Shackleton : The James Caird Society

 

JAMES CAIRD SOCIETY SHACKLETON NEWS

Latest     Films     Meetings     Exhibitions     Heritage     Antarctic     South Georgia
Stamps     Memorabilia     Arts     Travel     International     Expeditions
Archive     Forum     Education     Directory     Feedback

THE 'YELCHO': A NAME CELEBRATED IN MARITIME HISTORY

A GRATEFUL TRIBUTE TO THE PLUCKY AND GALLANT CHILEAN SHIP WHICH SAVED THE LIVES OF SHACKLETON'S 22 MEN

The battered prow of the Yelcho saw long service during the first half of the 20th century, including - most famously - its celebrated mission under Pilot Pardo to rescue Shackleton's marooned men
The Chilean naval vessel the Yelcho was built in 1906 by the Scottish firm G. Brown and Co. of Greenock, on the River Clyde, 120 ft long and 23 ft wide (that, coincidentally, was the length of the Greenwich-built James Caird). She had a top speed of 10 knots. She continued in service till 1945, ten years after the death of Pilot Pardo, who commanded the fourth rescue mission to Elephant Island mounted by Shackleton in 1916. The boat was decommissioned some time after World War II but survived until 1962, when she was finally scrapped.

a good view of the Yelcho under steamA close up view of the Yelcho
The Yelcho seen on other dutiesThe Yelcho returns triumphant
The name of the Yelcho, the gallant ship which finally brought the men home safely, was fittingly preserved and honoured on several ways: perhaps most importantly, by the subsequent naming of one of Elephant Island's most prominent forelands 'Cape Yelcho'.

A side view of the displayed prowThe prow of the Yelcho on display in Puerto WilliamsAnother view of the Yelcho's prow, now a rather forlorn slight after the ship's decommissioning, but a worthy tribute nontheless
The name 'Yelcho' was also given to the main street of Chile's southernmost coastal town, Puerto Williams, and it is there that the prow of the Yelcho has been preserved and is prominently displayed as a tribute to Captain Pardo's ship, his crew, and the successful rescue mission of 1916.

The plaque in tribute to Pardo and the Yelcho situated in front of the displayed prow
In front of the Yelcho's prow is a plaque which explains: 'Above this plaque is displayed the prow of the Escampiva Yelcho, a ship of the Chilean Navy, which under the command of Pilot Luis Pardo Villalon secured the rescue from the HMS Endurance the members of the British Expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton on Elephant Island, in the Chilean Antarctic, 28th of August 1916. Donated to the City of Punta Arenas, 21st of May 1970."

Lake Yelcho, in PatagoniaThe mountaina and lakewide views draw many tourists to the Yelcho lake area of Chilean PatagoniaAnother handsome view of the Yelcho lake and mountains
Fishing in the Yelcho riverAn atttractive view of the side of the Yelcho lakeThe Yelcho is famed for its enjoyable fishing
The name 'Yelcho' (which has no meaning in Spanish) also features prominently in an area of outstanding scenic beauty to the South of Chile, between Chaitenand Futaleufu. This includes Lake Yelcho, the Yelcho River, the Yelcho Bridge, the Yelcho Glacier, the Yelcho Walk, a Yelcho bus company and the attractive hospitality lodge set up to welcome travellers to the area, known as the Hotel Yelcho de Patagonia. Walking and fishing are especially popular in this area, to which a number of tour companies offer holidays.

The Yelcho river in gentle moodThe Yelcho Bridge which crosses the Yelcho River The attractive Yelcho hotel
The gorge down which the Yelcho glacier surges as the Yelcho riverA view of the Yelcho Glacier, a 'hanging' or cascading glacierTravellers enjoy the special tranquillity of the Hotel Yelcho, off the beaten track
The Yelcho region lies to the south of Chile, not far inland from the Pacific Ocean. It seems highly appropriate that an area of such outstanding natural beauty should bear the name of the small tug which under Pilot Pardo's command retrieved Shackleton's 22 men from the equally beautiful, yet desolate and forlorn, Elephant Island.

Map showing the Chilean and Argentinian sections of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego. Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams are in Chile; Ushuaia is in Argentina.The Yelcho region of Chile appears prominently in this area map
The upper hinterland of the southern Andes here, and in particular areas like the impressive and beautiful 'hanging' glacier known as 'Ventisquero Yelcho', capture something of the icy climes experienced by this southern region of Chile and its Antarctic offshoots during winter.

The precariously poised Yelcho Ridge, a haven above the clouds for walkers and climbers
The views in the Yelcho region, for instance from the high 'ridge' on the Yelcho Hill, are sometimes as dramatic as those high up in the mountains of South Georgia,or of Antarctica itself.

The Yelcho, seen on a mission in Antarctic watersThe prow of the Yelcho on icy duties
The Yelcho region is also home to some of Chile's wines, which - both white and red - are now among the most widely consumed in the world. You can now drink 'Yelcho Chardonnay', 'Yelcho Merlot' and 'Yelcho Carmener Reserve' Red, from grapes grown in Chile's Rapel Valley.

Yelcho Chardonnay - much in demandYelcho Merlot also enjoys considerable popularity worldwide Yelcho Reserve red wine
A view of the Valley where Yelcho wines are grownAnother view across Chile's Rapel Valley, where the appetising grapes for making Yelcho wines are grown

 

<<       Society       Forum       History       News       Publications       Membership       >>