The famous story of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s “British Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition”, better known as the “Endurance” expedition, is closely linked to South Georgia. Many items from this spectacular expedition are on display at the museum in Grytviken, telling an incredible story. Descendants of one of the expedition’s team members have now donated important memorabilia to the museum, helping to expand on the history.
Several personal items belonging to Reginald James, who took part in Shackleton’s “Endurance” expedition as a physicist, have been donated to the museum by his sons. They felt that the museum in Grytviken was the best place to make them accessible to the public, as the museum operator South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT) explains the reasons for the donation. The museum is thus receiving further important pieces for its exhibition, which brings one of the most fascinating Antarctic expeditions from the “golden age of polar exploration” closer to thousands of visitors every year.
The items donated include a copy of Shackleton’s book “South”, which he personally signed for Reginald James in 1920, as well as a typed version of James’ expedition diary. This is considered the most informative and detailed source on the living conditions of the expedition members left behind on Elephant Island. The centerpiece of the donation, however, is the silver Polar Medal, which was later awarded to Reginald James by the British king for his services and participation in the expedition. The medal also came with a smaller version, which serves as a dress medal, but which was handed over still in its original packaging.
“I am delighted to accept Reginald James’ medal on behalf of the South Georgia Museum,” said Deirdre Mitchell, SGHT Museum Director. It feels appropriate that that medal has now come to South Georgia – from where James departed on Endurance in 1914, and where his expedition leader, ‘The Boss’, Sir Ernest Shackleton now rests. We will be hugely proud to display this medal in the South Georgia Museum, and we look forward to sharing James’ story with future visitors to South Georgia.”
The handover took place during a visit in Grytviken of an expedition vessel operated by Swan Hellenic. Captain Kai Ukkonen presented the medal and the other items to museum director Deirdre Mitchell during a small ceremony in Grytviken church.
The SGHT was delighted to receive the donation from the sons of Reginald James. The British physicist, who later went to South Africa and became a world-renowned X-ray crystallography specialist, played a key role in the survival of the expedition members. Thanks to his mathematical skills, he was able to provide a rather accurate indication of the latitude of the ice floe on which the expedition members had been stranded after the sinking of the Endurance. Based on his calculations, Frank Worsley was then able to estimate the route to Elephant Island. James stayed on the island with 21 other members and described the life of the men there in great detail in his diary. “James played a key role in the Endurance Expedition, as shown by the fact that he received a silver polar medal – a mark of the esteem in which Shackleton held him,” explains Deirdre Mitchell.
James’ descendants had already donated items from the physicist’s belongings to the SGHT in the past. The most important of these was the almanac that Worsley had used for the passage of the James Caird to South Georgia and with the help of which he was able to calculate the ship’s position. He later passed the book on to James, who kept it for the rest of his life. The objects are now back where one of the most spectacular expeditions once started and which still captivates every polar enthusiast today.
Dr Michael Wenger, PolarJournal
Link to the website of the museum in Grytviken
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