This island probably got its name after the number of Elephant seals sighted by Captain George Powell in 1821. It lies at the extreme northeastern edge of the South Shetland Islands. Elephant Island achieved fame in 1916 when it became the 'home' for Shackleton's men for 4 bitter months when Shackleton set sail for South Georgia to obtain a rescue boat. If wondering why Shackleton tempted fate by sailing to South Georgia Island, some 1,300km north rather than, 200km south to Deception Island, it no doubt rested on the short-lived futile attempt spent battling the powerful clockwise-circulating Antarctic Circumpolar Current and winds.

Elephant Island is rarely visited by cruise ships as strong currents and winds make landing on the few steep rocky shores a treacherous task, even in the zodiac rafts. We were fortunate that one of our cruises had been chartered and with several descendants/relatives from the 1914-1916 Shackleton Expedition on board, our first landing was a rough and wet ride to Cape Lookout.

Further information about the Shackleton's miraculous 1914-1916 expedition can be gained from the numerous books about the Expedition, or if you want a short cut, see the vividly recently recreated Shackleton Films (the IMAX one being the more well-known one at this time).

Rocky landing
Cape Lookout, Elephant Island

Cape Lookout, on the southwestern part of the island, is one landing that is possible by zodiac. It is just a bleak, rocky area crawling (in summer) with fur seals and Chinstrap Penguins. This was not a landing area even contemplated by Shackleton's men!

First stop
Cape Valentine, Elephant Island

The first place Shackleton and his men considered was Cape Valentine, on the eastern point of the island. However, it was deemed two exposed to the winter low's crashing into the island from the south, so they moved around to the more protected northern side of the island, Point Wild.

Bleak
Point Wild, Elephant Island

Words can only begin to caress the bleakness and desolation of Point Wild, the place where Shackleton men spent 4 bitterly cold winter months, awaiting rescue. They lived under two wooden boats through winter, constantly threatened by rocks from above, the thrashing ocean around them and a fierce cold penetrating them to the soul. They only had seals and penguins to eat and use for oil to make fire.