William Shirreff
Encyclopedia
William Shirreff was a Royal Navy
officer, Captain of the frigate HMS Andromache patrolling the west coast of South America
in protection of the British interests in the region and support of local independence movement against Spanish
authority in the early 19th century. Advised by Captain William Smith
about the discovery of the South Shetland Islands
in March 1819, later that year Shirreff chartered Smith’s brig, the Williams, sending Lieutenant Edward Bransfield
onboard with the mission to survey and map the new lands.
at the north extremity of Ioannes Paulus II Peninsula
on Livingston Island, in the South Shetland Islands
is named after William Shirreff.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
officer, Captain of the frigate HMS Andromache patrolling the west coast of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
in protection of the British interests in the region and support of local independence movement against Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
authority in the early 19th century. Advised by Captain William Smith
William Smith (mariner)
William Smith was the English captain who discovered the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago off the Graham Land in Antarctica....
about the discovery of the South Shetland Islands
South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, lying about north of the Antarctic Peninsula, with a total area of . By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the Islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for...
in March 1819, later that year Shirreff chartered Smith’s brig, the Williams, sending Lieutenant Edward Bransfield
Edward Bransfield
Edward Bransfield was a master of the British Royal Navy and considered the discoverer of the continent of Antarctica.-Early life:...
onboard with the mission to survey and map the new lands.
Honour
Cape ShirreffCape Shirreff
Cape Shirreff is a prominent cape at the north end of the rocky peninsula which separates Hero Bay and Barclay Bay on the north coast of Livingston Island, in the South Shetland Islands...
at the north extremity of Ioannes Paulus II Peninsula
Ioannes Paulus II Peninsula
Ioannes Paulus II Peninsula is an ice-covered peninsula on the north coast of Livingston Island in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica that is bounded by Hero Bay to the east and Barclay Bay to the west. It extends 13 km in length in north-south direction and is 8 km wide...
on Livingston Island, in the South Shetland Islands
South Shetland Islands
The South Shetland Islands are a group of Antarctic islands, lying about north of the Antarctic Peninsula, with a total area of . By the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, the Islands' sovereignty is neither recognized nor disputed by the signatories and they are free for use by any signatory for...
is named after William Shirreff.