Monthly Archives: April 2013

Sea anchor

Posted on April 30, 2013 by

“A sea-anchor is a cone-shaped canvas bag attached by a line at its mouth to the bows. The apex, which has a small hole, points away from the ship, and the effect is to act as a drag in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices

We came to know every one of the stones by sight and touch

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

“The boulders that we had taken aboard for ballast had to be shifted continually in order to trim the boat and give access to the pump, which became choked with hairs from the moulting sleeping bags and finneskoe. The four … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton

If a boat is overweighted, she jerks

Posted on April 29, 2013 by

“If a boat is overweighted, she jerks, will not sail fast & does not heel away from the wind & so constantly takes seas over her & is at all times wet… If ballast is too low it makes vessels … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices

Merry jest of guesswork

Posted on April 27, 2013 by

“Navigation is an art, but words fail to give my efforts a correct name. Dead reckoning or DR—the seaman’s calculation of courses and distance—had become a merry jest of guesswork… The procedure was: I peered out from our burrow—precious sextant … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices

Antarctic cruise ship slammed by giant waves

Posted on April 26, 2013 by

Imagine this in a rowboat: Clelia II Antarctic cruise ship slammed by giant waves: link

Posted in Video

Risking his life needlessly

Posted on April 25, 2013 by

“It is very good of him to go off like this for our benefit, but as we could quite well exist here through the winter, provided we lay in an adequate store of penguins, and made for Deception Island next … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices

How we shall count the days

Posted on April 25, 2013 by

“Six proven veterans, seasoned by the salt & experience of the Sea. The distance to… South Georgia is 700 miles, 700 miles of wintry sea, the most tempestuous zone of the oceans. The Caird is an excellent sailer, & guided … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices

Goodbye to the James Caird

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

“With a final wave of the hand, and three squawky cheers from us and the penguins, Sir Ernest and his crew set off on their perilous voyage. We watched them until they were out of sight, which was not long, … Continue reading →

Posted in Images, Other Voices

Free of gravel nest

Posted on April 24, 2013 by
Posted in Images

In the event of my not surviving (2)

Posted on April 23, 2013 by

April 23rd, 1916 Elephant Island Dear Sir In the event of my not surviving the boat journey to South Georgia you will do your best for the rescue of the party. You are in full command from the time the … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton