A new publication is now available from St James Park Press which tells the fascinating story of Aurora Australis, the first book written, printed, illustrated and bound in Antarctica, during the Nimrod Expedition, 1907-9.

An Albion in the Antarctic was first published in 2019 using an Albion Press akin to the one originally taken to the Antarctic by Shackleton. This new high-end facsimile edition is limited to only 92 numbered copies and features a foreword written by Dr Jan Piggott, eminent Shackleton expert and James Caird Society member. It is printed on 140gsm Woodstock Bianco, Woodstock Azzurro and 180gsm Materica Aqua from the fine Italian papermaker, Fedrigoni.

This remarkable edition is the definitive account of Shackleton’s endeavour to produce the first letterpress printed book in Antarctica, despite the hostile environment fraught with difficulties and dangers. Using new research as well as contemporaneous records, this beautifully crafted work is a collector’s item.

Full details of An Albion in the Antarctic can be found on the St James Park Press website

Ann Savours Shirley (1927 – 2022)

Members of the James Caird Society will be saddened to hear of the death of eminent Polar historian and writer, Ann Savours Shirley, at the age of 95. Ann’s contribution to the history of Polar exploration was phenomenal, and a full obituary will appear in the next issue of the JCS Newsletter. The Society would like to offer its condolences to Ann’s family. She will be much missed. Further details are available from C.W. Lyons and Son, Canterbury branch

We are pleased to announce the publication of a new work by Jan Chojecki, grandson of John Quiller Rowett.

This is a limited edition hardback and is available to buy online.

It is the first book for almost a century which concentrates on the Quest (Shackleton-Rowett) Expedition, and contains much unpublished material.

For more information and to purchase this limited edition, please go to the website.

It has been decided – with heavy hearts – by all those involved in organising Shackleton’s Final Quest Voyage that the most prudent course would be to postpone. The situation of those vessels already operating in Antarctica made it increasingly clear that it would be impossible to guarantee that the trip would be as the passengers and organisers anticipated – safe, enjoyable, rewarding – and accomplished in accordance with its chief objective: to commemorate the centenary of Shackleton’s death in a fitting manner.

Ice Tracks Expeditions and Polar Latitudes, supported by The James Caird Society and associated industry experts, have therefore postponed the voyage until December 2022, starting with two nights in Ushuaia, followed by a New Year’s celebration in the Beagle Channel.  On 5 January 2023 a special on-board event will honour the day of Shackleton’s death exactly 101 years previously.  The following day the ship will sail the seldom-visited King Haakon Bay, weather conditions permitting.

All those who were booked on the original trip have already been informed of the changed itinerary. Newcomers who are interested in joining us will be very welcome. We will be sailing on MS Island Sky, leaving Ushuaia on 31 December and returning to London on 20 January 2023.  The historical extension to visit Montevideo is planned for 20/21/22 January, returning to London on 23 January.

Everyone who has been involved with the long and detailed planning of this once-in-a-lifetime trip very much regrets the necessity to pull out at this stage but, as The Boss himself said, “Difficulties are just things to be overcome, after all.” 

 The plans currently taking shape for the postponed event are proof that this particular difficulty is well on its way to being overcome.

If you would like further details about the brand new itinerary for Shackleton’s Final Quest voyage, please look here

A webinar meeting explaining the circumstances of the postponement took place on 21 January. If you missed it and would like to catch up, the recording is available here Shackleton’s Final Quest Webinars & Updates.

Wednesday 5 January 2022 marked the 100th anniversary of Shackleton’s death aboard Quest in South Georgia. Many events and expeditions this year pay tribute to the centenary, including the ReQuest21 Expedition undertaken by the Kent Scouts and Shackleton’s Final Quest voyage, organised by IceTracks with the support of the James Caird Society.

Closer to home: Choral Evensong in Westminster Abbey on Tuesday 18 January 2022 will mark the anniversary with a Shackleton theme.