Category Archives: Other Voices

“Epidemic proportions”

Posted on November 28, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“Word arrived on 11/26 that somebody in No. 5 tent had unearthed a fresh deck of playing cards. Along with McIlroy, [Shackleton] spent hours teaching them how to play bridge. Within forty-eight hours, the popularity of the game reached epidemic … Continue reading →

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Naming of the boats

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“Crews have been allotted to the three boats, which have been christened the James Caird, the Dudley Docker and the Stancombe Wills, and a list of responsible duties drawn up to be performed by individuals in case of emergency. Since … Continue reading →

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I shot the Albatross

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, 1834 […] And now the STORM-BLAST came, and he Was tyrannous and strong: He struck with his o’ertaking wings, And chased us south along. With sloping masts and dipping prow, … Continue reading →

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A bloody business

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“Killing the seal was usually a bloody business. Wild had brought from the ship a revolver, a 12-gauge shotgun, and .33-caliber rifle, but ammunition was limited. As a result, the men killed the seals by hand whenever possible. This involved … Continue reading →

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It’s a Long Way to Tipperary

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

[It’s a Long Way to Tipperary, sung by Tom Yorke, 1914; as played on a 78] “The ship is now a deplorable wreck, hard down by the bows, almost waterlogged, and the ice has absolutely over-ridden her forward. The funnel … Continue reading →

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The surface is awful!

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“The temperature still continued to rise, reaching 33° Fahr. on November 14. The thaw consequent upon these high temperatures was having a disastrous effect upon the surface of our camp. ‘The surface is awful!—not slushy, but elusive. You step out … Continue reading →

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The usefulness of skis

Posted on November 14, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“I had been back and forth four times, when Shackleton said to me… ‘Do you know, I had no idea how quickly it was possible for a man on ski to get about. In that respect you’d have been quite … Continue reading →

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Hussey’s Zither Banjo

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“During the evening, the party congregated in the Billabong, and held a concert. The voices, accompanied by Hussey’s indispensable banjo, sounded strangely out of place amidst the profound silence of the hummocks, yet it is gratifying to hear that ring … Continue reading →

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Bannocks

Posted on November 11, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“Bannocks were made from flour, and weighed about 2 1/2 oz. They could be made in advance of use, and were sometimes served stale for luncheon with a sweetener such as jam. The taste was varied with the addition of … Continue reading →

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Camp routine

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Ernest Shackleton

“The camp routine is as follows: Camp rise at 8am, breakfast 8.30. Generally fried seal steak with bannock and tea. Routine duties, viz. seal scouting, tidying camp, etc., till 1pm. Lunch variable (today boiled suet rolls); the cook was subject … Continue reading →

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