![]() The men spent much time discussing what they would eat if they could choose, and one of them even conducted a poll on the issue, which made it clear there was a general hankering for sweets. They settled into a new routine on the island peppered by daily bickering but no real arguments. There was a flagstaff on the highest accessible point of the island that they built. They built a hut using the boats and set up lights for reading and a place for indoor cooking. The men who stayed on Elephant Island worked hard under Wild’s leadership to make their living situation more comfortable. To keep the men busy and entertained, he organized daily hunting expeditions and nightly sing-alongs.) Waiting for Rescue Seeing this, he immediately put them all to work. In Wild’s diary, he wrote that after sending Shackleton off with three cheers, he saw some of the men with tears in their eyes. (Shortform note: Shackleton’s second-in-command was Frank Wild, an experienced polar explorer who had joined him in a previous expedition. On April 24, Shackleton and his smaller crew sailed away as the rest gave them three cheers from the shore. (Shortform note: The photographer was the Australian Frank Hurley and his photographs are striking records of their incredible adventure.)Īs soon as the weather became milder, they got the biggest boat ready. Shackleton also left a letter in the photographer’s diary, bequeathing him all rights for the photographs taken during their expedition, if Shackleton didn’t survive. Shackleton left a letter in his diary, passing responsibility to him for the camp, the men, and the boats. Some even claim it comes from the Endurance crew nicknaming it “Hell-of-an-island.”) Making a Plan for RescueĪfter taking time to rest, Shackleton announced on April 20 that he would take five men and the largest boat and sail 800 miles to South Georgia Island to find rescue.īefore leaving, Lansing recounts that Shackleton had long conversations with his second-in-command, who would stay on the island, so the man would know exactly what to do in any situation. The island’s name might come from that characteristic shape, or its elephant seal population. ![]() The island also looks like an elephant’s head. (Shortform note: The crew could reach Elephant Island thanks to the island’s mountain peaks, which they could spot even in severe weather. There was also a glacier where they could collect ice to melt for drinking water. There was plenty of wildlife on the island, so they could finally hunt and eat fresh food. Despite those difficulties, Lansing explains that they were elated to be on land. One had a heart attack, and three were unable to walk. As they landed, several men collapsed in exhaustion and pain. This was 497 days after they were last on firm land and eight days rowing through the ice. Elephant Island was some of the men’s final destination on the expedition on April 15, 1916. Arriving at Elephant IslandĪlfred Lansing’s book Endurance describes the final rescue mission led by Ernest Shackleton. There, Shackleton put Frank Wild in charge as they awaited rescue.Ĭontinue reading to find out what happened on Elephant Island, Ernest Shackleton’s plan for rescue, and how long the crew was on the Island. What happened on Elephant Island while Ernest Shackleton fulfilled his rescue mission? Who was in charge on Elephant Island?Īfter the Endurance ship sank, Ernest Shackleton and his crew headed to Elephant Island. ![]() Like this article? Sign up for a free trial here. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading. This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "Endurance" by Alfred Lansing.
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