Survival on a Sea of Ice

Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth. For most of human history, it was unexplored. Antarctica is surrounded by thick sea ice. Winter temperatures dip below –70 degrees Fahrenheit. But in the early 1900s, adventurers repeatedly tried to explore the frozen continent. 

Shackleton was one of them. By 1910, he had already taken part in two Antarctic expeditions. His third began when the Endurance left England in August 1914. 

As the ship neared Antarctica, the trip became more difficult for Shackleton and his crew. They slowly sailed through cracks in the frozen Weddell Sea. Eventually, the Endurance could no longer move. As one crew member later put it, the ship was “frozen, like an almond in the middle of a chocolate bar.”

The crew was forced to leave the ship. They took food, equipment, and three small lifeboats with them and set up camp on the sea ice. The goal of the expedition had changed—from exploration to survival. 

Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth. For most of human history, it was unexplored. Antarctica is surrounded by thick sea ice. Winter temperatures dip below -70 degrees Fahrenheit. But in the early 1900s, adventurers repeatedly tried to explore the frozen continent. 

Shackleton was one of them. By 1910, he had already taken part in two Antarctic expeditions. His third began when the Endurance left England in August 1914. 

As the ship neared Antarctica, the trip became more difficult for Shackleton and his crew. They slowly sailed through cracks in the frozen Weddell Sea. Eventually, the Endurance could no longer move. As one crew member later put it, the ship was “frozen, like an almond in the middle of a chocolate bar.”

The crew was forced to leave the ship. They took food and equipment. They also brought three small lifeboats with them. Then they set up camp on the sea ice. The goal of the expedition had changed—from exploration to survival. 

Months later, in April 1916, the ice under their camp began to split. Shackleton ordered his crew into the lifeboats. They battled waves for days before arriving on uninhabited Elephant Island. 

Worried that his crew wouldn’t survive another winter, Shackleton was determined to find a ship they could use to escape. He and five other men set out for South Georgia Island—more than 800 miles away.

They reached the island 16 days later. But ice, bad weather, and other delays kept them from returning quickly. Finally, on August 30, 1916, Shackleton arrived back at Elephant Island with a boat big enough to rescue the rest of his men. Incredibly, they had all survived!

Months later, in April 1916, the ice under their camp began to split. Shackleton ordered his crew into the lifeboats. They battled waves for days. Then they arrived on uninhabited Elephant Island. 

Shackleton was worried that his crew wouldn’t survive another winter. He was determined to find a ship they could use to escape. He and five other men set out for South Georgia Island. It was more than 800 miles away.

They reached the island 16 days later. But ice, bad weather, and other delays kept them from returning quickly. Finally, on August 30, 1916, Shackleton arrived back at Elephant Island. He brought a boat big enough to rescue the rest of his men. Incredibly, they had all survived!

1. The article says that earlier this year, the story of Shackleton’s expedition “got a new chapter.” What does this mean?

2. Based on the article, why do you think Antarctica stayed unexplored for so long?

3. Why did Shackleton and his crew leave the Endurance before reaching land?

1. The article says that earlier this year, the story of Shackleton’s expedition “got a new chapter.” What does this mean?

2. Based on the article, why do you think Antarctica stayed unexplored for so long?

3. Why did Shackleton and his crew leave the Endurance before reaching land?