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Writer's pictureMargot Morrell

Working for Shackleton


Image: Hurley and Shackleton at Ocean Camp


Editor's Note: In this journal entry from Frank Hurley's journal, we catch a glimpse of what it was like to work for Shackleton.


When Hurley had a painful job to do - destroy many of the images on glass slides he had taken on the expedition - Shackleton sat with him and kept Hurley company through the process.


As Hurley made his decisions about which slides to keep, he smashed the rejected slides so he couldn't change his mind.



Photographer Frank Hurley's Journal - November 9, 1915


Beautiful sunshiny day. ...


During the day, the sailors erected a lookout tower about 20 feet high, from ship's spars. From the summit, one has a commanding view of the surrounding country, and is enabled to study the ice conditions and locate seals. The teams go out seal foraging, and McIlroy returns with three Emperor penguins. Wild brings in a load of blubber from Dump Camp.


I spend the day with Sir Ernest, selecting the finest of my negatives from the year's collection. 120 I resoldered up and dumped about 400. This unfortunate reduction is essential, as a drastic cutting down in weight must be effected, owing to the very limited space that will be at disposal in boat transport.

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