jan 18, 1915 - Beset in packed ice

Description:

The Endurance went through thousand miles of packed ice for about six weeks. On one particular day, the ice of the frozen sea suddenly closed in the Endurance, surrounding it and disabling the ship's mobility. As the vessel drifted southwest with the ice, Shackleton and his crews tried to break the ship free. However, the endeavors failed, and the ice was getting thicker. As the men grew frustrated and restless, playing soccer and hockey became a daily ritual until the darkness of winter slid into Antarctica. By February, the temperature plummeted to -20 degrees celsius, clearly freezing the sea and letting down the crew's hope for escape. Shackleton realized that either the ice was to thaw out or the ship will get crushed by the solid ice.


"The ice is rafting up to a height of 10 or 15 ft. in places, the opposing floes are moving against one another at the rate of about 200 yds. per hour. The noise resembles the roar of heavy, distant surf. Standing on the stirring ice one can imagine it is disturbed by the breathing and tossing of a mighty giant below"

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