This is the famous ad Ernest Shackleton placed in the newspaper to pull together a crew for his Endurance voyage:
“Men Wanted for Dangerous Expedition: Low Wages for Long Hours of Arduous Labour under Brutal Conditions; Months of Continual Darkness and Extreme Cold; Great Risk to Life and Limb from Disease, Accidents and Other Hazards; Small Chance of Fame in Case of Success.”
Shackleton
Most feel it’s a myth and no tangible proof exists that it ever ran in any paper. Still, it is a really good ad. And the heroic voyage did take place. The crew began their journey at the start of WWI. Shackleton wanted to stay behind, help out in the effort. However, most thought the war would be short-lived and god and country told him to proceed onward. For three years, the crew was cut off from the outside world. When Shackleton finally reached a Norwegian whaling station, he asked when the war ended. Here was the officer’s response:
“The war is not over,” he answered. “Millions are being killed. Europe is mad. The world is mad.”
Let us never forget.
Notes:
- No daring adventure on this boat–only an adventurous cruise off the coast of the Big Island.
