Captain William Smith sights Williams Point, Livingston Island

Background. William Smith, an English captain born in Blyth, Northumberland, commanded the merchant brig William. In early 1819, while sailing cargo from Buenos Aires to Valparaíso, he strayed from his route south of Cape Horn due to strong winds. This deviation led to the accidental discovery of the South Shetland Islands, an archipelago north of the Antarctic Peninsula, previously unknown to European navigators.

Discovery. On 19 February 1819, Smith spotted new land at 62° S and 60° W, identified as Williams Point, the northeast extremity of Livingston Island. This was the first land discovered south of 60° S latitude. Although naval authorities initially doubted his report, the sighting marked the end of the mythical Terra Australis Incognita and the beginning of real Antarctic exploration.

Verification. Smith did not land on the sighted land initially. He returned to the South Shetlands later in 1819, landing on King George Island on 16 October and claiming possession for Britain. In early 1820, the Royal Navy chartered his ship to survey the islands, confirming the geography and discovering the Antarctic Peninsula.