Back in 1914, Ernest Schackleton set out on an ill-fated attempt to trek across Antarctica. Before his expedition could even reach the continent, their ship Endurance was crushed by sea ice. The group lived on sea ice floes for two months before rowing 5 days to the nearest land, Elephant Island.
They remained there for another month, during which it became clear that they’d be unlikely to survive without a rescue. The crew scavenged wood from their boats to reinforce the remaining lifeboat, which they christened James Caird after one of the expedition’s benefactors.
Setting out from Elephant Island with 5 compatriots, Shackleton and his crew successfully completed one of the most challenging small-boat voyages of all time – sailing over 700 miles to South Georgia Island, across the notorious Drake Passage in the Southern Ocean, using only a compass and sextant in the predominantly overcast and ice-strewn conditions. Once arriving at South Georgia, Shackleton and his crew hiked over the mountain range that divides the small island to a whaling settlement on the north side from where they arranged a rescue for the rest of the crew. All survived.
The James Caird still exists – the rescuers insisted on also saving the boat – it’s on display at Shackleton’s alma mater, Dulwich College. Standing next to it reinforces the impossibility of the voyage and amplifies the amazing feat of seamanship accomplished by Shackleton and his team.
