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Sir
Ernest Shackleton organized an ambitious, daring expedition
to the Antarctic in order to traverse it using dogs and
skis.."From the sentimental point of view," he
wrote, "it is the last great Polar journey that can
be made.... There now remains the largest and most striking
of all journeys-the crossing of the Continent." He
was handsome, optimistic, and was considered by all to possess
a romantic point of view that allowed him to embrace a challenge
with courage and grace. Shackleton was the last explorer
of the Heroic Age of exploration and one of history's exemplary
leaders. He was 40 years old, Anglo-Irish, and the son of
a physician.
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Respected for his many skills including photography,
Frank Hurley had a pompous streak born from confidence and
fearlessness. Gritty, energetic and enthusiastic, and extraordinarily
fit, this rugged Australian shunned hat and gloves when
he photographed-despite the extreme cold. When the glass
plates began to sink along with the pack-ice battered Endurance,
he stripped to the waist and dove into the frigid water
to salvage them. |
Frank Wild was as respectful of Shackleton as the men
were of him. An easygoing leader, aged 40, Wild nonetheless
obtained results. When he told a man to jump, wrote one
of the crew members, :that man jumped pretty quick."
While on a perilous Antarctic march during a previous expedition,
Shackleton gave Wild some of his scarce rations. This generous
and considerate act secured Wild's undying loyalty. Wild
handled most of the petty complaints, and resolved grievances
successfully with compassionate listening.
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Frank Worsley was, for the most part, a man without
a job. Once the Endurance was trapped and lost, his
primary mission was concluded. Worsley was from England,
though his family relocated to New Zealand. Educated and
middle class, they chose to live as pioneers. The rugged
outdoors life appealed to Worsley and by 16, he apprenticed
on a clipper. An expert sailor, he was hale and hardy. He
took baths in the snow and slept outside of his cabin in
0° F. temperatures. His zeal created some concern for
Shackleton, who never fully trusted the man's spirited temperament.
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The three-masted, coal-burning ship Shackleton purchased
from a Norwegian shipyard, traditionally a supplier of polar
vessels. A 300-ton barquentine, 144 feet long, built of
planks of oak and Norwegian fir up to 2 ½ feet thick,
and sheathed in greenheart, a tough wood difficult to work
with but durable. Shackleton named her after his family
motto: by endurance we conquer.
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Shackleton arranged for sixty-nine Canadian sledge dogs
to be delivered to Endurance while docked in Buenos
Aires en route to Elephant Island and the Antarctic. The
animals were a hardy lot, a mongrel-like mix of wolf, collie,
bloodhound, great dane, and various other breeds. To the
men's amazement, they loved to sleep outside of their kennels
in the snow, and though they required a lot of attention
and exercise, the men grew deeply attached. The dogs provided
much entertainment in the way of affection, races, and raucous
behavior.
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This spirited tabby cat terrorized the poor dogs, tied
up on deck and powerless to retaliate. Later discovered
to be a male, Mrs. Chippy liked to romp across the tops
of the kennels. Full of character, Mrs. Chippy's primary
caretaker was the ship's carpenter, Henry McNish, who had
the nickname Chippy. Exhibition curator Caroline Alexander
has written a book about this endearing life force. |
Twenty-seven men, comprised of sailors, scientists,
and officers, survived hardships most cannot imagine. Routinely
they subjugated their animosities and their egos for the
greater good. Despite the rigid class system of the era,
Shackleton tended to blur class lines, opting for camaraderie
and team spirit. Regarding the essential relationship between
crew and leader, Shackleton's commands were followed due
to trust, admiration, and respect.
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All
photos are property of Scott Polar Institute except
for Endurance beset which is property of the Royal Geographic
Society
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