Showing posts with label The Ross Sea Party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Ross Sea Party. Show all posts

Monday, December 30, 2013

Shackleton's Lost Pictures of His Antartica Voyage Available for Viewing



Ernest Shackleton was a famous explorer of Antarctica between 1914 and 1917. His expedition ran into problems and he and his crew were forced to abandon their ship. After a century, 22 negatives found in a hut first built by the failed expedition of Robert Falcon Scott (1910-1913) were developed by the Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand) (1).


Robert Scott’s team built the small hut and eventually left after they found out the Norwegian team beat them to the area (2). Shackleton’s team, called the Ross Sea Party, also came across the hut after being stranded by the ice crushing their ship. It appears that they accidently left the photos in the snow and cold. Despite the harsh conditions, many of them were able to be saved and produced for public consumption.  Many of the landmarks are clearly noticeable.


The Times of London Printed an exert of news related to Sheckleton’s voyage and the loss of the ship Endurance (3):

News of the expedition which Sir Ernest Shackleton led to the Antarctic with the object of crossing the South Polar continent is expected to reach England at any moment (says Reuter’s Agency). Sir Ernest Shackleton left for the Antarctic in 1914. Nothing has since been heard of the expedition. He estimated that it would take him four months to cross the Antarctic continent, and on the other side he expected to join hands with the party which, sailing in the Aurora from Tasmania in December 1914, were to make a base at the Ross Sea and go to meet him early this year.

Such explorers spread new knowledge in the time when nations sought to gain glory. The tools used were simple compared to today’s technology and conditions were often harsh. Many lost their lives. Yet such explorers are admired because of their determination, skill, and boot strapping endurance. Leadership often requires sacrifice and sets the bar high for others to follow.