrigerator ships were busily transferring cargoes of squid and fin-fish for markets in Europe, Asia and North America.
The Falklands may have first been seen by Europeans as early as 1501, and it is fairly certain that landings were affected by Spanish vessels by the mid 1500’s. Claimed by Britain in the late 1600’s, the island’s first settlement was actually French. Antoine de Bouganville started a small colony in 1764, despite protestations by both Spain and later, Britain. A British colony followed the next year, but both folded after a few years – the islands were too remote to be properly supported. A period of anarchy followed, with American sealers making no small contribution to the general lawlessness that prevailed in the islands. In 1831 an American warship sacked the settlement supported by the government in Buenos Aires, because the governor was actually trying to regulate sealing. At this stage Britain reasserted influence, and the islands have been staunchly British ever since.
The Falklands burst onto the modern world stage in 1982 as the long-simmering territorial dispute between Britain and Argentina erupted into war. Argentina sent a huge force to invade the islands, home at the time to only about 1200 souls. In Britain, a task force was hastily assembled and dispatched for the long voyage south. Argentine forces had ample time to dig in and reinforce as Royal Naval vessels sailed the length of the Atlantic. In the face of difficult winter conditions and a desperately long supply chain, the crown vanquished the junta, and Falklanders remain a fierce, independent part of Britain.
Now the once sleepy little town bustles with activity. Fishing and tourism are the two principal sources of revenue, but despite the hubbub we could easily sense the special sort of atmosphere that only a remote island community generates.
Latitude 51 41 S Longitude 057 51 W
We have entered the final chapter of our magnificent adventure in the southern ocean – the Falkland Islands. Early this morning we sailed past the prominent lighthouse at Cape Pembroke, through the narrows and into the inner harbor at Stanley. Founded in the 1840’s, the capital of the Falklands has one of the finest natural harbors in this archipelago which is graced with innumerable fine anchorages. Taking advantage of the shelter, over a dozen large fishing vessels and refrigerator ships were busily transferring cargoes of squid and fin-fish for markets in Europe, Asia and North America.
The Falklands may have first been seen by Europeans as early as 1501, and it is fairly certain that landings were affected by Spanish vessels by the mid 1500’s. Claimed by Britain in the late 1600’s, the island’s first settlement was actually French. Antoine de Bouganville started a small colony in 1764, despite protestations by both Spain and later, Britain. A British colony followed the next year, but both folded after a few years – the islands were too remote to be properly supported. A period of anarchy followed, with American sealers making no small contribution to the general lawlessness that prevailed in the islands. In 1831 an American warship sacked the settlement supported by the government in Buenos Aires, because the governor was actually trying to regulate sealing. At this stage Britain reasserted influence, and the islands have been staunchly British ever since.
The Falklands burst onto the modern world stage in 1982 as the long-simmering territorial dispute between Britain and Argentina erupted into war. Argentina sent a huge force to invade the islands, home at the time to only about 1200 souls. In Britain, a task force was hastily assembled and dispatched for the long voyage south. Argentine forces had ample time to dig in and reinforce as Royal Naval vessels sailed the length of the Atlantic. In the face of difficult winter conditions and a desperately long supply chain, the crown vanquished the junta, and Falklanders remain a fierce, independent part of Britain.
Now the once sleepy little town bustles with activity. Fishing and tourism are the two principal sources of revenue, but despite the hubbub we could easily sense the special sort of atmosphere that only a remote island community generates.
