Historic Walk

Saturday, 5th November was a stunning day for our young historians to spend exploring.  

The walk began by the shipwreck of the Lady Elizabeth where the group learned of her  misfortunes and of how she ended up at Whalebone Cove after a vicious storm in 1936. 

Moving on to the shipwreck of the tug Plym at the north corner of Whalebone Cove, the group heard how in 1929 she was used as a lighter. The Plym broke her moorings in the huge gale in 1945 and ended up on the beach where she rests today.

The walk continued west towards the shipwreck of the tug Samson, which arrived in the Falkland Islands on the 20th of July 1900. The Samson was a good rescue vessel and proved her worth. During her time in service she rescued ships such as, the Circle, Cassard, Hyndford, Lafonia, Wavertree, Oravia and the Lady Elizabeth. In 1915 she was used by the Royal Navy both before and after the Battle of the Falklands. In 1924 she was paid off and used as a cargo lighter. She also broke her mooring in 1945 and ended up at her current location.

Once reaching the Narrows, the group stopped for a well-deserved lunch break.  The children learnt how wide and deep the entrance is and of the old rusty chain that is still visible to this day. The most distinguished vessel that has passed through the Narrows was the Royal Britannia on her world tour in 1957 with the late Duke of Edinburgh on board.

After lunch, the group headed down to Hadassah Bay where we had fun paddling in the sea. Hadassah Bay is named after the schooner Hadassah which sailed through the Narrows on the 1st of November, 1892. After the children dried off their feet, we headed towards Tussac Point.

At Tussac Point they discovered foundations from WWI and WWII which are still visible to this day.  These buildings were used by the Falkland Islands Volunteers - now known as Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF). The group took notes and measurements for our records.

Running a little behind our schedule we proceeded to Ordnance Point - a Falkland Islands Volunteer gun battery.  Here we had a group photo. 

Thank you to all volunteers - you are all awesome!