Stromness Bay

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Stromness Bay is a wide bay (about 3 miles across) on the north coast of South Georgia, between Cape Saunders and Busen Point. It was named after Stromness in Orkney, Scotland, because both places were important whaling centers.

At the head of Stromness Bay lie three harbors: Leith Harbor on the west, Stromness Harbor, and Husvik Harbor to the south. The area is full of rocks, points, and small islands, many given names by whalers or survey crews in the early 20th century.

Key features (highlights)

- Busen Point: the southeastern point that marks the entrance to the bay; named for the Norwegian whaling ship Busen.
- Grass Island: a prominent island at the entrance to Stromness Harbor; previously called Mutton Island.
- Alert Cove and Alert Channel: small cove and channel named after the motorboat Alert used by the survey party.
- Clear Point: the northeast side of the Leith Harbor entrance.
- Framnaes Point: a point on the north side of Stromness Bay, southwest of Cape Saunders.
- Factory Point: a small point near the head of Leith Harbor, close to whaling stations.
- Harbour Point: separates Leith Harbor from Stromness Harbor.
- Harrison Point: a rocky point west of Busen Point; named after L. Harrison Matthews but later renamed Harrison Point to avoid confusion with another Matthews Point.
- Ems Rock: a rock between Harrison Point and Busen Point.
- Bucentaur Rock: the outer rock near Busen Point, renamed after the Bucentaur whaling factory.
- Bar Rocks: low rocks near the head of Husvik Harbor.
- Black Rocks: rocks near Framnaes Point, sometimes called Blenheim Rocks in the past.
- Grass Island, Bill Rock: Grass Island is the prominent island at the harbor entrance; Bill Rock lies near its southern end.
- Brain Island: an island inside Husvik Harbor.
- Kanin Point: a rocky point near Husvik Harbor; the name “Kanin” (rabbit) reflects an attempt to introduce rabbits on the island.
- Camana Rock: a rock between Kelp Point and Harrison Point.
- Discovery Rock: a submerged rock near Ems Rock, named by the Discovery Investigations team.

This area is rich in history from whaling times, with many features named to honor ships, vessels, and people connected to the industry.