Wood Island, South Shetland Islands

Wood Island
South Shetland Islands (British Antarctic Territory)
Wood Island (centre) from Livingston Island
Location
Location:	62°29’3"S, 60°18’15"W
Area:	35 acres
Data

Wood Island is a conspicuous rocky island of 35 acres lying in Hero Bay, on the north coast of Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, part of the British Antarctic Territory. The island is to the south-east of Desolation Island and forms the south side of Blythe Bay.

The area was frequented by early nineteenth century British and American sealers operating from Blythe Bay. The island despite its sylvan name is completely devoid of trees: the name derives from the name 'Wood Harbour' or 'Port Wood' originally applied to Blythe Bay by Captain Robert Fildes in December 1820.

The island was roughly charted in 1820-21 by Fildes, who originally applied the name of 'Wood' to Blythe Bay. It was further charted by Discovery Investigations in 1935. Following air photography by the Falkland Islands and Dependencies Aerial Survey Expedition 1956-57 the island received its current name in order to preserve Fildes' original naming in the area.

References

• Gazetteer and Map of The British Antarctic Territory: Wood Island