The Gough Island Expedition, 1955

Gough Island's coastline (Courtesy of Beneke de Wet & the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism)

In 1955, Gough Island was one of the last places in the world about which little was known. John Heaney of Cambridge University proposed an expedition to Gough, and this was duly organised. The planned sailing from South Africa in HMS Magpie eventually took place without Heaney,who had been forbidden to travel by his doctor.

Robert Chambers took over the leadership of the expedition, which arrived at Tristan on September 30th, 1955. They had to stay there for six weeks awaiting onward transport to Gough aboard Tristania . During that time much scientific work was performed, notably in extracting core samples of peat from Soggy Plain.

Eventually, word came that Tristania was to arrive, and after a day's sailing the expedition was able to land on Gough Island in a flat calm on November 14th, 1955.

The Expedition Hut

No sooner had they arrived at Gough than Chambers was incapacitated and had to be evacuated. Martin Holdgate then became the third leader of the expedition

Meanwhile, Heaney had recovered, and made a dash for Gough, arriving aboard the Frances Repetto. There were no more mishaps, and the expedition went on to make a detailed survey of the island's geology, wildlife and vegetation.

Whilst there, the expedition members operated a temporary Post Office, the first there had ever been on Gough Island. Stamps and covers bearing the cancellation of this temporary post office have become much sought after. The weather reports they sent

Franked cover from the 1955 Expedition

back to South Africa were invaluable, and on the departure of the expedition the South African Government continued to operate the station. They still operate it to this day and their official web site of the Gough 43 expedition can now be visited.

The story of the Gough Island Expedition can be found in Martin Holdgate's excellent book
"Mountains in the Sea: the story of the Gough Island Expedition" , 1958

The South African Weather Bureau continue to operate the station to this day,

The scientific base was taken over by the South African Weather Bureau in 1956, and you can see Gough Island Upper Air Observations at their Web Site. The present weather station was constructed in 1963.

Current research is mainly undertaken by biologists at the Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology of the University of Cape Town. Thirteen short expeditions were completed between 1979 and 1990, with scientific study concentrating on population dynamics of seabird populations and the island's biota, paying special attention to conservation significance.

Members of the Expedition

Martin Holdgate

John Heaney

Robert Chambers

Phillip Mullock

Roger Lemaitre

JJ van der Merwe

James Hall

Michael Swales

Nigel Wace