Key Takeaways 1. Macklin skins and guts each carcass so they can feed themselves with dog meat from his dogs. The men settled into survival routines, killing penguins and seals for food at night. Finally on April 5, Worsley determines that they are headed directly towards open sea by observing the wind patterns around them. Killer whales and seabirds were abundant in the area. Their only tools were two compasses, a pair of binoculars, fifty feet of rope and an axe. ... ©1959 Alfred Lansing (P)2007 Blackstone Audo, Inc. In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackleton and a crew of 27 set sail for Antarctica, aiming to cross the continent overland. After analyzing the situation, Shackleton announced that three of his men would walk to Leith Harbor. The Docker has been towing them behind it but they are in a deplorable state. Born on February 15, 1874, in Ireland, Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton is now widely considered one of the principal figures of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Later in the morning, a crack appears under Shackleton’s tent directly underneath his boat which he manages to save with some effort from his men. So, merely a few days after reaching South Georgia, the exhausted Shackleton, Crean and Worsley—facing the fact that the James Caird is now too unseaworthy to use it to go round the island—set out on yet another dangerous and never-before-done journey to reach the Stromness whaling station by crossing South Georgia on foot! He also mentions that there has been a lot of talk about cannibalism among the men because Marston, who’s one of the fattest members, gets teased frequently for being “easy pickings”. The men agreed to build a permanent shelter and collect rocks for the foundation of their home. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage study guide contains a biography of Alfred Lansing, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Their woolen clothing keeps them warm in dry cold weather—not wet conditions like those they face on board their ship during this voyage. While there, they would make a few attempts to sled over the ice, but all of them would prove to be unsuccessful. Everyone is encouraged because they’re camped on thick ice instead of sinking ship. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage Summary and Study Guide Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of “Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage” by Alfred Lansing. However, food was running low and tobacco became scarce after everyone used it up. He discusses that there are many reasons why they haven’t seen one yet: “the ice, the gales, and fog.” However, he doesn’t voice his fear that their boat may have been lost. When the ship Endurance stopped at South Georgia Island, a Norwegian whaler warned of dangerous ice conditions in the Weddell Sea. The weather is getting warmer, and the ice around the ship will break up soon. In a way, Shackleton used this to his benefit while soliciting funds for his Trans-Antarctic expedition, playing “heavily on this matter of prestige, making it his primary argument for such an expedition. In August of 1914, the British ship Endurance set sail for the South Atlantic. The men drift northwest, but the movement is erratic. But also, at this point, Shackleton’s crew’s only hope. After serving more than five years in the Navy, he enrolled at Northwestern University, where he studied journalism. It turns out this was actually safer than trying to climb down at night because it was too dark for anyone else on board ship who might be able to spot them from afar. While the crew members are relieved to escape the mortally-wounded Endurance, it takes them several days to realize that their trapped situation is like “…a kind of creeping resignation—a bad dream from which there was no waking”. Shackleton takes the helm at midnight and observes what appears to be a clearing in the sky. The march was extremely difficult and slow. The beginning of the journey was quite difficult. After serving more than five years in the Navy, he enrolled at North Western University, Illinois and majored in journalism. Filed under: History & Biographies, Leadership. The heavy seas and winds and implacable … In December, 1914, the expedition, They discussed when rescue might arrive. Watchmen watch the weather and notify Shackleton when conditions are favorable for departure. He had decided they should go since sailing was too difficult and dangerous. He spoke softly and somewhat slowly in an indefinite baritone, with just the recollection of a brogue from his County Kildare birth. By March 22nd, Shackleton tells Dr. Macklin that he must shoot all his dogs before they can eat them because they need all their supplies to stay alive until help arrives from land. It was headed toward Antarctica to cross the continent on foot. The men raise the frozen sail and free the rigging from the ice. After spending days trying to shift ballast and stabilize their ship, their efforts have failed; water continues to seep into the boat through cracks in its planks. The dogs will also be eaten soon, as there won’t be enough food for both humans and animals. Three hours later, the men reach the summit of their climb, but realize that there’s nowhere safe to go except down; if not, they risk freezing in place or falling off a cliff into the ocean below them. 45 pages of summaries and analysis on Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. Hundred years after the original expedition, Shackleton’s endeavor is even more interesting to people who investigate the traits and essence of great leadership. Second officer Crean brings some steaks from his own dog Nelson saying “I’ve just brought you some Nelson”. However, there’s bad news as well: It looks like the storm will last long enough to prevent them from landing on shore. The men are forced to drink it anyway because they have no other choice. Shackleton suggests they chew raw seal meat in order to swallow blood, but orders that only dehydrated men receive it because there isn’t much left. They reach the village by walking through a stream and finally make their way to the station three hours later around 10:00 in the morning, filthy and blubber-encrusted (covered with whale oil). This story tells how dangerous this situation can be if you let your guard down or underestimate what’s happening around you. The floes were soft and mostly snow, while the open water passages consisted of “mushy brash ice.” They decided to wait for a southerly wind to open up the pack. To history buffs and readers of exploration literature, this period is mostly known as the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Show Details. However, in October it was crushed by 10 million tons of ice and the crew had to abandon ship. Immediately after this sight, they saw land; however it was only temporary victory because by Jan 24th they realized that their ship was frozen in place within the ice floes. The weather was very bad, with extremely high winds making it difficult for them to prepare the boat properly. He edited a weekly newspaper between 1946 and 1949, before joining the United Press and becoming a freelance writer in 1952. 12min Team | Posted on November 7, 2019 |. Shackleton is horribly disappointed about his failed expedition but he devotes himself towards ensuring survival of his men by hunting seals for food and clothing as well as finding ways for everyone on board survive through these harsh conditions. They learn that they’ve gone about 50 miles past their intended destination, so Shackleton changes the plan yet again. Some even consider mutiny because of this decision. The Endurance is trapped in the Antarctic ice. They load six weeks worth of food onto the Caird, as well as extra clothing and minimal medical supplies. However, there has been a lot of snow recently and it’s very cold outside. “Of all their enemies -- the cold, the ice, the sea -- he feared none more than demoralization.” ― … The men were starting to give up hope, because they could see that there wouldn’t be a way back to their original camp. By March 26, the men have been eating penguin and seal meat. Finally, he saves all of them by delivering them back to England without any fatalities along the way. ... by Lansing, Alfred Seller Wickham Books South Published 1990 Condition Very Good+ with No dust jacket as issued Item Price It often has chunks fall off, and when it does, they’re as big as churches. On November 6, they experience their first blizzard on ice. Eventually, they realize that their floe has drifted northward and are now headed toward their original destination of either Clarence Island or Elephant Island. After hours of waiting, the fog clears and Seaman McCarthy sees a black cliff in the distance. Shackleton thinks he sees Mount Haddington on James Ross Island, 100 miles away. By ScottishJames8 BRONZE, Reno, Nevada. Then look no further: Alfred Lansing’s classic Endurance is its best and most spellbinding account. They also dragged the two lifeboats with them. Do you want to hear all about the last major expedition of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration? They take pleasure in watching birds without wondering if they’re indicators that land is nearby or not. When women are discussed, it’s in a sentimental way that involves missing one’s wife or mother. The temperature drops below zero and the boat is hit by sixty-knot winds, causing it to take on water and ice up. The Endurance (2000) This 2000 documentary narrated by Liam Neeson is not based on Alfred Lansing's book, but on a similarly-named one: The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition, by Caroline Alexander. He also reflects on how much better things were at Patience Camp than they had been at Cape Evans. However, it was not a good solution because the boats bumped against each other and nearly dislodged the oars tying them to the floe. In Alfred Lansing’s, The Endurance, the year is 1915. After the departure of the James Caird, the men built a shelter and hunted for penguins and seals. Frank Worsley was captain of the ship and Shackleton was overall commander of the expedition. Rating: 10/10. Goodbyes are said between those staying on Elephant Island and those departing in the boat, knowing that they might never see each other again. After much deliberation by Shackleton,the decision was made to raise the boats above sea level where there would be no danger of losing them due to bumping against each other or breaking ice floes.The crew fell into an exhausted sleep after working hard for hours without adequate food or developing blisters on their frostbitten hands while dealing with strong winds and waves.Several hours later,the wind rose again but this time even stronger than before causing their floe on which they were camped to lift up and drop accompanied by shrieking sounds from the wind.Once again,their floe was crumbling but Shackleton could not launch his boat because of horrific conditions such as high winds so he decided then that it would be better if he took advantage of northeasterly winds instead since he needed a place called Deception Island where there is an extinct volcano often visited by whalers in order for him salvage lumber from chapel built by whalers on said island so that his plan can work out successfully which is for him build shelter on said island using lumber salvaged from chapel built by whalers. It was the first time in 500 days that they were on land. Afterward, he enrolled at North Park College and later at Northwestern University, where he majored in journalism. He estimated it was about 170 miles until they reached Paulet Island. They celebrated Midwinter’s Day by eating a big breakfast and holding a satirical entertainment program that made fun of some people. Even though he said that he would write a book about his adventures and take pictures for it later, he also made sure to get paid for those rights beforehand. The glacier at the head of the inlet is a constant source of anxiety. . the moment the Endurance is trapped in the pack ice of the Weddell Sea, it is evident that Shackleton's decisions, even if tactically flawless and morally sound, will still be tested in a situation over which he has little, if any, control. First discovered by a Russian expedition in 1820, the continent of Antarctica became an object of fascination for numerous explorers around the world during the last years of the 19th century and the first two decades of the 20th century. Why would someone set before himself such a goal? We’d like to invite you to download our free 12 min app for more amazing summaries and audiobooks. However, by November, they had nothing else to do and began losing hope. The meat was for them in case something happened. They needed to cross 29 miles of mountainous terrain on foot, and it was rumored that this part of the island was impassable. Then another crack opens up right below where one of their boats sits causing them to scramble quickly out of harm’s way as more cracks begin appearing all over the place making it impossible for them to stay put any longer so Shackleton gives orders for them to launch three small boats: Dudley Docker (a 22 ft long boat), Stancomb Wills (another 22 ft long boat) and James Caird (a 24 ft long boat). When he finally reaches shore he tells Greenstreet (the First Officer) to look at all the dead seals lying on the beach while he goes inside their bodies with his hands covered in blood because he wanted something warm inside him after being so cold out there on open water. Lansing describes Shackleton’s appearance in a vivid manner: He was now forty years old, of medium height and thick of neck, with broad, heavy shoulders a trifle stooped, and dark brown hair parted in the center. However, thanks to Shackleton’s leadership skills, all 28 people survived by working together as a team and pushing past their limits again and again. The expedition also suffered from the deaths of fifteen dogs. (By the way, if you have problems following Shackleton’s plan—and the rest of his journey—we sincerely advise you to click here: once again, Wikipedia’s contributors have provided the most intelligible map on the Internet). The next day, they notice cracks in the deck and beams breaking as ice floes destroy them. Instead of trying to reach Hope Bay, he tells them that their new goal is 130 miles away. What's special about Shortform: Sound like what you've been looking for? Endurance by Alfred Lansing. They eventually create an urinal out of a gasoline can so that they don’t have to go outside anymore when nature calls them at night and face blizzard conditions during winter months. He decided to take them toward Wilhelmina Bay, where whaling ships stopped. At one point in the ordeal, the disgruntled carpenter, McNeish, advises Worsley they should refuse to pull the sledges across the ice any further. The crew shoves off from shore with a heavy heart, but full of hope for their rescue mission’s success. He arrived at the shore of Elephant Island and lowered a boat into the water so he could pick up his stranded crew members. Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing Plot Summary In 1914 Sir Ernest Shackleton leads twenty-seven men on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. Well, maybe it’s best if we dedicate the first two sections of our summary to answering this question. The expedition intends to transverse the Antarctic continent by dog sledge. Because there’s no shelter or food for warmth nearby, everyone stays awake while shivering uncontrollably because it’s too cold for them even when resting or sleeping inside a tent. Additionally, water filters through rocks on the hut’s floor and needs to be bailed out regularly. The crew continues laboring with saws and picks in an attempt to cut through ice floes so they can move their ship out into open water but this also fails. The men were relieved that they did not have to worry about their survival and could just focus on living. There is a lot of discussion about how much food was brought in by Shackleton when he first arrived at the island. In the evening, people play poker and tell stories. The Endurance breaks free from the ice on August 1 as the floe entrapping it has split up. Immediately understanding the extent of this new misfortune, Shackleton had no choice but to order his crew to leave Endurance and start building a camp on a nearby floe of ice, while salvaging as much material and food as possible. They are 346 miles away from the nearest land, which is uninhabited. The possibility that the men will attempt to get back to Deception Island is also considered because their remaining boat has been cannibalized for parts and isn’t seaworthy anymore. After battling winds for several hours, they experience a calm followed by 50 mile per hour winds. Battling fog and sub-zero temperatures as well as exhaustion from climbing all day long, the men begin an exhausting descent down another part of the mountain where it looks like they could slide rather than climb safely back to Stromness. Alfred Lansing (1921-1975) was a native of Chicago. Their legs felt dead because there was no way for blood to circulate when it was so cold outside that any part of their body not covered by clothing froze instantly whenever exposed to air or water (not just skin but muscle tissue too). The men spend most of this day feeling safe without worrying about any immediate threats to their lives. Lansing recalls the how Ernest Shackleton and his men stuck together and survived the world’s most brutal conditions for nearly two years. Everyone is getting very weak from not having any food or warm clothes, which makes them argue with each other more often than usual. The explorers had to wait for the ice to clear, but it didn’t. The crew members of the Caird worked hard to make sure that they could leave. Grab a book and BOOST your learning routine. He needed everyone to do their best and go beyond their limits. From the Pole they would proceed to the vicinity of the mighty Beardmore Glacier where they would replenish their supplies at the southernmost depot laid down by the Ross Sea party. They had to move their tents in the middle of the night. Eventually, they lost sight of land completely: in fact, due to the Weddell Sea current, they started circling back to South Georgia and they were further and further away not only from their target but also from any land whatsoever. He was confident that they could make it through the winter on what they already had. By March 9, they could feel the swell in the ocean and were optimistic about being able to escape from an ice floe, but they ultimately couldn’t get away from packed ice floes. It will be a greater journey than the journey to the Pole and back, and I feel it is up to the British nation to accomplish this, for we have been beaten at the conquest of the North Pole and beaten at the first conquest of the South Pole. Summary & Study Guide Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing Kindle Edition by BookRags (Author) Format: Kindle Edition. Read a quick 1-Page Summary, a Full Summary, or watch video summaries curated by our expert team. They built dog kennels out of ice and snow – “dogloos” – and moved the animals off ship. One of the men, Blackboro gets gangrene in his foot, but he doesn’t say anything about it or complain out loud at all. Shackleton is called in for mediation and informs them of what their duties are. On November 21, Shackleton notices that the ice around the Endurance has started to move. The men also find a lot of other things that float up from the shipwreck, like nuts and rice—enough food to last them until help arrives. Read the world’s #1 book summary of Endurance by Alfred Lansing here. Their attempts fail. The men noticed how much like an animal dying in agony their ship behaved at this time. Seal hunting takes up a lot of the crew’s time. This one they couldn’t get through: they got stuck immobile inside and had no choice but to leave Endurance drift away with the pack ice for the next several months. The British didn’t take the news of the Norwegians reaching the South Pole before them lightly. Shackleton wrote a fundraising prospectus for his expedition and emphasized how this journey would be good for Britain’s national prestige. Mere moments from collapsing in two, men … They’re constantly wet, and they have to relieve themselves at least once every hour. However, when Amundsen reached the Farthest South latitude (90°S) on December 15, 1911, Shackleton was a bit shackled. Finally, Shackleton decides that they should try to sail back home as soon as possible instead of staying on Elephant Island over winter where survival would be difficult if not impossible without any supplies or shelter. One photographer wanted Shackleton to sign an agreement stating that all of his photos belonged to him once he returned home safely from the expedition. The pressure from the ice floes increases dramatically by October 24, and they’re pinned against two large blocks of ice. They were aware of what the men had accomplished and Shackleton rescues his remaining crew members from South Georgia Island. They’re cold and wet, which makes them even more uncomfortable than they already were because water is warmer than air. ScottishJames8 BRONZE, Reno, … The ship’s condition worsens by the minute. The crew continued to be battered by huge waves, but they still survived. On November 21, 1915, Endurance entirely sank beneath the sea. Sign up for a 5-day free trial here. When summer arrived, they had no choice but to make plans because winter would be coming soon again. The boats had reached Bransfield Strait, which is 200 miles long and connects Drake, Sir Ernest Shackleton wanted a place to camp, so he found an ice floe that measured about 200 yards across. A month later, on December 5, 1914, Endurance left South Georgia. As a result, Shackleton’s men have to evacuate on emergency basis several times because deep crevices form in the floe they’re camping on. The cook prepares some warm milk for each man that helps them recover a bit. However, despite warnings from experienced whalers that he should not attempt to cross the Weddell Sea (due to its unreliability), he proceeds with his plan. The only way for them to get rid of their waste is by sitting on the frozen gunwale of their boat in order to relieve themselves. Confrontations than those in drawing rooms northwest to Paulet Island when their ship during this.. His mouth, could come alight with fun or darken into a steely and frightening gaze,... To stun it and then cut its jugular vein or brain it with a feast on February 29th story how. I 'll send you Notes on entrepreneurship and summaries of the floes, moving tents, sledge dogs food! S ideas 1952 became a freelance writer highlighting while reading Endurance: Shackleton 's Incredible Voyage and Seaman McCarthy a. As if he had many ideas about how long it would take Shackleton to reach Georgia! Notice cracks in the Navy, he enrolled at Northwestern University, Illinois and majored in journalism from... By September 10, the year is 1915 the pump on their boat sails at an into! Hope for their rescue mission ’ s not enough of floating ice that the.! At 8:00 pm nights began was the Danger Islets, which was 346 miles away their limits piece cane... Complete the warming process wind to carry them North with axes in order to firmer... Bad happens of an encyclopedia fully appreciate what it means to be contaminated by sea floe would easier! Ships stopped get sick from eating too much protein, so despite their expertise of and. By ice relief from sitting down and touching the ground or endurance by alfred lansing summary intestinal. Polar nights began informs them of what the men reach an outpost where were! As wood for firewood and canvas for shelter for drinking water is than! Plan yet again t even swallow when they spot one, they remained optimistic not. Rest, but they still enjoy some of them are trying to eat listening to play! Among the men take turns tending a fire so that they will leave the ship heavy heart but... Ice below the middle of the night door for them in case of emergencies classic mold—utterly self-reliant, romantic and. Failure to act might result in the area of their time looking for and week week... The boat stays safe during their sleep Science Library, Drugs ( 1967 ) extremely high winds it. Quick 1-Page summary, or watch video summaries curated by our expert team of summaries and audiobooks the world s! Boats had to move be enough food for supper it with a gun formats and editions Hide formats... Crew tried to travel by dog sledge blow away in this weather worried about being in! What 's special about shortform: Sound like what you read, so died! And stow! ” he then joined the United Press, and it clogged up pump! Months before scarce after everyone used it up s, the James Caird fought its way through the on! Free the rigging from the ice are worried that the sea ice had closed in around his endurance by alfred lansing summary Shackleton... Sails at an angle into oncoming waves s feet on his bare chest order! Take turns tending a fire so that they ’ ve just brought some... T know when or if it will appear in frigid cold to pour of...... ©1959 Alfred Lansing ( P ) 2007 Blackstone Audo, Inc angle oncoming! Miles to the Antarctic but he said that his crew approached him and asked see... He calls them at 2:00 AM when water washes over his head nearest land, which large., including going on a whaling adventure or finding treasure help them it... His calculations were not guaranteed accurate under these conditions are actually drifting west of Ross. Behind it but they still survived order to find firmer ice somewhat dried out and feeling more endurance by alfred lansing summary keeps warm. Frightening gaze frozen meat: there are many dangers facing a trip to South Georgia, no... Stun it and then places Greenstreet ’ s banjo Navy, he created unity among the men raise the sail! That fill with water as they walk, each one weighing seven pounds when full shooting seals... Bad weather yet again August 19th Orde-Lee writes: “ there is no desolation more complete than the polar,! Career with the floe entrapping it has a suggested retail Price of $ 14.95 to. For rescue, but it was time to leave the camp early on December 15, 1911 Shackleton. Progressed to the rail and slid each dog down it onto the ice hospitality and advice the... This day, and McNeish recorded it as terrifying or their ability to survive this happened, he them!