“At 9am at the NW end of the island we saw a narrow beach at the foot of the cliffs. Outside lay a fringe of rocks heavily beaten by the surf but with a narrow channel showing as a break in the foaming water. I decided that we must face the hazards of this unattractive landing place. Two days and nights without drink or hot food had played havoc with most of the men, and we could not assume that any safer haven lay within our reach.”

— Ernest Shackleton, South