Article London Times : Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.
Sir Ernest Shackleton Speaking for myself I have to say this man was the greatest adventurer of all time. He led an expedition to cross the Antarctic in 1914. Plagued by hardship was frozen in. Managed by shear will and dogged cussedness to bring all his men out alive some 20 months later. His expedition came as close as any ever did to seeing the naked soul of mankind.
A man among men he was the greatest adventurer of all time. Managing with 5 of his men a final 800 mile sail in a open dingy over the roaring forties in the Southern Ocean. Using dead reckoning and only two sightings in over two weeks sail. Fought starvation and frostbite through the fifty foot waves and storms. To land successfully on a tiny sliver of an Island called South Georgia. Then went back and save all his men. His sail and subsequent crossing of the interior of South Georgia island on foot,was miraculous. So much so the disbelieving whalers there rescued the tiny boat from the far side of the island. Carrying it on their shoulders, as if it were the Ark of the Covenant.
Returning to England he has always been a light to men. Those who seek adventure and purpose from the daring and dignity of their lives. His efforts to not only save oneself. But to pick up and carry his comrades home to safety as well. Stories told of him from the survivors of the Scott expedition say his character was kind and conciliatory to men of all walks. One man remarked" We were starving. None had eaten anything in 5 days. Shackleton forced his last biscuit upon me. Even though he too was starving. A man can't imagine the magninamity of such a act, who's never experianced it. But I shall never forget it!" He was to this man at least one of the greatest men who ever drew breath.
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I love stories like this and was most moved by it. Despite mankind's many faults and short-comings, this tale of strength, dedication and honor begs one to argue our worthiness. If, one day, God says "Show me why I should let mankind go on," I should like for him to be told about Sir Ernest Shackleton.
first I wold like to say nice touch with the violen It realy made me cry (guess Im realy emotional) but as I was saying only a true man or woman could come to tasting true sucess as he did an excelent tribute
Excellent! A wonderful tribute and a very interesting story I was not aware of.
"Only a man who risks his pride/can dream of dining on his wish/The man who sees his limits dashed/rendered from toil of sweat and tears/Is he who has lived more in life/than others know in all their years"
Great observation and absolute truth. A short write that says so much. Well done.
This is a wonderful tribute to a most corageous man. You have shown his tenacity the light of day and educated the readers. Beautifully written.
The song you added plays on and on.. lovely..
He was a great and brave man. I read his story somewhere over my lifetime. I been in cold places in my time. But to live 18 month in the frozen cold. To battle virgin land without fear. He was a great story. A excellent poem.
A VERY impressive tribute to a great man,,,,as always you put out powerful examples for readers,,,in an era when we need heroes ,,,when we got to believe that humanity hasn't died yet,,,,captivating and thought provoking,,,
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I am a product of the Midwest. Raised on the plain states of North America. I was nurtured on a .. more..