Ernest Shackleton

(Biography.com ())

"I called to the other men that the sky was clearing, and then a moment later I realized that what I had seen was not a rift in the clouds, but the white crest of an enormous wave." (Ernest Shackleton). Many people dream of traveling to the ends of the earth, but only a select, few ever do. Ernest Shackleton was one of those intrepid few who dared venture to the Antarctic in the name of science and fame. "Sir Ernest Shackleton is considered one of the greatest explorers in history"(Hutchinson)) braving the Antarctic 4 separate times, travelling through previously unexplored areas. Ernest Shackleton drove forth Antarctic exploration, contributing to scientific explorations because of his relentless bravery, and his unmatched determination.

(www.bbc.co.uk ())

Shackleton's ambitious desire to reach the South Pole and chart the Antarctic wasn't an easy task by any means.  After his first two Antarctic expeditions, despite the brutal weather that caused him to turn back on his previous expedition. Shackleton decided that the only way of achieving his goals was to venture towards uncharted waters. "On August 1, 1914, the same day Germany declared war on Russia, Shackleton departed London on the ship Endurance for his third trip to the South Pole. By late fall the crew reached South Georgia, an island in the southern Atlantic. On December 5, the team departed the island, the last time Shackleton and his men would touch land for an astonishing 497 days."("Ernest Shackleton".Bio). Shackleton departed into unknown territory in the roughest coldest seas on the planet; with the basic technology at the time is an achievement by itself. His plan was to explore the Weddell Sea and to cross the Antarctic using supplies stashed at intervals by other explorers (Hutchinson). But even with the most carefully laid out plans; things do tend to go astray. Shackleton's vessel Endurance, was trapped in pack ice and slowly crushed over a few months "Shackleton and five others sailed across 850 miles (1,368 km) of rough Antarctic seas in a small open boat to a remote whaling station on South Georgia Island to get help. After reaching land, they made a 10-day overland trip before reaching the station at Stormness."(Hutchinson). The Antarctic Ocean isn't an ideal place to be left stranded in with only lifeboats and supplies. The cold, unpredictable weather will freeze anyone to death within an hour unless properly prepared. Shackleton had to cross 840 miles of stormy seas to bring a rescue party for his men. His exceptional leadership skills and perseverance accounted for none of his men losing their lives throughout the whole of the expedition. Shackleton exemplifies the type of courage and bravery needed to become a leader. He simply didn't resign himself to fate as his ship was left stranded in an ice pack and his men stuck on an island in the Antarctic winter. He led a team north and eventually rescued his men in time saving the lives of the entire expedition.

(www.cool.antarctica.com ())

Shackleton was a veteran of 4 polar expeditions, the first two attempts, harsh conditions and disease turned him back. While he was recovering other explorers achieved his goals before him, but that wasn't even close enough to dissuade him. Shackleton didn't just bounce back from his missed chances; he set his sights even higher each time.  "In 1911, Shackleton's dream of becoming the first person to set foot on the South Pole was shattered, when Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen reached the earth's most southerly point. The achievement forced Shackleton to set his sights on a new mark: crossing Antarctica via the South Pole." ("Ernest Shackleton".Bio). Shackleton's stubborn determination fueled his thirst for exploration and fame which in turn led to his important scientific contributions. He lived in a competitive world where cowardice and small ambitions weren't going to get him anywhere. Ernest had to make do with the limited technology and the fact that he was the first to set sail and explore many places with the unpredictable Antarctic weather at his feet.  "A worldwide race was on to forge routes to the South Pole on the Antarctic continent. Extreme conditions, including treacherous seas, sub-zero temperatures, ice, and unmapped and unknown mountains and glaciers, met these expeditions on their quests for scientific and geographic information. Shackleton is respected and revered for his leadership qualities tested under conditions that were as severe as any human being had ever endured and for his scientific contributions." (Hutchinson). Shackleton's exceptional leadership backed by his iron determination is what drove his expeditions back home safely. when he returned to England, he was knighted and went on extensive lecturing tours to spread his knowledge from his expeditions. Shackletons ability to never give up despite the achievements of others led him to set his ambitions even higher and chase after them even if they ended with failure, he still returned home with valuable knowledge and experience.

Ernest Shackleton's bravery to brave the Antarctic and his will to keep on going have definitely earned him his place among the greatest explorers of all time. He never let his own failures, the achievements of others, or the brutal Antarctic weather turn him back home empty handed until his men would certainly die if they advanced. Shackleton is a prime example how to always chase your desires and never give up until it has been snatched away from you. His powerful determination to always comeback kept his dreams alive. We may not all have the courage to travel 850 miles in deadly waters, but the courage to pursue our dreams is within us all, we just need to keep moving forward.

Works Cited

"Ernest Shackleton." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 09 Feb. 2015.

"Ernest Shackleton (1874 - 1922)." BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2015.

Hutchinson, Leslie. "Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton." Science and Its Times. Ed. Neil Schlager and Josh

Lauer. Vol. 6: 1900 to 1949. Detroit: Gale, 2000. 75-76. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 9 Feb. 2015.

"Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton." Encyclopedia of World Biography. 2nd ed. Vol. 14. Detroit: Gale,

2004. 132-133.Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 9 Feb. 2015.