REMARKABLE photographs of one of the world’s greatest survival stories have gone on show at the National Library of Scotland.
The extraordinary Antarctic journey of Sir Ernest Shackleton and the crew of the Endurance is told in Enduring Eye, an exhibition which runs from today at the main National Library of Scotland (NLS) building at George IV Bridge in Edinburgh.
The exhibition features newly digitised images which have been processed from fragile 100 year-old glass plate and celluloid negatives, revealing previously unseen detail of the crew’s struggle to survive on one of the greatest ever polar journeys.
Shackleton’s aim was to cross the Antarctic continent from coast to coast but the Endurance had to be abandoned after it was crushed by ice, forcing the crew to live on ice floes for months in freezing, hostile conditions before attempting a rescue. All the men were eventually saved.
The story is told in more than 90 photographs, taken from the negatives that were saved by the expedition’s official photographer Frank Hurley.
It is remarkable that they survived at all after being submerged in “mushy” ice inside the Endurance for a fortnight after the ship sank. From the 550 plates that were recovered, Hurley could carry only 150 and the others had to be abandoned. They provide an incredible lasting record of the men of Endurance and their fight to survive.
The exhibition celebrates the achievements of the men of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1914–17) on its centenary.
It has been prepared by the Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers (IBG), and uses material from the NLS’s own polar collection.
In addition to the haunting photographs, visitors have the rare chance to see personal items carried through every stage of the polar journey.
One of these is a tartan blanket given to the expedition’s Scottish geologist James Wordie by his sister. After the ship sank, it was adapted into a jacket to help give some protection against the fierce polar winter. Also on show is a paperknife, crafted from a wooden tent peg, and given to Wordie by his fellow Scot Henry McNish, the ship’s carpenter whose skills were essential in getting the men to safety.
According to the NLS: “As one of the first truly modern documentary photographers and film-makers, Australia-born Hurley hoped to have his images seen as large as possible. A century later, the exhibition fulfils that wish with large dimension prints, some over two metres in width and height, providing viewers with a sense of awe and wonder.”
Other highlights include contemporary newspaper cuttings which are part of the Wordie papers held by the library and correspondence between Shackleton and Lord Rosebery.
The exhibition has been researched, written and curated by Meredith Hooper, the Antarctic historian, writer and broadcaster, from original source material in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, whilst also drawing on information provided by descendants of some of the 28 men on the expedition.
Paula Williams, curator of maps, mountaineering and polar collections at NLS said: “Polar expeditions caught the public imagination 100 years ago and continue to fascinate to this day.
“The stunning photographs in this exhibition tell an amazing story of human daring and endurance in the most hostile of circumstances.”
Alasdair MacLeod, head of enterprise and resources at Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), said: “We are delighted to be working with the National Library to share this extraordinary story with the widest audience possible.
“Through Hurley’s incredible images and the local links to the expedition, we hope to inspire people to learn more about the world’s last great wilderness and the work of today’s scientists to further understanding of it.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here