Ernest Shackleton, The Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration and Endurance Jennifer Hoban, Jaime Nix, Federico Palacios & Phong Tong University of Central Oklahoma

Ernest Shackleton: The Man Second of Ten Children Oldest Son Love of literature and the sea Attentive, observant and intelligent Married Emily Dorman at 28 Eager to make a name for himself and family

Ernest Shackleton: The Career Merchant Marines 1890 - Joined at the rank of ‘Boy’ at 16 1892 - First Mate at 18 1898 - Full Master at 24 Appointed to National Antarctic Expedition (NEA) 1901 Three Expeditions to South Pole Discovery Expedition 1901-04 Nimrod Expedition 1907 Endurance Expedition 1914-17

Ernest Shackleton – Expedition Discovery 1901 Shackleton joined Robert Scott on a trek to the South Pole. Scott and Shackleton clashed frequently Did not meet objective, but pushed further than any previous expedition Scott published Voyage of Discovery Shackleton portrayed as point of failure Shackleton began planning Expedition Nimrod

Ernest Shackleton – Expedition Nimrod Determined to prove self-worth Two years raising funds and securing endorsements Two years sailing Established the furthest south record of 97 geographic miles from Pole Knighted by King Edward VII for this achievement

Reaching the South Pole: The Race for First Fierce International Competition Roland Amundsen of Norway won the race in 1911 Prompted Shackleton’s Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all. --Ernest Shackleton

Ernest Shackleton – Expedition Endurance Crossing of Antarctica from Weddell Sea to Ross Sea Many Obstacles Funds Supplies Crew Ships Set Sail January 18, 1915 Crew of 28

Funding the Endurance Required $4.4M to $7M Private and Public Investors Leery Mission Deemed too Dangerous Rumors of Physical Weakness

Rations and Supplies Commission of Specialty Products Composition Cake 3000 calories a piece Lime Juice Capsules Vitamin C Equipment and Clothing Windproof Coats Fur Lined Sleeping Bags Sturdy tents

A Crew of Twenty-Eight Candidates divided into categories of: Mad, Hopeless and Pathetic Shackleton desired balance of personality and capability Premium placed on Perseverance Sought experienced North Sea Fishermen

Initial Trials and Unexpected Obstacles Britain Declared War on Germany Captain Incapable of Maintaining Discipline Dog Sled Trainer Failed to Appear Poor Credit Ice Flows Further North than Expected

Endurance Antarctic Bound August 8, 1914 Leaves British Waters December 5, 1914 Departed South Georgia January 10, 1914 Spotted Antarctica January 21, 1915 Frozen in ice floe October 27, 1915 Abandoned Ship November 1, 1915 Established Permanent Camp November 21, 1915 Endurance Sinks

After Endurance Lifeboats launched in search of land Camp Established on Elephant Island 800 mile journey on James Caird to South Georgia Island Four months after James Caird launched, party was rescued All survived Shackleton and a Five Man team began 800 mile journey on James Caird to South Georgia Island 29 mile Trek across uncharted interior towards whaling station Multiple Failed attempts to reach party

The Endurance Voyage - What Went Wrong Failure to properly assess risk factors Lack of survival skill training Failure to train sled dogs Decision to sail despite northern ice floes

What Could Have Been Done Differently Postpone the Expedition More favorable sea conditions Full and capable staff