Ernest Shackleton

“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.

“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.