Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Proclamation 2005
Part 59Antarctic specially protected area No. 159
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Part 59 Antarctic specially protected area No. 159
Cape Adare, Borchgrevink Coast, Northern Victoria Land.
Eastern longitudes 11° 22 40 and 11° 54 20
Southern latitudes 70° 43 50 and 70° 46 40
The historic value of this Area was formally recognized when it was listed as Historic Site and Monument No. 22 in Recommendation VII-9 (1972). It was designated as Specially Protected Area No. 29 in Measure 1 (1998) and redesignated as Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) 159 in Decision 1 (2002).
There are three main structures in the Area. Two were built in February 1899 during the British Antarctic (Southern Cross) Expedition led by C. E. Borchgrevink (1898–1900). One hut served as a living hut and the other as a store. They were used for the first winter spent on the Antarctic continent.
Scott’s Northern Party hut is situated 30 metres to the north of Borchgrevink’s hut. It consists of the collapsing remains of a third hut built in February 1911 for the Northern Party led by V. L. A. Campbell of R. F. Scott’s British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition (1910–1913), which wintered there in 1911.
In addition to these features there are numerous other historic relics located in the Area. These include stores depots, a latrine structure, two anchors from the ship Southern Cross, an ice anchor from the ship Terra Nova, and supplies of coal briquettes. Other historic items within the Area are buried in guano.
Cape Adare is one of the principal sites 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 two earliest expeditions 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.