Monthly Archives: April 2013

Supplies for the boat journey

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

Stores: 30 boxes of matches. 6 1/2 gallons paraffin. 1 tin methylated spirit. 10 boxes of flamers. 1 box of blue lights. 2 Primus stoves with spare parts and prickers. 1 Nansen aluminum cooker. 6 sleeping bags. A few spare … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Supplies for the boat journey

In the event of my not surviving (1)

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“21st April, 1916 To whom this may concern viz. my executors assigns etc. Under is my signature to the following instructions. In the event of my not surviving the boat journey to South Georgia I here instruct Frank Hurley to … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on In the event of my not surviving (1)

Strong likeness to stage scenery

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“[The carpenter] fitted the mast of the Stancomb Wills fore and aft inside the James Caird as a hog-back and thus strengthened the keel with the object of preventing our boat ‘hogging’—that is, buckling in heavy seas. He had not … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Strong likeness to stage scenery

In the boat

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“There is a party of 6 going to Georgia in the Caird. The party includes: Sir Ernest Skipper Creen Macnish McCarthy Vincent.” — Harry McNeish

Posted in Images, Other Voices | Comments Off on In the boat

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on

Add nothing to the risks

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“A boat party might make the voyage and be back with relief within a month, provided that the sea was clear of ice and the boat survive the great seas. […] The hazards of a boat journey across 800 miles … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Add nothing to the risks

Another planet

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“We were, in a world of our own, we had only ourselves to look to, and the world was as completely cut off from us as though we had come from another planet. I have experienced a good many strange … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices | Comments Off on Another planet

The promise was not redeemed

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“The icy fingers of the gale searched every cranny of our beach and pushed relentlessly through our worn garments and tattered tents. The snow, drifting from the glacier and falling from the skies, swathed us and our gear and set … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on The promise was not redeemed

Blizzard life

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“Skinning them with our already partially frostbitten hands was painful work, for to bare the hand for a very few minutes in such a blizzard means almost certain frost-bite. We sought such shelfter as we could find behind rocks and … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices | Comments Off on Blizzard life

Evil-smelling yellow mud

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Ernest Shackleton

“The heat of our bodies soon melted the snow and refuse beneath us, and the floor of the tent became an evil-smelling yellow mud. The snow drifting from the cliff above us weighted the sides of the tent, and during … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Evil-smelling yellow mud