DOCSLIB.ORG

JCS Newsletter – Issue 23 · Summer 2017

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
JCS Newsletter – Issue 23 · Summer 2017 JCS 2017(EM) Quark2017.qxp_Layout 2 14/08/2017 16:43 Page 1 The James Caird Society Newsletter Issue 23 · Summer 2017 The draughtsmanship behind a legend Read the story of the James Caird that lies behind the one we all know ... (Page 4/5) Registered Charity No. 1044864 JCS 2017(EM) Quark2017.qxp_Layout 2 14/08/2017 16:43 Page 2 James Caird Society news and events New Chairman Friday 17 November This year sees a new Chairman of the The AGM will be held at James Caird Society. At the November 5.45pm in the AGM Rear Admiral Nick Lambert will James Caird Hall take over from Admiral Sir James at Dulwich College Perowne KBE who has been an and will include the inspirational chairman since 2006, appointment of a new overseeing several major JCS Society Chairman landmarks including the Nimrod Ball and, The lecture will begin at most recently in 2016, a series of 7pm in the Great Hall. magnificent events to celebrate the The speaker will be Centenary of the Endurance Expedition. Geir Klover, Director of the We wish James well and hope we will still Fram Museum Oslo, who see him at the Lecture/Dinner evenings. will talk about Amundsen Nick Lambert joined the Royal Navy as Dinner will be served aseamaninMarch1977,subsequently afterwards gaining an honours degree in Geography at the University of Durham in 1983. He spent much time at sea, including on HM ships Birmingham, Ark Royal, Cardiff, Meetings in 2018 and has commanded HMS Brazen and HMS Newcastle. May Dinner He was captain of the ice patrol ship Endurance from 2005 to 2007, deploying Friday 11 May for two deeply rewarding seasons in Antarctica, after which he commanded Task Force 158 in the North Arabian Gulf, tasked with the protection of Iraq’s AGM and dinner economically vital offshore oil infrastructure. Thereafter he was Deputy Flag Friday 23 November Officer Sea Training from 2008 to 2009 before assuming the role of Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Capability Integration in November 2009 in the Navy Command Headquarters. Promoted to Rear Admiral, he became the UK National Elsewhere in this Hydrographer in 2010. issue: Nick has also been the Chairman of the Friends of the Scott Polar Research Institute since 2010, so his Polar credentials are impeccable! We are looking Page 3 forward to welcoming him officially on Friday 17 November at the AGM. May Dinner 2017 Pages 4 and 5 Blue Plaque The story behind the James Caird Torbay Civic Society have confirmed a date for unveiling the Blue Plaque in respect of Sir Ernest Shackleton. This will take place at 3pm on Sunday, 6 August 2017 at Pages 6 and 7 the Torbay Hotel, Torquay. The Boss in the classroom Pages 8 and 9 Artist in residence Sculpting Shackleton Anthony Smith spent some time as Artist Page10 in Residence with the South Georgia A great grandson’s tribute Heritage Trust at Grytviken, Shackleton’s final resting place. This portrait bust of Page11 the great Antarctic explorer was created Words and pictures following Anthony’s time in South Georgia and the finished bronze sculpture Pages 12 and 13 is now displayed in the museum at Questions, questions Grytviken. Pages 14 and 15 www.anthonysmithart.co.uk Shackleton's Ireland Page 16 How to join the Society 2 · The James Caird Society Newsletter · Summer 2017 JCS 2017(EM) Quark2017.qxp_Layout 2 14/08/2017 16:43 Page 3 May Dinner 2017 The 2017 May Dinner took place on Friday 5 May at completed this leg of the journey in 36 hours; the 2016 Dulwich College following a reception held round the boat team took 76! But then, as Tim explained, they didn’t slide in the James Caird Hall at Dulwich College. down the mountainside on their bottoms, but proceeded Commander Tim Winter RN gave a fascinating talk, in a more orderly fashion, mindful no doubt of ‘health and entitled ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Shackleton’, on the safety’ ... Antarctic Endurance Exhibition which he led in 2016. One of the most memorable aspects of the expedition The expedition was a sailing and mountaineering was their encounters with wildlife. As others who have expedition to the Antarctic and South Georgia and involved travelled to this part of the world will testify, seals and sailing from the Falklands in a 67-ft yacht, Xplore, as well birds have not yet learned to fear humans. Long may their as making the famous trek across the mountainous interior trust last. of South Georgia, Shackleton’s Route. Shackleton Summer 2017 · The James Caird Society Newsletter · 3 JCS 2017(EM) Quark2017.qxp_Layout 2 14/08/2017 16:43 Page 4 The making of a legend In April 2016, the magazine Engineering & Technology published an article about the James Caird by JCS member Nick Smith. Here follows an edited extract … According to Alexandra Shackleton, granddaughter of Sir The ‘Class 1A open lifeboat’, that wasn’t named until Ernest Shackleton and JCS President, ‘the voyage of the later in the expedition, was commissioned by the captain James Caird – one of Endurance’s three lifeboats – is the of the Endurance, Frank Worsley, who was familiar with stuff of dreams.’ One hundred years ago, the 23-ft lifeboat the 1913 Convention for Safety of Life at Sea that required made an 800-mile winter crossing of the Southern Ocean, ships to carry lifeboats with sufficient seats, reserve often said to be the stormiest sea in the world, and in so buoyancy and cubic capacity in case of loss or disaster. In doing played a critical role in saving the lives of every other words the Caird was a result of legal compliance and crew member. The story of the rescue has now passed into as such, when brought on deck of the Endurance (which history as one of the greatest sea voyages ever. came ready fitted with two Norwegian lifeboats) she But for all the romance of the legend, the James Caird looked big and out of place. Worsley, who would later be is doubly significant because she was also one of the first the navigator on the Caird’s rescue voyage, wrote in his modern lifeboats that came into being as a direct result of account of the expedition that the lifeboat was ‘double- the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The disaster brought ended and carvel-built’. about changes in maritime law, safety regulations and The fact that she was double-ended meant that there requirements of ships’ captains. Shackleton, who was to was a close resemblance to whaling boats of the time, become Commander of the 1914–17 Endurance which is why the Caird is frequently and erroneously Expedition, gave testimony at the Titanic wreck inquiry. described as a ‘whaler.’ The double-end format and carvel According to James Caird expert Seb Coulthard: ‘the planking allowed the boat to be more efficient in the contribution that Shackleton made to maritime safety has water, and so was ideal for the Endurance Expedition (the been overlooked.’ other two lifeboats were transom-ended). The Caird came 4 · The James Caird Society Newsletter · Summer 2017 JCS 2017(EM) Quark2017.qxp_Layout 2 14/08/2017 16:43 Page 5 equipped with reserve buoyancy brass ‘air cases’, a single According to Coulthard – who has built two replicas of mast, sails, oars, compass, sea anchor, flares, water the Caird – ‘no one today comes close’ to McNish in terms breakers and a box of biscuits. of boat-building skills. Coulthard’s drawings for the Although robustly built, the Caird was not intended to construction of the Alexandra Shackleton,thereplicaCaird undertake ocean voyages, having been designed and which completed the Epic Expedition in 2013 led by Tim specified to stay in the vicinity of any disaster while Jarvis, are reproduced on the front cover. With no survivors awaited the arrival of a rescue vessel. When the drawings to work from and with only four tools – chisel, Endurance was crushed in the Weddell Sea the three hammer, adze and saw – McNish raised the side planking, lifeboats were the men’s only chance of survival. The covered the deck, added a mast and sealed the boat with biggest and strongest – the Caird – would ferry a crew of oil paint mixed with flour and seal blubber. Out of thin six to South Georgia to fetch relief for the remaining 22 air, he had converted a humble lifeboat into an ocean- on Elephant Island. going survival capsule. But the Caird could not even attempt such a voyage Nick Smith without structural modification, which is where the expedition carpenter Harry McNish enters the story. Although it is commonly thought that the Caird was hastily modified on Elephant Island, McNish had been Below left: The James Caird as imagined by by Norman Wilkinson in a picture owned by strengthening and converting the boat for months as well Dulwich College entitled Epic of the Sea as preparing specially tailored sledges that would transport Below: The Alexandra Shackleton on her epic voyage in 2013 all three lifeboats across the ice. Summer 2017 · The James Caird Society Newsletter · 5 JCS 2017(EM) Quark2017.qxp_Layout 2 14/08/2017 16:43 Page 6 Inspiring the younger generation The Shackleton story is used all over the world to inspire young people in a host of different ways. There are a number of on- going educational projects, including an active programme at Shackleton’s old school, Dulwich College. In some schools the story is an integral part of the curriculum. At Bolnore Village Primary School in West Sussex children were asked to imagine how Shackleton would have written his Blog, a task they tackled with colourful enthusiasm: Shackleton’s Blog! Saturday 8th August 1914 Friday 4th September 1914 I, Shackleton, and my crew have set off on a voyage to We have been travelling for about a week now and we Antarctica.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • [Lil 72111 Chi "Liili-S -Duvl R^Uiihj]I^ Im^'Isdtirss • Business^Ofiles • Advertising •Magazine A
    The Journal of the New Zealand Antarctic Society Vol 17, No. 4, 2000 [lil 72111 chi "Liili-S -duVl r^uiiHj]i^ iM^'isDTirss • Business^ofiles • Advertising •Magazine a . " ^ newsletter publishing • Corporate communications 'V- ■• • Marketingi.. cormtownications • Media relations • Event management x • Financial PR, annual reports P 0 Box 2369 Tel ++64-3-3650344 Christchurch Fax ++64-3-3654255 New Zealand [email protected] ANTARCTIC CONTENTS Shackleton's Voyage Re-enacted Successful season at Cape Roberts Traverses by Women Surfing Antarctica Lone Rower's Attempt Our cover illustration of Shackleton's Hut is courtesy of © Colin Monteath of Hedgehog House and is sourced from his magnificent book Hunting Meteorites 'Antarctica: Beyond the Southern Ocean', published 1996 David Bateman Ltd, reprinted 1997,160pp. Titanic Icebergs Price NZ $50. Volume 17, No. 4, 2000 Looking for 'White Gold' Issue No. 171 ANTARCTIC is published quarterly by the New Tourism Zealand Antarctic Society Inc., ISSN 0003-5327. Editor Vicki Hyde. Please address all editorial enquiries to Warren Winfly 2000 Head, Publisher, 'Antarctic', PO Box 2369, Christchurch, or Tel 03 365 0344, facsimile 03 365 4255, email: [email protected] Riding the Hagglund Printed by Herald Communications, 52 Bank Street, Timaru, New Zealand. The 'Vanda Lake' Boys The Riddle of the Antarctic Peninsula Shackleton's Endurance Exhibition REVIEWS Book review - 'The Endurance' by Caroline Alexander TRIBUTE Harding Dunnett tribute Volume 17, No. 4, 2000 Antarctic NEWS SHACKLETON'S EPIC BOAT VOYAGE RE ENACTED Four men have successfully re-en Television network ROUTE OF THE JOURNEY acted Shackleton's epic 1916 open film crew aboard mak Siidgeorgien boat journey from Elephant Island to ing a documentary of South Georgia, including his climb the re-enactment.
    [Show full text]
  • Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer
    Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer Mount Robert Falcon Scott compass The South Pole Inn Terra Nova Fram Amundsen camp Royal Navy Weddell Endurance coast-to-coast Annascaul food Elephant Georgia glacier Ringarooma experiments scurvy south wrong Tom Crean was born in __________, Co. Kerry in 1877. When he was 15 he joined the_____ _____. While serving aboard the __________ in New Zealand, he volunteered for the Discovery expedition to the Antarctic. The expedition was led by Captain __________ _________ __________. The aim of the expedition was to explore any lands that could be reaching and to conduct scientific __________. Tom Crean was part of the support crew and was promoted to Petty Officer, First Class for all his hard work. Captain Scott did not reach the South Pole on this occasion but he did achieve a new record of furthest __________. Tom Crean was asked to go on Captain Scott’s second expedition called __________ __________to Antarctica. This time Captain Scott wanted to be the first to reach the South Pole. There was also a Norwegian expedition called __________ led by Roald __________ who wanted to be the first to reach the South Pole. Tom Crean was chosen as part of an eight man team to go to the South Pole. With 250km to go to the South Pole, Captain Scott narrowed his team down to five men and ordered Tom Crean, Lieutenant Evans and Lashly to return to base _______. Captain Scott made it to the South Pole but were beaten to it by Amundsen. They died on the return journey to base camp.
    [Show full text]
  • Navigation on Shackleton's Voyage to Antarctica
    Records of the Canterbury Museum, 2019 Vol. 33: 5–22 © Canterbury Museum 2019 5 Navigation on Shackleton’s voyage to Antarctica Lars Bergman1 and Robin G Stuart2 1Saltsjöbaden, Sweden 2Valhalla, New York, USA Email: [email protected] On 19 January 1915, the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, under the leadership of Sir Ernest Shackleton, became trapped in their vessel Endurance in the ice pack of the Weddell Sea. The subsequent ordeal and efforts that lead to the successful rescue of all expedition members are the stuff of legend and have been extensively discussed elsewhere. Prior to that time, however, the voyage had proceeded relatively uneventfully and was dutifully recorded in Captain Frank Worsley’s log and work book. This provides a window into the navigational methods used in the day-to- day running of the ship by a master mariner under normal circumstances in the early twentieth century. The conclusions that can be gleaned from a careful inspection of the log book over this period are described here. Keywords: celestial navigation, dead reckoning, double altitudes, Ernest Shackleton, Frank Worsley, Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Mercator sailing, time sight Introduction On 8 August 1914, the Imperial Trans-Antarctic passage in the 22½ foot (6.9 m) James Caird to Expedition under the leadership of Sir Ernest seek rescue from South Georgia. It is ultimately Shackleton set sail aboard their vessel the steam a tribute to Shackleton’s leadership and Worsley’s yacht (S.Y.) Endurance from Plymouth, England, navigational skills that all survived their ordeal. with the goal of traversing the Antarctic Captain Frank Worsley’s original log books continent from the Weddell to Ross Seas.
    [Show full text]
  • Tom Crean Resources
    Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer Mount Robert Falcon Scott compass The South Pole Inn Terra Nova Fram Amundsen camp Royal Navy Weddell Endurance coast-to-coast Annascaul food Elephant Georgia glacier Ringarooma experiments scurvy south wrong Tom Crean was born in __________, Co. Kerry in 1877. When he was 16 he joined the_____ _____. While serving aboard the __________ in New Zealand, he volunteered for the Discovery expedition to the Antarctic. The expedition was led by Captain __________ _________ __________. The aim of the expedition was to explore any lands that could be reaching and to conduct scientific __________. Tom Crean was part of the support crew and was promoted to Petty Officer, First Class for all his hard work. Captain Scott did not reach the South Pole on this occasion but he did achieve a new record of furthest __________. Tom Crean was asked to go on Captain Scott’s second expedition called __________ __________to Antarctica. This time Captain Scott wanted to be the first to reach the South Pole. There was also a Norwegian expedition called __________ led by Roald __________ who wanted to be the first to reach the South Pole. Tom Crean was chosen as part of an eight man team to go to the South Pole. With 250km to go to the South Pole, Captain Scott narrowed his team down to five men and ordered Tom Crean, Lieutenant Evans and Lashly to return to base _______. Captain Scott made it to the South Pole but were beaten to it by Amundsen. They died on the return journey to base camp.
    [Show full text]
  • Eddy-Driven Recirculation of Atlantic Water in Fram Strait
    PUBLICATIONS Geophysical Research Letters RESEARCH LETTER Eddy-driven recirculation of Atlantic Water in Fram Strait 10.1002/2016GL068323 Tore Hattermann1,2, Pål Erik Isachsen3,4, Wilken-Jon von Appen2, Jon Albretsen5, and Arild Sundfjord6 Key Points: 1Akvaplan-niva AS, High North Research Centre, Tromsø, Norway, 2Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and • fl Seasonally varying eddy-mean ow 3 4 interaction controls recirculation of Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany, Norwegian Meteorological Institute, Oslo, Norway, Institute of Geosciences, 5 6 Atlantic Water in Fram Strait University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway, Institute for Marine Research, Bergen, Norway, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway • The bulk recirculation occurs in a cyclonic gyre around the Molloy Hole at 80 degrees north Abstract Eddy-resolving regional ocean model results in conjunction with synthetic float trajectories and • A colder westward current south of observations provide new insights into the recirculation of the Atlantic Water (AW) in Fram Strait that 79 degrees north relates to the Greenland Sea Gyre, not removing significantly impacts the redistribution of oceanic heat between the Nordic Seas and the Arctic Ocean. The Atlantic Water from the slope current simulations confirm the existence of a cyclonic gyre around the Molloy Hole near 80°N, suggesting that most of the AW within the West Spitsbergen Current recirculates there, while colder AW recirculates in a Supporting Information: westward mean flow south of 79°N that primarily relates to the eastern rim of the Greenland Sea Gyre. The • Supporting Information S1 fraction of waters recirculating in the northern branch roughly doubles during winter, coinciding with a • Movie S1 seasonal increase of eddy activity along the Yermak Plateau slope that also facilitates subduction of AW Correspondence to: beneath the ice edge in this area.
    [Show full text]
  • South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey
    South Georgia & Antarctic Odyssey 16 January – 02 February 2019 | Polar Pioneer About Us Aurora Expeditions embodies the spirit of adventure, travelling to some of the most wild and adventure and discovery. Our highly experienced expedition team of naturalists, historians and remote places on our planet. With over 27 years’ experience, our small group voyages allow for destination specialists are passionate and knowledgeable – they are the secret to a fulfilling a truly intimate experience with nature. and successful voyage. Our expeditions push the boundaries with flexible and innovative itineraries, exciting wildlife Whilst we are dedicated to providing a ‘trip of a lifetime’, we are also deeply committed to experiences and fascinating lectures. You’ll share your adventure with a group of like-minded education and preservation of the environment. Our aim is to travel respectfully, creating souls in a relaxed, casual atmosphere while making the most of every opportunity for lifelong ambassadors for the protection of our destinations. DAY 1 | Wednesday 16 January 2019 Ushuaia; Beagle Channel Position: 19:38 hours Course: 106° Wind Speed: 12 knots Barometer: 1006.6 hPa & steady Latitude: 54° 51’ S Speed: 12 knots Wind Direction: W Air Temp: 11°C Longitude: 68° 02’ W Sea Temp: 7°C The land was gone, all but a little streak, away off on the edge of the water, and We explored the decks, ventured down to the dining rooms for tea and coffee, then climbed down under us was just ocean, ocean, ocean—millions of miles of it, heaving up and down the various staircases. Howard then called us together to introduce the Aurora team and give a lifeboat and safety briefing.
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis Template
    Thinking with photographs at the margins of Antarctic exploration A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the University of Canterbury by Kerry McCarthy University of Canterbury 2010 Table of Contents Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... 2 List of Figures and Tables ............................................................................................ 5 Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................... 6 Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 7 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 9 1.1 Thinking with photographs ....................................................................... 10 1.2 The margins ............................................................................................... 14 1.3 Antarctic exploration ................................................................................. 16 1.4 The researcher ........................................................................................... 20 1.5 Overview ................................................................................................... 22 2 An unauthorised genealogy of thinking with photographs .............................. 27 2.1 The
    [Show full text]
  • We Look for Light Within
    “We look for light from within”: Shackleton’s Indomitable Spirit “For scientific discovery, give me Scott; for speed and efficiency of travel, give me Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when you are seeing no way out, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.” — Raymond Priestley Shackleton—his name defines the “Heroic Age of Antarctica Exploration.” Setting out to be the first to the South Pole and later the first to cross the frozen continent, Ernest Shackleton failed. Sent home early from Robert F. Scott’s Discovery expedition, seven years later turning back less than 100 miles from the South Pole to save his men from certain death, and then in 1914 suffering disaster at the start of the Endurance expedition as his ship was trapped and crushed by ice, he seems an unlikely hero whose deeds would endure to this day. But leadership, courage, wisdom, trust, empathy, and strength define the man. Shackleton’s spirit continues to inspire in the 100th year after the rescue of the Endurance crew from Elephant Island. This exhibit is a learning collaboration between the Rauner Special Collections Library and “Pole to Pole,” an environmental studies course taught by Ross Virginia examining climate change in the polar regions through the lens of history, exploration and science. Fifty-one Dartmouth students shared their research to produce this exhibit exploring Shackleton and the Antarctica of his time. Discovery: Keeping Spirits Afloat In 1901, the first British Antarctic expedition in sixty years commenced aboard the Discovery, a newly-constructed vessel designed specifically for this trip.
    [Show full text]
  • Supplementary File For: Blix A.S. 2016. on Roald Amundsen's Scientific Achievements. Polar Research 35. Correspondence: AAB Bu
    Supplementary file for: Blix A.S. 2016. On Roald Amundsen’s scientific achievements. Polar Research 35. Correspondence: AAB Building, Institute of Arctic and Marine Biology, University of Tromsø, NO-9037 Tromsø, Norway. E-mail: [email protected] Selected publications from the Gjøa expedition not cited in the text Geelmuyden H. 1932. Astronomy. The scientific results of the Norwegian Arctic expedition in the Gjøa 1903-1906. Geofysiske Publikasjoner 6(2), 23-27. Graarud A. 1932. Meteorology. The scientific results of the Norwegian Arctic expedition in the Gjøa 1903-1906. Geofysiske Publikasjoner 6(3), 31-131. Graarud A. & Russeltvedt N. 1926. Die Erdmagnetischen Beobachtungen der Gjöa-Expedition 1903- 1906. (Geomagnetic observations of the Gjøa expedition, 1903-06.) The scientific results of the Norwegian Arctic expedition in the Gjøa 1903-1906. Geofysiske Publikasjoner 3(8), 3-14. Holtedahl O. 1912. On some Ordovician fossils from Boothia Felix and King William Land, collected during the Norwegian expedition of the Gjøa, Captain Amundsen, through the North- west Passage. Videnskapsselskapets Skrifter 1, Matematisk–Naturvidenskabelig Klasse 9. Kristiania (Oslo): Jacob Dybwad. Lind J. 1910. Fungi (Micromycetes) collected in Arctic North America (King William Land, King Point and Herschell Isl.) by the Gjöa expedition under Captain Roald Amundsen 1904-1906. Videnskabs-Selskabets Skrifter 1. Mathematisk–Naturvidenskabelig Klasse 9. Christiania (Oslo): Jacob Dybwad. Lynge B. 1921. Lichens from the Gjøa expedition. Videnskabs-Selskabets Skrifter 1. Mathematisk– Naturvidenskabelig Klasse 15. Christiania (Oslo): Jacob Dybwad. Ostenfeld C.H. 1910. Vascular plants collected in Arctic North America (King William Land, King Point and Herschell Isl.) by the Gjöa expedition under Captain Roald Amundsen 1904-1906.
    [Show full text]
  • After Editing
    Shackleton Dates AUGUST 8th 1914 The team leave the UK on the ship, Endurance. DEC 5th 1914 They arrive at the edge of the Antarctic pack ice, in the Weddell Sea. JAN 18th 1915 Endurance becomes frozen in the pack ice. OCT 27TH 1915 Endurance is crushed in the ice after drifting for 9 months. Ship is abandoned and crew start to live on the pack ice. NOV 1915 Endurance sinks; men start to set up a camp on the ice. DEC 1915 The pack ice drifts slowly north; Patience camp is set up. MARCH 23rd 2016 They see land for the first time – 139 days have passed; the land can’t be reached though. APRIL 9th 2016 The pack ice starts to crack so the crew take to the lifeboats. APRIL 15th 1916 The 3 crews arrive on ELEPHANT ISLAND where they set up camp. APRIL 24th 1916 5 members of the team, including Shackleton, leave in the lifeboat James Caird, on an 800 mile journey to South Georgia, for help. MAY 10TH 1916 The James Caird crew arrive in the south of South Georgia. MAY 19TH -20TH Shackleton, Crean and Worsley walk across South Georgis to the whaling station at Stromness. MAY 23RD 1916 All the men on Elephant Island are safe; Shackleton starts on his first attempt at a rescue from South Georgia but ice prevents him. AUGUST 25th Shackleton leaves on his 4th attempt, on the Chilian tug boat Yelcho; he arrives on Elephant Island on August 30th and rescues all his crew. MAY 1917 All return to England.
    [Show full text]
  • JOURNAL Number Six
    THE JAMES CAIRD SOCIETY JOURNAL Number Six Antarctic Exploration Sir Ernest Shackleton MARCH 2012 1 Shackleton and a friend (Oliver Locker Lampson) in Cromer, c.1910. Image courtesy of Cromer Museum. 2 The James Caird Society Journal – Number Six March 2012 The Centennial season has arrived. Having celebrated Shackleton’s British Antarctic (Nimrod) Expedition, courtesy of the ‘Matrix Shackleton Centenary Expedition’, in 2008/9, we now turn our attention to the events of 1910/12. This was a period when 3 very extraordinary and ambitious men (Amundsen, Scott and Mawson) headed south, to a mixture of acclaim and tragedy. A little later (in 2014) we will be celebrating Sir Ernest’s ‘crowning glory’ –the Centenary of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic (Endurance) Expedition 1914/17. Shackleton failed in his main objective (to be the first to cross from one side of Antarctica to the other). He even failed to commence his land journey from the Weddell Sea coast to Ross Island. However, the rescue of his entire team from the ice and extreme cold (made possible by the remarkable voyage of the James Caird and the first crossing of South Georgia’s interior) was a remarkable feat and is the reason why most of us revere our polar hero and choose to be members of this Society. For all the alleged shenanigans between Scott and Shackleton, it would be a travesty if ‘Number Six’ failed to honour Captain Scott’s remarkable achievements - in particular, the important geographical and scientific work carried out on the Discovery and Terra Nova expeditions (1901-3 and 1910-12 respectively).
    [Show full text]
  • The Centenary of the Scott Expedition to Antarctica and of the United Kingdom’S Enduring Scientific Legacy and Ongoing Presence There”
    Debate on 18 October: Scott Expedition to Antarctica and Scientific Legacy This Library Note provides background reading for the debate to be held on Thursday, 18 October: “the centenary of the Scott Expedition to Antarctica and of the United Kingdom’s enduring scientific legacy and ongoing presence there” The Note provides information on Antarctica’s geography and environment; provides a history of its exploration; outlines the international agreements that govern the territory; and summarises international scientific cooperation and the UK’s continuing role and presence. Ian Cruse 15 October 2012 LLN 2012/034 House of Lords Library Notes are compiled for the benefit of Members of the House of Lords and their personal staff, to provide impartial, politically balanced briefing on subjects likely to be of interest to Members of the Lords. Authors are available to discuss the contents of the Notes with the Members and their staff but cannot advise members of the general public. Any comments on Library Notes should be sent to the Head of Research Services, House of Lords Library, London SW1A 0PW or emailed to [email protected]. Table of Contents 1.1 Geophysics of Antarctica ....................................................................................... 1 1.2 Environmental Concerns about the Antarctic ......................................................... 2 2.1 Britain’s Early Interest in the Antarctic .................................................................... 4 2.2 Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration .......................................................................
    [Show full text]