2011 Foreword
__
Firstly it is my sad duty to have to report the passing of Frank Mitchell in April of this year. Most readers will have been aware of Frank’s huge contribution to the Falkland Islands in many spheres over a long and fruitful life. An appreciation to recognise the assistance he gave to the Journal for around 25 years heads this year’s issue.
I am happy to present what will, I hope, be another interesting issue of the Journal. Given the number of submissions, the backlog of several articles and the outstanding quality of the schoolchildren’s entries for the Alastair Cameron History Prize, this has turned out to be the largest issue ever.
Although it is now firmly established in the lexicon of the Falklands historical studies, I am happy again to refer readers to the Dictionary of Falklands Biography as a monumental work on the history of the Falklands, built around characters who made that history. David Tatham has included a short list of updates and amendments, a flyer around the use of the DFB and he is currently working on an updated, interactive web page which will be an extremely valuable tool for all researchers into the history of the Falklands. On this theme, Bill Featherstone has shed more light on the early career of Governor Sir Roger Goldsworthy.
Phil Stone and Adrian Rushton continue to “unearth” interesting geological finds and they describe two notable marine fossils from the Falklands. Patrick Armstrong, who has previously written authoritatively on Darwin’s visit to the Falklands, was stimulated by a visit to South Georgia to apply his geographical acumen to the human impact on the island.
There are two very interesting agriculturally-related articles. Stephen Palmer, a valued regular contributor has thoroughly researched the life of Dr Gordon Gibbs, Director of Agriculture 1940-46. I had previously been aware of his voluminous and unpublished report but it has taken Stephen’s meticulous research to bring Gibbs’ work to a wider audience and illuminate a man who was an “exemplar” to his profession. Fernando Coronato has unearthed a most interesting document showing a proposal by FIC to buy a substantial piece of land in Argentinian Patagonia to ranch sheep in the latter part of the 19th century. Might the course of history been changed had they succeeded?
Further links between the Falklands and Patagonia run through the history of the Smith family (one of the very early shepherd colonists), ably and thoroughly researched by Fred Madelin. This is exactly the sort of family historical research which it is important to document and the Journal is very happy to facilitate such research. Other family accounts are widely interspersed through the children’s articles, published by virtue of their excellent performance in the Alastair Cameron History Prize competition. I am most grateful to Tansy Bishop for taking up the baton for these following Jane Cameron’s passing and the considerable amount of preparatory work she has done before forwarding these for publication is much appreciated. The standard of articles has been highly commended in circles far wider than the Falklands and this year’s diverse group are no exception.
Edward Walsh makes a substantial and most welcomed contribution to this year’s Journal with 3 articles on ecclesiastical matters. As noted last year, it is pleasing to see this aspect of Falklands history finally getting the attention it deserves and I commend Edward’s scholarly investigations on Fr James Foran (involved in two articles) and what must be the first ever article connecting bell-ringing with the Falklands!
Shipping and maritime matters usually attract the interest of historians and Malcolm Barton’s thorough research on a familiar sight to visitors to Stanley, the now sadly abandoned Gentoo, is greatly welcomed. It is ironic that the tenth and last part of Karl Lellman’s manuscript Falkland Story is being published shortly after his death. It has been a pleasure to publish all of Karl’s manuscript and perhaps, as a permanent tribute to his memory, some reader might be able to arrange publications of all ten parts under one set of covers? This would have given Frank Mitchell great satisfaction as well, as he first passed the manuscript to me and always supported its publication. I can supply all 10 parts in electronic form to anyone who is interested.
I am most grateful to my Deputy Editors, Mike Stammers and Dr Rob Philpott for their assistance and this year Mike has added further additions to the Bibliography of the Falklands, following on from Tom Reid’s monumental recording effort over 18 years. However I am extremely grateful to Tom for maintaining his commitment to the Journal and compiling, as he has done so helpfully in the past, an index of keywords, authors, subjects and years in the titles of articles published over the last five issues.
Two book reviews – both concerning vessels whose fate has been intricately woven into Falklands life and lore, the Egeria and the Penelope, complete this year’s offering. As usual, I welcome submissions from authors on all aspects of history, natural history, geography and peoples on or about the Falklands.
One of the great pleasures of editing a relatively small Journal like the FIJ is the close contact one has with the contributors and readers alike. Over the past year it has been my great pleasure to finally meet two long-standing supporters of, and contributors to, the Journal-Gerald Roberts and Dieter Schwagereit. Gerald’s lovely painting of the Penelope adorns the front cover and draws attention to Roberto Herrscher’s excellent book, reviewed in this issue.
I have had helpful suggestions to improving the quality of the Journal and always welcome those in the spirit they are given, no matter how critical they may be. One helpful suggestion has been to publish a brief pen portrait of each contributor and I plan to implement this next year. Electronic payment for overseas subscribers was trialled this year and I am delighted with the results
I am very grateful to Carol Miller for organising distribution and acting as a contact point in the Falklands, a task she has done willingly for many years now. Geraldine McAdam is a great help with subscriptions, typing manuscripts and proof reading and I am grateful to Paul Edgar, Veronica Campbell and Noeleen Jenkins, staff of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, for assistance in article preparation.
My thanks to Tom McAdam for continuing to manage the Journal web page in such an efficient manner and for provision of valuable technical assistance. The number of visits to the webpage grows steadily. A second edition of the CD-ROM containing all back issues (1967-2008) and a valuable search facility is available for sale from the islands – contact Gentoo Designs, The Studio, 9 Ian Campbell Drive, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1 ZZ – gentoo@synergy.co.fk.
Once again, I would like to put on record my gratitude to the Falkland Islands Company for their long history of support for the Journal. They ship the journals to the islands free of charge and sell copies at no profit in their outlets in the Falklands.
Jim McAdam
Editor
Correspondence:
Professor Jim McAdam
Queens University Belfast and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
Newforge Lane
Belfast BT9 5PX
Northern Ireland
(Tel: 028 9025 5275 Fax: 028 9025 5003)
Email: jim.mcadam@afbini.gov.uk
Web site: www.falklandislandsjournal.org
Firstly it is my sad duty to have to report the passing of Frank Mitchell in April of this year. Most readers will have been aware of Frank’s huge contribution to the Falkland Islands in many spheres over a long and fruitful life. An appreciation to recognise the assistance he gave to the Journal for around 25 years heads this year’s issue.
I am happy to present what will, I hope, be another interesting issue of the Journal. Given the number of submissions, the backlog of several articles and the outstanding quality of the schoolchildren’s entries for the Alastair Cameron History Prize, this has turned out to be the largest issue ever.
Although it is now firmly established in the lexicon of the Falklands historical studies, I am happy again to refer readers to the Dictionary of Falklands Biography as a monumental work on the history of the Falklands, built around characters who made that history. David Tatham has included a short list of updates and amendments, a flyer around the use of the DFB and he is currently working on an updated, interactive web page which will be an extremely valuable tool for all researchers into the history of the Falklands. On this theme, Bill Featherstone has shed more light on the early career of Governor Sir Roger Goldsworthy.
Phil Stone and Adrian Rushton continue to “unearth” interesting geological finds and they describe two notable marine fossils from the Falklands. Patrick Armstrong, who has previously written authoritatively on Darwin’s visit to the Falklands, was stimulated by a visit to South Georgia to apply his geographical acumen to the human impact on the island.
There are two very interesting agriculturally-related articles. Stephen Palmer, a valued regular contributor has thoroughly researched the life of Dr Gordon Gibbs, Director of Agriculture 1940-46. I had previously been aware of his voluminous and unpublished report but it has taken Stephen’s meticulous research to bring Gibbs’ work to a wider audience and illuminate a man who was an “exemplar” to his profession. Fernando Coronato has unearthed a most interesting document showing a proposal by FIC to buy a substantial piece of land in Argentinian Patagonia to ranch sheep in the latter part of the 19th century. Might the course of history been changed had they succeeded?
Further links between the Falklands and Patagonia run through the history of the Smith family (one of the very early shepherd colonists), ably and thoroughly researched by Fred Madelin. This is exactly the sort of family historical research which it is important to document and the Journal is very happy to facilitate such research. Other family accounts are widely interspersed through the children’s articles, published by virtue of their excellent performance in the Alastair Cameron History Prize competition. I am most grateful to Tansy Bishop for taking up the baton for these following Jane Cameron’s passing and the considerable amount of preparatory work she has done before forwarding these for publication is much appreciated. The standard of articles has been highly commended in circles far wider than the Falklands and this year’s diverse group are no exception.
Edward Walsh makes a substantial and most welcomed contribution to this year’s Journal with 3 articles on ecclesiastical matters. As noted last year, it is pleasing to see this aspect of Falklands history finally getting the attention it deserves and I commend Edward’s scholarly investigations on Fr James Foran (involved in two articles) and what must be the first ever article connecting bell-ringing with the Falklands!
Shipping and maritime matters usually attract the interest of historians and Malcolm Barton’s thorough research on a familiar sight to visitors to Stanley, the now sadly abandoned Gentoo, is greatly welcomed. It is ironic that the tenth and last part of Karl Lellman’s manuscript Falkland Story is being published shortly after his death. It has been a pleasure to publish all of Karl’s manuscript and perhaps, as a permanent tribute to his memory, some reader might be able to arrange publications of all ten parts under one set of covers? This would have given Frank Mitchell great satisfaction as well, as he first passed the manuscript to me and always supported its publication. I can supply all 10 parts in electronic form to anyone who is interested.
I am most grateful to my Deputy Editors, Mike Stammers and Dr Rob Philpott for their assistance and this year Mike has added further additions to the Bibliography of the Falklands, following on from Tom Reid’s monumental recording effort over 18 years. However I am extremely grateful to Tom for maintaining his commitment to the Journal and compiling, as he has done so helpfully in the past, an index of keywords, authors, subjects and years in the titles of articles published over the last five issues.
Two book reviews – both concerning vessels whose fate has been intricately woven into Falklands life and lore, the Egeria and the Penelope, complete this year’s offering. As usual, I welcome submissions from authors on all aspects of history, natural history, geography and peoples on or about the Falklands.
One of the great pleasures of editing a relatively small Journal like the FIJ is the close contact one has with the contributors and readers alike. Over the past year it has been my great pleasure to finally meet two long-standing supporters of, and contributors to, the Journal-Gerald Roberts and Dieter Schwagereit. Gerald’s lovely painting of the Penelope adorns the front cover and draws attention to Roberto Herrscher’s excellent book, reviewed in this issue.
I have had helpful suggestions to improving the quality of the Journal and always welcome those in the spirit they are given, no matter how critical they may be. One helpful suggestion has been to publish a brief pen portrait of each contributor and I plan to implement this next year. Electronic payment for overseas subscribers was trialled this year and I am delighted with the results
I am very grateful to Carol Miller for organising distribution and acting as a contact point in the Falklands, a task she has done willingly for many years now. Geraldine McAdam is a great help with subscriptions, typing manuscripts and proof reading and I am grateful to Paul Edgar, Veronica Campbell and Noeleen Jenkins, staff of the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, for assistance in article preparation.
My thanks to Tom McAdam for continuing to manage the Journal web page in such an efficient manner and for provision of valuable technical assistance. The number of visits to the webpage grows steadily. A second edition of the CD-ROM containing all back issues (1967-2008) and a valuable search facility is available for sale from the islands – contact Gentoo Designs, The Studio, 9 Ian Campbell Drive, Stanley, Falkland Islands, FIQQ 1 ZZ – gentoo@synergy.co.fk.
Once again, I would like to put on record my gratitude to the Falkland Islands Company for their long history of support for the Journal. They ship the journals to the islands free of charge and sell copies at no profit in their outlets in the Falklands.
Jim McAdam
Editor
Correspondence:
Professor Jim McAdam
Queens University Belfast and Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute
Newforge Lane
Belfast BT9 5PX
Northern Ireland
(Tel: 028 9025 5275 Fax: 028 9025 5003)
Email: jim.mcadam@afbini.gov.uk
Web site: www.falklandislandsjournal.org
