Cumberland Bay
In the Second World War the whaling stations were closed except Grytviken and Leith Harbour. Most of the British and Norwegian whalers and factory ships were destroyed by German merchant raiders, and the remainder were called up to serve under Allied command. The resident British Magistrates (W. Barlas and A.I. Fleuret) attended to the island's defence throughout the War. The Royal Navy deployed the armed merchant cruiser Queen of Bermuda to patrol South Georgian and Antarctic waters, and deployed two four-inch guns to protect key approaches: at Grytviken to protect Cumberland Bay and at Leith Harbour to protect Stromness Bay. The batteries still survive. They were manned by volunteers from among the Norwegian whalers who were trained for the purpose.
References
- Stonehouse, B, ed. (2002). Encyclopedia of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans. ISBN 0-471-98665-8.
This article incorporates public domain material from "Cumberland Bay". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
54°14′S 36°28′W / 54.233°S 36.467°W