Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Proclamation 2005
Part 57Antarctic specially protected area No. 157
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Part 57 Antarctic specially protected area No. 157
Backdoor Bay, Cape Royds, Ross Island.
7733 10.7 S Latitude, 16610 6.5 E longitude.
The significant historic value of this Area was formally recognised when it was listed as Historic Site and Monument No. 15 in Recommendation 9 (1972). It was designated as Specially Protected Area No. 27 in Measure 1 (1998) and redesignated as Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 157 in Decision 1 (2002).
The hut on which this Area is centred was built in February 1908 by the British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition of 1907–1909 which was led by Sir Ernest Shackleton. It was also periodically used by the Ross Sea Party of Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–1917.
Structures associated with the hut include stables, kennels, a latrine and a garage created for the first motor vehicle in Antarctica. Other significant relics in the Area include an instrument shelter, supply depots, and a rubbish site. Numerous additional artefacts are distributed around the Area.
Cape Royds is one of the principal areas of early human activity in Antarctica. It is an important symbol of the Heroic Age of Antarctic exploration and, as such, has considerable historical significance. Some of the earliest advances in the study of earth sciences, meteorology, flora and fauna in Antarctica are associated with the Nimrod Expedition which was based at this site. The history of these activities and the contribution they have made to the understanding and awareness of Antarctica give this Area significant scientific, aesthetic and historic values.