In 1915, Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance was grounded in the ice of the Weddell Sea. The plan to cross Antarctica becomes a struggle to get out of the trap. The pressure of the sea ice damages the ship. The men abandon it, then it sinks: they have no more habitable boat to leave.
The group camped on the ice before reaching Elephant Island in boats. Shackleton then sets out to find help in South Georgia with a small team. Those left on the island have to wait, isolated in a difficult environment. The rescue of the 28 men of the Endurance ended in 1916.
The University of Cambridge has described the digitization of the journals of scientist James Wordie, who document this expedition. These writings bring a living trace to a story that has become famous. Success is about the Endurance Group: it should not be extended indiscriminately to all members of other operations related to the Shackleton Antarctic Project.
What we know
The 28 survivors are those of the Endurance Group; do not include that part of the Ross Sea Expedition.
To go to the source
- Université de Cambridge — Endurance descendants and James Wordie’s journals (new tab)↗
- Royal Museums Greenwich — Sir Ernest Shackleton (new tab)↗
References accessed October 11, 2026. Linked pages may be in another language.
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