A Tough Journey - The Story of Ernest Shackleton

written by Keith, illustrated by Cody & Wilson

I am a crew member of the Endurance. I have some information about Shackleton. From an early age Shackleton knew he would be a explorer. This is a dream of Shackleton.

“I vow myself that some day I will go to the region of ice and snow and go on till I reach one of the poles.”

This explains why he didn’t become a doctor like his father wanted him to be. He went to sea at age 16.   He traveled through the far east and America. At age 24 he qualified to be a master at sea, which made him able to captain any British ship on any sea.

Now I would like to tell you about our trip.

In 1914 we were sailing and our ship the Endurance became trapped in ice. It was stuck for ten months. It was crushed by the ice which forced us to leave the ship.

After we camped on ice for five months, Shackleton made a boat trip of 800 miles of sea. This boat was 13 feet by 5 feet. He went to South Georgia Island, while we were left to eat penguins on Elephant Island.

He made it to the South Georgia Whaling Station. He set up a rescue team and saved us all. I am Keith,. and I am a shoreman. Here's a friend of mine.
Well, some of us have frost bite and I am sick of penguin. Time after time, the camera man insisted on keeping his pictures.

I am cold. At the time I didn’t think he was going to come back and we would all die! But Shackleton did come back and I am glad I am live and well to tell this story.