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Jennifer Armstrong

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Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World is a fictional book, written by Jennifer Armstrong. It tells the true and extraordinary tale of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by Sir Ernest Shackleton 1914-17. All of the men worked extremely hard to get back home alive, but three men stood out the most. Those three men are: Sir Ernest Shackleton, Frank Worsley, and Tom Crean. These men were definitely the most essential to the entire expedition, and took part in almost every single task executed. Shackleton was the most essential part to the whole expedition. He is also often called “the Boss.” This just shows how much the men look up to him, because what the Boss says, goes. Shackleton is constantly trying to look after his men, after …show more content…

On May 25, 1914, Crean joined Shackleton’s expedition as a second officer, with a varied range of duties. Crean had been on two previous journey’s with Shackleton, and Shackleton trusted him. “Tom Crean, another Irishman and a tough sailor, had also been south with Shackleton before, and proudly wore Britain’s snow-white Polar Medal on his jacket.” (pg 7). Crean was also in charge of one of the dog teams, and he later took care of the pups, that one of his dogs produced rather early in the expedition. “There were six dog teams for the overland journey to be made once Endurance got under way again. The drivers were: James McIlory and Alexander Macklin, the two doctors; Frank Hurley, the photographer; Frank Wild, Shackleton’s loyal second-in-command; Tom Crean, the Antarctic veteran; and George Marston, the expedition artist.” (29). “Tom Crean made a miniature sled for his puppies, and Worsley described their first attempt at pulling. ‘Crean put his 4 pups in harness for the first time… their howls of terror resound for miles around… they pursue a devious and uncertain course… and they flounder and puff and pant along through the snow until to their joy they are headed for the ship and for a few minutes drag thee hated sledge as fast as a dog team.’” (pg 37). Crean also took charge of the Stancomb Wills, on the way to Elephant Island. “Crean and Hubert Hudson, the navigating officer of the Endurance, piloted their lifeboat with Crean effectively in charge as Hudson appeared to have suffered a breakdown.” (Alexander, pg 127). Once they had finally reached Elephant Island, Crean was one of the men ordered to go find a safe camping ground, because he was one of the “four fittest men”. “Frank Wild, who would be in command of the party remaining on Elephant Island, wanted the dependable Crean to stay with him; (Alexander, pg 127) Shackleton initially agreed, but changed his mind after Crean begged to be included

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