The Quest Chronicle blog and its origins
In early 2021, it was suggested that I set up a blog to document the “100-years-ago” story of the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition as an unfolding diary. The blog launched in March 2021 and ran though the year up to January 4 2022, the eve of the centenary of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s death at South Georgia. By this time, I had decided that the story should be presented in a book and so transferred efforts to that cause – resulting in The Quest Chronicle being published in September 2022. This part of our website contains just some of the posts from the original blog.
Blog posts are listed below in reverse chronological order.
Jan Chojecki
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June 1921 – the team assemble – Part 1
Frank Wild (48) : Second-in-Command on the Quest, as he was on the Endurance expedition. In 1921 he is a decorated veteran of four Antarctic expeditions and trusted ally of Shackleton. He answers Shackleton’s call and returns from Nyasaland (Malawi), where he has been farming cotton, in partnership with James McIlroy. Frank Worsley (49) –…
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2 June 1921
Thursday 2 June 1921 At a dinner at the Savoy Restaurant, London, the menu is signed by Ernest Shackleton, John Quiller Rowett, Frank Wild, Joseph Stenhouse, Frank Worsley, Lee Keedick, Leonard Hussey, Lewis Rickinson, Northrup McMillan, Percy Wallace and Laurence Legge. Penguins are drawn on the menu – the decision to go South is confirmed. Worsley,…
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17-31 May 1921
Friday 20 May 1921 Ernest Shackleton visits the Rowetts at Ely Place and stays the night. Lady Shackleton, already there since 12th, stays on after he leaves the next day. John Quiller Rowett has by now agreed to fund the whole expedition – which will amount to an outlay of around £100,000 (over £5m in…