Discovering the Endurance this last week has cast a brief shard of light and a pause in the media that brings us nothing but cataclysmic news.
The most tragic event in exploration, following the crushing and sinking of the 114-foot, three masted wooden ship, the Endurance in 1915 was averted by one of the most outstanding leaders of all time, Sir Ernest Shackleton.
As the ship drifted for some 10 months in the iron grip of the ice, Shackleton with his right-hand man Frank Wild, and the outstanding Captain Frank Worsely were already making their plans. The pure courage of Shackleton, the extraordinary brilliance of navigation by Worsley, using a sextant and chronometer, to calculate the co-ordinates of the position where the stricken Endurance slipped below the floes on 21 November, 1915. It is nothing more than miraculous. Worsely noted in his log book 68°39’30” South; 52°26’30” West. Worsley was unable to get a fixing until 19 hours after the ship sank.
The steeliness of Frank Wild keeping the men alive and with hope for four months on Elephant Island as they waited for rescue cannot go unmentioned.
Surprisingly, what is little said in the news, is that David Mearns a chartered marine scientist and one of the greatest ship wreck finders of all time showed extraordinary generosity by handing over his research paper to the Endurance22 team. Mearns has located more than 25 major ship wrecks, and located the Piper aeroplane that crashed into the Channel killing the Argentinian footballer, Emiliano Sala after many other attempts had failed.
With colleagues Lars Bergman and Robin Stuart, Mearns has been researching the whereabouts of the Endurance wreck since 2003.
“Our paper detailing this new analysis was submitted for publication in the Journal of Navigation on 29 July 2021. We expected it would be made public sooner, however delays in the peer-review process meant that the paper is yet to be published. As such interested parties, including the team leading the Endurance22 search, are not operating with the latest and most reliable information at their disposal. The analysis in the preprint we are releasing today updates the 2019 work and is a more complete, accurate and reliable basis for determining the most probable sinking location of Endurance”.
“Whether they used my information or not I know my research on the condition and location of the wreck was spot -on.” Mearns assured Ice Tracks.
According to a news report the paper was “read with interest” by the Endurance22 team, however, to date it is unknown if the expedition team relied on Mearns analysis.
“For the navigational geeks, here is my working plot of the most probable sinking position of the wreck, started in 2003 last updated 2021 following re-assessment with Bergman & Stuart (68°41’22”S 52°25’W), total potential error of 1.15 to 1.75 nm latitude, 2.5 to 3.6 nm longitude”, said Mearns.
To find the Endurance in such good condition is what dreams are made of. One’s immediate thought is can it be raised? We read that under the Antarctic Treaty this would not be allowed. Alexandra Shackleton, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s grand-daughter would certainly not allow it.
“What the ice gets the ice keeps.” Shackleton.
Shackleton’s Final Quest
Onboard the Island Sky, Shackleton’s Final Quest is Ice Tracks Expedition’s signature voyage for what promises to be an outstanding experience with exceptional guests to honour the final voyage of the Heroic Age. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Shackleton’s death this voyage will be packed with events in recognition of Sir Ernest Shackleton and those who served under him. We plan to visit Port Lockroy and sail down King Haakon Bay as well as experiencing a special day in Gritvyken.
Follow in the footsteps of one of the greatest explorers of all time, Sir Ernest Shackleton, as we journey deep into Antarctica by way of the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands/Malvinas and South Georgia. We will explore the fascinating history of the area, dating back to the grandiose times of the ‘Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration’ of the late 1800s and early 1900s, as we encounter jaw-dropping scences in nature, colossal icebergs, and incredible wildlife.
Why Book With Us?
Yes when I heard about the expedition to find Endurance, I couldn’t help thinking about Frank Wild, and Angie Butler’s exhaustive search for his ashes which turned out to be here in my home town, Johannesburg, stored safely for future safe and careful removal and onward trip to Grytviken to that lonely but very touching little graveyard overlooking the mountains and inlet, which both Frank and Sir Ernest counted as somewhere very special. I have a copy of Angie’s book in my Arctic collection, but I have one question regarding Frank’s final burial….. he was buried on the right of Shackleton. On the right facing the grave, or on Shackleton’s right?
I am sure that both of them, in that cold remote but beautiful resting place, turned to nod to each other and smile quietly when the Endurance was found, and finally all the pieces of that incredible expedition are in place. And I have now raised a glass of something special and toasted the entire crew of Endurance, and their dogs, and Mrs.Chippy, which gave their lives to keep the men alive. An exceptional expedition of exceptional men. May their souls rest in peace now that the final piece of the tale has been found, beautiful as she always was. Thank you to all who kept this incredible story alive, and Frank Hurley whose photos tell even more detail in the story. Regards.
Dear Helen,
Thank you very much for your lovely message that was forwarded to me from the Patagonia office.
I am always thrilled to hear from a Frank Wild fan, an outstanding man that I had the most extraordinary time researching. We were privileged to take his remains back to Grytviken in 2011 and have a second funeral for him. So he is on Shackleton’s left shoulder. Facing the graves he is on the right of Shackleton. Both men unlike the Whalers in the graveyard face South – the gate to Antarctica.
Our company Ice Tracks was also honoured to take Henry Worsley’s ashes to Grytviken, who as you may know died in 2016, after an attempt to cross Antarctica in Shackleton’ footsteps. Henry was a great friend of ours and his wife and children agreed that Grytviken, over looking Cumberland Bay is where all these brave men want as their final resting place to be.
Thank you for taking the time to write to us.
With all good wishes, health and happiness,
Angie (Butler)