heritageLegacyMarion Island

The ALSA archive thrives on the generosity of its contributors, who help us preserve the rich history of research and exploration in the sub-Antarctic. Today, we had the pleasure of sharing lunch with John Cooper to express our gratitude for his ongoing support of ALSA. As a token of appreciation, we presented him with small […]

AntarcticaheritageHistorySANAE IVSANAP

A Milestone in South Africa’s Antarctic Journey January 1997 marked a historic moment in South Africa’s Antarctic legacy with the official opening of SANAE IV, the nation’s cutting-edge scientific research station in Antarctica. Located on the pristine Vesleskarvet nunatak in Queen Maud Land, SANAE IV replaced its predecessor, SANAE III, which had served South Africa’s […]

ArchiveheritageHistoryLegacyMarion IslandPrince Edward Islands

4 January 1948 – Lieutenant-Commander John Fairbairn clambers ashore on Prince Edward Island and claims it for South Africa. Following the occupation of Marion Island on 29 December 1947, Lieutenant-Commander John Fairbairn, Captain of the frigate H.M.S.A.S. Transvaal, is landed by “crayfish dinghy” after being towed by the ship’s motorboat into Cave Bay on Prince […]