Shackleton’s Quest at South Georgia
Jan Chojecki’s talk for the South Georgia Heritage Trust and South Georgia Museum, 29 March 2022
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtRIr_kIY4DJJoCQMB9I6VA
28 – 31 December, 1921
Wednesday 28 December, 1921
At 07.20, still in atrocious conditions, Quest heaves to and all hands take in the sail. Dell gets a foot caught in a rope and suffers a nasty injury. Oil bags are deployed to calm the
24-27 December, 1921
Saturday 24 December, 1921 – Christmas Eve
At 8 am, in 40 ft waves, with the engines still giving trouble, the ship is turned to head the storm and Shackleton orders the helm to be lashed. Oil-containing gunny bags are
19 – 23 December 1921
Soon after leaving Rio, Shackleton complains of severe neuralgic pains in the chest and back but resists suggestions to return for medical treatment. He begins an ‘uncharacteristic practice’ of taking champagne in the mornings.
Monday 19 December, 1921
Shackleton transmits
16-18 December 1921 – Rio & South Georgia
Friday 16 December, 1921
Gerald Lysaght, “the General” to the Quest crew, is back in England after leaving the expedition at St Vincent in the Cape Verde Islands on 28 October. Today he arrives at Ely Place to spend the
8-15 December 1921, Rio & South Georgia
Thursday 8 December, 1921
The Woodville, carrying Douglas and Wilkins reaches South Georgia and docks at Port Olav Harbour, the Lever Bros whaling station, with assistance from Captain Lars Andersen (“catch” manager). Once on shore they meet Mr B
4-7 December 1921, Rio
Sunday 4 December, 1921
Sir Alfred Yarrow, the shipbuilding magnate, invites Shackleton to lunch at the Club Central this coming Wednesday, 7 December. Sir Alfred has only very recently arrived from England on RMSP Avon, which departed Southampton on
22-26 November 1921, Rio
Tuesday 22 November, 1921
After a beautiful sunrise, Quest arrives at Rio de Janeiro. Engineers from Messrs Wilson, Sons &Co come aboard to inspect the vessel. Most of the crew are billeted on shore.
Wednesday 23 November, 1921
Sir John
9-21 November, 1921
After the visit to St Paul’s Rocks on Tuesday 8 November, instead of heading to Cape Town as originally planned, Quest is now en route to Rio de Janeiro for further repairs. The engines are playing up again. Added to
8 November, 1921 – St Paul’s Rocks
Tuesday 8 November, 1921
Quest stops at St Paul’s Rocks, at the equator. Wilkins and Douglas make the most of the opportunity to investigate the rocks and wildlife. Wilkins is assisted by Marr and Dell, and Douglas by Hussey and