JCS Journal No. 8
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THE JAMES CAIRD SOCIETY THE JAMES CAIRD SOCIETY JOURNAL Number Eight Antarctic Exploration Sir Ernest Shackleton May 2016 1 Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton 2 The James Caird Society Journal – Number Eight Welcome to the latest Journal (‘Number Eight’). As ever, it is a privilege to edit this work as I to seek to inspire and educate JCS members in all things ‘Shackleton’. We remain, of course, in the midst of much jubilation and the Society has advanced the Centennial celebrations in no mean fashion. Thanks must go to your hardworking Committee and, in particular, our Chairman, Sir James, who has spearheaded the major calendar of events splendidly. These will, in effect, culminate in a wonderful Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey on Friday 20th May 2016. The launch, in January 2014, of the Society’s ‘The Shackleton Centenary Book (2014)’ [Sutherland House Publishing; ISBN 978-0-9576293-0-1] was a great success with all copies sold – thanks to the advance subscription of many members. TSCB (2014) focused, almost exclusively, on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (ITAE) (1914/16) and was intended to be the principal written contribution by the JCS to celebrate the Centenary of the Boss’s extraordinary achievements down south. ‘Number Eight’ attempts, therefore, to complement the record by sprinkling a number of extra polar ‘goodies’ into the mix. Tim Jarvis’s Shackleton Epic Expedition set the scene for our celebrations. His successful ‘double’ crossing of the Southern Ocean and South Georgia in early 2013 was followed by three gripping one-hour documentary programmes on ‘Discovery Channel’ broadcast far and wide. As I promised last time, I propose to feature Tim’s ‘replica’ expedition here. The article includes some wonderful photographs. I discovered in my filing system a wonderful (short) account by Ken Drury of his acting role in writer-director Charles Sturridge’s BAFTA- winning two-part drama, ‘Shackleton’ produced by Channel Four in 2002. Ken played the enigmatic Harry McNish – quality carpenter-cum-troublemaker. I include his thespian account in ‘Number Eight’. Although our talented member, Seb Coulthard, was ahead of your editor on this (his website refers – www.sebcoulthard.com > Shackleton tab) I was fascinated by the on-line verbatim account of Shackleton’s expert witness evidence given at the London Titantic Inquiry (aka, British Wrecks Commissioner’s Inquiry) on 18th June 1912. I reproduce it here for those who hate ‘surfing’ the internet or are averse to modern technology! Stephen Haddelsey always produces some excellent writing for the Journal and a while ago he kindly sent me a most interesting article on Antarctic transport history, no doubt inspired by his recent research on Bunny Fuch’s (essentially) motorised British Commonwealth Trans- Antarctic Expedition (TAE) (1955/8). Of course, it was Shackleton who first pioneered the use of motor transport in Antarctica. On 1st February 1908 his men unloaded an Arrol- Johnston motor car directly onto the sea ice – with mixed fortunes. I hope you enjoy the read. As many will know, the ITAE was not a single expedition but part of a double – pronged assault on the southern continent. The story of the Ross Sea Party is beginning to emerge into the mainstream of polar history bibliography. I have always felt sorry for the first captain of the SY Aurora, the rather underfunded and ill-equipped relief ship used by Shackleton’s ‘other’ men. After the ship was blown from its Ross Island winter moorings in a severe storm (6th May 1915), Captain Lieutenant Joseph Stenhouse managed to save the beleaguered and ice-gripped ship from certain death. It was a Herculean effort. The ship’s eventual return to New Zealand on 3rd April 1916 (after 11 months at sea!) was not only momentous, given the context, but nothing short of a miracle. Notwithstanding Stenhouse’s obvious seafaring mastery (and, I might add, the unanimous accolade of his brave crew) the captain was relieved of his duties by the decision of the British and Antipodean Governments who assumed joint-responsibility for the operation to rescue the men marooned on Ross Island. 3 The appointment of the highly-respected polar-maritime veteran, Captain John King Davis, as new captain of SY Aurora was as dramatic as it was controversial. Intrigued by this apparent shenanigans I invited Anna Lucas, a most accomplished polar researcher based ‘down-under’, to investigate this issue further. Her findings (a reporting ‘exclusive’ for the JCS) are noteworthy and probably raise more questions than answers. This is most definitely ‘work- in-progress’! Anne Phillips, Aeneas Mackintosh’s grand-daughter has offered a few insights and family photographs for publication, here. Aeneas had been Shackleton’s ‘Number 2’ on the Nimrod expedition (1907/9) and he played a prominent part in the Ross Sea expedition, being Shackleton’s appointed commander of the party. Sadly, he was one of three men to perish on this mission. Shackleton’s Irish roots are never to be overlooked. I invited acclaimed polar author, Michael Smith, to write about Ireland’s Antarctic explorers (there are quite a few!). Michael’s contribution to the JCS Journal, over the years, has been prolific and rewarding. The effervescent Neale Webb (a dedicated Shackleton advocate, as many of us will know) for two years, now, has offered to show your editor around ‘Shackleton’s Dublin’. Alas, due to pressing personal commitments, I have failed to cross the Irish Sea, to-date (save for earlier forays to Athy, Co Kildare). However, I do sincerely promise to answer his ‘call and, as interim compensation, I am delighted to be able to include, here, Neale’s Dublin essay, first published in Obelisk - early 2015. Recently, I stumbled across a most interesting list of songs/lyrics/entertainment notes which had been sent to me at some point (I believe by Roddy Dunnett?). It is entitled ‘Songs for Marooned Men’ and identifies the kinds of entertainment-cum-singalongs which would have been prevalent on the ice and, in particular, Elephant Island. The list/notes are worth a look, I feel, so they are reproduced here. One can imagine just how important for morale musical tunes/songs were at the time. Sadly, as with the last edition, ‘Number Eight’ has little space for comprehensive book reviews. However, I did ask Anna Lucas to review ‘Ice In The Rigging’ written by the late E.A (Ted) Mitchener and published in 2015 by the Maritime Museum of Tasmania (see on). It is a most readable book full of good research and about the ships of Antarctica and stories pertaining thereto. In addition, I would like to draw your attention, here, to two further books: (1) Anne Strathie’s book, ‘From Ice Floes to Battlefields’ published in 2015 by The History Press. It gives an intriguing account of the Great War service undertaken by Scott’s men. Of course, the book, by default, rather throws down the gauntlet for someone to undertake similar research of the Endurance men, some of whom lost their lives (one way or another) upon their return from the deprivations of Elephant Island. (2) Michael Smith’s book, ‘Shackleton (By Endurance We Conquer)’ published in 2014 by The Collins Press (paperback published in 2015 by One World) has received rave reviews and quite rightly so. The somewhat controversial (although heavily-researched) pro-Shackleton tome of Roland Huntford, first published in 1985, set the proverbial cat among the pigeons. For the past 30 years polar authors have rallied behind either the legacy of Ernest Shackleton or Robert Falcon Scott and ne’er the twain shall meet. Here, at last, we have a book which is balanced and, to my mind, extremely well researched. It is essential reading for Shackleton fans and anyone interested in good ‘solid’ polar history. 4 In a later edition of the Journal I propose to publish some research carried out by Stephen Martin (author of A History of Antarctica (Rosenberg Publishing, 1996; revised 2013) in relation to Australian Antarcticans who served in the Great War. For those familiar with the internet, purchasing any polar book is straightforward. Simply click on to www.amazon.co.uk and type the book title into ‘Search’. Talking of the internet, may I draw your attention to a public Facebook Group which I help run? It has nearly 2000 enthusiastic members (some are well-connected with the polar world) and members of the JCS would be very welcome. The Group is called Sir Ernest H Shackleton Appreciation Society. I continue to receive many positive letters, emails and the occasional ‘phone call from readers of the Journal. As ever, I thank you for your feedback and comments. Please feel free to contact me at my home address (see on) or my via my more reliable email address – [email protected] Stephen Scott-Fawcett FRGS January 2016 5 Contents Essays/Articles • Shackleton Epic Expedition – an overview of Tim Jarvis’s re-enactment of the 7 journey of the James Caird and the crossing of South Georgia. First published in ‘Classic Boat’ Magazine (May 2013). Story told by Steffan Meyric Hughes (with input from Seb Coulthard). • The Filming of ‘Shackleton’ for Channel Four (2002) – an insight into the making 13 of the BAFTA award-winning two-part film drama by one of its actors – Ken Drury. • The London Titanic Inquiry (aka British Wreck Commissioner’s Inquiry) on Day 15 26 (Tuesday18th June, 1912) - the verbatim expert testimony of Sir Ernest Shackleton. • By Wheel, Tract and Propeller – A Short History of Mechanised Transport in the 31 Antarctic, 1908-1958 – Stephen Haddelsey. • Planning the Rescue of Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party: the leadership controversy 38 – an exclusive investigation (for the JCS) into the circumstances behind Lieutenant Joseph Stenhouse’s replacement as captain of the SY Aurora in September 1916 – Anna Lucas.