Promises and commitments are the outward signs of mutual trust between parties, a shared understanding, and a bargain to be upheld at each end. A contract, if you will, whether written and signed, or verbal and committed over a handshake, to terms large and detailed involving the exchange of vast sums of money, or as … More As Good as Your Word: Promises made to be kept
–from the diary of Ernest Joyce, published as “The South Polar Trail”— “A week to-day the sun returns. I am training the puppies, but have made a mistake; that is, I should have tied them up before putting them into harness; they were frolicksome. In a week they travelled in harmony with Oscar, Gunner, and … More Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party, August 15, 1916: ” A week to-day the sun returns.”
Terra Nova Press is pleased to announce the publication of our latest book When Your Life Depends on It: Extreme Decision-Making Lessons from the Antarctic. Co-written by Brad Borkan (London), this book uses epic true stories from the “heroic age” of Antarctic exploration to place the reader in those life and death situations and asks … More Now in Print: “When Your Life Depends on It” co-authored by David Hirzel and Brad Borkan
–from the diary of Ernest Joyce, published as “The South Polar Trail”— “All was going well until one day Richy [R. W. Richards] collapsed. He threw up his arms, gave a cry, and fell down in a faint. Cope was soon to his aid; the long journey had strained his heart. No words could express … More Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party, July, 1916: “. . . . a better pal amidst toil and trouble never existed.”
–from the diary of Ernest Joyce, published as “The South Polar Trail”— “Our first thoughts after the sad news were for the dogs; if they were not secured there would be some severe fighting. After which, we entered the Hut. It is 289 days since we left, and much snow has fallen on the Antarctic … More Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party, July 15, 1916: “The hut on our first entering, although black and grimy, was like a palace to us.”
–from the diary of Ernest Joyce, published as “The South Polar Trail”— [The men marooned at the Discovery Hut since their return from the Barrier have determined to make their way over the sea ice to return to the hut at Cape Evans] “July 15th. This turned out a beautiful calm day with full moon, … More Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party, July 15, 1916: “Once more the Great White South has taken its toll.”
–from the log kept by Captain Stenhouse— “July 22.—Ship in bad position in newly frozen lane, with bow and stern jammed against heavy floes; heavy strain with much creaking and groaning. 8 a.m.—Called all hands to stations for sledges, and made final preparations for abandoning ship. Allotted special duties to several hands to facilitate quickness … More Shackleton’s “Aurora” adrift in the Ross Sea, July 22, 1916: “. . . . made final preparations for abandoning ship.”
–from Ernest Joyce’s account “The South Polar Trail” “All was going well until one day Richy collapsed. He threw up his arms, gave a cry, and fell down in a faint. Cope was soon to his aid: the long journey had strained his heart. No words could express my sorrow when I heard the news. … More Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party, July 21st, 1916: “We have made up our minds to store large quantities of blubber in case the relief ship does not put in an appearance.”
–from Ernest Joyce’s account “The South Polar Trail” “July 15. This turned out a beautiful calm day, temp. down to -40. Packed sledge; under way 10 o’clock. When we were opposite Inaccessible Island, it came over very dark, and on looking up to the moon found it was in eclipse. It is strange that an … More Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party, July 15th, 1916: ‘Once more the Great White South has taken its toll.’
–from Ernest Joyce’s account “The South Polar Trail”— “At last the wind has ceased, going down on the 30th. We spent 36 hours in our sleeping bags, chewing biscuits. On the 30th we killed a seal at Cape Armitage. From then a plentiful supply came up and now we are in the land of plenty … More Shackleton’s Ross Sea Party, June 28 to July 5th, 1916: It seems strange not to have the howling wind, and a still hut.”
Antarctic Discovery 