Evening star., 1955-02-21
Kerguelen Becomes
An Empire Outpost
Permanent Settlement
On Antarctic Island
By Thomos R. Henry

By Thomos R. Henry
France is converting o mountainous.
cabbage-covered sub-Antarctic island
uninhabited since It's discovery except
allegedly by some German navy de-
serters and their girl friends who ap-
parently got along very well during
part Of the war-into southernmost
outpost Of empire.
This island is Kerguelen Land. ap-
proximately south Of Africa and almost
straddling the Antarctic Circle, which
has one deep water ford which Is said
to be big enough to hold all the worlds
navies.
It is now the southernmost perma-
nent settlement in the world with the
exception of British. Argentine and
Chilean bases on Palmer Land. the
northern tip Of the Antarctic conti-
nent There is, however, one major
difference The Palmer Land establish
ments must be supplied entirely from
outside and, as a rule. the personnel
changes every year. Kerguelen Land is
being projected as eventually q nearly
self-supporting colony.
Cattle Herd Flourishes.
A herd of cattle has been introduced
and appears to be f1ourishing. Last
winter two pair Of reindeer were flown
directly from Lapland in hopes of es-
tablishing Kerguelen herd. The REIN
deer, it is expected, can live largely on
the lichens which cover the mountain
sides, terrain quite similar to that Of
their native Lapland. The cattle will
get large part of their sustenance
from the peculiar variety of cabbage"
which grows over the island on high
stalks, sometimes constituting veritable
jungles.
This cabbage when analyzed by
French scientists, it has just been re-
ported, has been found exceptionally
rich in the anti-scurvy vitamin, Vita
min C. so that there is no danger from
lack of fresh vegetables.
Permanent buildings have been
erected, including general mess hall
and officers club. AS yet the large
island is womanless land but 1t Is
planned soon to allow families to 60
there.
The Kerguelen Land set up is In
charge of the French colonial Office and
is not intended primarily as an air or
naval base, although it might be in a
strategic position in any worldwide
war. It's harbor is believed to have
been used by the German navy during
the war as a hide-out for ships cap
tured in the South Atlantic.
The island always has been consid-
cred French territory since its discov-
cry early in the 10th century by the
Breton nobleman, Capt. Ives de Ker-
guelen. At first Capt Kerguelen be-
lieved that he had discovered the long,
sought southern continent and when
the true nature of the fog covered
island became known the disappoint-
ment came as an anti-climax to French
hopes.
The land was the site of one total
eclipse expedition during the last CEN
tury. Otherwise it generally has been
neglected, and the possibility of per-
manent, self-supporting settlement dis
counted
Last Port Of Call.
Circle post became obvious with the
start of French expeditions to the Ant
arctic sector of Adele Land few years
ago. 1t could be used as the last port
of call for ships venturing into the
treacherous ice pack.
The island is crossed by several high
mountain ranges and the highest peak,
Mt. Ross, has an altitude of more than
5000 feet. The ranges are separated
by very deep, and still almost unex-
plored, valleys in which are many deep
lakes. In the center of the island Is
a large ice field, believed to be the
remnant Of glaciers which once COW
cred the whole land surface.
Exploration OF these valleys will be
a major objective of the French settle
ment.
Geologically, the island is somewhat
of mystery, although originally Of
volcanic origin. It's vegetation is unique
and quite primitive. Botanists have
advanced the thesis that the cabbage"
originated, millions of years ago, some
where on the South American continent,
where it since has disappeared. Winters
are extremely cold but the mean annual
temperature is about 80 degrees F.,
which compares favorably with some
permanently occupied sites in the
Arctic.
The French government laid formal
claim to Kerguelen with few neigh
boring islands in 1893 but it was
handled as concession to a private
development company which never
made any serious attempt to exploit its
resources. It's mineral wealth Is almost
completely unknown.