Category Archives: Other Voices

The Magnetic South Pole

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

Right to left: Alistair Mackay, Edgeworth David (pulling string for shutter), Douglas Mawson. The Magnetic South Pole, 72º 25′ South, longitude 155º 16′ East, reached on 17 January 1909.

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King Edward VII Land Stamps

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

Date of issue: 1 January 1908. “These stamps were used by the Shackleton Antarctic Expedition of 1908. The 1 penny universal stamp was overprinted ‘King Edward VII Land’ by Coulls, Culling & Co.” – from New Zealand Post website “Lieutenant … Continue reading →

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Merchant of Venice

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

Act III, Scene II. Belmont. A Room in Portia’s House. “So may the outward shows be least themselves: The world is still deceived with ornament… How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand wear yet … Continue reading →

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Books to read in a south polar blizzard

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

Books taken on the Nimrod Expedition’s polar dash, 1908-09: Shakespeare’s Comedies — Ernest Shackleton The Bible in Spain by George Borrow — Eric Marshall Travels in France by Arthur Young — Reginald Adams Sketches by Boz by Charles Dickens — … Continue reading →

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Many upsets

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

“Many upsets. Commenced to blow. Depoted sledge, started to tramp it. Fell 100ds of times, bruised all over dead tired lost bearings. Arrived hut 11 a.m. nearly dead… very thankful to be back.” — Eric Marshall

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More bizarre than beautiful

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

The Ascent of Mount Erebus, photos by Edgeworth David, 1908 “We filed off in a procession more bizarre than beautiful. Some of us with our sleeping bags hanging straight down our backs with the foot of the bag curled upwards … Continue reading →

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We were struggling for some time

Posted on February 25, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

“We were struggling for some time, mostly on our hands and knees. There was no breath for talking. Occasionally we came to blows, but these were dealt accidentally by a long armed finnesko-shod cramponless sledger, who whirled his arms like … Continue reading →

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Prospice

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

Prospice FEAR death?—to feel the fog in my throat,   The mist in my face, When the snows begin, and the blasts denote   I am nearing the place, The power of the night, the press of the storm,   The post of … Continue reading →

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A characteristic pose

Posted on February 24, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

“My memory retains a picture of him… fists on hips and brow knitted in thought. It was a characteristic pose… “Well done!” he said, “Now get away as soon as possible and tell the Captain to sail at once. Goodbye.” … Continue reading →

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I felt keenly the probable ending

Posted on February 21, 2014 by Ernest Shackleton

“I felt keenly the probable ending of the whole expedition & laid the whole thing before [Shackleton], the shortage of coal — the futility of trying to reach K.E. Land for I knew then that we should have to return … Continue reading →

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