On his return to Britain, Shackleton was hailed a national hero and knighted. The decision saved their lives but the three-month journey back to base was harrowing. He had reached 88☂3' south, only 97 miles from the Pole. On 9 January, in danger of starving, Shackleton decided to turn back. The men reached the high Polar plateau in December 1909 and claimed it for King Edward VII.

Ponies were initially used to pull the sledges but they all died after suffering badly in the sub-zero conditions. Accompanied by Frank Wild, Eric Marshall and Jameson Boyd Adams, he set off on 29 October 1908. The main focus of this expedition, however, was Shackleton's party heading towards the Pole. He also led the team that that reached the South Magnetic Pole in 1909. Learn hundreds of foreign words and phrases Ernest Shackletons ill-fated Antarctic expedition stands out in history as one of the greatest adventures ever.

In 1908, David led the party that climbed the active volcano on Ross Island, Mount Erebus. Onboard Nimrod, were Australians recruited during the voyage south, including the geologists Professor Edgeworth David (who was Welsh-born) and Douglas Mawson. This proved controversial, as Scott had claimed 'territorial rights' to this area and Shackleton had agreed not to land there. For transport on the ice, ponies, dogs and a motorcar were taken.īase camp was established at Cape Royds in McMurdo Sound. Onboard were a mixed crew of scientists, sailors, civilians and even a paying guest. Nimrod was an old Arctic vessel in poor condition. On 7 August 1907, with the backing of various sponsors, including Clydebank shipbuilder William Beardmore, later Lord Invernairn, Shackleton's ship Nimrod set sail for the Antarctic. Although he’d been sent home from the trip due to ill health, Shackleton vowed to return to the Antarctic and prove himself as a polar explorer. Sir Ernest Shackleton had his first taste of polar exploration when he travelled with Robert Falcon Scott to the Antarctic in 1901. He was almost successful, falling just 97 miles short. In 1907, Ernest Shackleton embarked on an expedition to the South Pole aboard his ship Nimrod.

South! by Ernest Shackleton