Shackleton Turns Back to Rescue Crew Will they evermake it back alive? Deny Kokhanskiy, Year 5
20thMay 1916
Yesterday, Shackleton and two companions arrived in Stromness Whaling Station, still having to rescue the men they left behind. After a hazardous journey across the rough sea, the men arrived in South Georgia with 22 individuals on elephant island, awaiting rescue.What’smore, they had to choose twomen to go to StromnessWhaling Station. After adifficult decision, Shackleton took twomenwithhimover the towering mountains. A day later, Sir Ernest, Worslely and CreanarriveatStromness, still knowing that theyhave torescue themen they left behind. Luckily, themanager of the station, Mr. Sorlle, is a friend of Shackleton’s and he haswelcomed themen with open arms.
“Dry land hasn’t been thiswelcoming ever before” - E. Shackleton
Shackleton and his crew - including a stowaway – set off from the shores of Plymouth on the 8th of August 1914, hoping to be the first ever people to cross Antarctica via the South Pole. However, when they encountered pack ice thicker than ever before, the crew knew they would not get far. Eventually, in January 1915, the Endurance (their boat) got wedged into the ice, and they had to continue on foot. After floating about on the pack ice aimlessly, they finally set up a plan to voyage up to Elephant Island. Upon arrival, six men were to sail to SouthGeorgia to seek help. The seaswere rough, and survival was tough. ThecrewarrivedatKingHaakonBay,but theystill had to journey across the towering mountains. Another couple men were left behind, too weak. to carry on. On the 20th May, they arrived at Stromness Whaling Station. Mr. Sorlle was the manager of the station, and Shackleton’s friend. But, he did not recognise the men because of the dirt on their faces at first. “Endurance just startedbreakingup,andwewill nowcontinue with nomeans of escape except from three small lifeboats.”
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