Shackleton Epic voyage reconstruction expedition

You can read an extract of Frank Worsley's excellent "Shackleton's boat journey" here on google

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=EgjJdLKFarEC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false

Frank Hurley the Australian photographer and filmographer of the expedition is the main reason we have such incredible photos of the events that transpired. From the crushing of the Endurance in pack ice to the photos of the departing James Caird on her mission to summon help.

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/frank-hurley

 

No doubt he took some fine pics. Very daring to launch such a tiny boat. I read the book "The Endurance". Great read that one is. Hats off to their on-board boat builder/craftsman, Henry McNish. Without his skill the crew would have not likely survived the escape in the James Caird.

McNish was a royal pain in the neck, but a damned good carpenter.

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McNish was the only crew not to recieve the Polar Medal for achievment. He died destitute and homeless .

 

Great info on him at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_McNish

I think we should start a new thread under materials, using McNishes special construction materials.

"McNish used the mast of another of the boats, the Stancomb Wills, to strengthen the keel and build up the small 22 foot (6.7 m) long boat, so it would withstand the seas during the 800 mile (1480 km) trip. He caulked it using a mixture of seal blood and flour, "

 

If you look hard enough you could probably see NG or Discovery lurking in the shadows with a contract and cheque book in hand

 

No, there were four members of crew who didn't get the Polar Medal.

 

I think this may be the 3rd or 4th try at this......All the previous attempts failed because, A) The weather was bad (surprise!), B) They got seasick (surprise again!), C) It's really tough and not fun (real surprise!).

 

Now that's a survivalist mentality. I echo your idea on starting a new thread, but perhaps one dedicated to sea survival/self rescue. Depending on where you stranded you have to consider all available materials.

I can't count the number of ingenius nautical creations coming out of Cuba. Every year or so there is a unique craft that enters the Florida coastal waters.

Florida, por fin!​

 

Brilliant idea. I will start the new thread and call it 'Desperate Marine Solutions'.
Can you post this picture and any other examples close to hand ? There will be some amazing contributions i am sure.

 

How did Hurley survive taking the photo for the cover of the book?

 

Sure thing rwatson

 

Hi rwatson,
It appears that HM Royal Navy has not forgotten this boat. The James Caird IV operates from HMS Protector; an ice patrol ship.
http://navaltoday.com/2012/01/26/royal-navys-new-ice-patrol-ship-arrives-in-antarctica/
Best Wishes,
Adam

 

It's been a long time since I've seen the cover but it could be an illustration. Hurley was left behind on the Island awaiting rescue with most of the crew so did not do the passage on the James Caird.

 

Oh .... clever guy.

I wonder if this was one of his exaggerated artworks that made him rich, and sometimes hated?

wayne

 

Web site for the expedition is at

http://www.shackletonepic.com/

"For real time tracking of our position, we’ve enlisted the help of Yellowbrick Tracking. From yacht races to all sorts of extreme adventures and expeditions around the world,"