Thought someone might like this https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1jFP7t8JZT8

Came across Shackleton (sorry, my history knowledge is a bit vague) in the book Endure (the elastic/cutting edge limits of human performance and how the brain restricts or allows it). Author describes his expedition to the (south?) Pole as being known as one of the greatest feats of human Endurance ever achieved.

Apparently his men survived (on Elephant Island?) for almost 2 years before a dramatic rescue. Author also mentions (this and that)... anyway,

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/endure ... 1126647022

This book... Amazing read!

Apparently his men survived (on Elephant Island?) for almost 2 years before a dramatic rescue. Author also mentions (this and that)... anyway

The rescue wasn't that dramatic IIRC, getting to help was, possibly one of the toughest small boat journeys etc

You should get the books like Cherry Garland "Worst Journey in the World" for more horror

The strength of the early polar explorers was extraordinary

The Endurance expedition and once they had become ice bound then losing the ship, the subsequent journey to get back home is one of the great escape/adventure stories that there has been. (Apollo 13 is another) The fact that they didn’t lose any men is remarkable.

I don’t think the crew were on Elephant Island for two years, a couple of months is more likely. The whole expedition might have been two years- they left on the eve of WW1 breaking out and returned in time for the men to enlist and fight on the front.

Shackleton’s own account is in the book “South” which is very much of its time. A few years ago we went to an exhibition of Frank Hurley’s images of the expedition. All taken on glass plate negatives he nursed them back through all the travails so the fact that we have them at all is amazing . Apparently he had to destroy some before they set off from the Endurance.

This quote about Shackleton is how he was viewed
“Scott for scientific method, Amundsen for speed and efficiency but when disaster strikes and all hope is gone, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton”

There was a two part BBC dramatisation with Sir Ken in the lead roll. Might be available in the nether regions of the interwebs if you're interested.

Boab wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 1:10 pm There was a two part BBC dramatisation with Sir Ken in the lead roll. Might be available in the nether regions of the interwebs if you're interested.

Brannagh and Shackleton are very similar in their appearance it’s a bit uncanny.

Yes, you're right... Just got through the first 30 mins of the doc/story mentioned above. Apparently it was the trek Sir Shack' made from where he left his men, with the only two that could walk. They trekked across the island, 40 miles in the hope they'd find the opposite side whale-ing station occupied and able to call for help (or something).

Amazing to say the least

Yes, I must have misread it about 2 years survival!

Edit: found a timeline here. Looks like it was over 5 months since leaving them on Elephant Isle until the successful rescue. Truly epic.

Bob, why were the photos destroyed (copyright/TM issues ).

It was essentially a two year trip, Endurance got stuck in the sea ice fairly early , two months or so on elephant island etc

The book is quite readable

riderdown wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 1:44 pm It was essentially a two year trip, Endurance got stuck in the sea ice fairly early , two months or so on elephant island etc

The book is quite readable

Thanks RiderDown

Read Frank Worsley's account. Fantastic book.

https://amzn.eu/d/7xhQMg0

Thanks for that Shaf.

My son's a massive Shackleton fan, after they did a history session about him in junior school, so I've sent him the YouTube link and will no doubt receive a video review later!

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Tue Sep 12, 2023 1:24 pm Bob, why were the photos destroyed (copyright/TM issues ).

The plates were taken before they abandoned the ship and they had limited space and they were both big and hefty things. According to Wikipedia he was only permitted to keep 120 and destroyed 400!

Friends have a book of those photos - was published quite recently. The stray farm cat they took in at the same time became know as Chippie!

The story of the other half of Shackleton's expedition is also a good read - they got stuck in sea ice and then were bobbed around the arctic ocean for nearly two years before managing to break free!

If people are intrigued to spend two hours about what the boat crossing would be like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClZ9M_WekV4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SrO8a5CPNY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KvrMCi44wo