Isla Observatorio, Tierra del Fuego geomagnetic observatory 1902-1917

A chance discovery among some photographs in the BGS Geomagnetic archive included this interesting image of a lighthouse. After much searching, this was identified as the Isla Observatorio at the southern tip of Argentina.

The following photograph is a good match for the fifth photo down on this history of the island, further evidence that this set of photographs is indeed the observatory on Isla Observatorio.

The Observatory was run by Lieutenant Commander Horacio Ballvé, who may be among the people pictured in the photo below.

The following show the inside of the magnetic observatory with some of the instruments.

Lastly are two photographs, one showing a small ship and the other a beach with southern sea lions.

HISTAMAR Las expediciones de investigacion arqueologica de Carlos P. Vairo y el Museo Maritimo de Ushuaia. Faro de isla Año Nuevo, Monumento Nacional Dec.64/99.

Grondona, Vero  La isla de los estados y la Isla Observatorio, Tierra del Fuego

Posted by Bob McIntosh, image processing Fergus MacTaggart, historical advice by Dr. Phil Stone

Eli Simpson Archive, British Speleological Association

Transcription of Eli Simpson's notes

The Eli Simpson Archive is a major collection of c 100 large format record books full of exploration accounts, newspaper cuttings, maps, surveys, photographs and published articles compiled by Eli Simpson and other members of the British Speleological Association. These extracts give a flavour of the material found in the albums. These items are from the Gaping Gill album.

The collection was held for many years at the British Cave Research Association Library but are now held on deposit at the  National Geological Repository at British Geological Survey, Keyworth for safekeeping.

Archives such as this one are not only important for the historical viewpoint but are also important as a source of information that supports current research into karst geohazards.

A short account of of the Eli Simpson Archive can be found  on the British Caving Library website. It has links to the full Gaping Gill volume and the the catalogue of the collection at the British Geological Survey.

Transcriptions from various caving log books and publications

Old newspaper cuttings

 Eli Simpson's photographs

Posted by Bob McIntosh

Brora Colliery and tile kilns 1929

Brora coalfield is the most northerly in the UK. 

A H.D. Hewitt photograph. From the Geologists' Association photograph collection held on deposit at the British Geological Survey

A distant view of the colliery from the BGS collection.

Posted by Bob McIntosh