Shackleton's Boat Journey

Shackleton's Boat Journey

The first-hand account of the most extraordinary small-boat voyage in history

About the Ebook

On August 1, 1914, on the eve of World War I, Sir Ernest Shackleton and his hand-picked crew embarked in HMS Endurance from London's West India Dock, for an expedition to the Antarctic. It was to turn into one of the most breathtaking survival stories of all time. Even as they coasted down the channel, Shackleton wired back to London to offer his ship to the war effort. The reply came from the First Lord of the Admiralty, one Winston Churchill: "Proceed." And proceed they did. When the Endurance was trapped and finally crushed to splinters by pack ice in late 1915, they drifted on an ice floe for five months, before getting to open sea and launching three tiny boats as far as the inhospitable, storm-lashed Elephant Island. They drank seal oil and ate baby albatross (delicious, apparently).

From there Shackelton himself and seven others - the author among them - went on, in a 22-foot open boat, for an unbelievable 800 miles, through the Antarctic seas in winter, to South Georgia and rescue. It is an extraordinary story of courage and even good-humour among men who must have felt certain, secretly, that they were going to die.

Worsley's account, first published in 1940, captures that bulldog spirit exactly: uncomplaining, tough, competent, modest and deeply loyal. It's gripping, and strangely moving.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• Experience one of history's most gripping survival narratives in the author's own words
• Follow Worsley's navigation across 800 miles of the world's most dangerous ocean
• Discover the courage and seamanship behind Shackleton's greatest achievement
• Read another celebrated title from Birlinn Ltd - Independent Scottish Publisher

Reviews

'a breath-taking story of courage under the most appalling condition - Sir Edund Hillary'

About the Author

Frank A. Worsley, a native New Zealander, served as a reserve officer in the Royal Navy before becoming captain of the Endurance. His navigation skills were crucial to the eventual survival of the crew. He died in 1943. He commanded two ships in World War I, for which he was decorated, sailed with Shackleton again in 1921, and in 1925 was the joint leader of the British Arctic Exploration. Worsley died in 1943.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Publication Date: 05 November 2012

Print Length: 207 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9780857905468

Format: Ebook

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