South Shetland Islands is a group of more than twenty islands and islets lying northward of Antarctic Peninsula and extending about 280 mi from Smith Island and Snow Island in the WSW to Elephant Island and Clarence Island in the ENE The islands were sighted by Capt. William Smith of the brig Williams in February 1819 while cruising close to the northern edge of the islands. The name "New South Britain" was used briefly, but was soon changed to South Shetland Islands. The name is now established international usage.