Social Classes in the Endurance Expedition - Research Paper Example

es Shackleton’s Way in Dealing with Social es When hardships set in, the thought processes of individuals change. In the face of extreme hardships, in life and death situations, the inner core of human beings sparkles. The ordinary human beings become extremely good human beings. Survival becomes their mutual concern and in that desperate situation, they seek desperate remedies. The Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by famous polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, was one such a tough opportunity for the members of the expedition to show true human spirit, mutual love, and inner strength, notwithstanding the fact that they belonged to different social classes. The time was perfect for human misunderstandings because World War I had just begun! The team was a mixture of different types of personalities and professionals consisting of “The old salt explorers, scientists, the crew, the photographer Frank Hurley, and other men like the carpenter, Henry McNish, “Chippy” and his cat, “Mrs.Chippy.” (Ernest Shackleton, Endurance Imperial Trans-Antarctica Expedition). How did Shackleton take care of the different social classes in his expedition? The team was truly an international one as would be seen from the areas/nations to which they belonged. “The Nationalities of the members of the expedition were: American - 1, Australian - 1, English - 17, Irish - 3, New Zealander - 1, Scottish - 4, Welsh – 1, so the total number of the crew, including the leader of the expedition was 28 men” (Shackleton, Endurance Imperial Trans-Antarctica Expedition). So, in 1914, Ernest Shackleton readied his team to claim the rare prize in the history of exploration, by planning to challenge to cross on foot of the Antarctic continent. They were within eighty-five miles of the continent when their ship Endurance landed in trouble, being trapped and the pressure of the pack ice crushed it. They lost communication with the outside world, little realizing at that stage that their ordeal would last twenty months (Endurance-Shackleton’s Expedition-Antarctica Expedition). At that time, Shackleton changed the goal of the expedition. The new goal was set to keep all of the crew members alive and return them home safely. They were stranded for twenty months under some of the harshest conditions earth can bring to bear on human body. Winds could blow up to 80 miles an hour and temperatures could drop as low as -100° F. The men had inadequate food, clothing, and shelter. Yet, despite the seemingly unbearable trials they faced, they survived. Shackletons genius way had saved the men. He possessed important qualities that guided the mens ingenuity, their cooperative spirit, and their ability to withstand the physical demands. A testing time to show the combined skill of all his leadership qualities had arrived and Shackleton was ready to meet the unexpected challenge. Most of the members were not experienced in previous polar expeditions. But they were aware of their duties and allotted professional responsibilities.With Shackleton’s encouraging leaderships the crew made valiant efforts to stay alive in the region where no human beings ever lived. As luck would have it, all of them survived, challenging the breaking ice floes, intolerable cold and danger of attacks from the leopard seals. That was an open boat journey, which would be hailed as the finest navigational feats in nautical history. (Endurance-Shackleton’s Expedition-Antarctica Expedition) In the circumstances they were placed in, the spirit of the ablest and the strongest of men will break. Some of the members of the expedition were in the team on account of their skills only; they were just the technical personnel and had no previous experience about the conditions of the polar region. They were not uniformly trained to face the most dangerous situation for about two years, in the severest cold region of the world. Yet, the members held on, like a family and faced the odds with tremendous fortitude. About the reaction to the survival struggle Alexander comments (2000), that they were given to understand later that a 500-ton steamer was lost with the entire crew in the hurricane which they had successfully tackled. (Alexander, 2000, p.153) On completion of the twenty month ordeal, it was time for analysis. There were now the brilliant among the brilliants of explorers. Frank Worsely, the captain of the Endurance recalls the compliments paid by some of the toughest seamen in the world. One of them spoke in Norse and the Manager translated. He had 40 years of experience in tackling the sea, he knew about the stormy southern Ocean, viewed from any direction, and the feat of the crew of Endurance was matchless. That they all sailed in a 22-foot open boat from Elephant Island to South George was an incredible feat. All the semen present there congratulated the crew heartily but with a solemn face. That was a great compliment coming from a great seafaring community like the Norwegians. (Alexander, 2000, pages 166-167). Shackleton, “the Boss” as he was popularly addressed, was a true leader, who had the capacity to build and sustain the spirit of the members of the team, belonging to different social classes. Alexander writes (2000) that Shackleton was highly capable, no doubts about it. But the 1909 expedition that reached the farthest south would be remembered for his capacity to draw the maximum potential out of others. She goes on to quote Worsley: Shackleton was popular not because he could accomplish big things. He was equally concerned about the smallest details, when the situation demanded. ..Sometime it would appear that he took too much care about the frivolous, and it was only later that his men realized the supreme importance of his perennial watchfulness. (Alexander, 2000, pages 193-194). Alexander goes on to say (2000), his every word or gesture was calculated, which indicted his concentrated approach to do what was most ideal for the welfare his men. At the core Shackleton’s gift for leadership was matchless….the brought forth the revelation to his men and made them aware what strength and endurance they actually possessed, and ennobled their inner being. (Alexander, 2000, pages 194). One example of the equality on the Endurance expedition was the fact that all of the members had to work together. According to Wordies’ son, all of the crew including Shackleton had to join the work and put a hand on even if it was scrubbing the floor; it was about a team not a “them and us” situation (The Endurance Shackleton’s Legendary Expedition, DVD). Take another example of Henry McNish, the Carpenter. He was from Scotland and was the oldest member of the expedition. Shackleton found it difficult to control him especially after the ship sank. He over-performed his job as the carpenter and often over-stepped his authority. He began to oppose Shackleton after his pet cat “Mrs. Chippy” was ordered to be shot. He clashed directly with Shackleton, and like a seasoned lawyer questioned his authority and to give orders to the team, after the loss of the ship. He was clearly breaking the class hierarchy and indulging in acts of insubordination. Shackleton’s capacity to organize the people belonging different classes was evident when the process was on for finalizing the expedition team by making the interviews. Majority of the applicants were inexperienced, or unsuited for the job they were applying for. For some posts there was competition, whereas for a particular post, an applicant had to be encouraged to join. Some really capable hands joined the team; they were quite faithful and obedient to go by the orders issued. (Weber, 2008, p.4) Others were also capable, but had their independent opinions, questioned the orders of the superiors, with potentiality to cause unpleasant situations. But in the hour of trial, the entire team stood as one man, and Shackleton proved himself to be the binding and inspiring force of the team—the real captain! It is easy for a captain to lead the team in ordinary situations, when the going is good for everybody. But when the going gets tough, indiscipline comes to the fore. But Shackleton was an extraordinary human being. He was a man of supreme confidence in his abilities and he interpreted defeat as a reflection of personal deficiency. (10 Shackleton Power Point Presentation). Shackleton and his team were up to tremendous odds. His serious problem was with the team carpenter McNish. The background information of the two persons was entirely different, and they failed to establish a good relationship. There must be something seriously wrong with the personality of McNish, for Shackleton had no problems with the other members of the team. McNish was accustomed to follow orders established in the principles of rank and rules. Shackleton was an Anglo-Irishman from the ranks of merchant marine. He mixed freely with the crew and officers, irrespective of the official status of the individual, and at the same time he kept the essential dignity of his position. He was a rebel against procedures and rules, wherever they blocked progress and violated them as per the demand of the situation, says Harvard Business School (HBS) Professor of Business Administration Nancy Koehn. She has created and taught a business case called "Leadership in Crisis: Ernest Shackleton and the Epic Voyage of the Endurance"(Harvard Gazette: Shackleton in business school). The crew members enjoyed full freedom under him, and discharged the duties that were carefully chosen to them. His brilliant leadership won the trust and admiration of one and all, but not of McNish. The leadership qualities of Shackleton were fully tested by one wrong man in the entire team. Alexander carefully analyzes Shackleton’s actions, his extraordinary character, and immense courage. To keep every man under his command, in such a grim situation, is an appalling task. Such a dream is unbelievable for the reader, but one has to believe the reality of Shackleton’s style of controlling different social classes and mold them as one team. References: Alexander, C. (2000). Endurance: Shakleton’s Legendary Antarctic expedition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Endurance-Shackleton’s Expedition-Antarctica Expedition. Retrieved from http://www.antarcticconnection.com/antarctic/shackleton/index.shtml Ernest Shackleton, Endurance Imperial Trans-Antarctica Expedition 1914-17. Retrieved from http://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/History/antarctic_whos_who_endurance.html Koehn, Nancy. Harvard Gazette: Shackleton in business school. Retrieved from http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/01.29/03-shackleton.html 10 Shackleton Power Point Presentations. Retrieved from http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/Stella-42786-10-Shackleton-Shackletons-Endurance-Expedition-Understanding-Leadership-Traits-Education-ppt-powerpoint/ The Endurance Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition, DVD directed by George Bulter, 2000. Weber, Stephen. Sir Ernest Shackleton-A Charismatic Leader in Times of Changes Google Books, 2008 Read More