Shackleton and five crewmen head into raging seas in the James Caird, caulked with lamp wicks, seal blood, and oil paints. Their destination: South Georgia—800 perilous miles away. On the 17-day voyage, 50-foot waves and gale-force winds hammer the boat.
 

hen Shackleton and his crew launch the James Caird, a swell surges along the shore, soaking the men and dragging the boat seaward. In the surf, the boat nearly capsizes on the rocks, throwing two men overboard.

Hurley is on the scene and snaps a photo. “I firmly believe,” Shackleton writes, “that he would have liked the two unfortunate men to remain in the water until he could get a ‘snap’ at close quarters; but we hauled them out immediately, regardless of his feelings.”

c o n t i n u e . . .


Picture Courtesy of Royal Geographical Society.