Celebrating The Falkland Islands’ maritime heritage from discovery to the present day

Long ago, before the Panama Canal, vessels sailing from Europe to the west coast of the Americas, or from one side of the New World to the other, had to do so by way of Cape Horn, where Atlantic meets Pacific  – the fiercest patch of ocean on the planet. Old square-riggers ferried immense quantities of cargo and passengers, as trade and travel boomed between the 17th and 19th centuries. The worst passage was east to west, towards the Falklands, and the seabed around the islands became a final resting place for many a sailing ship. Those that did manage to limp into Port Stanley, often found themselves condemned to remain, and so became part of a rich hIstory of maritime heroism and disaster.  A seafaring heritage that continued through the eras of steam and diesel to this day.

The Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust (FMHT) is a charity registered in the UK which is dedicated to preserving the rich and varied seafaring history of the Falklands and those who have been associated with them. This website aims to support the Trust’s mission to ensure that the maritime history that has helped shape the culture of the people of the Falkland Islands is properly recognised.

If you want to find out more about the Trust, or are interested in helping us, please CONTACT US.