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  5. 24. Horseshoe Island

24. Horseshoe Island
24.Horseshoe Island
 
67º49´00´´S, 67º18´00´´W
Latest Revision: 2014
 
Key Features
 
- Historic British Base ‘Y’, Horseshoe Island
 
Description
TOPOGRAPHY
Horseshoe Island is a small rocky island in Bourgeois Fjord, Marguerite Bay.
FAUNA
Confirmed breeders: Brown skua, Kelp gull.
FLORA
29 species of lichen and 15 species of moss have been reported from Horseshoe Island.
OTHER
British Base ‘Y’ is designated as Historic Site and Monument No. 63. It sits on a small peninsula at the northwestern end of the island overlooking Sally Cove. It is noteworthy as a relatively unaltered and well equipped British scientific base of the late 1950s, providing a time capsule of life and science of the time. It was occupied continuously from March 1955 to August 1960, and re-opened for a 4 month period in 1969. In addition to the base building, there is also a balloon shed, pup pens, an emergency store, two pram dinghies and a winch. ‘Blaiklock’, the refuge hut located several miles away, is considered an integral part of the base.
 
Visitor Impact
KNOWN IMPACTS
None known.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
Fire. Minor fuel spills.
 
Landing Requirements
SHIPS*
Max pax on board: 500
Ships at a time: 1
Comments: Maximum 2 ships per day (midnight to midnight), of which no more than 1 can carry over 200 passengers.
* A ship is defined as a vessel which carries more than 12 passengers.
VISITORS
Maximum number of visitors at any time, exclusive of expedition guides and leaders: 100
Comments: No more than 12 visitors are allowed inside the base at any one time.
Base ‘Y’ was proposed as HSM No. 63 by the UK. Visits to the hut may only take place with prior permission given by a Party. The Party undertaking management of the site should also be informed prior to the visit.
Visitors enter the base at their own risk and the UK authorities will not be liable for any personal injury or damage to property that may be sustained.
 
Visitor Area
LANDING AREA
The preferred landing site is in Sally Cove to the south of the hut.
CLOSED AREA
Visitors should not access the loft or any of the secondary huts or other structures.
GUIDED WALKING AREA
None.
FREE ROAMING AREA
Visitors may roam freely under close supervision.
 
 
Visitor code of conduct
BEHAVIOUR ASHORE
  • A record of each visit should be left in the Visitors Book, located in the base.
  • All boots and outdoor clothing should be cleaned of snow and grit before entering the building. All backpacks and large bags should be left outside the hut.
  • Any significant damage to the roof should be reported to the British Antarctic Survey.
  • Artefacts should not be handled or removed from the site. Do not sit on chairs or other furniture, or lay objects down on tables or work surfaces.
  • Expedition Leaders should provide the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust with a report on the condition of the Base.
  • Loose gravel, mud and snow should be swept up, and floors wiped dry after each visit.
  • No overnight stays in the hut are allowed. The hut is available for educational visits and, except in emergency circumstances, should not be used for any other purpose.
  • Smoking and the use of candles, matches or stoves are prohibited in and around the hut.
  • The hut windows are all covered with fixed shutters and so electric torches will be needed to see anything of the interior.
  • Visitors are to leave the base safe and fully closed up on departure.
CAUTIONARY NOTES
Materials containing unstable asbestos are known to be present in the loft. Other asbestos containing materials are present within the building fabric.
Boat drivers should be aware of rocks on the entrance to Sally Cove.
The rocks at the landing site can be slippery when wet.
 
A view of the Hut from the North East with a kennel in the foreground
 
   
Pram dinghies on the shore of the cove   One of several sets of original fire extinguishers   Bicycle wheels used to make sledge meters to measure the distance run
 
 
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