COMPOSITE GAZETTEER OF ANTARCTICA

NE coast of Laurie Island, between Cape Valavielle and Cape Dundas. Following survey by SNAE in 1903, the name Cape Vallavielle [sic] was erroneously applied to this feature and the name Cape Buchanan, after John Young Buchanan (1844-1925), Scottish physical geographer and a member of the Challenger Expedition, 1872-76, was applied to Cape Valavielle (q.v.) (Bruce and others, chart, [1903c]; Bruce, 1905b, map facing p.322). Cape Vall Vielle [sic] (Sørlle and Borge, chart, 1913). Kapp Vallvielle (Sørlle, chart, [1930]). Punta Buchanan (Argentina. MM chart 31, 1930). The point was resurveyed by DI in 1933. Cape Buchanan (USAAF chart [LR-74], 1942). Cabo Buchanan (Argentina. MM, 1945, p.278a). Buchanan Point, applied to the present feature in the interest of historical continuity (APC, 1955, p.6).

Point 2.5 mi NW of Cape Dundas and 1 mi SE of Mackintosh Cove, at the NE end of Laurie Island in the South Orkney Islands. In 1903 the ScotNAE under Bruce applied the name "Cape Buchanan," after J.Y. Buchanan, a member of the which had been named Cape Valavielle in 1838 by a French expedition under Capt. Jules Dumont d'Urville. At the same time, the French name (in English form but misspelled "Cape Vallavielle") was transferred to the point now described. The name Cape Valavielle has been retained for the prominent cape, as applied by d'Urville, on the basis of priority and wide usage. For the sake of historical continuity, the UK-APC in 1954 recommended that the name Buchanan Point be applied to the point now described.

A peak, 2,010 m high, which surmounts the central part of a ridge at the icefalls at the head of the Mawson Glacier. Plotted from US Navy air photographs. Named by USACAN after Lieut. Cmdr. D.L. Reckling, USN, pilot with USN Air Development Squadron Six (VX-6) in 1961.