Eagle (Newfoundland Sealer)

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Eagle (Newfoundland Sealer)

Post by shipstamps » Wed Aug 20, 2008 4:37 pm



The Eagle, an old Newfoundland sealer, with the Fitzroy and William Scoresby, comprised the fleet of three vessels which took part in "Operation Tabarin", which was organised as a security force from 1943-45 to protect British possessions in the Antarctic. A small military force was assembled under Admiralty direction, acting for the Colonial Office, and two bases were established, one on Deception Island, the other on the peninsula of Graham land. Possibly the intention was to forestall any Argentine coup in the Antarctic, rather than belief in the possibility of the territory being used by the enemy as a refuelling base for submarines or surface raiders. " Operation Tabarin" reached the Falkland Islands on January 26, 1944. Lieut.Comdr. J. W. S. Man, R.N.V.R., being in command (he was familiar to Boy Scouts of a generation ago as the patrol leader chosen to go with Sir Ernest Shackleton in the Quest)
The force was known as "Operation Tabarin" for security reasons, the name being that of a well-known French night club, The Eagle was supply ship for the force remaining on the work until hostilities ended. She was built in 1902 by Christensen. at Sandefjord. Norway, as the Sophie and was renamed Eagle when taken over by Bowring Brothers of Newfoundland for sealing, her dimensions being 176.2 ft. x 29.8 ft. x 15.1 ft. The vessel finished her seagoing career and was towed to sea and sunk in July 1950. SG G29. Brit Ant SG220

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