The proximity of the Falkland Islands to Cape Horn meant hundreds of vessels making the violent journey around the Horn annually sailed past the Islands.  After soundings were made of the Islands waterways, Stanley harbour soon received the bulk of these vessels, calling for provisions and repairs.  By the 1850’s Stanley harbour was a busy port, servicing vessels, with daily wages as high as twenty five shillings, which was very high for the period.

Hundreds of ships were also wrecked on the archipelago’s shores, attempting to find shelter.  By 1867 the ship repair trade was at its height.  Unfortunately, the tendency was to take advantage of vessels when they arrived, awaiting repairs, charging the maximum rates possible.  Prices were high for general materials, in a port where everything had to be imported for re-sale.  As a result some ships were kept waiting for weeks or months for repairs. This exploitation went even further, as many vessels were condemned, often unfairly, allowing them to be salvaged by local entrepreneurs, at vast reward.  The majority of the wrecks in Stanley harbour today are a hangover of this wrecking trade of the mid-nineteenth century.