There’s something to be said for William Bligh – terrible politician, hell of a sailor. 6000km in an open boat with no charts (and doing a little charting along the way) is not to be sneezed at.
I recently heard an OTR dramatisation about Shackleton’s search for the northwest passage. It was pretty intense. I wish I could remember what series it was from.
Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama. Supposedly when he saw the Pacific, he walked into it up to his knees and brazenly claimed it and all the lands that touched it for Spain. Tale about brass.
A few years ago I read an excellent account of Shackleton’s expedition; Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing. Highly recommended.
For another like expedition, with somewhat less salubrious results in like circumstances, (but north rather than south) read Hampton Sides’s In The Kingdom Of Ice: The Grand And Terrible Polar Voyage Of The USS Jeanette.
Fame is more often bestowed upon “idiots” who, more often than not, get themselves and those surrounding them killed…
And you may say that Shackleton and his men didn’t die – but what of the financial ruin of the investors in his voyage who, AT THE VERY LEAST. lost the cost of a very good ship and lots of equipment – his investors were not ALL wealthy entrepreneurs…
Mine is my Mum’s uncle, Robert Fergusson, Inventor of Rustoleum. He sent his crew off safely before saving his sinking ship and its cargo. He used the reward money to invent the rust proof paint. He has a book written about him too, one of my Aunts has a copy. I’ve tried to find one but alas, it is out of print :(
“For scientific leadership give me Scott; for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems no way out, get on your knees and pray for Shackleton.” — Sir Raymond Priestly
Richard S Russell Premium Member 5 months ago
Can’t remember which military genius said it, but the idea was not to die for your country but have the other guy die for HIS country.
SteveHL 5 months ago
My favorite sailor is Popeye. He would have just had some spinach and then pulled the ship out of the ice.
Concretionist 5 months ago
Those “extreme explorers” were (and are) crazy, imho.
Rhetorical_Question 5 months ago
John Forgione , Painter !
anne o 5 months ago
Shackleton ate Mrs. Chippy, the ship’s cat. Give me Crozier any day.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member 5 months ago
There’s something to be said for William Bligh – terrible politician, hell of a sailor. 6000km in an open boat with no charts (and doing a little charting along the way) is not to be sneezed at.
Meg: All Seriousness Aside 5 months ago
I recently heard an OTR dramatisation about Shackleton’s search for the northwest passage. It was pretty intense. I wish I could remember what series it was from.
lee85736 5 months ago
Wait, wait…..If you foresee trouble ahead, do what you can to avoid it before it’s too late? Nah, that’s way too complex for some people.
ChukLitl Premium Member 5 months ago
Robert Smalls, slave took a Confederate ship & gave it to the Union. Became a Congressman.
jconnors3954 5 months ago
I vote for Popeye.
stuart Premium Member 5 months ago
Never have figured out why Shackleton is so venerated. He ignored advice of the locals when he set sail.
HappyDog/ᵀʳʸ ᴮᵒᶻᵒ ⁴ ᵗʰᵉ ᶠᵘⁿ ᵒᶠ ᶦᵗ Premium Member 5 months ago
Mrs Olsen needs to realize that you don’t sail into pack ice, it comes to you. Suddenly.
Serial Pedant 5 months ago
war: the last gasp of diplomacy.
sandpiper 5 months ago
Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama. Supposedly when he saw the Pacific, he walked into it up to his knees and brazenly claimed it and all the lands that touched it for Spain. Tale about brass.
sandpiper 5 months ago
Mrs. Olsen is subtly hinting to Caulfield that perhaps he shouldn’t rush into new territories without good info.
bwoodruf Premium Member 5 months ago
Googled JF. Did find a Navy vet. Did he sail under pack ice rather than into it?
goboboyd 5 months ago
The ‘easy’ achievements are rarely talked about. Much less commemorated.
mfrasca 5 months ago
The Endurance = Apollo 13.
Cozmik Cowboy 5 months ago
A few years ago I read an excellent account of Shackleton’s expedition; Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing. Highly recommended.
For another like expedition, with somewhat less salubrious results in like circumstances, (but north rather than south) read Hampton Sides’s In The Kingdom Of Ice: The Grand And Terrible Polar Voyage Of The USS Jeanette.
FireAnt_Hater 5 months ago
The difference between an expert and a pro?
An expert knows how to get out of a tricky situation. A pro knows how to avoid getting into that tricky situation in the first place.
Smeagol 5 months ago
The Endurance was found last year more than 100 years after she sailed.
Mike Baldwin creator 5 months ago
The unsung heroes of not being an idiot in the first place.
jjkaled 5 months ago
Anyone old enough to remember the commercial from the 60’s that depicted 2 statesmen on a hill with fists raised getting ready to rumble?
wellis1947 Premium Member 5 months ago
Fame is more often bestowed upon “idiots” who, more often than not, get themselves and those surrounding them killed…
And you may say that Shackleton and his men didn’t die – but what of the financial ruin of the investors in his voyage who, AT THE VERY LEAST. lost the cost of a very good ship and lots of equipment – his investors were not ALL wealthy entrepreneurs…
thedogesl Premium Member 5 months ago
[Mic drop]
Ina Tizzy 5 months ago
Love this one!
Uncle Bob 5 months ago
Is John a friend of Jef? It would be cool to be recognized that way…
Mary McNeil Premium Member 5 months ago
She didn’t mention Sir John Franklin either.
"Doon the Watter" on the Waverley 5 months ago
Mine is my Mum’s uncle, Robert Fergusson, Inventor of Rustoleum. He sent his crew off safely before saving his sinking ship and its cargo. He used the reward money to invent the rust proof paint. He has a book written about him too, one of my Aunts has a copy. I’ve tried to find one but alas, it is out of print :(
calliarcale 5 months ago
“For scientific leadership give me Scott; for swift and efficient travel, Amundsen; but when you are in a hopeless situation, when there seems no way out, get on your knees and pray for Shackleton.” — Sir Raymond Priestly