Category Archives: Shackleton

“I suppose our desires were giving wings to our fancies, for we pointed out joyfully various landmarks revealed by the now vagrant light of the moon, whose friendly face was cloud-swept. Our high hopes were soon shattered. Crevasses warned us … Continue reading →

“Men lived in houses lit by electric light on the east coast. News of the outside world waited us there, and, above all, the east coast meant for us the means of rescuing the twenty-two men we had left on … Continue reading →

Letter from Shackleton to McNeish, written in McNeish’s notebook: “May 18, 1916 South Georgia Sir I am about to try to reach Husvik on the East Coast of this island for relief of our party. I am leaving you in … Continue reading →

The Primus lamp filled with oil for 6 hot meals The small hoosh pot Two compasses A pair of binoculars Rope: A total length of 50 feet when knotted McNeish’s adze, to be used as an ice axe Worsley’s chronometer … Continue reading →

“After consultation we decided to leave the sleeping-bags behind and make the journey in very light marching order. We would take three days’ provisions for each man in the form of sledging ration and biscuit. The food was to be … Continue reading →

“We were a curious-looking party, but we were feeling happy. We even broke into song, and, but for our Robinson Crusoe appearance, a casual observer might have taken us for a picnic party sailing in a Norwegian fiord or one … Continue reading →

“We paid our last visit to the nests of the albatrosses, which were situated on a little undulating plateau above the cave amid tussocks, snow patches, and little frozen tarns. Each nest consisted of a mound over a foot high … Continue reading →

“The long bay was a magnificent sight, even to eyes which had dwelt long enough on grandeur and were hungry for the familiar things of every-day life. Its green-blue waters were being beaten to fury by the gale. The mountains … Continue reading →

“We were still 150 miles away from Stromness whaling station by sea. The alternative was to attempt the crossing of the island. If we could not get over, then we must try to secure enough food and fuel to keep … Continue reading →