1. Ernest Shackleton

2. Ernest Shackleton’s early life…
Born in Ireland in 1874
One of 10 children
In 1884 his family moved to South London
Went to school in Dulwich
At 16 he joined the Merchant Navy

3. The story continues….
In 1901 Shackleton joined an expedition led by Captain Scott to try and be the first to reach the South Pole
Didn’t reach the South Pole (400 miles to go)
Came home early due to an injury

4. Did this put him off ?
No!
It only made him more determined to reach the South Pole himself one day.

5. 1907 … a new adventure! Shackleton sailed to the Antarctic in “Nimrod”
He got to within 97 miles of the South Pole
He turned back because the food ran out

6. Did this put him off ?
No!

7. In the meantime …. Other explorers reached the South Pole
So he started to think up his next adventure!

8. Shackleton decided he wanted to cross the Antarctic continent, which is 2,000 miles across! So he put an notice in the newspaper which said …

9. “Men wanted: for hazardous journey
“Men wanted: for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.
Ernest Shackleton”

10. August 1914 … Shackleton left England with 27 crew and 68 dogs on “Endurance” January 1915: Stuck in the ice

11. Shackleton gave the order to abandon ship
They saved lifeboats, food and clothes …
before it sank in November 1915

12. The real adventure begins …
5 months floating on an iceberg!
A week without food or sleep in a boat
An 800 mile journey across extremely rough seas to get help.

13. It was 3 months before Shackleton could return to the rest of his men to rescue them
Altogether he and his crew were away for 2 years, but none of them died

14. Shackleton’s story is one of the greatest stories of survival against overwhelming odds.
He was enormously admired for his leadership and survival qualities.