Monthly Archives: April 2016

An intangible feeling

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“An intangible feeling of uneasiness made me leave my tent about 11 pm. I started to walk across the floe to warn the watchman to look carefully for cracks when the floe lifted on the crest of a swell and … Continue reading →

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Many narrow escapes

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“Our first day in the water was one of the coldest and most dangerous of the expedition. The ice was running riot. It was a hard race to keep our boats in the open leads… We had many narrow escapes … Continue reading →

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The boats

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“I had decided to take the James Caird myself, with Wild and eleven men. This was the largest of our boats, and in addition to her human complement she carried the major portion of the stores. Worsley had charge of … Continue reading →

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Dulled our sense of danger

Posted on April 9, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“The crack had cut through the site of my tent. I stood on the edge of the new fracture, and, looking across the widening channel of water, could see the spot where for many months my head and shoulders had … Continue reading →

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Deception Island

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“We knew from the Admiralty Sailing Directions that there were stores for the use of shipwrecked mariners on Deception Island, and it was possible that the summer whalers had not yet deserted its harbor. “Also we had learned from our … Continue reading →

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Elephant Island

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“It seems vital that we shall land on Clarence Island or its neighbor, Elephant Island. The latter island has an attraction for us, although as far as I know nobody has ever landed there. Its name suggests the presence of … Continue reading →

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Critical point of drift

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“Critical point of drift. Anxiety re getting through gap between Elephant Island and King George… At daylight, what appeared to be at first an immense berg proved to be an island… The way to the land is jammed by treacherous … Continue reading →

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No bergs

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“Pray God we may find a landing here and so be off this drifting uncontrollable pack, taking us we know not where, and in spite of any efforts we may attempt to make…But we are in the hands of a … Continue reading →

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Hopes and worries

Posted on April 7, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“Our drifting home had no rudder to guide it, no sail to give it speed.” “We were dependent upon the caprice of wind and current; we went whither those irresponsible forces listed.” “The floe has been a good friend to … Continue reading →

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Sea Creatures

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“We hear and see whales blowing all around absolutely continuously at times. A particularly ugly killer poked his head up and had a look around by our floe. Penguins are croaking… and occasionally a shoal of them swim through a … Continue reading →

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