A NASA satellite photograph of Elephant Island

Elephant Island is an ice-covered, mountainous island off the coast of Antarctica in the outer reaches of the South Shetland Islands in the Southern Ocean. It lies at latitude 61°01′ S 54°54′ W, 1300 kilometers south-west of South Georgia. Satellilte image of Elephant Island from NASA File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... The South Shetland Islands are a chain of islands in the Southern Ocean about 120 kilometres off the coast of Antarctica. ... South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, also claimed by Argentina. ...

The island is approximately 10km by 2km in an east to west orientation, with a maximum elevation of 2795 feet (852 m) above sea level at Pardo Ridge. Significant named features of the island are Cape Yelcho, Cape Valentine and Cape Lookout at its north-eastern and southernmost extremes, and Point Wild, a spit of land on its northern coast. Pardo Ridge is the highest part of Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands, reaching an altitude of 852 m. ... Cape Yelcho is the NW extremity of Elephant Island, South Shetland Islands. ...

The island supports no significant flora or native fauna although migratory Gentoo penguins and seals may be found on its shores, and Chinstrap penguins nest there in season. A lack of safe anchorage has prevented any permanent human settlements being formed, despite the island being well placed to support scientific, fishing and whaling activities in the area. Binomial name Pygoscelis papua Forster, 1781 The Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) is easily recognised by the wide white stripe extending like a bonnet across the top of its head. ... Binomial name Pygoscelis antarctica Forster, 1781 The Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) is a species of penguin which is found in the South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica, the South Orkneys, South Shetland, South Georgia, Bouvet Island, Balleny and Peter I Island. ... The purpose of a ships or boats anchor is to attach the vessel to the ground at a specific point. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish. ... The crew of the oceanographic research vessel Princesse Alice, of Albert Grimaldi (later Prince Albert I of Monaco) pose while flensing a catch Whaling is the hunting and killing of whales. ...

The island is most famous as the refuge of Ernest Shackleton's crew in 1914 following the loss of their ship Endurance in Antarctic ice. Shackleton left his second in command, Frank Wild in charge of 21 men on Elephant Island for more than four months while he sailed across open ocean with five other men to South Georgia and led attempts to return with a rescue ship. Because the island had no natural source of shelter, the stranded men constructed a shack from their remaining two lifeboats and scraps of canvas. They also composed the following verses out of gratitude for Wild's leadership. Ernest Henry Shackleton The Discovery Image:Baloonshack. ... 1914 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom, also claimed by Argentina. ...

 My name is Frankie Wild-o. Me hut's on Elephant Isle. The wall's without a single brick And the roof's without a tile. Nevertheless I must confess, By many and many a mile, It's the most palatial dwelling place You'll find on Elephant Isle. It's the most palatial dwelling place You'll find on Elephant Isle. 

Finally, the rescue was performed by the ship Yelcho, from Punta Arenas (Chile), commanded by Luis Pardo, august 30 1916. City of Punta Arenas Punta Arenas is the main city in the Strait of Magellan and the capital of the Región de Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena, Chile. ... 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ...