About Sir Ernest Shackleton
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (15th February 1874- 5th January 1922 was an Anglo-Irish Antarctic Explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. Shackleton's first experience of the polar regions was a third officer on Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Discovery Expedition of 1901-1904, from which he was sent home early on health grounds. During the Nimrod Expedition of 1907-1909. Shackleton was knighted for his achievements on this expedition by King Edward VII.
Shackleton then turned his attention to crossing the Antarctica from sea to sea, via the south pole. To this end, he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-1917. The expedition was struck by disaster when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and eventually sank in the Weddell Sea off Antarctica on the 21st of November 1915. The crew escaped after enduring a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles (1,330 km; 830 mi) in Shackleton's most famous exploit. He returned to the Antarctic with the Shackleton–Rowett Expedition in 1921 but died of a heart attack while his ship was moored in South Georgia. At his wife's request, he remained on the island and was buried in Grytviken cemetery. The wreck of Endurance was discovered just over a century after Shackleton's death.
Steve Burnett
Creator of the violin made from floorboards salvaged from Shackleton's former home and driftwood. . Burnett hoped the violin would be a symbol of "one of the most incredible journeys of survival in human history". The violin is not only a musical instrument but also a "time capsule" with historical significance, connecting to Shackleton's life and the remarkable survival story of his crew. Mel's poem about Oratory was included inside the violin.
"Mel,
The “Shackleton driftwood Violin“… pictured: the back fashioned from driftwood washed up in East Lothian, and the violin front, fashioned from the floor boards of Shackleton’s Edinburgh home ….. one of the floor boards in the centre from a tree dating back to early 1800’s..!
Your beautiful Poem will be transcribed on the inside of the driftwood back."
Steve
Steve Burnett
Creator of "Shackleton Driftwood Violin".
"Dear Mel,
The Shackleton Violin before closing up ….your poem was bit tricky to place as one piece ,so the only way was to separate…which in my mind is the perfect configuration -representing & looking like two ice sheets -carrying your words,as the men found themselves separated at various times,finally reunited!
The Endurance expedition members all listed within this time capsule too on the floorboard violin belly !
Thanks again Mel for the powerful poem.
All the best,
Steve"
