WINTER ISLAND, Antarctica — Cans of food on shelves in the kitchen area of Wordie House. Originally known as Base F and later renamed after James Wordie, chief scientist on Ernest Shackleton's major Antarctic expedition, Wordie House dates to the mid-1940s. It was one of a handful of bases built by the British as part of a secret World War II mission codenamed Operation Tabarin. The house is preserved intact and stands near Vernadsky Research Base in the Argentine Islands in Antarctica.
Photograph by David Coleman. Wordie House, officially designated as Base F and later renamed after James Wordie, chief scientist on Ernest Shackleton's Endurance expedition, is a significant landmark in Antarctic history. Established in 1947 on Winter Island in the Argentine Islands, it was one of several British research stations set up as part of Operation Tabarin during World War II. The station continued to operate under the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey, which later became the British Antarctic Survey. Wordie House served as a year-round station until 1954 when nearby Faraday Station (now Ukraine's Vernadsky Research Base) took over its functions. The well-preserved wooden structure offers visitors a glimpse into the challenging lives of early Antarctic researchers. It contains original artifacts, including scientific equipment, books, and canned food, providing an authentic time capsule of mid-20th century polar exploration and research. Designated as Historic Site and Monument No. 62 under the Antarctic Treaty System, Wordie House is now managed by the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust. The site plays a crucial role in educating visitors about Antarctica's scientific legacy, the importance of polar research in understanding global climate systems, and the need for conservation in this unique environment. Its location in the scenic Argentine Islands, surrounded by dramatic Antarctic landscapes an
Size: 6706px × 4476px
Location: Wordie House, Winter Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctica
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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