“The conclusion was forced upon me, that a boat journey in search of relief was necessary… the hazards were obvious, but I calculated that at worst this venture would add nothing to the risks of the men left on the island… Worsley and Wild realised that the attempt must be made and asked to be allowed to accompany me on the voyage.

“I had at once, to tell Wild that he must stay behind, for I relied upon him to hold the party together while I was away, and, should our attempt… end in failure, to make the best of his way to Deception Island in the spring. I determined to take Worsley with me as I had a very high opinion of his accuracy and quickness as a navigator.”

— Ernest Shackleton, South