The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1922-03-21
DESCRIPTION SOUTH
GEORGIA ISLAND
THE LAST RESTING PLACE OF
SHACKLETON, THE GREAT
ANTARCTIC EXPLORER.

NEW YORK, n. Y.-Grytviken,
chosen by Lady Skackleton as the last
resting place for the body of her late
husband Cir Ernest Shackleton, Brit
ish explorer, who died aboard his tiny
craft Quest last January 5th, is an ice
bound isolated habitation OF twenty
persons. who cling to the frozen
shores OF South Georgia Island, called
the gateway to the Antarctic
Hundred Miles Long.
Sir Ernest's body was brought from
the Antarctic to Montevideo following
his death and will be accompanied by
Capt. Frank Hussey, a member OF
Shackleton's expedition, when it starts
again on its journey into the Polar re-
gions.
Lady Shackleton's decision to halt
removal of the body to England is in
accordance with lifelong wish OF the
explorer that he be laid to rest amid
the scenes where his life work had
been carried on. Only at the outset OF
his last voyage he told friends he
wanted TO die with his boots on, like
an old sea-dog."
South Georgia Island has figured
several times in Shackleton's career.
He served under Cape R. F. Scott in
1901 when that intrepid pioneer into
the icelands of the south made a dash
from that island which resulted in dis
covery OF the South Magnetic Pole.
One hundred miles long, with Il
rocky, forbidding coast line SO indent-
ed that its width varies from twenty
miles to only one half mile, most Of
its mountainous interior is covered
with ice and snow throughout the
year. Huge ice cliffs overhang its
fords and bays, and great icebergs
breaking off from massive glaciers,
make it dangerous haven for the oC-
casional wandering whaling ships
which touch its shores
Its History.
I The island was discovered in 1675
jN Anthony LaRoche Capt. Cook in
1775 took possession in the name OF
the British empire Until more than
I 100 years later when it was visited
I by. a German expedition aboard the
Moeltke, it remained UNEMPLOYED, but
the presence OF herds of seals and sea
lions made it the occasional rendez-
vous OF whalers for the first few years
OF this century, until the animals there
became nearly extinct. Ducks, pigeons
and Arctic fowl still are numerous on
the island.
1t was while drifting with the ice
past the settlement OF Grytviken,
bound toward the midnight sun on q
voyage OF exploration which was to
have covered $4,000 miles, that Shack
ileton suddenly died His comrades re-
moved his body from the Quest to a
! Norwegian whaler bound for Montevi-
dec and continued the expedition I'M
der the leadership of sub-commander
Frank Wild
In Wooden Coffin.
They headed in the direction OF the
/ lost Enderby land, a vague country
just south of South Georgia Island
which was reported discovered ninety
years ago, but which no one has been
able. to locate since.
! Shackleton's body has been placed
in plain wooden coffin, made by the
whalers at Grytviken, and Theoretically
sealed with zinc. 1t will be placed in
rock-piled cairn, among the mounds
marking the graves of other explorers,
Adventures and whalers who lost their
lives at the Gateway to the Antarc-
| tic"
A simple burial ceremony will be
held in the crude church at Grytviken,
with only Capt Hussey of Shackle-
toms world of admirers to see that his
wishes and the commands of Lady
/ Shackleton are carried out.