Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Shackleton at the Theatre Royal November1920

Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton

Shackleton Expedition & Antarctic Perils
There was a crowded audience at the Theatre Royal on Friday afternoon 19 November 1920, when Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton gave an interesting lecture on his 1914-16 Antarctic Expedition.  In a racy and humorous style, the gallant lecturer, assisted by photographs and moving pictures, gave an intensely interesting description of the adventure he made in an unsuccessful attempt to reach the South Pole.  The undertaking was one of rare courage and extraordinary daring, and Sir Ernest bore tribute to the heroism of his men and the willingness to work for the common safety.

The “Endurance”

The pictures were very interesting. These showed the specially designed ship, the “Endurance”, which was built to resist the ice pressure, with timbers of enormous thickness.  For a long distance on the southward journey, the stout ship was able to cut her way through the ice, but there came a time when the ship was jammed immovably in the frozen sea and had to be abandoned.  The stores aboard were got out, the dogs harnessed and a long and toilsome journey was commenced across the ice-flows to the open sea.  The party finally succeeded in reaching Elephant Island, whence one of the most remarkable adventures of modern exploration was embarked upon.

With five of the party the lecturer set out in an open boat 800-miles across the sea for the whaling station, Georgia Island.  The journey with its hardships and perils was graphically told, as was also the story of the rescue of the remaining party on Elephant Island, on which work the Chilean Government rendered considerable help.

It is understood that Sir Ernest Shackleton is keeping in touch with the principle members of his expeditionary party, in the hope that, with the experience gained on this memorable voyage in the “Endurance”, further exploration may be possible.

Note:
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton was born 15 February 1874 at Kilkea, County Kildare, Ireland, and he died in his cabin aboard the “Quest” on 5 January 1922 from a fatal heart attack, in the area of Grylviken, South Georgia, Falkland Islands.  Sir Ernest received his knighthood in 1909.

Sources: IW Observer & Wikipedia
Images: Wikipedia & AQR International
Article: Ann Barrett