Author Archives: Ernest Shackleton

Unknown's avatar

About Ernest Shackleton

Polar Explorer. Leader of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914-1917.

Fire

“We found that a big hole had been burned in the bottom of Worsley’s reindeer sleeping-bag during the night. Worsley had been awakened by a burning sensation in his feet, and had asked the men near him if his bag … Continue reading

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Fire

A memorable meal

“And what a stew it was! The young albatrosses weighed about fourteen pounds each fresh killed, and we estimated that they weighed at least six pounds each when cleaned and dressed for the pot. Four birds went into the pot … Continue reading

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on A memorable meal

A law unto ourselves

“The first time I felt like a murderer [but] after that I just thought what a glorious feed the first had been. “The Boss and I discussed making enough money to start another expedition by taking…baby albatross and selling them … Continue reading

Posted in Other Voices | Comments Off on A law unto ourselves

Cave cove

Posted in Images | Comments Off on Cave cove

Byron’s “great ninth wave”

“We cut off the topsides and took out all the moveable gear. Then we waited for Byron’s “great ninth wave,” and when it lifted the James Caird in we held her and, by dint of great exertion, worked her round … Continue reading

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Byron’s “great ninth wave”

King Haakon Bay

“King Haakon Bay is an eight-mile sound penetrating the coast of South Georgia in an easterly direction. We had noticed that the northern and southern sides of the sound were formed by steep mountain ranges, their flanks furrowed by mighty … Continue reading

Posted in Images, Shackleton | Comments Off on King Haakon Bay

Cave

“Our cave was a recess in the cliff on the left-hand end of the beach. “Water had tricked down the face of the cliff and formed long icicles, which hung down in front of the cave to the length of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Cave

Angry reefs on either side

“Soon we had angry reefs on either side. Great glaciers came down to the sea and offered no landing place. The sea spouted on the reefs and thundered against the shore. About noon we sighted a line of jagged reef, … Continue reading

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Angry reefs on either side

A big indentation

“About 8am the wind backed to the northwest and threatened another blow. We had sighted in the meantime a big indentation which I thought must be King Haakon Bay, and I decided that we must land there. We set the … Continue reading

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on A big indentation

Snapped like a carrot

“Almost as soon as the gale eased, the pin that locked the mast to the thwart fell out. It must have been on the point of doing this throughout the hurricane; and if it had gone nothing could have saved … Continue reading

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Snapped like a carrot