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Who was Ernest Shackleton?

Part of HistoryExplorersYear 1Year 2

This is Ernest Shackleton.

  • He was an explorer and sailor.
  • He was born in Ireland in 1874 and he joined the Merchant Navy at 16.
  • He wanted to see places people had never been to before.
  • He went on several trips to explore the South Pole.
  • His most famous journey was on a ship called Endurance in 1914.
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The life of Ernest Shackleton

  • In 1902 he joined Captain Scott. Together they got closer to the South Pole than anyone had been before.
  • In 1909 he tried again. This time he got 111 miles from the South Pole.
  • He was knighted (made a Sir) for his achievement.
  • Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole in 1911.
  • Even though he could no longer be the first to reach the South Pole, Shackleton still wanted to travel there. So in 1914 he led a journey to cross Antarctica on a ship called ‘EČÔ»ćłÜ°ùČčČÔłŠ±đ.’
  • However, 'Endurance' became trapped in the ice and Shackleton’s team had to leave the ship.
In 1909 Ernest Shackleton and his team set a new record. They were 111 miles from the South Pole. This was the closest anyone had been to the South Pole so far.
In 1909 Ernest Shackleton and his team set a new record. They were 111 miles from the South Pole. This was the closest anyone had been to the South Pole so far.
  • In April 1916 they reached Elephant Island in the South Pole on three boats.
  • Elephant Island was unsafe because it was covered in ice and rocks. It was also very cold and dark.
  • They needed to reach a safe place and find help. Shackleton and some of his team took the boat James Caird, crossing 800 miles in 16 days to reach South Georgia.
  • They then rescued every member of the crew of the Endurance. Not a single life was lost.
Ernest Shackleton and his team with the boat 'James Caird' on Elephant Island in the South Pole in 1916.
Ernest Shackleton and his team with the boat 'James Caird' on Elephant Island in the South Pole in 1916.
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Did you know?

  • Ernest Shackleton took a photographer with him on the journey to show people what he saw.
  • He also wrote a book called 'South' about the Endurance mission.
Norwegian Explorer Roald Amundsen at the South Pole
Norwegian Explorer Roald Amundsen at the South Pole
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Activity – Ernest Shackleton quiz

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