The Antarctic Peninsula has a rich history of human exploration and science, much of which can be seen on an expedition cruise through the region. Some locations speak to the dark history of Antarctic whaling, such as the abandoned stations on Deception Island or the wreck of the Governoren. Other places are preserved as heritage sites, most notably at Port Lockroy, the former research station now unofficially dubbed ‘the Penguin Post Office’.
On my most recent trip to Antarctica, I visited one of the smallest and most curious of historic sites on the Peninsula at Damoy Hut, which was once known by its temporary occupants as ‘the world’s most southerly waiting room’ and is now under the care of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT).
Damoy Hut was built in 1975 by the British Antarctic Survey as a transit station. It had a ski-way marked out along its nearby glacier, which enabled planes to land here and transfer personnel and supplies to Rothera Research Station when ice prevented access to the station by ship.
Two or three men (and they were always men) were stationed at Damoy Hut. Their job was to send weather reports, and to use snowmobiles to transfer cargo to and from the transiting planes.
Crucially, Damoy Hut served as a shelter when bad polar weather prevented flights taking off or landing. The hut was well-stocked with food and accommodation for more than a dozen people to hunker down in safety to wait for any storms to pass.
The hut was decommissioned when the British Antarctic Survey started operating direct intercontinental flights in 1994-95. It was slated for demolition, until the UKAHT stepped in to save it in 2009. The hut is now listed as an Antarctic Historic Site and Monument.
Damoy Hut has been conserved to show how it would have been for those lonely scientists waiting patiently for a break in the weather. For them, Damoy was a place they were always anxious to leave, but for today’s visitors it’s a fascinating time capsule revealing the complex but hidden logistics that have always been at the heart of polar science.
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Discover more about the work of the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust on their website.
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