Gough Island Meteorological Station Part 1
Issue date: 31st August 2026
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| Mint Stamps (65p, £1.00, £1.25, £2.00) and First Day Cover | Shop > |
The Tristan da Cunha Post Office is delighted to announce the release of Gough Island Meteorological Station - Part 1, a new commemorative stamp issue celebrating the establishment of one of the world's most important long-term meteorological stations.
Situated approximately 400 km south-east of Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island is one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, with the designation extended to include Inaccessible Island in 2004. UNESCO recognises the islands as the least-disturbed major cool temperate island ecosystem in the South Atlantic and one of the world's most important seabird sites.
The origins of the island's permanent meteorological station date back to the Gough Island Scientific Survey (1955-1956), a British-led expedition that demonstrated its exceptional value for weather observations in the South Atlantic.
Recognising this potential, the South African Weather Bureau (now the South African Weather Service) equipped the expedition with meteorological instruments and seconded experienced meteorologist J.J. van der Merwe to carry out regular weather observations. Each day, synoptic weather reports and upper-air observations were transmitted by radio to Cape Town. The quality and importance of the data quickly became apparent, prompting the South African Weather Bureau to establish a permanent weather station on the island.
When the Scientific Survey concluded in May 1956, the Bureau purchased the expedition's facilities, which were officially handed over on 13 May 1956. Van der Merwe remained on Gough for a further year, becoming both the station's first officer-in-charge and the island's first magistrate. His pioneering work laid the foundations for an uninterrupted programme of meteorological observations that has continued for nearly seventy years.
By leasing the land on which the station was established from the United Kingdom Government, the South African Weather Bureau (SAWB)—now the South African Weather Service (SAWS)—has maintained a continuous presence on Gough Island ever since. Today, the station is managed as part of the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP), alongside South Africa's research stations on Marion Island and in Antarctica. Together, these stations provide vital meteorological and environmental data that support international weather forecasting, climate research and scientific understanding of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic regions.
Today, the Gough Island Meteorological Station is recognised as one of the world's most significant remote weather stations. Its continuous observations have contributed to international weather forecasting, aviation safety, ocean monitoring and, increasingly, the study of long-term climate change.
This stamp issue honours the dedication of the meteorological teams who have lived and worked in one of the world's most isolated environments for nearly seventy years, continuing a legacy of scientific excellence that began in 1956.
This issue is the first in a two-part series celebrating the history of the Gough Island Meteorological Station. A second issue, to be released in 2027, will feature the ships that have serviced the station from its establishment in 1956 to the present day, highlighting the essential maritime lifeline that has enabled one of the world's most remote scientific outposts to operate continuously for nearly seventy years.
Description of the Stamps
The four stamps in this issue illustrate key moments in the station's early history and development:
65p - Gough Island Meteorological Team, 1956 - The pioneering team that established the permanent weather station following the departure of the Gough Island Scientific Survey.
£1.00 - HMSAS Transvaal at Gough Island, 1956 - The South African frigate that supported the establishment and servicing of the new meteorological station.
£1.25 - Gough Island Meteorological Station, 1980s - An aerial view showing the station after several decades of development and expansion.
£2.00 - Gough Island Meteorological Station, 2010 - A modern aerial photograph illustrating the station as it entered the 21st century, continuing its vital role in international meteorological research.
FDC - Gough Island Meteorological Station - View including the helipad and the winch for landing and hoisting people and supplies.
Technical Specifications
| Photography: | Antarctic Legacy of South Africa Archive, except £1.25 Tristan da Cunha Archive | ||
| Design: | Bee Design | Stamp size: | 38 x 30.6mm |
| Printer: | Cartor | Perforation: | 13¼ x 13 per 2cms |
| Process: | Lithography | Layout: | 10 |
| Production Co-ordination: | Creative Direction (Worldwide) Ltd | ||