Ernest Henry Shackleton took part in three key expeditions to explore the unknown continent of the polar region. His journeys, which included geographical and scientific study, were made without access to the modern methods of travel and communication.
Early Years
Shackleton was born in Ireland to parents of Anglo-Irish ancestry. He was one of ten children and the family moved to London when his father qualified as a doctor.
Shackleton demonstrated a passion for adventure from a very early age, fuelled perhaps by his insatiable appetite for reading. Shackleton left school at the age of 16 and was allowed to sign up to the merchant navy. This career move would soon expose him to the adventures he sought.
The Discovery Expedition
Shackleton was recruited to this expedition which took place during 1901 -1903. Robert Falcon Scott led the expedition which included scientific and geographical objectives. During this expedition Shackleton would take part in diverse activities including an experimental balloon flight and editing the expedition’s magazine The South Polar Times. He was a popular member of the team and well respected by Scott. However, Shackleton became ill on a difficult march which experienced a series of difficulties. There is much speculation about the reasons why Scott insisted that he returned home after an inconclusive medical examination.
The Nimrod Expedition
Shackleton nurtured a desire to return to Antarctica for many years following the initial trip. He developed plans for his own expedition and worked hard to secure financial donations. His objective was the conquest of the South Pole and South Magnetic Pole and only with days to spare before departure was the necessary funds acquired. The team left on New Years day 1908.
The expedition would see many accomplishments including; the first travellers on the South Polar Plateau; the first ascent of Mount Erebus and the discovery of the rough location of the South Magnetic Pole. He returned home to England to great acclaim.
Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition
Shackleton still harboured a desire to continue with his journey of discovery despite assurances to his wife Emily that he did not. The pole had finally been conquered in 1910 by a Norwegian, Roald Amundsen. Shackleton then adopted the abandoned plans of the Scottish explorer William Bruce who had failed to obtain the required financial support.
His preparations for the trip were commented upon as being slightly eccentric. For example, on recruiting members to the team, he believed that character and temperament were equally important to technical ability and would ask relevant questions to inform his decisions. He also redesigned traditional hierarchy and insisted on a more equal distribution of menial tasks.
The trip was a difficult one which included the death of three men.
Last Journey
His final project known as the Shackleton-Rowett expediton left England in September 1921. The objectives of the venture were not clear but included the circumnavigation of the Antarctic continent. Rowett a former school friend provided the entire funding for the trip.
When they reached Rio De Janerio Shackleton suffered a suspected heart attack but refused to seek treatment. The expedition continued on the South Georgia and following examination by the ships physician, Shackleton endured another fatal heart attack and died.
Shackleton was buried in South Georgia at the request of his wife, where a memorial service had been held for him with full military honours. Despite his demonstrable ability for leadership and teamwork and the adoption of his methods by many, Shackleton died a poor man in financial terms. Since his death his style has been adopted as a model of corporate leadership and many publications have been produced as a result.
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