Author Archives: Ernest Shackleton

Unknown's avatar

About Ernest Shackleton

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

Strong likeness to stage scenery

Posted on April 21, 2016 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, 2016 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

Add nothing to the risks

Posted on April 20, 2016 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

Three possible objectives

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“There were three possible objectives. The nearest of these was Cape Horn, the island of Tierra del Fuego—”Land of Fire,” which lay about 500 miles to the northwest. Next was the settlement of Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, some … Continue reading →

Posted in Images, Other Voices | Comments Off on Three possible objectives

Another planet

Posted on April 20, 2016 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 Images, Other Voices | Comments Off on Another planet

The promise was not redeemed

Posted on April 19, 2016 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, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“Skinning [penguins] 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 shelter as we could find behind rocks and so … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices | Comments Off on Blizzard life

Evil-smelling yellow mud

Posted on April 19, 2016 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

Rough, bleak and inhospitable

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“The spit was by no means an ideal camping ground; it was rough, bleak and inhospitable – just an acre or two of rock and shingle, with the sea foaming around it except where the snow slope, running up to … Continue reading →

Posted in Shackleton | Comments Off on Rough, bleak and inhospitable

Its own climate

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Ernest Shackleton

“Elephant Island…is really just a half-submerged mountain massif with an ice sheet on its back. It has its own climate, featuring the worst aspects of the sea, the mountain world, and high latitudes.” — Roland Huntford, Shackleton “The ferocity of … Continue reading →

Posted in Other Voices | Comments Off on Its own climate