TALK: SHACKLETON’S ENDURANCE & Antarctic Science in 2024

Endurance, not seen since it was crushed by ice in the Weddell Sea in 1915 was discovered in March 2022, renewing interest in Shackleton’s Endurance Antarctic expedition 1914.

Alan Wordie will give an illustrated talk on the expedition (as seen through the papers and diaries of his grandfather James Wordie, the Chief Scientist on Endurance) including a graphic telling of the crew’s great escape under Shackleton’s leadership.

Alan will summarise the discovery of the wreck by ENDURANCE22 and its importance as a Heritage Site and Monument in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty.

After an interval with Wine and Canapés, Alan will use James Wordie’s Antarctic involvement as the thread through time, addressing some key elements of the evolution of geographical and scientific understanding of Antarctica and culminating in the UK signing the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. Antarctica is as a consequence a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.

Alan visited Antarctica in 2014 with other descendants of the crew of Endurance (1914-1916) and again in 2024 to look at his grandfather’s influence on science in the area. It was a special moment when he visited Wordie House on Winter Island (HSM 62 Base F), named in 1947 after James Wordie. The wildlife, and dependence on krill, in this natural reserve will also be explained.

The talk is in St. John the Baptist Church, Harringworth, on Friday 11th October with doors opening at 19.00 for a 19.30pm start. Tickets cost £15 (with a free glass of wine and canapés) and can be ordered by emailing harringworthvillage@gmail.com.

We would appreciate you paying in advance via BACS to: Harringworth Appeals Fund, Sort Code 40-45-03 - Account Number 51075659 Reference: WORDIE @ £15.00 per ticket.

A donation will be made to the Scott Polar Research Institute Cambridge to promote outreach.

In aid of Harringworth Appeals Fund