South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

“A country doomed by Nature never once to feel the warmth of the Sun's rays, but to lie for ever buried under everlasting snow and ice.”

Cook's journal description of South Georgia's interior after circumnavigating the island, capturing its permanent glacial bleakness.

“Lands doomed by Nature to perpetual frigidness, never to feel the warmth of the sun's rays, whose horrible and savage aspect I have no words to describe.”

Cook's published account of the impression South Georgia's icebound coastline made on him and his crew.

“The wild rocks raised their lofty summits till they were lost in the clouds, and the valleys lay buried in everlasting snow. Not a tree or shrub was to be seen.”

Cook's journal record of what he saw on landing at Possession Bay, South Georgia, in January 1775.

“Here Captain Cook displayed the British flag, and performed the ceremony of taking possession of those barren rocks, in the name of his Britannic Majesty, and his heirs forever.”

Forster's eyewitness record of Cook formally claiming South Georgia for Britain at Possession Bay in January 1775.

“I know that during that long and racking march of thirty-six hours over the unnamed mountains and glaciers of South Georgia it seemed to me often that we were four, not three.”

Shackleton's account of the strange sense of a fourth, unseen companion during the first crossing of South Georgia's interior in 1916 — a passage later echoed in T. S. Eliot's poem The Waste Land.

“When I look back at those days I have no doubt that Providence guided us, not only across those snowfields, but across the storm-white sea that separated Elephant Island from our landing-place on South Georgia.”

Shackleton reflecting on the voyage of the James Caird and the crossing of South Georgia, crediting a guiding force for the expedition's survival.

“Boss, I had a curious feeling on the march that there was another person with us.”

Worsley's own words to Shackleton after the 36-hour crossing of South Georgia, describing the shared sense of an unseen fourth presence.

“Never had any one of us heard sweeter music.”

Shackleton's description of hearing the steam-whistle of the Stromness whaling station, the first sound of human civilization the crossing party had heard in over a year.

“My name is Shackleton.”

Shackleton's simple words of introduction to the Norwegian station manager at Stromness, South Georgia, upon completing the crossing in May 1916.

“Three more unpleasant-looking ruffians could hardly have been imagined.”

Shackleton's wry self-description of how he, Worsley, and Crean appeared to the whalers at Stromness after months of hardship and the crossing of South Georgia.

“Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.”

Shackleton's summary philosophy on facing hardship, written in the early chapters of his account of the Endurance expedition.

“Optimism is true moral courage.”

Shackleton's remembered words on the quality he valued most in his men, recorded by expedition physicist Leonard Hussey who served under him.