A lovable rogue and a giant on the ice are just two of the ways Michael Smith, chronicler of Irish explorers, characterises Ernest Shackleton, the subject of his latest biography Shackleton: By Endurance We Conquer. One of the most well known figures from the great age of polar exploration this Shackleton helped pave the way for Amundsen, Scott, and the plethora of other explorers who have reached to the South Pole.
While Shackleton himself would never reached that illustrious goal he still ranks amongst the most well known explorers for his bravery and leadership on the ice.
A restless soul Shackleton left school at 16 and took to the sea with the Merchant Navy. Over the following years he honed his skills as a seafarer and explorer as he journeyed around the world. It was at the turn of the new century that Shackleton's career on the ice began. In 1901 he left for the Antarctic as part of an expedition led by Robert Scott, who would later die trekking back from the South Pole.
Though a natural explorer, and probably because of it, Shackleton was a poor businessman and husband. Always restless he never seemed content on land. As Michael puts it, ‘[Shackleton] was spectacularly bad at pretty much everything he tried at home. Put him on the ice and he becomes a giant, and he is absolutely at home’.
This was never more evident than when he left to cross Antarctica in 1914.
This plan was quickly scuppered though as the expedition ship, Endurance, was caught and crushed by the sea ice. The aim had been to get the six man team and their dogs as deep as possible with the Endurance before turning back while another ship, the Aurora, waited for Shackelton on the other side.
The loss of the Endurance brought the expedition to an end as Shackleton turned to ensure the safety of his men. After months surviving on the ice the crew found land at Elephant Island. From here Shackleton struck out for help in one of the remaining lifeboats. What followed was an incredible journey across one of the roughest expanses of oceans in the world.
After landing in South Georgia Shackleton sent ships back to rescue the rest of his crew. Though the South Pole stood a long way off not a single man was lost in Shackleton's expedition.
Listen back as Susan talks with Michael Smith about the life and adventures of Ernest Shackleton. What was it that made him such an astounding leader of men? Does he deserve his reputation as a great explorer? And what was he like on and off the ice?
This week’s music to read to
Clem Leek’s ‘Breaking Down’ opens the show with ‘Crystal Lake’ by Julianna Barwick bringing part one to a close. The show ends with ‘Necklace of Wrens’ by The Gloaming.
