NOTE: While working on Shackleton's Way, on a large piece of paper I wrote the name of each lifeboat and, below, the crew-members assigned to that boat - just to be sure I hadn't missed anyone. But as I stared at the lists, Shackleton's underlying thinking and planning leaped off the page. Assigned to each boat was a navigator - Shackleton / Wild, Worsley and Hudson; someone with medical training - McIlroy, Macklin and Hussey; and seasoned sailors. For me, it was one of the most exciting and memorable moments in writing Shackleton's Way.
Macklin's Journal - November 27, 1915 (excerpt)
Today Sir E. put up boat lists, being the names of the different men told off as crew to the various boats. The three boats that have been named respectively "James Caird," "Dudley Docker," and "Stancomb Wills." I am in the "Dudley Docker" which is one of the cutters. The "James Caird" is the whaler. All three boats have been set up and made as strong and seaworthy as was possible under the conditions by the carpenter. The whaler has been decked fore and aft, and her gunwales raised. She is however not as strong as the cutters which are made of oak and are good strong boats. Shortage of nails and suitable wood has prevented the carpenter from doing anything similar to the latter.
There is quite a craze for Bridge amongst some member of the tent, and Sir E., McIlroy and others have been in, giving advice and instruction.
Boat assignments from Worsley's Journal - November 27, 1915
"James Caird" (whaler)
Sir Ernest Shackleton
Wild
Hussey
Hurley
McNeish
Vincent
James
Wordie
Clark
Green
McCarty
"Dudley Docker" (cutter)
Capt Worsley
Mr Greenstreet
Dr Macklin
Cheetham
Marston
Capt Lees
Holness
Kerr
McLeod
"Stancomb-Wills" (cutter)
Mr. Hudson
Crean
McIlroy
Rickinson
How
Bakewell
Stevenson
Blackboro
In the event of the "Stancomb-Wills" being left behind, Hudson, How, Bakewell, McIlroy transfer to "James Caird;" Crean, Blackboro, Stevenson to "Dudley Docker."
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