Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

The Polar Night involves approximately six months of total darkness and is described as a “return to the Ice Age—no warmth, no life, no movement” (47). Prior expeditions had encountered emotional problems as a result of this, but the men of the Endurance entertain themselves in a variety of ways, including singing and listening to Hussey, the meteorologist, play his banjo. This chapter enumerates the most important shipmates and provides a short biography of each: Bobby Clark, the biologist who is excited by searching for specimens in the area; Tom Crean, an Irishmen with years of experience in the Royal Navy; Charlie Green, aka “Chef,” whom the men respect due to the conscientiousness with which he approaches his cooking; and Henry Hudson, an introverted navigator who is sometimes the object of practical jokes.

Although the weather deteriorates, the crew is able to enjoy some of the magnificent natural phenomena in the area. Despite the temperature of -17 degrees in June, men enjoy watching the moonlight on the ice floes and witnessing the aurora australis, which are comparable to the northern lights. On June 22, the midpoint of the winter, the men produce a talent show, which is described in hilarious terms in their diaries.