Refuge huts are interesting buildings in the Antarctic and have next to their emergency purpose also some very delicate political function. They can still be used in case travelers are experiencing distress at sea (private yachts mainly). This special hut is at Petermann Island and is run by Argentina since 1955.
August Petermann was a publisher in Germany from the mid-19th century. ”Petermanns Geographische Mitteilungen” was the German written equivalent to the geographical publications of the Royal Geographical Society in London. Petermann itself has never been to the Polar Regions but he supported the research and exploration in these areas. Eduard Dallmann (1830–1896) gave the island its name when he discovered it on the search for whaling hunting grounds.
Jean Baptiste Charcot (1867–1936), a French explorer from the Heroic era, visited this island twice and at his second expedition overwintered here in 1908/09. Some remains of the overwintering are still to see on the island.
Photo credit: https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/antarctic_whos_who_charcot_francais.php
In 1982, three young members from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) crossed the sea ice from Faraday Station to Petermann Island. When they sought to leave the ice broke up and they had to seek refuge in the hut. After several weeks of waiting, the sea ice formed again and after leaving a message of their plans, made their way back. However, they never arrived at Faraday Station. Their colleagues searched for them and found the message in the hut. All attempts failed to find the men or their bodies. BAS erected a cross next to the hut to commemorate their fellows.
Dr Ursula Rack 