People Who Survived What Should Have Been Instant Death

All Hail The Endurance

Frank Hurley / Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge / Getty Images

In 1914, Sir Ernest Shackelton offered potential crew members a dangerous mission to be the first to cross the Antarctic continent. 28 people responded to the call of the expedition, but they had no guarantee of a safe return home. Also, they had to endure low wages and the bitter cold while sailing on the “Endurance”.

Once the expedition began, they got trapped within the Antarctic ice, and remained trapped until the ship finally sank on November 21, 1915. Fortunately, all crew members survived the scare, making their way to Elephant Island from which they were rescued.