Pardo and Shackleton Parallel Lives, Shared Values

Fiona Clouder, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Chile

Luis Pardo and – Expedition 1914–17, led by two great figures in the shared history Ernest Shackleton, set out of two countries - UK and Chile. Two to cross via the lives that became intertwined in one Pole. The plan was for of the greatest rescues in history. the Weddell Sea party to sail Two men who have inspired others. on to Vahsel Bay, Two figures who lived their lives with where they would establish a shared values. Values from which we base camp from which can learn today. the crossing party would commence its journey. At the So who were and Ernest same time a party would sail Shackleton? Their great achievements on Aurora to McMurdo were in an era of exploration. Shackleton Sound in the Ross Sea on is widely known as an inspirational the opposite side of the leader. He never achieved his personal continent to lay supply dream of being the first to reach the depots for the crossing party. South Pole, but his reputation as a leader of men is based on a still greater However, in 1915 Shackleton success: the survival and safe return of and his men were confronted all his team members, whilst overcoming with one of the worst disasters almost unimaginable odds. in Antarctic history: Endurance was crushed in the pack ice – a stowaway on and sank, the outside world the Endurance expedition – described was unaware of their Piloto Pardo and crew members on the deck of the . Shackleton: predicament or location, food © Scott Polar Research Institute, University of was scarce, and chance of “Possessed of a very survival was remote. The men were marooned on the sea ice for generous nature, with several months before sailing to which he combined , where there was extraordinary powers little chance of discovery. The only realistic chance of survival was to sail of endurance and one of the lifeboats 800 miles across hardihood. He was the to South Georgia optimistic even when in order to seek rescue. things looked blackest, At the time the important naval Battle this inspired those who of Coronel took place off the coast of served under him.” Chile, on 1 Nov 1914, the Endurance, was en route to South Georgia. A year But the return of Shackleton’s men could later, many men, known as the ‘West not have been achieved without the Coast Boys’ departed Chile, including bravery of the Chilean Naval captain Luis from , to fight for Britain Pardo and his inspirational leadership in World War I. Patriotism, valour and of the crew of the Yelcho. Pardo was fighting for what you believed in, were born in Santiago in 1882, and joined strong values. the Armada de Chile in 1900. His commitment and bravery has inspired The story is well known of how subsequent generations. Shackleton and a small group of his This article tries to highlight some of the men on the lifeboat, James Caird, key points, context and principles, that against all the odds, reached South explain why Pardo’s role in relation Georgia to initiate the rescue of the to Shackleton’s expedition was so rest of his men marooned on Elephant important. The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Island. But the detail of the subsequent

12 UK Antarctic Heritage Trust | www.ukaht.org rescue is perhaps less well known.There south, but stopped by sea ice, just 20 width, coincidentally, was the length of were several rescue attempts to save the miles from Elephant Island. Then in July, the James Caird), and had a top speed men on Elephant Island. First Shackleton the tug, the Yelcho, towed of 10 knots. She was a small naval patrol arranged for the Southern the Emma, a schooner, south, but after and maintenance vessel, never intended numerous attempts to get the schooner for use in Antarctic waters. Sky, an English whaling ship, to sail through the pack ice, Shackleton was south. But when she encountered sea forced back. As Alfonso Filippi, the author of ice, she was forced to turn back. ‘Lecciones de un Rescate’, says: Negotiations then led to the Uruguayan The Yelcho was built in 1906 in Scotland. trawler, Insituto de Pesca No. 1 sailing She was 120ft long and 23ft wide (the

“The vessel had no heating, no electrical lighting, no radio, no false bottom, and low bulwarks. To send her to Antarctica was daring beyond belief.

The only positive attribute suggesting a successful outcome to the mission was the quality, skill and courage of her crew.”

Bust of Captain Luis Pardo Villalón, , Elephant Island, 12 UK Antarctic Heritage Trust | www.ukaht.org . © Andrew Shiva Parallel Lives, Shared Values, continued...

The Chilean Navy gave permission for Wednesday 30th August. Luis Pardo declined a reward of £25,000 the Yelcho to be used, but with the “On board a Chilean relief ship, (a fortune at the time) from the British instruction: “Yelcho must not be and make NW to Cape Virgins at Government declaring he had ‘simply risked in ice.” 11 knots. I have not yet learned the done his duty’. From 1930 – 1934 he was name of the ship, for all is confused the Chilean Consul to Liverpool, and at In the famous letter, from Luis Pardo, and excited; and on all sides we the time the greatest sea-port in Europe to his father, before setting out in the hear of nothing but the terrible war and one of the premier ports of Yelcho to rescue Shackleton’s men, news. the world. Pardo demonstrates the qualities he „…The ship was sighted just on showed, that have inspired others. He 1pm; before 2pm all were on board Shackleton published his book South was willing to risk his life to save others. and the course was set northwards. in 1919, to further raise funds for his Then we learnt that this is the fourth expeditions. The thanks to the “The task is great, but effort to relieve us…” Government of Chile, and Luis Pardo, The successful return of Pardo, with are in the most prominent place – at the nothing frightens me. Shackleton and his men, was greet- end of the preface: I am a Chilean. Two ed with great pride and joy in Punta “Finally, it was the Chilean Government considerations make me Arenas, and is well documented by that was directly responsible for the INACH and at many historic sites rescue of my comrades. This southern face these dangers: to around the city. Republic was unwearied in their efforts save the explorers and to make a successful rescue, and the to give glory to Chile. From Wordie’s diary: gratitude of our whole party is due to Wednesday 6th Sept them.” “Punta Arenas is likely to be our “I will be happy if I can stopping place for nearly ten days … “I especially mention the sympathetic achieve in what others Sunday’s doings seem to have excited attitude of Admiral Munoz Hurtado, Chileans as well as English… Reached Head of the Chilean Navy, and Captain have not. If I fail and our destination about midday, being Luis Pardo, who commanded the Yelcho, die, you must take care met by Governor etc. Then through on our last and successful venture.” of my Laura and my great crowds to hotel. Monday saw the beginning of a feverish round of All of us need heroes, whether a children, who will be festivities.” Shackleton or a Pardo, to inspire, to left without any encourage us to try, and to open our support, except yours. On his arrival in Punta Arenas Shackleton eyes as to what can be possible. There sent a telegraph to Admiral Munoz Hurtado: are views that sufficient thanks were not “It is impossible to express my deep given to Pardo. But we must take note of If I succeed, I will have feelings of gratitude, for all that you the era, a different code of conduct, the done my humanitarian have done for us, and I wish to place time of war, and that thanks were this on the record. Shackleton.” certainly given. duty as a mariner and Similarly, there was much joy when the as a Chilean. When you Yelcho arrived in Valparaiso. Wordie’s And in this centenary year, we are read this letter, your son diary records: ensuring that Pardo’s name, values and contributions are recognised. will be dead or will have Wednesday 27th Sep The event during the Mes del Mar arrived at Punta Arenas “Made Valparaiso about 10am… All causes all of us to reflect on Shackleton, with the castaways. sorts of craft packed with sightseers Pardo, the values they led their lives and came out to meet us…Went ashore others by, and the inspiration and legacy I will not return alone.” in the Admiral’s barge en route to that they have given to all of us. The the Naval Club, but here some 20 story of Shackleton and the Endurance The Yelcho arrived and rescued the policemen were trying to keep back expedition could so nearly have ended Elephant Island party on 30 August a crowd, which the newspapers say in tragedy, had it not been for the 1916. The family of have amounted to 30,000 (there has been bravery and heroism of Luis Pardo. kindly allowed to be cited, the journals nothing like it since 1879, and the of James Wordie, the Chief Scientist of victory over Peru….” The story of Pardo and Shackleton the Endurance. His journals are being demonstrates the qualities of published for the first time through the The welcoming party lunch was hosted international co-operation, which Scott Polar Research Institute. by the great grandfather of our current are embedded in the Antarctic Honorary Consul, in Valparaiso, Treaty of today. Iain Hardy.

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