Post by Administrator on Nov 15, 2021 16:50:57 GMT
VIA: Newport, Cardiff & Barry Dock/Merchant Navy
Born on this day 1896 in Pill, Newport.
Perce Blackborow, a stowaway on Shackleton's ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica in 1914. The expedition member's return journey has become a famous story of human endurance and courage after being marooned on the ice for almost two years.
As a young man, Blackborow joined the Merchant Navy and was in South America in 1914 when Shackleton's expedition made their way south. He applied to join, but he was rejected as being too young and inexperienced. Undeterred, Blackborow hid on board as a stowaway until he was discovered after three days at sea. Shackleton gave him a furious dressing down during which he was told that stowaways were the first to be eaten in times of hardship.
Blackborow's cheeky response that the expedition's leader had more meat on him endeared him to Shackleton who then agreed to take him on board the Endurance as a steward.
The Endurance then became stuck in ice in February 1915 and drifted until she broke up sank in November. After this, the crew spent two months living on shifting ice floes exposed to freezing winds Blackborow made the mistake of wearing leather rather than the cold-weather felt boots and developed frostbite in his toes.
By April 1916 the ice floes started to split so Shackleton made the decision to try and get the lifeboats through to reach safety. This was frustratingly slow and perilous as they were exposed to mountainous seas and killer whales, but the team eventually made it to Elephant Island from where seven of the crew led by Shackleton sailed to get help. The remaining crew sheltered from howling gales and freezing temperatures living off the meat from seal and penguin. By June, Blackborow’s feet had become gangrenous resulting in the expedition doctor having to amputate the toes of his left foot.
Shackleton's party eventually managed to reach South Georgia, some 750 miles away, from where, after several attempts, they managed to get a rescue ship through to the men on Elephant Island on 30th August 1916.
Blackborow, who was awarded the Polar Medal for his service on the expedition, spent three months recovering in Chile before returning to Newport where he rejoined the Merchant Navy and later worked at Alexandra Docks, Newport.
The History of Wales
Born on this day 1896 in Pill, Newport.
Perce Blackborow, a stowaway on Shackleton's ill-fated attempt to cross Antarctica in 1914. The expedition member's return journey has become a famous story of human endurance and courage after being marooned on the ice for almost two years.
As a young man, Blackborow joined the Merchant Navy and was in South America in 1914 when Shackleton's expedition made their way south. He applied to join, but he was rejected as being too young and inexperienced. Undeterred, Blackborow hid on board as a stowaway until he was discovered after three days at sea. Shackleton gave him a furious dressing down during which he was told that stowaways were the first to be eaten in times of hardship.
Blackborow's cheeky response that the expedition's leader had more meat on him endeared him to Shackleton who then agreed to take him on board the Endurance as a steward.
The Endurance then became stuck in ice in February 1915 and drifted until she broke up sank in November. After this, the crew spent two months living on shifting ice floes exposed to freezing winds Blackborow made the mistake of wearing leather rather than the cold-weather felt boots and developed frostbite in his toes.
By April 1916 the ice floes started to split so Shackleton made the decision to try and get the lifeboats through to reach safety. This was frustratingly slow and perilous as they were exposed to mountainous seas and killer whales, but the team eventually made it to Elephant Island from where seven of the crew led by Shackleton sailed to get help. The remaining crew sheltered from howling gales and freezing temperatures living off the meat from seal and penguin. By June, Blackborow’s feet had become gangrenous resulting in the expedition doctor having to amputate the toes of his left foot.
Shackleton's party eventually managed to reach South Georgia, some 750 miles away, from where, after several attempts, they managed to get a rescue ship through to the men on Elephant Island on 30th August 1916.
Blackborow, who was awarded the Polar Medal for his service on the expedition, spent three months recovering in Chile before returning to Newport where he rejoined the Merchant Navy and later worked at Alexandra Docks, Newport.
The History of Wales